18-20yr olds. too old for O2, too young for bars. ???

[Jruns]

Karysa: in total agreement! - this is getting silly so I'm done here but enjoy your cruise it makes me toooo angry!!! Just ridiculous

[Karysa]

So, why not just order the drink non-alcoholic? Honestly a pina colada or a daquri tastes the same with or without the alcohol.

 

Our 20 year old son tried to order a drink last time. When they swiped his sign & sail card, his picture and age showed up on the screen. (Like everyone elses). When they saw he was a minor, they made it without alcohol . "nice try"

 

18 is considered an adult in most 'areas' in the US. 21 just happens to be the legal drinking and gambling age.

 

Our son was able to do everything on the ship that we could including the casino except for alcohol. Guess I don't see that as a big deal.

 

Cultures are different. "When in Rome...."

 

 

Did you ask DS why he ordered it with alcohol in the first place? It may not be a big deal to us "over 21" crowd now but I still remember going over to bars 25-30 minutes away in the states when I was 18 and the drinking age where I live was and is 19. I wouldn't walk 10 minutes for a drink now but back then it was a big part of my social scene.

[Karysa]

slipping something into a glass of coke lol too funny

 

One can watch their coke sober.Good try though

 

 

Distractions can happen drunk or sober. Good try though

[Karysa]

Karysa: in total agreement! - this is getting silly so I'm done here but enjoy your cruise it makes me toooo angry!!! Just ridiculous

 

Someone has to be the voice of reason then. ;)

[gailjen]

Is it just me or is there a bit of a gap in Carnival's offerings for guests 18-20 years old. What can they do at night if they can't hang out with other guests their age in club O2 and they can't hang out in the bars?

 

Shouldn't there be options for them?

 

Is there something I'm missing?

 

I asked John Heald this recently as I'd read if American kids were still ' highers ' (hope that's the right word) they could still go in O2 as our son will not have started university when we cruise. John said 'no" but they will be doing some 18-20 meet ups, I hope so as that's all they need to make friends.

 

We will be allowing our son to have the odd drink, he can drink in the UK and every port we are visiting. Its just a shame Carnival can't be bothered bringing a 'waiver form' in like all the other cruise lines in Europe.

[babyher]

At the risk of grinding this one into the ground, a last reply on my humble and singular opinion...

 

I don't have first hand evidence demonstrating the veracity of your claim, not having been on and NCL ship, nor do I know where you found the data to support your claim that there has not been an increase in issues.

 

So far nobody has provided links to evidence proving that older teens and 20 year olds are NOT high risk takers with higher tendency to abuse alcohol rather than use it responsibly. This is the foundation of my disagreement. Take it or leave it, you're entitled to your own opinion.

 

You don't need links or scientific proof to prove that teens and early 20 yr olds are high risk takers . Its called the "Stupidity of Youth " . We all felt like we were "bulletproof " at that age .

 

Who didn't drive like a maniac in their first car, skateboard down a flight of cement steps, dive off a roof or high tree into a pool or lake . etc etc ...

 

God was definately my co pilot in those days which is the only reason I am still here and not in a wheelchair, or in a bed hooked up to ahundred tubes or in a coffin.

 

Of course today at 50 , you couldn't pay me a million dollars to do the things I did back then. But back then trying to impress a hot girl , or a buddy telling me I don't have the "you know whats" to do it was all it took.

 

And that was stone cold sober

[ccruisequeen]

There are several Virgin drinks available. They are cheaper than the adult versions and just as tasty. I'm on medication and can't drink but can enjoy a virgin piña colada.

 

 

Sent from my iPod touch using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app

[frayedend]

If you think that someone can't slip something into a glass of coke as fast as a glass of wine you have something new to learn.

 

Remember these kids are with their parents on vacation not backpacking in Europe alone or on an AI vacation with their friends. Am I the only one that sees a difference between these?

 

I see the difference. And at least on a cruise I would have some control over my kids (mine aren't close to drinking age yet). When then want to backpack Europe I will try not to worry about what they may do as I won't have any control over it. I just hope they don't end up heading to a hostel in Eastern Europe!

