Leaving teenager on board

[killtheump]

OP not saying that you would do this but I am sure some others may, but no one has mentioned the most important thing about this situation! Parents:

DO NOT BE LATE TO RE-BOARD THE SHIP! That could cause a problem.

[bigque]

People ought to know their teenagers. Some people can leave their teenagers and some can't. My question is do the people who say no hang around them and do not let them be on their own anytime on the cruise be it in port or while cruising??? Sure as a teenager I did things I shouldn't have but I knew where the line in the sand was drawn and there is no way at 15 I would have done anything on a cruise ship that would have gotten me in trouble with security. If I would have met friends and they would have started trying to get into some mischef that could turn to trouble, I would have excused myself from them. As for my kids when they were teenagers I would have let them stay on board by themselves. I know how I raised them and the rules that applied at home or any other land based vacation applied. I did not have to go over a list of rules everytime we went anywhere! :cool:

[Adayatatime]

OP not saying that you would do this but I am sure some others may, but no one has mentioned the most important thing about this situation! Parents:

DO NOT BE LATE TO RE-BOARD THE SHIP! That could cause a problem.

 

 

Ha Ha! We could always use that at a warning to her but I'm sure she wouldn't notice we weren't there until she needed something!

[Adayatatime]

You know it's funny. People are quick to jump on about how kids will get into trouble but usually it's the ADULTS I see acting like monkeys after one too many.

 

Teens like time to themselves, and they like time with other teens. I don't see anything wrong with this if they are trustworthy. Shoot I have a 21 year old that I would leave on ship by himself...lol!

 

I agree with this. Last year we saw so many adults burning In the sizzling sun and drinking rather early! Teenagers are much more savvy usually.

Edited May 19, 2014 by Adayatatime

[Deeliteful]

Absolutely leave her - she will be fine. RCI won't have an issue and as you have said - you know your daughter. In the UK it is fine for 14 year olds to be left alone at home or to babysit etc., so why not onboard the ship.

 

Most teens are more responsible than many people give them credit for.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[killtheump]

Ha Ha! We could always use that at a warning to her but I'm sure she wouldn't notice we weren't there until she needed something!

 

We actually waited 45 minutes in Cozumel for 2 couples who left their 4 teenagers on the ship. Needless to say no one on the ship were too happy with them. I think the teenagers were more mature then the parents!

Edited May 19, 2014 by killtheump

[Adayatatime]

We actually waited 45 minutes in Cozumel for 2 couples who left their 4 teenagers on the ship. Needless to say no one on the ship were too happy with them. I think the teenagers were more mature then the parents!

 

I suppose there's just no understanding some people. I hope their children put a strict curfew on them! Seriously, how annoying.

[Merion_Mom]

Hi there, forgive me as I've already posted this question as part of a bigger one, but I wonder if anyone knows the rules regarding leaving a 15 year old on a docked ship?

 

We are thinking of doing the same cruise as last year around the med from Southampton. My daughter met friends and would have liked to stay on board the days we went on land. We didn't let her at the time.

 

I am this year contemplating allowing her to stay on board if we go somewhere by foot (not excursions) and within a few minutes of being able to get back, eg, Barcelona and Lisbon.

 

I just wondered whether this is something RC are happy with, insurance etc. I don't want to spark a debate I'm still not sure whether I would do it, just wondered if anyone knew the rules?

 

1. No debate from me. Just a direct answer to your question: there are no rules against leaving your teenager on board while you go on shore.

 

2. The poster following your OP needs to be ignored, not attended to nor responded to.

 

:)

[akcruz]

I will add that we usually let our kids go back onboard before we do on port days. They are older now, but never had an issue when they were teens with them boarding without us. We would usually stop for a quick drink or some shopping at the port and the kids just wanted to get back onboard to see their friends or take a nap after our day in port.

 

To those who have to preach, do you keep your kids with you 24/7 on the ship? Only the OP knows whether they can trust their kids or not. Bottom line is if the OP is ok with it, there are no limitations from the cruise line.

[Adayatatime]

1. No debate from me. Just a direct answer to your question: there are no rules against leaving your teenager on board while you go on shore.

 

2. The poster following your OP needs to be ignored, not attended to nor responded to.

 

:)

 

Fab, thank you. I couldn't find any rules regarding this so I will just carry on being the best mum I can :D. Now, is there any way I can leave my Hubbie somewhere else he's much more likely to misbehave :D

[BamaGuy44]

Fab, thank you. I couldn't find any rules regarding this so I will just carry on being the best mum I can :D. Now, is there any way I can leave my Hubbie somewhere else he's much more likely to misbehave :D

 

I wish my wife would leave me on the ship! Sadly they seem to kick me off after 7 days :(

[Nova24]

I really worry about this generation if 15 year olds are not considered mature enough to stay on a ship alone.

 

Not to sound like an old man (I'm 44), but when I was 15, my parents had no problem leaving me alone and I was generally self sufficient.

 

Did I occasionally get into trouble? Sure, but I think I am much better off now than if I had been keep on a leash.

 

If you want kids to act like adults, start treating them like adults.

[Adayatatime]

I really worry about this generation if 15 year olds are not considered mature enough to stay on a ship alone.

 

Not to sound like an old man (I'm 44), but when I was 15, my parents had no problem leaving me alone and I was generally self sufficient.

 

Did I occasionally get into trouble? Sure, but I think I am much better off now than if I had been keep on a leash.

 

If you want kids to act like adults, start treating them like adults.

 

Agreed, my dad was down the pit at 15 :eek:

[Cruisegirl6]

Nova24 very well said!

[WpgCruise]

What could possibly go wrong?

