How Late Do You Let Your Kids Out? Age Range??

[Doug&Suzy-Q]

First question: Do you let your pre-teens (12) or 13/14 year olds stay out in the evening by themselves?

Second question: If you do how late do you allow?

If you don't, what do you allow?

In other words.....how much freedom do you allow in the evenings?

This will be our grandkids first cruise. We never had to worry about this before. Our GD is a mature 12 years old....very responsible. However, she is only 12! The other two are 11 & 8...so I think I have that covered.

Then again, maybe not........the 8 year old, must stick with us or within eye shot.

[Tightlinerods]

I allow both of my kiddos to stay out, the 13 yr old would normally be tired by 11 but the 16 yr would hang out later with her friends 1:00 at the latest.

 

 

But they must maintain some type of contact with us, they are not allowed in anybodys room period and they abide by these rules....

 

I give my kids some freedom and I trust them and so far no problems, if you hold them to tight they will go crazy first chance they get.

 

 

John

[BonnieVA]

...because I have no idea what we're going to do w/ our older boys in Aug. We've never cruised before & I conjure up all sorts of terrible scenarios. I do trust them but I don't trust anyone else on the ship! I have images of people dragging one of my boys into a cabin ... or a psycho maniac hurling one of them over the railing! I even have wondered if the kids' club staff can handle all those little ones (I have a 4 yr old) if a psycho came by. Yes, I know my thoughts are irrational but I still have them. I just hope dh & I can make the right decisions & still enjoy ourselves when we're apart from the boys.

[poohbear]

Last cruise our 13 son was allowed to stay out til Midnight, however most nights he was in by 11, tired. He had to maintain some contact with us through out the day and night. We had certain times we would meet in the cabin. If he saw us out and about around that time, then he was off again. Also, he was very good about leaving notes to where he was and when he would be back. No problems at all but we trust. OUr 7 year old was with Camp Carnival so we knew her whereabouts at all times.

[basser]

We had our grandkids (GD14,GS11) at the time check in with us on a schedule with walkie-talkies. It worked pretty well, except we had cheap walkies and they didn't always work.

[vacruizer]

If your kids are mature enough and you know they are the type who won't be causing trouble I would think it would be about the same as you'd let them go out at home to the mall or something. But I have seen packs of unsupervised kids roaming the ship, generally being nuisances, yelling, pushing all the elevator buttons, etc. and that's not cool. Obviously not all kids are like this, though, and many can handle that responsibility and have a good time hanging out with their new friends.

 

Remember - the ship is a small city - it's easy to be lulled into feeling very safe so make sure they follow the same precautions they would on land - never go to someone else's cabin, give out your cabin number, keep an eye on your drink in case something should get slipped in it, and check in regularly.

[abbydoo]

We do allow our 13 year old DD freedom with stipulations (last year it was her and her 11 yo cousin, this time there are 4 girls in our group, ages range from 11-14). First, under no circumstance is the group allowed to separate when they are not with an adult. They cannot separate even if they get upset with each other (with pre-teen and teen girls that’s bound to happen!!). We also do not permit them to just “roam the ship”. They need to report in at scheduled times and let us know where they are going: game room, bingo, etc. We didn’t give them a curfew, but I would say by 11:00pm each night, it worked out that they met up and stayed with someone in our group (us, other parents, grandparents, etc). Also, as others have stated, no going to anyone’s room or any other non-public area. They are also aware that these rules are non-negotiable. We sail next week and have been reminding the kids of these rules, plus a few more (such as no on the balcony without an adult). Agreed it is not a lack of trust of the kids or most passengers for that matter. Last year on the Glory, we had issues with our college-age neighbors (very drunk, obnoxious, loud, screaming from the balcony until 5am, etc); those “kids” I did not trust.

[rdrseller]

First question: Do you let your pre-teens (12) or 13/14 year olds stay out in the evening by themselves?

Second question: If you do how late do you allow?

If you don't' date=' what do you allow? [/color']

In other words.....how much freedom do you allow in the evenings?