[gospelle]

Hi everyone. remember me...the guy who started this thread? Anyway, I'd like to try and steer this conversation back to my original topic, which was what options are available for 18-20 year olds and away from this discussion on the merits of drinking. Please and thank you.

 

I asked John Heald this recently as I'd read if American kids were still ' highers ' (hope that's the right word) they could still go in O2 as our son will not have started university when we cruise. John said 'no" but they will be doing some 18-20 meet ups, I hope so as that's all they need to make friends.

 

We will be allowing our son to have the odd drink, he can drink in the UK and every port we are visiting. Its just a shame Carnival can't be bothered bringing a 'waiver form' in like all the other cruise lines in Europe.

 

It is good to hear they may have some 18-20 meet ups. I don't think John Heald will be our cruise director for the July 28 voyage on Sunshine. Is there a way to find out who is so I can email them?

 

Is anyone aware of any Carnival (European only) sailings that had a waiver program for drinking such as described for NCL sailings? (Please, no guesses). If you have been on a European sailing on Carnival with 18-20yr olds did this come up? Were there special programs for this age group? (again, please, no guesses). I'm curious if this is just a "John Heald" thing or if all voyages offer this.

 

Thank you in advance for trying to keep this conversation on track.

[Velvetwater]

Hi everyone. remember me...the guy who started this thread? Anyway, I'd like to try and steer this conversation back to my original topic, which was what options are available for 18-20 year olds and away from this discussion on the merits of drinking. Please and thank you.

 

 

 

It is good to hear they may have some 18-20 meet ups. I don't think John Heald will be our cruise director for the July 28 voyage on Sunshine. Is there a way to find out who is so I can email them?

 

Is anyone aware of any Carnival (European only) sailings that had a waiver program for drinking such as described for NCL sailings? (Please, no guesses). If you have been on a European sailing on Carnival with 18-20yr olds did this come up? Were there special programs for this age group? (again, please, no guesses). I'm curious if this is just a "John Heald" thing or if all voyages offer this.

 

Thank you in advance for trying to keep this conversation on track.

 

Maybe you could email John Heald? He may put it on his blog as its probably a question that is asked lots.

[gospelle]

Maybe you could email John Heald? He may put it on his blog as its probably a question that is asked lots.

 

I often wonder how effective emailing John Heald is. I mean the guy probably receives 1000 emails a day. I'll give it a shot but I think if I could somehow contact the actual cruise director we'll have it might be more fruitful.

[Velvetwater]

I often wonder how effective emailing John Heald is. I mean the guy probably receives 1000 emails a day. I'll give it a shot but I think if I could somehow contact the actual cruise director we'll have it might be more fruitful.

 

I recieved a personal reply within 48 hours on a fairly trivial matter.

 

Didnt get on the blog but I got my answer.

[frayedend]

I often wonder how effective emailing John Heald is. I mean the guy probably receives 1000 emails a day. I'll give it a shot but I think if I could somehow contact the actual cruise director we'll have it might be more fruitful.

 

Try his Facebook page. He seems to answer most of the posts on there depending on what day he is on. If you see him post, then post your question right away as he will see it pop up.

[gospelle]

I recieved a personal reply within 48 hours on a fairly trivial matter.

 

Didnt get on the blog but I got my answer.

 

Where did you email him from? I used his "Ask John" form on his blog. is that what you did?

[gospelle]

Try his Facebook page. He seems to answer most of the posts on there depending on what day he is on. If you see him post, then post your question right away as he will see it pop up.

 

I can't do this because then my daughter will see that I sent a post as she's a Facebook "friend" and this trip is a surprise for her. so I can't risk it.

 

perhaps someone would be willing to post this question on my behalf? :o

[slk09]

My daughter was 18 on our last cruise and was able to do everything and go into all the clubs - the only thing they can't do is drink. But from what she told me, some of the kids she met and hung out with during the week they had others buying drinks for them and were drinking anyway. I don't think it's strictly enforced. She did drink on the islands though - heck they offered my son (who was 15 at the time) a corona!:eek:

[askimdog]

I'll admit it, I have not read the whole thread here, but is this really a big deal? How many can there be in that age group?. First off, many parents don't pay for an 18-20 year old to cruise, cause often they are out of the house or have a job or are in school. Secondly, very few 18-20 years olds likely have a job that pay well enough to afford to cruise?

