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Freedom of the Seas-me and my daughter

Jungle Jane

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Jungle Jane

Jungle Jane

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My daughter and I are going on our first cruise next month! Hub is staying HOME! He bought a Harley for his little mid life crisis, so we get to go on a cruise.

Anyway, she is a very mature 13 and this is time for "us" so we want to spend the time together. She's not the type to go off to any teen only area by herself, so my question is where on the ship other than the obvious places like dining room, pool, min golf etc can we go together? Can a kid go in the casino? Sauna? Lounge areas? I feel like the answers should be No No and No, but people have told me kids can be there with an adult, but that doesn't seem right to me. As I said we are sailing on RCI FOTS so if anyone knows where she will be allowed to go with me vs. what would be off limits please let me know.

Thanks so much.

-Jane

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tomko2

tomko2

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From observation on other RCI ships I would say the only place your DD could not stay would be the casino. What a lovely opportunity to spend some quality time with your DD. Have a wonderful cruise.

Kathy:)

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BadBoysDriveAudi

BadBoysDriveAudi

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Posted
My daughter and I are going on our first cruise next month! Hub is staying HOME! He bought a Harley for his little mid life crisis, so we get to go on a cruise.

Anyway, she is a very mature 13 and this is time for "us" so we want to spend the time together. She's not the type to go off to any teen only area by herself, so my question is where on the ship other than the obvious places like dining room, pool, min golf etc can we go together? Can a kid go in the casino? Sauna? Lounge areas? I feel like the answers should be No No and No, but people have told me kids can be there with an adult, but that doesn't seem right to me. As I said we are sailing on RCI FOTS so if anyone knows where she will be allowed to go with me vs. what would be off limits please let me know.

Thanks so much.

-Jane

 

I would suggest both of you give the Flowrider a shot. I have no idea why they would deny both of you access to the sauna, but I didn't frequent it so I don't know if it's an adults only affair.

 

I also saw several teens in the casino, but I didn't pay much attention to whether they were with parents because everyone had to go through the casino in order to reach the theater or dance club. I think I stumbled across a way to access the dance club from the exterior ship balcony but I didn't persue it because I was on a moonlight stroll.

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sailinglisa

sailinglisa

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A definite NO to the casino.....pass through, yes. Stay and sit a Mom's side, no.

 

She MIGHT be able to stay in the sauna if she is with you at all times, but this is usually an adult only area in the spa.....I would check with the spa when you get onboard and ask this question.

 

Lounge areas, yes, as long as she is with you. There will be family night (s) in the disco, but after a certain time, anyone under 18 is removed from the disco.

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Jungle Jane

Jungle Jane

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Thanks for the great info everyone! I was starting to feel like we were going to be limited on things to do together other than check out the obvious public areas of the ship, tho' I knew we'd never get bored. I know we will have a blast and am happy especially to hear that the disco will have a family night :)

THanks so much, I am so grateful for these boards!!!!

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Willbcruisin

Willbcruisin

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My DD and I always cruise together....NO to the casino but most everyplace else is fine as long as your with her! I suggest you bring walkie-talkies though just in case you decide to seperate. We always establish a meeting point on the ship just in case!! We just returned from Christmas sailing and were together most of the time. We golfed at sunset which was cool and make sure to go to the ice show!! Once your onboard you will see endless ways to be together!

Enjoy!

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Thunderwoods

Thunderwoods

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I was just on the FOTS this past April with my DD (12 at the time, also very mature for her age)

 

We did so much together, from on-board things like napkin folding, attending the belly-flop contest and the Flowrider to doing a couple of excursions together.

 

Her favorite? One night sitting in the deck chairs watching the sunset, she turns and says to me "Time could stop for awhile and I'd be cool with that."

 

Amazing how the breeze on the upper decks makes you tear up on occasion...:o

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MGriffith

MGriffith

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My daughter and I are going on our first cruise next month! Hub is staying HOME! He bought a Harley for his little mid life crisis, so we get to go on a cruise.

Anyway, she is a very mature 13 and this is time for "us" so we want to spend the time together. She's not the type to go off to any teen only area by herself, so my question is where on the ship other than the obvious places like dining room, pool, min golf etc can we go together? Can a kid go in the casino? Sauna? Lounge areas? I feel like the answers should be No No and No, but people have told me kids can be there with an adult, but that doesn't seem right to me. As I said we are sailing on RCI FOTS so if anyone knows where she will be allowed to go with me vs. what would be off limits please let me know.

Thanks so much.

-Jane

 

I see many excellent replies already, but - still - allow me to add another perspective.

 

First, know that the answer, like so many others, is "it depends".

 

It depends on just how old your daughter appears and acts. How many times have we all seen teens act like adults and adults act like children? If she could pass for 16-17 in both appearance and bearing, then being in the "adult only" areas (with the exception of the casino) will not be a problem. In fact, I am rather a stickler for keeping the adult areas adult, and even I (the unreasonable bastard that I am) would not have an issue with a well behaved teen in the adult areas. After all, social skills are crucial and one must have some opportunity to hone them before reaching adulthood. Sounds to me like this would be a perfect opportunity for her to flex some maturity muscles while still in a relatively safe and supervised situation.

 

I often comment to both offspring and parents when I encounter a well behaved and well adjusted intelligent youth. A little positive reinforcement goes a long way.

