Improvement needed for all the kids ages!

[travgurl]

In regards to Camp Carnival, I we did not children in that age group, but others that I talked with said that their children did not want to stay there, they got bored. People that dealt with that will have to give their opinions. But, I feel that Carnival needs to change their ages groups for the older kids. Perhaps, 11 to 13, 14 to 16 and 17 to 20. My teens went to the O2 club where every night all they did was dance. Not all kids dance. They need to come up with some other fun night activities. My older teen who was 18 had no where to go to meet people his age. It would have been nice if they had a club for the age group to go to to. At 18, they can gamble, but not drink. Going into the disco, it is hard to judge who is under 21. I really feel they need to make some changes for the older teens. I did put this on my comment card and spoke the people on the ship.

[ashefrog]

Whole heartedly agree. We travelled last Nov on Liberty with 14, 16, and 19 year olds. During the day they were okay but at night they couldn't all do things together. The age grouping split them up and they didn't really want to do the things that were available.

 

When I read ppl complaining about the kids running (I agree they should be supervised) but I believe alot of the problem is they have nothing to do.

 

I know it is a difficult age group 13 - 19 but I also think they can do better.

Maybe sports tournaments - basketball, ping pong, etc. Trivia games on pop culture, and stuff. Photo scavenger hunts and theme parties (Hawaiian, Harry Potter (for teens), and such). There are plenty of programs with ideas for youth groups, and teen programs.

[Dee88]

I'm cruising on Aug 5th and I was just thinking of this subject a few days ago. My son is 16 and I'm hoping he won't be bored out of his skull.

This isn't his first cruise but I'm finding the older they get (14-18) the harder it is for them to find stuff to do.

[crusinmama06]

It seems that the older the kids get, the less organized activities there are. I wonder if it's because the kids WANT to do their own thing and find it lame to go to a "kids camp"? Or if Carnival should provide more entertainment at night.

 

I don't have kids that age, mine are 3 and 7 so mine LOVE camp carnival. But I wonder how long for?

 

Here are the activities per age group...

http://s204.photobucket.com/albums/bb196/cruisinmama06/Camp%20Carnival%20Capers/

[nuts4sn00py]

My 12 & 13 year old never even went to the kids club due to the lack of things to do. We just came off the Miracle. We also had alot of little ones in our group who never seemed to want to be in the kids group either. I know the parents of the little ones complained, but it fell on deaf ears. We also had a 15 & 16 year old in the group & they pretty much hung out with the adults. Carnival definitely needs to look at its kids program & I too put it on my comments card. Otherwise, we had a great cruise!:D

[aggieastrosfan]

At 18, they can gamble, but not drink.

 

What's wrong with that? Eighteen-year-olds are pretty lucky to be able to gamble on Carnival ships. Who says you have to drink to gamble?

[crazy4trvl]

Michele,

Thanks for posting the activities. Do you know if they have the same activities on all of their ships? If not, do you know where I can get find them for the Fascination? I didn't find listings on Carnival's website.

[Rowan555]

I think they need to fine-tune their program for teens, but I don't think they need to have too many organized activities for kids 17-19. Some mixers, dances, and video game time, sure - but beyond that kids 17-19 can participate in most of the regular activities on the ship. If they are bored or can't find something to do, that's really not Carnival's problem. There were 2 teens at our table on the Fantasy last December - they didn't even sign up for the teen program. I saw them around the ship throughout the cruise participating in the trivia contests, the scavenger hunt, etc.

 

I personally don't participate in any organized activities at all on my cruises - heck, I don't even go to the shows. But if I was to claim boredom, that would be my own fault, not Carnival's. The bottom line is that I prefer to read, relax and watch the water, take walks, etc. I would expect my kids at age 17 and up to either find some activities to participate in, or be happy just relaxing and doing their own thing. I certainly don't expect Carnival's kids program to entertain them at that age.

[crusinmama06]

Michele,

Thanks for posting the activities. Do you know if they have the same activities on all of their ships? If not, do you know where I can get find them for the Fascination? I didn't find listings on Carnival's website.

 

The activities are pretty much fleetwide. They aren't EXACT you understand...but you can get a pretty good idea of Fascination by reading the other ship's activities.

 

We'll be on Sensation in 3 weeks...same itinerary as we were on Elation. I'll compare the two sets of activtities when I get back and see how close they are...being the same ship class and the same itinerary.

