Can the kids stay on the ship?

[Minoushka]

If you are worried your kids will get off ship Go to security and block them -their sea pass cards -from being able to leave the ship . I have done it and never had a problem with my teenagers .

You know your kids and what they would or would not do

Don't be influenced wrongly

YOU KNOW YOUR KIDS BEST

If you feel comfortable leaving them with your rules do it and enjoy your visit

[daisysheridan]

Maybe you can sign into a 'roll call' board for your cruise and buddy up with someone else that has kids. Maybe your kids can hang out with them and their kids while you do your dive and you can repay the favor in another port.

 

Maybe you can get your kids on the roll call thread and start 'meeting' people in advance. Maybe a friendship will be formed and then they will be more then willing to spend time with someone who isn't a 'stranger' to them.

[HurricaneSally]

Ugh, I hate that, "why go on a cruise, if you're going to go your seperate ways?" comments. We all have our lives to live and everyone is doing the best they can. My kids spend a lot of time in AO. It's their choice. I stay at home and I'm with them all the time. We eat together, but one of the beauties of cruising is the flexibiltiy to please all of the family, all of the time.

 

Each family is going to do what they need to do. It's not really fair to judge someone's parenting by posts on a chat board, at least that's how I look at it.

 

 

I'm willing to bet that someone that has 41 cruises under their belt, has a two income family. That is not a bad thing, as I also am a two income family, but I can certainly understand why you would need time to yourself on vacation. But certainly not 24 hours a day.

[rsscaptain]

Why do people ask questions they don't want the answers to?

[Cruisegirl6]

Nliedel thank you!

 

HurricanSally- My children are teenagers now my son 18 in two weeks, one thing great about cruises is that there are things for everybody to do, with all different interests we have there is something for everybody. I don't see myself doing flowrider no way, or playing in the gameroom or particpating in the teenagers activies, and I certainly don't feel they belong in the casino and adult comedy show. What I am saying is that we are on a family trip, we eat breakfast and dinner all together and we go to the shows together as well as other many fun things offered on the ship we do together, just a few things we have different interests so we all have our own fun but we are together as a family on the same ship. We are doing a family trip together.

 

I don't think my daughter at the age of 15 should be allowed to just pick her own vacation spot and go herself, now come on!!! At least on the cruise if she went on a shore excursion (and remind you that we are going with 14 family members she will not be alone she will be with one or more family members) I am at the same port and we have a cell phone that can be used on all islands to communicate and it will be with a tour with the cruise ship.

 

Yes, it is a family vacation we are all together but at some points we choose to have fun in different areas thats all.

[Obaybee..tryingthisagain]

Why do people ask questions they don't want the answers to?

 

 

Does this mean you don't want an answer?:p

j/k

I always heard don't ask if you're afraid of what the answer will be.

 

Either way leaving your kids on the ship while you get off at a port wouldn't bother me as much as it would the kids getting off the ship and you staying on-board.

[akcruz]

I've been reading this thread all day and been trying not to reply, but feel that I have to. The OP never asked SHOULD she leave her kids on the ship when going on an excursion, but COULD she. So, she never asked anyone's advise on whether she was right in doing this or not.

 

Personally, I have left my kids (DS 9 at the time in AO and DD 14 in teen club) once for a short amount of time. I ended up worrying about them and did head back. That's me, I'm a worrier. However, now that they are older I would think about it again under certain circumstances as they have proven themselves reliable. As others have said, cruising allows everyone to enjoy the parts of the cruise that they like the best. We do eat breakfast and dinner together just about every day (try to do one specialty restaurant just DH & I), we do our excursions together, and when we are not all in the same place, set up a regular check in time. When the kids are on the rock wall or skating or whatever, I go watch. In the long run, it is one of the best family vacations because we all get to do what we want, and spend quite a bit of time together (a lot more than a normal week at home!).

 

To the OP, you know your kids, you know your tolerances. It is your vacation. The answer to your question is yes they can stay on the ship. Do what you feel is best for you and your kids and above all enjoy your trip.