 

Just thinking?

[thomarvin]

Sorry, but my boys 18-20 are coming with us on our cruise. And yes I am paying for them. I think it is a great bonding time for the family. This fall 2 of my 3 boys will go off to college and I want to spend time with them while I can. One is at Northeastern and this is his last summer where he can take a vacation. After this summer he will be doing a co-op job for 6 months and classes the other 6. We all enjoy spending time together. We had a rough winter with their younger brother (14) being diagnosed with Leukemia and their Grandmother passing away. We are really looking forward to the time together.

 

I think this is a hugely neglected group. But it seems as though the kids seem to find each other. Are you kids athletic? Have them go to the sports deck. There is always a game of some sort going on. My son has always met kids his own age even if he didnt go to Circle C. He is still in touch with many of them.

[Silent Penguin]

My son was 18 when we last cruised, he had a great time. He met others with similar interests at karaoke, trivia, sports area etc and probably had the best cruise of his life. Alcohol is not something that important to our family, so whether he could drink or not had no impact on his vacation. He knows how to make his own fun, in whatever circumstances. If your son or daughter is outgoing and goes with the flow, they should have a wonderful time. Tell them to attend activities that they enjoy and be friendly and they will almost certainly meet new friends.

 

This is helpful input for our situation. Oldest ds will have just turned 19 when we cruise. He's a sociable person but doesn't drink. On previous cruises, he spent most of his on-board time with the youth program or with teens he met there.

[gailjen]

Hi everyone. remember me...the guy who started this thread? Anyway, I'd like to try and steer this conversation back to my original topic, which was what options are available for 18-20 year olds and away from this discussion on the merits of drinking. Please and thank you.

 

 

 

It is good to hear they may have some 18-20 meet ups. I don't think John Heald will be our cruise director for the July 28 voyage on Sunshine. Is there a way to find out who is so I can email them?

 

Is anyone aware of any Carnival (European only) sailings that had a waiver program for drinking such as described for NCL sailings? (Please, no guesses). If you have been on a European sailing on Carnival with 18-20yr olds did this come up? Were there special programs for this age group? (again, please, no guesses). I'm curious if this is just a "John Heald" thing or if all voyages offer this.

 

Thank you in advance for trying to keep this conversation on track.

 

No waiver on Breeze last year, I did ask John this too but says Carnival have decided against it, as there pulling out of Europe it's probably too much paper work to arrange,

my sons not actually that bothered really as I can buy him the odd beer, it's the meeting up. In previous years both my kids have gone to the ice breaker & then made friends, not always using the clubs after that. I just feel it is the initial meet that helps them. The CD is Noonan & has a Facebook page so will ask the question about a meet up. We're on 28th July sailing too. Anyone one else got teens in this age group?

[DirtyDawg]

I'll admit it, I have not read the whole thread here, but is this really a big deal? How many can there be in that age group?. First off, many parents don't pay for an 18-20 year old to cruise, cause often they are out of the house or have a job or are in school. Secondly, very few 18-20 years olds likely have a job that pay well enough to afford to cruise?

 

Just thinking?

 

THINKING! :eek:

 

askimdog, you know that type of activity is a no-no on CC.:D

 

;) But it sure has been an entertaining thread.;)

[Mulege]

There was no drinking allowed under 21. Purchasing for them would be a serious violation and you can be removed from the ship. RCL, NCL, and Celebrity allow for 18 and over with a waiver from parents so maybe you should consider them for your cruise.

[gailjen]

No reply from Noonan obviously not as active on Facebook as our John H

[gailjen]

I'll admit it, I have not read the whole thread here, but is this really a big deal? How many can there be in that age group?. First off, many parents don't pay for an 18-20 year old to cruise, cause often they are out of the house or have a job or are in school. Secondly, very few 18-20 years olds likely have a job that pay well enough to afford to cruise?

 

Just thinking?

 

It's not just American/Canadians on these cruises, we will be on our family summer holiday so why wouldn't I pay for my 18 year old to come on holiday with us??

For the 6 weeks holiday there will be lots of 18-20 year olds just looking to hang out together, just can't see why they can't have a few meet ups. Otherwise it's like being a single onboard :(