What about 18 - 20 year olds?

[BaltoTraveler]

We're thinking of a cruise in the week before Christmas on either Mariner or Explorer. Our sons are 15 and 19. Reading all the info I could find, it seems clear that our outgoing 15-year-old will have the time of his life. But what about our quieter 19-year-old? What "scene" do young adults who are pre-drinking-age fit into... the teen crowd or the drinking-age singles? Or do they have their own "college kid" scene?

[Robby2299]

At 19 he can drink beer/wine and also gamble in the casino. There will be tons of kids his age there many of them quite friendly, just get him to loosen up a bit and introduce himself.

[chubbycheeks]

I agree with the poster above me. My brother and his friend who are both 18 went on the Explorer with us back in June and had a blast. My parents had to sign a waiver stating that they would allow them to drink and gamble...you have to do both...can't pick and choose. There were a lot of younger people on the cruise and they enjoyed themselves thoroughly.

[BaltoTraveler]

My parents had to sign a waiver stating that they would allow them to drink and gamble...you have to do both...can't pick and choose.

We trust him to drink responsibly. (He got through freshman year just fine.) But gambling too, huh? :eek: ! Ah well; he'll have to experience the lure of a casino eventually. I'll work up a fatherly speech about setting a firm (and low) limit on how much of his money he'll risk... and walking out when he's lost it.

 

Sounds like he might have more fun than his little brother!

[chubbycheeks]

He very well may. My brother and his friend...and I :p spent almost every night in The Chamber (nightclub). Can you give me the fatherly speech?...Maybe I'll stop throwing my money away there....

[CruisinRoxy]

We were in the same situation on AOS last week. Our 15 year old son had a great time in the teen niteclub for 15 to 17 year olds, called Optix. But our daughter, 18, found that in the club, Jesters for 18 and over - most of the people were WAY over 18 - like late 20s and 30s - obviously not for her. RCI should consider a club for 18 to 21 year olds where they can meet and mingle. While she had a great time with us during the day - on excursions, rock climbing wall and such, she is also a more reserved type and did not meet as many young people as she would have liked. Turned out her brother was out later every night than she was! If she would have had a friend to be with, it would have been different but its kind of difficult to find a niche by yourself. Anyway, she made the best of it and enjoyed the entertainment she could. I would definitely go for it!

[crb04]

This was the case in the clubs on NOS as well. 18 yo DS came was back in the cabin much earlier than anticipated because there were (his words) "mostly all 30 to 40 year-olds in the dance clubs..." He did meet some people his own age on the sports deck, so he wasn't stuck with just his parents and younger sister whole trip ;) , but would be nice to have something just for the younger adults...

[Firefighterhoop]

If you cruise over the holidays, the ship will be full of people in the 18-20's range because public school as well as colleges are off.

 

THe age where people have trouble finding somthing to do i think is the 16-17 range, because they feel too old to be in the teen clubs/programs and want to do adult things, but aren't allowed in the adult discos, casino and other stuff, so they often sit around bored in the hallways, pool areas looking for things to do.

 

At 18-20 the only thing they are not allowed to do on board is consume hard booze. They can go anywhere and do anything on the ship.

 

Scott

[Firefighterhoop]

We were in the same situation on AOS last week. Our 15 year old son had a great time in the teen niteclub for 15 to 17 year olds, called Optix. But our daughter, 18, found that in the club, Jesters for 18 and over - most of the people were WAY over 18 - like late 20s and 30s - obviously not for her. RCI should consider a club for 18 to 21 year olds where they can meet and mingle. While she had a great time with us during the day - on excursions, rock climbing wall and such, she is also a more reserved type and did not meet as many young people as she would have liked. Turned out her brother was out later every night than she was! If she would have had a friend to be with, it would have been different but its kind of difficult to find a niche by yourself. Anyway, she made the best of it and enjoyed the entertainment she could. I would definitely go for it!

 

THat is really wierd, I was on the Caribbean Princess the same week and the Disco was PACKED with 18-22 year olds, as in could not move! There were just as many 18-25 year olds on board then any other age range! Must just be the luck of the draw!

[dawgman]

We trust him to drink responsibly. (He got through freshman year just fine.) But gambling too, huh? :eek: ! Ah well; he'll have to experience the lure of a casino eventually. I'll work up a fatherly speech about setting a firm (and low) limit on how much of his money he'll risk... and walking out when he's lost it.

 

Sounds like he might have more fun than his little brother!

 

We went last year with our 18 yr old and going again Dec 17...he did go to the casino,but he doesnt drink. We played bingo,took excursions ,saw movies and he took his laptop. We all did our own thing as well.. it went perfectly!

[reverie04]

I am a 20 year old, and my 22 year old boyfriend will be on the cruise. If he's interested in poker, we'll be hosting a few games. We'll be on mariner on 12/18.

[herecomesthesun]

Wow, I had no idea the drinking waiver for 18-20 year olds included gambling, and that it is all or nothing! That really doesn't make sense as some parents may not be comfortable with their kids doing one or the other. :rolleyes:

 

I agree that the hardest age to be on a cruise is really 16-17 years old. Depending on who turns out to be on your cruise, the teen club could be kind of lame, but you aren't allowed to do any of the "adult" things. I had a great time on my Disney cruise when I was 16 but there were a lot of times I was a little lonely.

 

I sympathize with your son not being very outgoing - I am not shy but I have a hard time putting myself out there and meeting people sometimes. So for my upcoming cruise, when I will be 18, I am bringing a friend so I will always have someone to do things with! I don't know if this would be feasible or not for your family but I think its a great idea for your son. Either way, just encourage him to put himself out there and have fun!

[kenandlaura06]

IMHO, you have to try hard not to have fun on a cruise! I am sure he/she will have a wonderful time.