[AirGorilla]

Nrh322:

 

Ok, here is my opinion and of course many will disagree but remember they are opinions and our own personal experiences.

 

You know your children, like I know mine. When you say they are straight A students I know exactly what your talking about, responsible in school to study and do their best, I understand what your talking about as mine are the same way.

 

I have been on over 41 cruises, my children now ages 17 and soon to be 16 have been on 10 cruises already. From the ages of 8 and 10 my kids have been cruising. Now this is what I do and it works for me I think you would like to hear about my rules. Firstly, I have the kids study the ships deck plans. When we get on a ship they were tested I would put them at an area maybe up in windjammer and tell them to get me to the cabin, or maybe in the main lounge and tell them to bring me to another lounge, or even to the windjammer, if they did this well within 10 minutes with no problems they past my test and they can roam the ship. Only once my daughter got a bit confused so she stood with us that one evening the next day gave her a test and she got me to the room from way on top of the ship, she was then able to roam the ship.

 

In their cabin I would have a notebook and the rules were they would have to come to the room each hour and on the hour and write where they are going and what they are doing, well it was a way I could communicate with them since they were on their own. Yes, my children are remarkably behaved to a point I had comments always about how well behaved they were at the dinner table with other guests. I would know when they are in the cabin every hour so if I needed to say something I write the note in the notebook and they got my message....we always ate together though. They knew what time each one was to get in the shower to be ontime for dinner as my kids shared a stateroom. They placed their dirty laundy in a trash bag that I bought and folded their towels and placed them under the sink in the bathroom I taught them to keep their rooms neat the same as living in the house here. The notebook worked very well, at night when they went to bed husband and I would take turns checking in on them. The door was always locked I knew they would not open the door and they knew we had keys to their bedroom and we had joining rooms as well. As they grew older the past 3 years, I stopped the test as I knew they were very familiar with cruise ships and could get around perfectly, better than us! I stopped the notebook conversations every hour but told them to check in from time to time just in case I had something to say to them. I now give them shipboard credit I always had open credit for them as they knew the rules. I would give them a daily allowance whether it was to be used for ice cream, the game room whatever, they knew how much they were able to spend in the course of each day, and never went a penny over that ever.

 

I always have taken them on the shore excursions but the past 3 years they have seen it and done it like I have so I allowed them to stay on the ship while my husband and I got off. I knew they would not get off the ship, and yes, kids can get off its very easy, because my son asked two years ago he was 15 if he could get off and walk around the local shops right outside the pier I think it was in St. Maarten and I allowed him knowing he knew the rules, was very smart and responsible. I was not wooried, we know our kids! We do know there are preditors out there but know how we taught our kids and I told him to stay all in public places and he did, needless to say he actually got off himself and was back on the ship within 17 minutes! hahahaha But yes, he did get off without any adult.

 

I tried walkie talkies one year, but so many people have them we found other people's conversation on all the channels to come through it was impossible to communicate to my children with them as they were bothered hearing everybody else, so we just didn't use them after the second day, now with larger ships I am sure many others will be using them making it more impossible to understand one another. There are just a few channels and every channel is taken up by a few people trying to communicate with their families and friends.

 

One important thing I taught the kids, if the ship feels funny, if they hear the horn blowing or any emergency, like in our house, you use the staircase and go right to the muster stations. I told them head right up there and mom and dad will meet up with them there. I told them to forget about mom and dad and do what I say and you know what they would if that ever came about knock on wood.

 

This year is the first year when I will allow the kids to choose their excursions and go on their own. We have a group/family on the Liberty on the 30th and there are other teenages 15-19. I was hesitant but I will allow them (buddy system they cannot go alone) to go on excursions that my husband and I won't be on. Jamaica my daughter and her cousin also her age will go horseback riding, in Cozumel my daughter and don will do the swim with the dolphins program, in Grand Cayman my daughter and her other cousin 18 will go on the thriller ride. I am a bit worried but with the buddy system and the fact they are experienced travelers and cruisers (and our motto is wherever you are you get back to the ship at least two hours before sailing time) and going with the ship excursion I will allow it. We will have cell phones that will work except for Cozumel...and my husband and I along with family members will do other excursions seperate from the kids. I will give them a letter if they need medical attention will give my written permission as well as to the medical insurance information. I will also give them the port master location and phone number and cash to carry.

