First time cruisers, Oasis with 16yr old DD.. questions...

[2calgarycruisers]

Travelling with DD16 on the May 17th Eastern Caribbean sailing - newbies to this and have been combing the threads like crazy as the more I know, the more comfortable I feel.

1) Cabins - the inside, outside and balcony cabins are all pretty close priced - is a balcony worth the extra $500 for a central park view?

2) At night is she allowed in the dance clubs/bars?

3) Where, at 16 is she not allowed?

4) In terms of shore excursions and safety for two females should we be booking RCL or are we okay booking privately?

5) anyone else had the same type of trip and any tips or tricks?

 

I would like to thank everyone in advance for their help and promise (cross my heart) that when I return I'll be the on on the boards helping out others.

Edited March 2, 2014 by 2calgarycruisers

[cb at sea]

I wouldn't pay extra for a balcony unless I could see the ocean.

 

Get a guidebook on your ports...many things require no excursions at all! But, you need info! So, read up on your ports. If you find you do need an excursion, private ones are fine! Safety in most ports is no better or worse than home. Just use common sense!

[toxicfairy]

At 16 she is not allowed in the bars or the casino ( must be 18). Not sure about Oasis but the FOS has a teen club. Our Dd was 16 when we sailed the FOS she went to the teen lounge and met so many kids her age we barely saw her except at meals :-)

[bigsky]

As far as a balcony cabin, it's subjective. I'm claustrophobic, so I would never have an inside. Did it once, and never again. So for ME, it would be worth being able to look out to something other than walls. Nice view, if you can't afford the ocean.

I tried to book the Central Park view, but dh said water only. Luckily, it ended up being the same cost.

 

Have a great time!

[Sherlock43031]

if she will be with you she is allowed almost anywhere as long as she is with a parent. (casino excepted)

 

she should not try or you provide her a drink. most drinks come as a virgin without the booze.

[reallyitsmema]

if she will be with you she is allowed almost anywhere as long as she is with a parent. (casino excepted)

 

she should not try or you provide her a drink. most drinks come as a virgin without the booze.

She will not be allowed in the nightclub, that is 18 and up. There are also age restrictions on some bars at night, just check the cruise compass.

[Mary521]

I agree, I wouldn't pay more for the balcony unless I could view the ocean. BUT this is very personal, lots of folks like the interior balconies.

 

Private excursions are fine with reputable companies. I would search the ports boards on cc and use trip advisor to research.

 

St Martin is easy to do with no plans ahead of time as there is a taxi stand at the port with prices listed for wherever u want to go. Orient beach is a great beach, yes partially nude, however most folks aren't. And those u do see are usually ones u don't want to see! Lots of places to sit and eat all day. I would recommend making plans with your cab driver (and folks in your cab if they are interested) to pick u back up at a specific time later. Or get their card so u can ask one of the bars on the beach to call them for u.

 

I would be careful in Nassau. I did not feel comfortable walking around port with my husband. Don't think if want to be two gals walking around. But I would recommend taking either a cab or RCI excursion over to Atlantis. Not too far and it is lovely resort!!

 

 

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[Wilda]

Welcome to CC!

 

There are clubs (Fuel, Living Room) designated just for teens...which means no adults allowed-ever:) Strongly encourage her to go the first night of the cruise so she can meet others her own age.

 

As for the balcony, Central Park is quiet but you will not see any ocean. If you could secure a BW balcony close to the aft end of the ship you would at least see the water....but the tradeoff is that it can be noisy.

 

She will absolutely not be allowed in any bars, disco, casino.

 

Have you joined your roll call Oasis May 17 Roll Call

 

Have fun!

[gerif]

Children of any age, including teens, are allowed in almost every bar.

[Sherlock43031]

She will not be allowed in the nightclub, that is 18 and up. There are also age restrictions on some bars at night, just check the cruise compass.

 

one more time.. iif she is with a parent she is allowed anywhere except the casino.

[Havingfun2010]

Travelling with DD16 on the May 17th Eastern Caribbean sailing - newbies to this and have been combing the threads like crazy as the more I know, the more comfortable I feel.

