What to do on Royal for those in the 17-20 age range?

[CruisingJoe09]

51 minutes ago, xxHadleyxx said:

He's always baffled by the idea that people would limit their social circle to a narrow age bracket

Good for him, but it's not very baffling to me as one would naturally have more in common with someone of their generation. And as someone in the 17-20 age bracket that looks about 13, it would feel odd to be hanging out with people that are my parent's age.

[mcoler181]

1 hour ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Royal requires guests to be age 21 and over on US based cruises in order to drink alcohol.

It must have changed then as it was out of Fort Lauderdale, but like I say it was 15 years ago, but it was restricted to just beer and wine, no spirits etc.

[Clarea]

29 minutes ago, mcoler181 said:

It must have changed then as it was out of Fort Lauderdale, but like I say it was 15 years ago, but it was restricted to just beer and wine, no spirits etc.

 

Yes, it has changed.

 

Royal also use to let parents sign a waiver to allow their 18 year olds to drink onboard, and that is also gone for US based cruises.

[mcoler181]

6 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Yes, it has changed.

 

Royal also use to let parents sign a waiver to allow their 18 year olds to drink onboard, and that is also gone for US based cruises.

Thank god I am now 35 😀

[purplephenom]

it may be easier for you to meet people pre-cruise.  There are places around the internet where people can find people on their cruises before sailing. If you join, maybe there aren't other 17-20 year olds there, but maybe there would be parents sailing with kids that age.  Things on the ship would be more fun with a cruise buddy- it's just harder to find buddies on the ship when you're out of the teen club. 

[xxHadleyxx]

6 hours ago, CruisingJoe09 said:

Good for him, but it's not very baffling to me as one would naturally have more in common with someone of their generation. And as someone in the 17-20 age bracket that looks about 13, it would feel odd to be hanging out with people that are my parent's age.

Well, if you are looking at sailing on a US based cruise, odds are there are going to be a decent number of 18-25 year olds on most any sailing.  TAs on things like Radiance of Vision class, or shoulder season in the Med---yeah, not so many, so, yes, while his friends at home are his own age, he's not going to seclude himself from socializing if there don't happen to be many/any people his own age around.  (happened when he was a teen as well--one of our cruises only had 6 teens onboard and none of the others spoke either language he speaks).  So, what was he supposed to do?  Mope all week?  Or enjoy being on a cruise?  

 

What he has found is that going out and joining activities he'd find enjoyable means he meets people to enjoy them with, whereas staying alone in the cabin or sitting off to the sire looking sullen sends the message you are not approachable.  

 

And as far as activities  not being allowed for under 21---as others pointed out already, that is simply NOT true.  You can do everything except drink alcohol--including going to the bars and clubs (buy a soda or virgin cocktail, or don't have a drink, as you prefer).  Or sail from Europe/Australia/Asia if you feel you must drink to enjoy a club.

 

I mean, it is fine if cruising isn't your thing at this age, or you prefer not to cruise with your parents (I assume if you were looking at cruising without them, you'd have a friend along and this would be less of an issue?) .  But if you can do anything at all the ship offers to adults except drink alcohol, go to every venue not designated for children,  it's seems a bit silly to say you are not allowed in activities or wonder what you can find to do.

[exercisemama]

8 hours ago, Grandma Dazzles said:

 

Your 18-year-old cannot go to the teen club.  However, they can both go into any bar, theater, game, show, sports court, etc.  They just cannot drink alcohol.  You may find some clubs might have a 21-year-old cutoff late night.  You will have no problem with everyone being together. 

A 17 year old can go to the bar? I don’t even think I would want them to go in the bar! Unless we were in there for maybe game or karaoke. I know they had karaoke in bars on the adventure of the seas. I don’t know where they are on the symphony.

thanks!

[Clarea]

14 minutes ago, exercisemama said:

A 17 year old can go to the bar? ...

 

Yes, except for the night club function late and the casino bar, I cannot think of any age restriction at bars.

[CruisingJoe09]

24 minutes ago, exercisemama said:

A 17 year old can go to the bar? I don’t even think I would want them to go in the bar! Unless we were in there for maybe game or karaoke. I know they had karaoke in bars on the adventure of the seas. I don’t know where they are on the symphony.

thanks!

What's so horrifying about a 17 year old at a bar? They aren't children and don't need protection from alcohol.

 

I've just finished high school and I never drank but many did.

Edited April 26, 2019 by CruisingJoe09

[xxHadleyxx]

20 minutes ago, exercisemama said:

A 17 year old can go to the bar? I don’t even think I would want them to go in the bar! Unless we were in there for maybe game or karaoke. I know they had karaoke in bars on the adventure of the seas. I don’t know where they are on the symphony.

thanks!