 

A 15 year old girl...........alone on a ship with "friends" only known for a few days, in a foreign country................

 

I suppose if one understands the risks and accepts the consequences then the choice is theirs.

[Adayatatime]

What could possibly go wrong?

 

A 15 year old girl...........alone on a ship with "friends" only known for a few days, in a foreign country................

 

I suppose if one understands the risks and accepts the consequences then the choice is theirs.

 

Yes it's always difficult to loosen those apron strings. Part of being a parent at every juncture I suppose.

[bigque]

I really worry about this generation if 15 year olds are not considered mature enough to stay on a ship alone.

 

Not to sound like an old man (I'm 44), but when I was 15, my parents had no problem leaving me alone and I was generally self sufficient.

 

Did I occasionally get into trouble? Sure, but I think I am much better off now than if I had been keep on a leash.

 

If you want kids to act like adults, start treating them like adults.

 

 

Exactly....We can't shelter them all their lives! A lot of kids are so sheltered that they are not the least bit wise or prepared even when they go off to college, to the military or just to live on their own. Do we worry about them sometimes, sure. Will they do stupid stuff sometimes, sure. Will they always take your advice so that they don't make the same misstakes you made, of course not, but there comes a time when you have to cut the umbilical cord! I know for some it's hard, but you have to do it!

[xxHadleyxx]

What could possibly go wrong?

 

A 15 year old girl...........alone on a ship with "friends" only known for a few days, in a foreign country................

 

I suppose if one understands the risks and accepts the consequences then the choice is theirs.

 

You mean, a 15 year old girl, without direct supervision, on a ship full of many other people, including security personnel and other staff, hanging out with others she has recently met, whose names are all known to the cruise line, in areas that are very likely on camera?

Eh, it's probably less dangerous than when my kids go to school, the library, babysitting jobs, etc on their own on the trams (and I do not think that is an overly large risk).

[33tekfan]

What could possibly go wrong?

 

A 15 year old girl...........alone on a ship with "friends" only known for a few days, in a foreign country................

 

I suppose if one understands the risks and accepts the consequences then the choice is theirs.

 

What could go wrong? Well, I suppose the same things that could go wrong when the parents are on the ship...in the casino, or the Solarium, or at the Champagne Bar having a "few". Or the same things that could go wrong at home when they go to the mall or to the movies, or to the beach or the lake. And we can sit and worry and make up scenarios or we can be responsible parents, talk with out children and access what they can handle at every stage of their growth.

[Cruisegirl6]

Part of parenting is to know when to let that leash loose and only the parent knows their child the best and knows how much and when its best.

 

I totally agree with the last few statements.

[OCruisers]

Yes it's always difficult to loosen those apron strings. Part of being a parent at every juncture I suppose.

 

Yes, it is difficult but something we have to do at some point.

Do leave her on the ship if that's what she wants to do!

- The ship has no rules against it.

- Certainly, you leave her at home alone from time to time.

- Few things are worst than having a bored teen who does not want to be there with you! :D

LuLu

[spookwife]

You mean, a 15 year old girl, without direct supervision, on a ship full of many other people, including security personnel and other staff, hanging out with others she has recently met, whose names are all known to the cruise line, in areas that are very likely on camera?

Eh, it's probably less dangerous than when my kids go to school, the library, babysitting jobs, etc on their own on the trams (and I do not think that is an overly large risk).

 

 

don't be lulled into a false sense of security.. a semi recent story about a young teenaged girl who was raped on board..was lured into the cabin by a FELLOW TEENAGER where she was raped by the teen's uncle (or other adult)

[xxHadleyxx]

don't be lulled into a false sense of security.. a semi recent story about a young teenaged girl who was raped on board..was lured into the cabin by a FELLOW TEENAGER where she was raped by the teen's uncle (or other adult)

 

Yes, occasionally bad things happen, on land and on ships. You might as well tell people not to send their kids to schools and cite past school shootings and situations in which a child or teen is assaulted by a teacher or fellow student as why.

 

I have to trust that my teens are pretty savvy and will follow the rules about not going into cabins (or letting others into theirs)--that they have known for ages and they know the safety reason behind that rule.

 

Seriously, I am not saying nothing can ever happen; I am saying the risk is relatively low and a reasonable and intelligent teen with experience being on their own off a ship ought to be able to handle it on a ship and be at even less of a risk than being out and about in their hometown (in most cases).

 

I am lucky to have really great kids who have lived up to being given more and more freedom from an early age, much as I did as a teen. My teens fly alone internationally and with layovers, they volunteer at summer camps and stay with host families where we do not know anyone, they stay home on their own when we travel without them, they go all sorts of places on their own on trains, and they get to stay on the ship when they are not interested in the port, etc.

 

Knowing my kids and their skills, I really do not think they are at any large risk in doing all these things--and I think they will be much safer at college than many of their peers who have all the responsibility thrust on them in one swoop instead of learning and gaining independence and responsibility gradually.

[bigque]

It is still about parents knowing their kids and their maturity level! Some know very well that there is no way in H-double-hockey-sticks that they can't leave their kids alone! If you know that you can't do that then don't!

[LA_CA_GAL]

What could possibly go wrong?

 

A 15 year old girl...........alone on a ship with "friends" only known for a few days, in a foreign country................

 

I suppose if one understands the risks and accepts the consequences then the choice is theirs.

 

I do not consider being docked on a cruise ship anything remotely comparable to "being in a foreign country".

 

I would feel safer with my 15 YO daughter docked on a cruise ship " in a foreign country" than her visiting any major city in the U.S.A.

Edited May 19, 2014 by LA_CA_GAL