18-20 year old group.

[BLAMBKY]

I have read several post and though myself, that there HAS to be more for this particular group. They just seem to be lost/forgotten. It started me wondering if this is an issue across all cruise lines, what are specific things the cruise lines could do to cater to this group. Anyone have ideas, suggestions? I would love for them to have there "own" CD personell that engages this age group. Maybe specific time for boxing/kick boxing lessons? This area (boxing ring) certainly seems under utilized. Maybe basic card game instruction w/out gambling aspect? Maybe a mocktail mixing class? Maybe a dance party that is hosted 1800-2000 hour, where they learn "old" dances?

[galavant3]

I have read several post and though myself, that there HAS to be more for this particular group. They just seem to be lost/forgotten. It started me wondering if this is an issue across all cruise lines, what are specific things the cruise lines could do to cater to this group. Anyone have ideas, suggestions? I would love for them to have there "own" CD personell that engages this age group. Maybe specific time for boxing/kick boxing lessons? This area (boxing ring) certainly seems under utilized. Maybe basic card game instruction w/out gambling aspect? Maybe a mocktail mixing class? Maybe a dance party that is hosted 1800-2000 hour, where they learn "old" dances?

 

 

I think you have some great ideas! I've cruised several times with kids in this age group and my kids were not really interested in organized activities - they just participate in the regular daily activities. But those that are looking for a more organized program would probably love it.

[ehfl]

There is usually at least one mixer for this age group. I think a lot of people in this group just arrange their own meetup groups using the bulletin board. I don't think they need a lot of organization, and can probably arrange their own pizza parties, dance parties, sports, cards, etc. on their own, but it might not be a bad idea to have a few more formally organized events to see how well attended they are.

[Meggysmum]

There is usually at least one mixer for this age group. I think a lot of people in this group just arrange their own meetup groups using the bulletin board. I don't think they need a lot of organization, and can probably arrange their own pizza parties, dance parties, sports, cards, etc. on their own, but it might not be a bad idea to have a few more formally organized events to see how well attended they are.

 

I think there are many 18 year olds who are travelling with their parents who are still quite young and not very worldly. It is very hard for them to attend an unhosted event completely on their own, especially if it is just in a lounge or bar. There is nothing to help them break the ice and get talking to people, especially if they are self-conscious. It is much easier for teens who are travelling with with siblings or friends.

 

I do think this is a rather forgotten age group, I noticed on our last cruise that there were several groups of older teens who had obviously made friends in pairs and then added more people but when you looked about there were quite a few single teens who were with their parents and didn't know how to break in to the groups.

 

I think some sort of "activity" sessions in the first few days would help friendships form and then they could be left to their own devices. This could just be rock-climbing or skating sessions that were just 18-20 for example so it is things they would like to do but it is still a group activity so it is easier to start conversations and have fun.

[pfm18]

I have read several post and though myself, that there HAS to be more for this particular group. They just seem to be lost/forgotten. It started me wondering if this is an issue across all cruise lines, what are specific things the cruise lines could do to cater to this group. Anyone have ideas, suggestions? I would love for them to have there "own" CD personell that engages this age group. Maybe specific time for boxing/kick boxing lessons? This area (boxing ring) certainly seems under utilized. Maybe basic card game instruction w/out gambling aspect? Maybe a mocktail mixing class? Maybe a dance party that is hosted 1800-2000 hour, where they learn "old" dances?

 

You can gamble properly in the casino at 18.

[iCruise717]

I am 21 now but was faced with the "what about me?" feeling on our last cruise. Luckily my sister is 18 so we were together in the 18-20 age range.

 

There was one meet up that I recall (I did read the compass pretty thoroughly, but I might have missed some things). It was labeled as a "18 -20 singles" meet-up instead of just an 18-20 meet-up. It was held around 8:00 the first night, but we had reservations for a show that night and could not attend.

 

Having structured activities for that age group would be a nice option, however I feel it would go underutilized. Many people 18-20 would not see it as helpful, but possibly stifling. I have a younger sister (15) and the only time she went to the teen area was the first night to meet friends. Besides that, they didn't participate in any of the activities because they would rather hang out on their own and I think many 18-20 would feel the same.

 

I could see if there were some 18s who were younger and possibly not yet in college or graduated high school who might desire more structure, but sometimes structure feels a little too much like summer camp for those of us who have multiple years of college and living on their own experience. It's difficult because you do a lot of maturing between the ages of 18 and 20 so it would be hard to accommodate everyone.

 

I would have enjoyed specific times for the zip line, rock climbing, flow rider, lounge meet-ups, etc. but not necessarily someone instructing us on ice breakers and playing games with us.