1) Cabins - the inside, outside and balcony cabins are all pretty close priced - is a balcony worth the extra $500 for a central park view?

 

Balcony cabins have more room, and they are a peaceful place to sit and enjoy. No, there is no ocean, but it is still nice. Depends really on what you want. It's unique cabin.

 

2) At night is she allowed in the dance clubs/bars?

 

Bars, yes, drink booze, no. Dance clubs, closed to under 18 after a certain time. Kid's program - special events in the dance clubs restricted to just teens. Basiclly, you can enjoy the evenings with you daughter and on the ship you are sailing, you have tons of options of things to do. Yes, she can sit with you at many of the bars, and listen to the music etc. Yes, there will be some restrictions, but not many.

3) Where, at 16 is she not allowed?

 

Adult comedy club, casino and late night dance club.

 

4) In terms of shore excursions and safety for two females should we be booking RCL or are we okay booking privately?

 

Unless you go someplace off the beaten path, you will be safe. It is a different environment. Like anyplace you go, you must always be careful, and watch what you do. Avoid purses, carry money and ID in pockets, don't flash money, etc.

 

5) anyone else had the same type of trip and any tips or tricks?

 

I would like to thank everyone in advance for their help and promise (cross my heart) that when I return I'll be the on on the boards helping out others.

 

You will have a fun time.

[reallyitsmema]

one more time.. iif she is with a parent she is allowed anywhere except the casino.

Say it as many times as you want, Rockey, still not true.

[2calgarycruisers]

Thanks very much for all your help, clearly there are a few things that I guess I'll find out once on board - and don't worry, I won't be slipping her any adult bevies :eek:but she is excited about the all inclusive virgin frozen drinks.

 

As for the Chefs Table, is there an option to take her there? If so, is there a different price?

 

Also, for the beverage package - I understand you can book onboard if you want - starting on day two? Can you not buy for departure day?

[Clarea]

Thanks very much for all your help, clearly there are a few things that I guess I'll find out once on board - and don't worry, I won't be slipping her any adult bevies :eek:but she is excited about the all inclusive virgin frozen drinks.

 

As for the Chefs Table, is there an option to take her there? If so, is there a different price?

 

Also, for the beverage package - I understand you can book onboard if you want - starting on day two? Can you not buy for departure day?

You can buy the beverage package and start using it as soon as you get on board.

[2calgarycruisers]

Welcome to CC!

 

There are clubs (Fuel, Living Room) designated just for teens...which means no adults allowed-ever:) Strongly encourage her to go the first night of the cruise so she can meet others her own age.

 

As for the balcony, Central Park is quiet but you will not see any ocean. If you could secure a BW balcony close to the aft end of the ship you would at least see the water....but the tradeoff is that it can be noisy.

 

She will absolutely not be allowed in any bars, disco, casino.

 

Have you joined your roll call Oasis May 17 Roll Call

 

Have fun!

 

signed up for roll call! Looks like there's a few teenage boys there - let's hoping some girl's do too or there could be trouble LOL

Edited March 3, 2014 by 2calgarycruisers

[2calgarycruisers]

You can buy the beverage package and start using it as soon as you get on board.

 

I'm not sure what time we are actually on board, but was thinking that on day one won't get really used?

[Clarea]

I'm not sure what time we are actually on board, but was thinking that on day one won't get really used?

You can typically board as early as 11:30am.

[mil76]

I'll reiterate the importance of your DD going to the Teen club the first day of the cruise. Since the activities are not as organized like in Adventure Ocean, the teens tend to clique up pretty quickly and the teen club ends up just being a part of their activities, especially on Oasis, where there is so much else for them to do. My DS (15) always ends up making friends early in the cruise who he hangs out with the entire cruise, and in some cases stays in touch with them after the cruise through social media and video games. On Oasis and Allure I never have to worry about entertaining him. We're even at the point where they are trying to lobby parents to sync up future cruises so they can hang out again.

[2calgarycruisers]

I will definitely encourage her too - a little bit of my selfish side doesn't want her to make too many friends and spend most of her time with me ;)