 

As for your kids and the fact you are first time cruisers, just tell them to stay on the ship and never get off! I am sure you are right they will listen, just like my kids did. Only we know our own children.

 

I just can't wait to hear what will happen when they decide to go on The Fury Catamaran excursion by themselves!!!!

[Cruisegirl6]

Akcruz: Greatly said! ;)

 

AirGorilla: Ok a smartypants answer. lol No my kids will not do the catamaran cruise they have done it and didn't care for it. My kids are responsible and will never leave the ship unless I knew about it and gave them my permission. Yes, my kids will be going on shore excursions without my husband or myself but with a family member as we are a family group of 14 people, they will not be alone. They have my permission I am not saying I won't worry....the main thing is they are with the ship excursion, they are with another family member or more than one and if they chose to stay on the ship I know from their past 10 cruises they not ever leave without asking me first. Its just the kind of kids I raised thats all.

[Nliedel]

It's the nature of the boards. You get opinions. Some of them are not to your taste, but it's part and parcel of it.

 

One of my all-time favorite posters, just passed away. He was anti-kid. Notoriously so. He'd always pop in and tell people to leave their, "kiddies" at home. I actually miss his opinions. Just shows, there are all kinds and the world is a MUCH more interesting place for it.

 

My experiences on the CC boards with people with vastly differing opinions have always been very surprising. People I thought I would avoid like the plague, have become dear to my heart. It's an odd and precious place.

[fireofficer5]

Just remember, the children will be alone many times during the cruise. Not just on a tour.

[Emi's Mom]

If you are worried your kids will get off ship Go to security and block them -their sea pass cards -from being able to leave the ship . I have done it and never had a problem with my teenagers .

You know your kids and what they would or would not do, Don't be influenced wrongly YOU KNOW YOUR KIDS BEST. If you feel comfortable leaving them with your rules do it and enjoy your visit

If you do decide to leave them on the ship while you're off on your excursion...this is the best advice that I've read all day. :) Block their cards and go have a nice time, checking in with them periodically of course.

[HunnyBunnyTink]

Ok, I am just going to give you my opinion as a 17 y/o who has already been on 6 cruises. I am a good kid, I have never gotten in major trouble, I do what I'm told and I'm very responsible. I have a 16 y/o brother who is mostly the same way as I am. If we wanted to my parents would let us stay on the ship while they went to explore. They trust us and we are not stupid. We know what is legal and illegal, we know what is acceptable and what is not. We would NOT under ANY circumstances even ATTEMPT to leave the ship by ourselves. Thats just plain stupid and a common sensical thing. Our parents raised us to know this stuff. It is my belief that if you have taught your children well and trust them then you should have no problem leaving them on the ship for a few hours. Just tell them to stick together or only hang out in populated areas. And FYI often on port days the only teen 'activity' from 12-5 is hanging out in the Living room and from 12-4 it is unsupervised. But like I said, if you have faith in what you've taught your kids and trust them, go ahead and leave them.

[Nliedel]

Ok, I am just going to give you my opinion as a 17 y/o who has already been on 6 cruises. I am a good kid, I have never gotten in major trouble, I do what I'm told and I'm very responsible. I have a 16 y/o brother who is mostly the same way as I am. If we wanted to my parents would let us stay on the ship while they went to explore. They trust us and we are not stupid. We know what is legal and illegal, we know what is acceptable and what is not. .

 

You are obviously a mature and intelligent young person. Whatever your parents did, they should bottle it, or write a book. I'm sure they are as proud as punch of both of you!! You're a credit to them.

[Cruisegirl6]

Honnybunnytink:

 

Good for you, your mom and dad have got to be proud of you. My kids are very much like you, perhaps its the way us parents brought you up? But this is why you and I are telling the OP to go and leave the kids this person just needs some reassuring that it is ok and you guys are safe. It surely sounds like her kids are just like you and mine. So OP have fun and know your kids are responsible and trustworthly. Don't let others make you think otherwise, its not fair as you know your kids.