[spookwife]

I have read several post and though myself, that there HAS to be more for this particular group. They just seem to be lost/forgotten. It started me wondering if this is an issue across all cruise lines, what are specific things the cruise lines could do to cater to this group. Anyone have ideas, suggestions? I would love for them to have there "own" CD personell that engages this age group. Maybe specific time for boxing/kick boxing lessons? This area (boxing ring) certainly seems under utilized. Maybe basic card game instruction w/out gambling aspect? Maybe a mocktail mixing class? Maybe a dance party that is hosted 1800-2000 hour, where they learn "old" dances?

 

yes it is the Lost Tribe across all lines. Disney seems to try a bit harder. I think it;s more due to the fact that generally speaking this demographic wants to just hang/do their own thing and not be micromanaged and scheduled to death.

 

for instance, at that age, NOTHING you describe would have remotely interested me at all

[galavant3]

I think this could be an issue for all young adults, not just 18-20. There really isn't much difference between what an 20 year old can do and what a 22 year old can do.

 

We have found that this age group congregates at the basketball court and pool. At the beginning of the cruise, that would be a good place to go and meet the others in that age group. It could vary from cruise to cruise but for us that seems to be the unofficial "meeting" place.

 

My kids stopped participating in the organized activities at about 17. They might go to the club the first night just to meet the other kids but then they participated in the activities in the bulletin...karaoke, love and marriage, volleyball competition. They even found that if they went to the art auction they might be able to land a free glass of champagne :(

[akcruz]

My kids stopped participating in the organized activities at about 17. They might go to the club the first night just to meet the other kids but then they participated in the activities in the bulletin...karaoke, love and marriage, volleyball competition.

 

I agree that this is the lost age group. When my daughter was within this age she went to the 18 - 20 meet and greet, however it was in the disco at about 10:30 so the disco was filled with many others who were not in that age group. She is a shy person to start out so was not comfortable going up to anyone to see if they were around her age. She ended up hanging out with us. Not sure if things have changed in the past few years so it may be different now, but that was our experience.

 

Maybe if the cruise lines had one lounge that was just for this age group on the first night or two so that they could have a place to meet and make those friends it would help?

 

My son just turned 18 on our last cruise so was able to go to the teen center. He went on the first night and found his group of buddies to hang out with. Most days they were off doing the things you mention, on occasion they would go back to the teen club, but not much.

 

All they really need is a dedicated place to meet up, not all kinds of activities, IMO.

[galavant3]

All they really need is a dedicated place to meet up, not all kinds of activities, IMO.

 

I think this would be the perfect solution! It would not need to be staffed so there wouldn't be any additional cost.

[NJcruisenewbie]

I don't understand why 18-20 year olds would have a difficult time finding things to do on a cruise ship or anywhere else for that matter. There's the sports court, gym, pools, shows, movies etc.

[jules815]

A little off topic, and please don't flame me for this. We'll be sailing eastern Caribbean on Freedom next May. During this cruise our daughters will be 24 and 20. I noticed there is a Senor Frogs at both piers in St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Will our 20 year old be able to drink at those places with us and her older sister? I know she could if we were in Mexico, but not sure about the eastern Caribbean route. Certainly not a big deal, just curious.

[galavant3]

A little off topic, and please don't flame me for this. We'll be sailing eastern Caribbean on Freedom next May. During this cruise our daughters will be 24 and 20. I noticed there is a Senor Frogs at both piers in St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Will our 20 year old be able to drink at those places with us and her older sister? I know she could if we were in Mexico, but not sure about the eastern Caribbean route. Certainly not a big deal, just curious.

 

I'm pretty sure the drinking age at both ports is 18. Be forewarned. My 18 year old got quite an education at Senor Frogs. It was the highlight of his trip.....

[jules815]

I'm pretty sure the drinking age at both ports is 18. Be forewarned. My 18 year old got quite an education at Senor Frogs. It was the highlight of his trip.....

 

Too funny!

[Meggysmum]

I don't understand why 18-20 year olds would have a difficult time finding things to do on a cruise ship or anywhere else for that matter. There's the sports court, gym, pools, shows, movies etc.

 

 

I don't think there is a problem finding things to do it is just a bit tricky for a not overly confident 18 year old with no siblings or friends on the cruise to meet new people in the beginning to do these activities with. A meet and mingle type thing in a lounge at the beginning is probably all they need to get to meet others of a similar age. They are not all "singles" looking for a date and can be put off by that phrase, they mostly just want to find some friends to enjoy the ships activities with.:D