Teen Program on Princess?????

[rfische1]

We have only sailed Royal Caribbean's Voyager class ships with our teen and he has enjoyed the program offered to kids his age. Because of the itinerary, we are contemplating a cruise on the Crown Princess in Nov 06. Does anyone have any experience with the teen programs on comparable ships as our son is very concerned about this.

 

Thanks in advance.

[cjh]

Here is a copy of the teen program on the Caribbean Princess.

http://www.cruisingthecaribbeanprincess.com/teens.html

[where next?]

My daughter was in the teen program for the first time when we sailed the Diamond Princess last April. She liked the program and felt that there was a lot for her to do. As she was only 13, there were times when she wished that she was still doing arts and crafts as a 12 year old though! She did meet a lot of kids that were her age and they corresponded quite a while after the cruise.

 

The thing I liked about the Princess program, versus other programs that we've had experience with, is that the kids can sign themselves in and out, with their parents' permission (and within our guidelines). We could let our two kids walk up to the kids program together after they'd finished their dinner and then my husband and I could have a quite cup of coffee and dessert. This sign up system worked well for us. We'd leave a notepad in our cabin with where we were going to be and our kids left us notes as well. Had our kids abused the priviledge, we'd have stopped it but all was smooth sailing! We asked her to be back to the cabin by 11:00 because we can't stay up any later and function the next day!

 

My daughter and I also enjoyed painting the pottery on Princess and we had alot of family ping pong matches. There is a lot to do on Princess ships for a family!

 

Enjoy your trip!

[rfische1]

Let me qualify my first question. My son is an older teen (sophmore) and prefers a program with less structure than what I read. He is into meeting new kids and "hanging out" and talking. Will he be comfortable? Never has he gotten into trouble on board because he is a respectful kid.

[2theship]

On the Caribbean Princess last summer, our girls didn't care for the teen program. They're 15 and 16 and reasonably outgoing. They said that at the programs, the staff just stood around, leaving the kids to make their own introductions. Since my girls were willing to introduce themselves to other teens, they made some good friends and had a great time on the cruise - just not in the program. I heard similar comments from other parents after the trip.

 

My kids have been cruising since they were tiny and used to love the kids programs and would stay in them from beginning to end. At least now they're responsible and I always make sure to meet the kids they're hanging out with and their parents.

[CruiseFever]

Let me qualify my first question. My son is an older teen (sophmore) and prefers a program with less structure than what I read. He is into meeting new kids and "hanging out" and talking. Will he be comfortable? Never has he gotten into trouble on board because he is a respectful kid.

 

Yes, with that background, he should be comfortable.

 

Still, check the newsletter you'll find in your cabin on the first night to see when the teen meeting is. Odds are he will have found friends and already started hanging out with them by then but if not, that's a good place to meet them.

 

If you really want to give him a leg up on the whole thing go to the port early. My teens always met somebody standing in line waiting for the doors to open. We did too actually. Ended up having dinner with a nice family we met in line on most nights.

 

Other areas he can meet people are the pool and whirlpool areas or on deck just about anywhere....especially by Movies Under The Stars.

 

Nice to read of your confidence in his ability to have fun and not get into trouble. Need more of that.

[hillslife]

My daughter is 15 and will be going on her 6th cruise next summer. As posted above, some of the activities in the teen center are fun, but she has also complained about the staff not being involved and making the events fun for the kids. She usually reads over the program, decides which things she wants to do and does those. Otherwise, the teens seem to use the teen center as a meeting place and go to 'hang out' in the lobby, card room, closed nightclubs, etc. My daughter is very trust worthy and we have never really had a problem. She keeps in contact with us throughout the day (she knows I am usually at Bingo, Art Auction, Casino or by the pool) so she lets us know where they will be and we always meet for dinner - even though sometimes she dumps us for her new friends.

 

Her curfew time is 1am. if we don't have an early morning excursion..this seems late, but since they are good kids, we give a little leeway. She knows she can't go into other peoples cabins - has to remain in the public areas. Only once did I have to go looking for her at 230a (a group of teens were sitting in the lobby laughing and talking and lost track of time) - but after having to spend the entire next night with the parents, that never happened again!!!

 

My daughter loves to cruise....I feel sorry for her future men folk...she has expensive taste!!!:mad:

 

I'm sure your teen will love it - we usually travel in summer so we can guarantee there will be lots of teens on board....because you well know "a unhappy teen means unhappy parents'....;) Good luck...