For goodness sakes, a huge percentage of the public space on ships are bars.  Do you propose banning those under 18 from all of that on a line which yours itself as family friendly?   How about pool decks too while you're at it?  Plenty of alcohol consumption going on there as well.  And in the theatre, and dining room.....

[exercisemama]

4 minutes ago, xxHadleyxx said:

For goodness sakes, a huge percentage of the public space on ships are bars.  Do you propose banning those under 18 from all of that on a line which yours itself as family friendly?   How about pool decks too while you're at it?  Plenty of alcohol consumption going on there as well.  And in the theatre, and dining room.....

I get that they’re not children, but where we live you can’t order a drink legally unless you’re 21 and most of the bars have people checking IDs and don’t allow anyone in under 21! 

Comparing that to the pool was just rude! Obviously the pool has a lot of other things to do, than just hanging out at a bar.  I enjoy a cocktail at the pool,  but I wouldn’t compare that to being in a bar at night.

[xxHadleyxx]

16 minutes ago, exercisemama said:

I get that they’re not children, but where we live you can’t order a drink legally unless you’re 21 and most of the bars have people checking IDs and don’t allow anyone in under 21! 

Comparing that to the pool was just rude! Obviously the pool has a lot of other things to do, than just hanging out at a bar.  I enjoy a cocktail at the pool,  but I wouldn’t compare that to being in a bar at night.

Maybe you have not cruised before?  Most bars on ships are also entertainments venues with lots to do other than just drink: live music karoake, trivia, crafts, pictionary, etc  Plus, they are often the main indoor places to just hang out and play cards, etc in inclement weather.  I do not think it rude to compare that to the pool deck.  I have honestly seen more overly inebriated people on pool decks than anywhere else on ships---and both the pool decks and ship bars have multiple activities going on for all ages throughout the day and evening, serve alcohol and a similar vibe.

The nightclub is the one place that is really more like what you describe, and it tends to be limited to 18 and up.

 

Also, while you live where people must be 21 to enter a bar, not even all of the US prevents just being there under age 21 and this is a cruise line with a very international customer base---plenty of places where a person under 21 can walk into a pub and buy their own drink.  Where I live beer and wine are legal to purchase from age 16.  Heck, my kid and his classmates had champagne with the teachers to celebrate the closing of a class play in 11th grade.  We could hear the corks popping backstage as we mingled with others in the audience post show.  Us, grew up in America parents, thought that was a pretty funny example of how different things are between the countries.

Edited April 26, 2019 by xxHadleyxx

[Grandma Dazzles]

59 minutes ago, exercisemama said:

A 17 year old can go to the bar? I don’t even think I would want them to go in the bar! Unless we were in there for maybe game or karaoke. I know they had karaoke in bars on the adventure of the seas. I don’t know where they are on the symphony.

thanks!

 

Lots of teens/kids in the bars, especially during the day and early evening. Bars on cruise ships are family friendly and alcohol is served throughout the ship - so what’s the difference. Recently returned from the Navigator and during the final four tournament and other TV broadcast events sports bar was always packed with families.  

 

You often see multi-generations dancing and enjoying music in the bars.  Trivia, including family trivia, is held in the Schooner bar.  

[mjkacmom]

3 hours ago, exercisemama said:

A 17 year old can go to the bar? I don’t even think I would want them to go in the bar! Unless we were in there for maybe game or karaoke. I know they had karaoke in bars on the adventure of the seas. I don’t know where they are on the symphony.

thanks!

First cruise?

[exercisemama]

1 hour ago, mjkacmom said:

First cruise?

Nope, this is actually my 3rd cruise! The other two were just with my husband and they were during the school year,  and had very few teenagers on board. I know that the bars are used for trivia and other games, that’s why I said I wouldn’t have a problem with that!!  I was thinking more of the night club atmosphere. One of our favorite things to do was go to the Schooner Bar for trivia or the other bars late at night for some karaoke or fun games! 

 

1 hour ago, mjkacmom said:

First cruise?

N

1 hour ago, mjkacmom said:

First cruise?

 

3 hours ago, Grandma Dazzles said:

 

Lots of teens/kids in the bars, especially during the day and early evening. Bars on cruise ships are family friendly and alcohol is served throughout the ship - so what’s the difference. Recently returned from the Navigator and during the final four tournament and other TV broadcast events sports bar was always packed with families.  

 

You often see multi-generations dancing and enjoying music in the bars.  Trivia, including family trivia, is held in the Schooner bar.  

[Hogbay]

17 to 20 asking a 50 to 90 year old what to do .😂😅😂