[Cruise_Monkey]

It seems that the older the kids get, the less organized activities there are. I wonder if it's because the kids WANT to do their own thing and find it lame to go to a "kids camp"? Or if Carnival should provide more entertainment at night.

 

I don't have kids that age, mine are 3 and 7 so mine LOVE camp carnival. But I wonder how long for?

 

 

I agree the older they get the less they're looking for a lot of structure. You've got a few years left with your 3 & 7, but my son is 17 and generally prefers unstructured activities; he'll hook up with a group of kids close to his age the first day, and they'll basically "hang out" for the cruise. I don't think that having lots of structured activities for kids this age is really worth it.

 

My daughter is 11, and she'll be more involved in the Camp organized activities, but it it becoming more of a challenge to keep this age engaged!

 

We're on the Sensation next week (Sun-Thurs) and we'll see how the activities are!

[BlueJacketsFan1]

I don't know about the kids today, and I am far from being one now. When I was a kid I didn't get the chance to go on a cruise. I did get to go to Florida several time though. I never got bored and never had a problem finding things to do. Pools, beachs, basketball, clubs, I would hope I could find something to do. I have worked in bars that have teen nights, and all the kids do is dance. Very few of them side at tables and talk or do anything else, but we would have over 2000 kids in the bar every teen night. So it sound as if what they wanted to do was just dance. People that are over 18 should be in Camp Carnival. They shouldn't be kids any more. They are more of young adults than kids. They can go into the casino and the clubs, they just can't drink. Are there singles parties at the beginning of the cruise. I would think that they might have one for people who are younger. Maybe like a 18 -25 group so people could meet others around their age. As for group people 17 - 20 like one person said. That grouping a underage girl with a 20 year old. I would think there might just be a few fathers that might not like that a whole lot. Maybe kids just get to do to much these days and because of that they get bored. It just an opinion, but what the heck, FLAME AWAY!

[crazy4trvl]

Michele,

Have a great time on Sensation! We will be on the Fascination in 2 weeks with my husband and daughter for her sweet sixteen birthday. She is bringing a few friends plus my son, who is 10. I was a little concerned about him because he is in a different age category but I'm sure he'll be fine.

Enjoy your cruise and the picture of your daughters is great. They are beautiful girls!

Thanks again

[travgurl]

Well, the older age group could be 17 to 19. They do not need structured activities. They just needed a place to go where they could meet those that are around their age. Though the fun activites that were mentioned like sports, trivia etc. are not a bad idea. Someone mentioned that being 18 they could gamble, but not drink. This is true, but my son is not one to gamble his earned money away. I am thankful for that. It truly was a good family vacation, because we did alot together during the day and evening.

[buddyjo143]

 

I personally don't participate in any organized activities at all on my cruises - heck, I don't even go to the shows. But if I was to claim boredom, that would be my own fault, not Carnival's. The bottom line is that I prefer to read, relax and watch the water, take walks, etc. I would expect my kids at age 17 and up to either find some activities to participate in, or be happy just relaxing and doing their own thing. I certainly don't expect Carnival's kids program to entertain them at that age.

 

Exactly, well said! I didn't even go on vacations when I was that age. (We couldn't afford to do that.) I think many people don't know how to relax and they have to be entertained by someone else. I feel sad for those people. I used to be one of those people.

 

Cruises taught me how to relax, rest and rejuvenate.

[ashefrog]

I don't think anyone is saying they need to be entertained just age appropriate activities that appeal more to that age group.

 

My 18 and 20 year olds don't want to hang out in a bar or lounge with "older" people they have nothing in common with. I believe it is more about bringing those ages together on board than entertaining. Mixers and such is a good idea or the sports tournaments. These activities might bring more of the same age group and common interest young adults together.

[wickerandmore]

I agree that they need to have a 17-19 age group. We were on the a cruise in June and my son had just turned 18 the week before. He couldn't go in the teen club which was 17 and under and was not ready to go to the "adult" clubs. He did go with us a couple of times, but only stayed for maybe 15 minutes and left.

[big_duck]

Camp Carnival is an optional activity for youth on board, not a kids warehouse.

 

If you don't want your kids hanging out with you on vacation leave them at home.