P.S. The others are just giving opinions and that is what this board is all about I respect them too.

[Emi's Mom]

You are obviously a mature and intelligent young person. Whatever your parents did, they should bottle it, or write a book. I'm sure they are as proud as punch of both of you!! You're a credit to them.

 

My sentiments exactly young lady!!! Your parents must be so proud of you.:)

[AirGorilla]

AirGorilla: Ok a smartypants answer. lol No my kids will not do the catamaran cruise they have done it and didn't care for it. My kids are responsible and will never leave the ship unless I knew about it and gave them my permission. Yes, my kids will be going on shore excursions without my husband or myself but with a family member as we are a family group of 14 people, they will not be alone. They have my permission I am not saying I won't worry....the main thing is they are with the ship excursion, they are with another family member or more than one and if they chose to stay on the ship I know from their past 10 cruises they not ever leave without asking me first. Its just the kind of kids I raised thats all.

 

Could you please simplify your answer? I have no idea what you just said!

[Cruisegirl6]

I am simply answering what you wrote....you wrote...

I just can't wait to hear what will happen when they decide to go on The Fury Catamaran excursion by themselves!!!!

 

My point they won't be booking themselves on the fury catamaran excursion I know that for sure. :D

[AirGorilla]

I am simply answering what you wrote....you wrote...

I just can't wait to hear what will happen when they decide to go on The Fury Catamaran excursion by themselves!!!!

 

My point they won't be booking themselves on the fury catamaran excursion I know that for sure. :D

 

Thanks!! It is a lot of fun, we've been on it at least three times with our girls. It CAN turn into Animal House, and that's why we LOVE IT!! We wouldn't want for the girls to have all the fun to themselves!!

[Cruisegirl6]

AirGorilla: I totally understand! :D

[time4u2go]

Ok, I am just going to give you my opinion as a 17 y/o who has already been on 6 cruises. I am a good kid, I have never gotten in major trouble, I do what I'm told and I'm very responsible. I have a 16 y/o brother who is mostly the same way as I am. If we wanted to my parents would let us stay on the ship while they went to explore. They trust us and we are not stupid. We know what is legal and illegal, we know what is acceptable and what is not. We would NOT under ANY circumstances even ATTEMPT to leave the ship by ourselves. Thats just plain stupid and a common sensical thing. Our parents raised us to know this stuff. It is my belief that if you have taught your children well and trust them then you should have no problem leaving them on the ship for a few hours. Just tell them to stick together or only hang out in populated areas. And FYI often on port days the only teen 'activity' from 12-5 is hanging out in the Living room and from 12-4 it is unsupervised. But like I said, if you have faith in what you've taught your kids and trust them, go ahead and leave them.

Trusting your kids is only half the story. Your kids might be perfect and follow every rule you lay out to the letter, but do you trust the other people on the ship?

[Cruisegirl6]

Thats why my kids must stay only in public places. They know never trust anybody and anythng can happen to be on their gaurd always, this not only goes for cruises but for life in general everywhere.

[rsscaptain]

Trusting your kids is only half the story. Your kids might be perfect and follow every rule you lay out to the letter, but do you trust the other people on the ship?

 

Ding Ding Ding!!! ....We have a winner! Someone who is tuned in.:D

 

Look at cruise bruise dot com and tell me what you think then?

[brmoqueen]

Don't know if it's been said.....but wasn't there a thread of someone who left young kids on the ship while they did an exc and then missed the boat??...

 

Not a chance at all I would leave kids on a ship without a family member with them....

 

TOO MANY things can go wrong.....

 

A 3 year old is missing from someone's vacation where they left 3 kids in a room by themselves while they went to dinner..

 

STUFF HAPPENS...even to good kids and good families..don't take a chance

[nrh322]

Goodness gracious... I didn't know what I thought was a pretty simple yes or no question was going to open such a can of worms! Everyone sure does have some interesting opinions/judgments/advice. The internet sure is a great place! :)