 

It also depends on what you both enjoy doing (and your budget). While not an overly free spender myself, might I suggest that you book a spa appointment or two for the both of you as a special treat? I have yet to meet ladies who did not enjoy a little pampering. A manicure/pedicure, facial, etc. together might just prove to be one of those "special memories".

 

Another thought - If you enjoy reading, perhaps each reading the same book (some before the cruise, some relaxing on deck during) and having a mini "book club discussion" every other day or so during the cruise might be fun. Just no discussion beyond book selection before boarding!

 

Give each other one "you have to do this" ticket. Essentially, each of you gets to select one activity that you both do without arguing. Yes, expect utter humiliation here, but since you both get it, things even out. For example, you might be expected to hit the Flowrider in a bikini (assuming that you are not normally inclined to do so). What you would choose for her is tough for me to imagine - maybe organize an on-deck limbo contest? If she is a bit frightened of heights, then the rock wall must be climbed. You get the idea.

 

If you are so inclined, order wine with dinner and introduce her to wine with dinner in a controlled manner. Show her how to have wine and still remain responsible - no over indulging. Introduce her to different wines with different foods.

Obviously if you are opposed to drinking, or think that this would in any way be improper, then please forgive the suggestion.

 

Of course, you both could also conspire against Dad/Hubby. Make a pact to tell nothing about what happened on the cruise. Nothing. Just grin and giggle. You could keep that special inside joke going for years!

 

If history is any indicator, you are soon to become a total idiot and your mere existence utterly humiliating (happens a lot to parents of teens, go figure), and this could be the last vacation before that happens.

 

Be creative. Make the most of the opportunity!:D

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MooShuSwine

MooShuSwine

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I was just on the FOTS this past April with my DD (12 at the time, also very mature for her age)

 

We did so much together, from on-board things like napkin folding, attending the belly-flop contest and the Flowrider to doing a couple of excursions together.

 

Her favorite? One night sitting in the deck chairs watching the sunset, she turns and says to me "Time could stop for awhile and I'd be cool with that."

 

Amazing how the breeze on the upper decks makes you tear up on occasion...:o

 

Napkin folding? Wow. I never heard of that before on a cruise. That is interesting.

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MooShuSwine

MooShuSwine

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Posted
I was just on the FOTS this past April with my DD (12 at the time, also very mature for her age)

 

We did so much together, from on-board things like napkin folding, attending the belly-flop contest and the Flowrider to doing a couple of excursions together.

 

Her favorite? One night sitting in the deck chairs watching the sunset, she turns and says to me "Time could stop for awhile and I'd be cool with that."

 

Amazing how the breeze on the upper decks makes you tear up on occasion...:o

 

Napkin folding? Wow. I never heard of that before on a cruise. That is interesting.

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Hypo

Hypo

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In order to be on the safe side, get a notarized letter, signed by your husband to allow you to take your daughter out of the country on a cruise. Your travel agent should be able to further advise you on this subject.

 

The airlines have a requirement that a child traveling with one parent must have a letter from the other parent authorizing taking your child out of the country. I know this sounds ridiculous, but other countries (Mexico) have rules concerning this. We had friends who were not allowed on a Delta flight to Mexico because his kids from his first marriage did not have a letter permitting them to travel outside the country.

 

There have been too many cases of non-custodial parents kidnapping their children and running to other countries.

 

You probably will never be asked, or have to show the letter, but if necessary, you will be glad you have it.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

 

Hypo

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andyjo0930

andyjo0930

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Check your compass. There are lots of activities going on, especially on sea days. Besides the napkin folding demonstration, there is also usually a food demonstration. There are lots of trivia games going on. There is bingo. There are pool games by the pool (lots of fun to participate, but even funnier to watch). There is a game room and they usually have cards, scrabble, and stuff like that. At night, there will be a show, sometimes a comedian, sometimes a broadway type show that i'm sure she would enjoy. They have the late night pool deck party where you guys could dance the electric slide under the stars. Have fun and do things you normally wouldn't do. I'm sure you guys will have a ball together. I can't wait until my daughter is old enough to take on a cruise.

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andyjo0930

andyjo0930

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Check your compass. There are lots of activities going on, especially on sea days. Besides the napkin folding demonstration, there is also usually a food demonstration. There are lots of trivia games going on. There is bingo. There are pool games by the pool (lots of fun to participate, but even funnier to watch). There is a game room and they usually have cards, scrabble, and stuff like that. At night, there will be a show, sometimes a comedian, sometimes a broadway type show that i'm sure she would enjoy. They have the late night pool deck party where you guys could dance the electric slide under the stars. Have fun and do things you normally wouldn't do. I'm sure you guys will have a ball together. I can't wait until my daughter is old enough to take on a cruise.

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Merion_Mom

Merion_Mom

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Posted
Check your compass? huh

 

Is that some kind of guide?

 

It's the daily activities newsletter. Your cabin steward will place it on your bed each evening. "Cruise Compass" is its name. (Princess is called Princess Patters, Carnival has the Carnival Capers............ :))

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angie54751

angie54751

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Congrats on your mother/daughter trip. I have 12 y.o. girl who loves to travel with me. However, now that she is "older" she does love to go off meeting new friends. The only cruise she has been on, she was not old enough to visit the teen area and now can't wait to go again so that she can go there. She loves to dance and socialize. And then, there I would sit, lol. Enjoy your time together while she still wants to "hang" with mom ;)

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