[crusinmama06]

Camp Carnival is an optional activity for youth on board, not a kids warehouse.

 

If you don't want your kids hanging out with you on vacation leave them at home.

 

Awww Don, you always have a way with words. :D :p ;)

[big_duck]

Awww Don, you always have a way with words. :D :p ;)

 

 

Just burns my butt the way some people talk about their kids as burdens all the time.

[cruisecavy]

I don't know why teenagers feel the need to be entertained all the time. I just like to sit on a chair, watch the ocean go by, and read my book. I've never gone to the camp thing, and I really don't care to go. It's not that the camps wouldn't seem like fun, I just don't like being around a lot of people. I rather be by myself anyways, and do my own thing.

[JAM810]

Just burns my butt the way some people talk about their kids as burdens all the time.

 

And, they are the first people to complain about someone elses' kid(s).

[crusinmama06]

Just burns my butt the way some people talk about their kids as burdens all the time.

 

Nooo I TOTALLY understand. I have certain pet peeves on this board and burden by kids is one of them. ;)

 

Also, if I had a 18-20 year old who said they were BORED on a cruise, I would probably crack. How many kids get taken on cruises????

 

When my daughter complains like that I tell her to go into school and ask her friends what THEY did this week and I can guarantee it was NOTHING like what SHE did this week. :rolleyes:

 

The one point I DO AGREE with in this thread is that the counselors DO need to stick to the schedule. Sitting around watching videos and talking to one another should NOT be happening in the kids camps. I know I would be VERY upset if my kids got excited about going to an activitiy only to find out they would be sitting there staring at the counselors instead.

 

I will find out what it's like again next month and I'm sure I'll report back. My kids loved the camp in December...we'll see if that has changed.

[turkeytoes75]

We have liked camp carnival on all four of the cruises that we have been on. My youngest has never gone, he has always wanted to stay with us. Which is fine with me. If he wants to go then that would be great too, but we don't make any of them go. My girls ages 11 and 12 only go when its something they want to do other wise they just hang out with us. Maybe Wejust try and make the best of it and enjoy any time we do have with our children, they are growing up so fast!!!!

[mprucha]

While I agree that the age groups could adjust some to keep say, 11-13, 14-17, I don't think that people 18 and over should be grouped together. I have an 18yr and a 20yr old. True, they are allowed to gamble but not drink but if you group a 17yr old with a 20 yr old, you're looking for trouble. At 18, they are allowed to join the service and fight for our country, go to college, get married (hopefully not, but you get the picture) so they really shouldn't be grouped as "kids" that have to deal with a camp carnival label. If they are old enough to be deemed legal, they should be allowed to go dance wherever they like. Both mine went to one particular club where most of that age group hung out and had a blast every night. They met a lot of people their age. If an 18 or 19 year old isn't able to handle being in an adult club then they are really going to be in for a huge shock when they go to college or anywhere else.

 

My daughter is 18 and graduated a year early from high school to go to college and my son is 20 and in college. Ever since my son turned 18, I've cautioned him AWAY from dating any girl that's under 18. I've seen way too many reports of people who's daughters were dating someone older and the parents get mad or the relationship splits up and the next thing you know, the boy is getting hit with legal charges because they can get away with it. She's a minor, he's not, parents yell foul play and he's in trouble even if he didn't do anything or even if it was mutual consent so Matt doesn't date anyone that isn't considered legally an adult. If you have a son or daughter that age, you should think about that too. Also, there's a huge mentality difference between someone 17 and 20. At 17, they are just barely starting to be a young adult, are usually still in high school. At 20, they've often already been away from home in college, the service, their own apartment with a lot of freedom. He would laugh if I told him that Carnival wanted to label him in a camp carnival age group. That would be right before he took his car to the shop before leaving for work or packing for school.....:)

[MaryZ]

I don't think they should have a "camp carnival" for kids 18-20, but certainly they can put in the capers a young adult night to meet at such and such a place at 10/11pm.

This way they know when they walk into that room, there will be people their age.

If they can set up aa meetings and all the other stuff, one set time for young adults won't hurt them.

On the other hand,my boys who are college age are outgoing and easily make friends. They set up their own meetings by telling anyone who looks around their age to meet up at wherever that night and hang out. Guys and girls. They enjoy sports and all that so they all meet at the gym or the playing basketball or at the hot tubs.