Teens on the Regal

[Cruiser-66]

We are cruising with two 16yr old granddaughters. My husband and I are in our seventy's with some knee and hip issues. The girls want to do Dunn River Falls, Jamacia and a snorkeling trip in Grand Cayman. There is no way we can climb the falls. Did that when we were younger. The snorkeling says over 8yrs and under 70yrs. Both would be a waste of money for us. We want the girls to experience this and have a memorable cruise, but we are uncomfortable sending 2 16yr old girls on a ship tour without us. What do you think we should do?

[skynight]

Snorkeling

Join the roll call and book a private snorkeling tour. Go with them and stay in the boat. You may wish to try the snorkeling, it is pretty easy.

At Dunn's River falls you do not have to climb the falls. You can walk up the stairs along side the falls while your grand daughters walk up the falls.

Make sure you have medical release forms from their parents.

[Colo Cruiser]

Jamaica.......

Not the place to send them out on their own.

Vendors and locals in Jamaica are very aggressive.

[jennybenny]

I don't think I would be comfortable sending the girls out on their own in Jamaica.

I would do a ship sponsored tour with them or stay on board and enjoy the empty ship.

I do like Jamaica, but I find it to be a little unsafe on your own. I have vacationed there, but stuck to the resort and went to Margaritaville once with a big group from the resort. That excursion went well. However, given that you don't feel comfortable doing Dunn's River Falls then I would pass, unless of course you meet a family on board taking their kids and they are OK with watching the girls for you. I would just feel better with some adult to watch over them and make sure they are safe.

[riclop]

We are cruising with two 16yr old granddaughters. My husband and I are in our seventy's with some knee and hip issues. The girls want to do Dunn River Falls, Jamacia and a snorkeling trip in Grand Cayman. There is no way we can climb the falls. Did that when we were younger. The snorkeling says over 8yrs and under 70yrs. Both would be a waste of money for us. We want the girls to experience this and have a memorable cruise, but we are uncomfortable sending 2 16yr old girls on a ship tour without us. What do you think we should do?

We would not especially in Jamaica.

[fishywood]

Its a non-starter anyway. With very few exceptions all persons under 18 must be accompanied by an adult responsible for them even on the most innocuous of excursions.

 

https://www.princess.com/learn/faq_answer/pre_cruise/excursions.jsp

 

For most excursions, there is no minimum age for children as long as they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

 

Guests under the age of 18 years cannot participate without a parent or guardian. A few operators may allow an unaccompanied minor on an excursion if a wavier is signed by the parent or guardian in the operator’s presence.

 

...though it is interesting that the official Terms & Conditions make no mention of that requirement:

 

https://www.princess.com/legal/excursion_terms_conditions/

[Lucky TGO]

Jamaica.......

Not the place to send them out on their own.

Vendors and locals in Jamaica are very aggressive.

 

Keith,

I totally agree with you. Don't even think of letting the girls go by themselves!!!!! In Jamaica.

Tony

[easyboy]

Suggest not in Jamaica for the girls.

For Grand Cayman, you can post on the Cayman Islands Port of Call Forum for snorkeling trip suggestion: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=147

[Robinsoncruiseso]

I would say NO WAY to sending them off alone in Jamaica. For Grand Caymen, if allowed, I would have been ok with sending two well behaved teens on an arranged tour, say with Capt. Marvins, or something. Even for non-snorkelers, the two stop tour would be fine. You get a good view of the stingrays from the boat.

[geocruiser]

I agree, I would not let them off the ship alone, especially in Jamaica.

Below is a link form the US Dept of state.

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/jamaica.html

Click on the tab 'Safety and Security

[keithm]

Jamaica.......

Not the place to send them out on their own.

Vendors and locals in Jamaica are very aggressive.

When it comes to Jamaica, we make that a "spa" day! Got off once in that country, never again!

[sunsetbeachgal]

If you go with them on the excursion to Dunns River Falls there is a walkway up the side but it is an uphill walk. You mentioned you have knee and hip issues so want you to be aware. And unless the ship is calling at Ocho Rios it will involve a bus ride of approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours each way.

 

 

 

 

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[1emerald1]

I remember my first stop in Jamaica was on a Sitmar cruise, probably 30 years ago. As soon as I stepped off the ship the locals swarmed me trying to sell me their drugs. This one guy shoved a joint as big as a cigar in my face and harassed me until I boarded the tour bus to Dunns Rivers. We made several stops along the way, and every stop was the same, the locals harassing you to buy their stuff and being verbally abusive when you walked away.

 

I imagine it's only gotten worse, my daughters are in their twenties now and there is no way I would want them, let alone a 16 year old to venture out alone.

[OCruisers]

In Grand Cayman which is probably the safest place in the Caribbean as long as it's an excursion through the ship, you might seriously consider it.

They will be picked up at the ship, taken as a group on the excursion, and returned to the ship.

 

Absolutely NO in Jamaica to Dunn River Falls!

[mdgary]

When it comes to Jamaica, we make that a "spa" day! Got off once in that country, never again!

 

 

 

Same here. First time we went to Jamaica we went ashore for a tour and did not feel safe from the start. We have been back once and stayed onboard. Didn't even feel safe making the short walk to Margaritaville.

 

 

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[satxdiver]

As I recall minors are not suppose to be able to leave the ship alone. However I have read on here older teens (14 or so) actually able to leave the ship unaccompanied. The OP's teens may need an escort to get off the ship. As for Jamaica, it is the most crime ridden island in the Caribbean by far. Letting two teenagers particularly girls on that island even in a ship sponsored tour is an extreme danger IMO. They would be magnets for all the sweet talking undesirables.