 

Well, we have always let our daughter have some flexability. When we sailed the Holiday, she was almost 12. She had to check in every hour! The rule was when I went to bed, she did. It got increasingly less and less contact from then on. Last year she was 16 and had her best friend (18) with her. They had to be in the room by 12 and if they woke us up......well, they understood and never did.

 

I think it all depends on the kids and it sounds like your grandkids are gonna do fine!

 

Can't wait to meet you on the ship!

[bplazo]

At that age (12) my daughter had to be in the kids club or with me. No exceptions. I did allow her a little more freedom at 15 (with a friend) they would be able to go to the pool or kids club but had to check in every hour (if not in the club) and a curfew of 11:00pm. I also checked out where they said they would be and that they were ok and behaving.

[Doug&Suzy-Q]

Thanks everyone for your comments...........I like the leaving a note idea.

Also...I am wondering if instead of walkie talkies we could use our text message on the cell phones??

I guess I will insist on meeting her "new ship board" friends......

One good thing is that we absolutely require everyone be present for ALL meals..........!! That is 3 check in times right there.

We will have to see how it goes and who the friends are, I still think 11 pm is an appropriate time for a 12 year old.........if that!!!

I trust her.........it's everyone else I don't trust:eek:

[DqALEX]

First question: Do you let your pre-teens (12) or 13/14 year olds stay out in the evening by themselves?

Second question: If you do how late do you allow?

If you don't' date=' what do you allow? [/color']

In other words.....how much freedom do you allow in the evenings?

This will be our grandkids first cruise. We never had to worry about this before. Our GD is a mature 12 years old....very responsible. However, she is only 12! The other two are 11 & 8...so I think I have that covered.

Then again, maybe not........the 8 year old, must stick with us or within eye shot.

Most nights Camp Carnival ends after the last show. I pick up my 8 year old than. I give my kids 14,and 13 untill 11PM. If its a late night camp party than its later. But they must check in with me every few hours. They know where to find me at the card table if they need me.

[msnyder6706]

We have 4 kids and at the time of our last cruise they were 9,8,7, and 5. Our 9yo old boy was allowed some freedom, but he always had a walkie talkie with him and we checked on him often. At camp carnival they send the kids out on scavenger hunts a lot so he was running with about 4 other kids during the day. In the evenings he was with us most of the time and we were comfortable with him being alone. This next trip will be the same with maybe a little more freedom since he will be almost 11. I don't know about the cell phones, it could be spendy to use those. I think we spent around $100 for 4 walkie talkies and they were great.

[scopewest]

My 14-year-old niece was allowed to stay out until 11 p.m. if she wanted. She was usually back early.

 

The 12-year-old niece (who looked 15 when dressed up) was not allowed to go anywhere unescorted on the ship. Since she's the type who can talk to anyone with ease (a talent that will serve her well as an adult), her dad didn't want anyone taking advantage of her, so to speak. Can't blame him.

[Sirwinston]

My 12 year old has been on at least 5 cruises. The last one in March we tried to get him to hang out with the other kids. All he wanted to do is watch movies in the room and play PSP. Boring... He did spend some time in the Arcade.... $30.00 cash and $ 25.00 sail and sign later. We really tried to get him to hang with the Circle C group.

Anyway in the past my MOD was like others, absolutley no going into anyones room, I always had to know where he was. (it was much easier when I could just check him into the kids program). On one ship when he was 10 he had to either be in the "kid zone" in the Arcade, The sports area, or the cabin and he was 100 % good about this. (otherwise the Arcade money was cut off). This worked out good because I had lots of friends on this cruise. I am less paranoid on ships with fewer balconies, If that makes any sense.

He is not allowed to just wander the ship... We eat most meals together and always do ports together.

12 is a hard age because you need to give them some independace, but they still are kids. Also the ship will not supervise them for you like when they were little. ( Hard to get romantic ) Also when he was little it was fun to hang out by the pool and run up a good barbill while he played with the other kids... Last two cruises I have wanted to spend more time at the pool than him.

Tom in Long Beach

[babyher]

DW and I were just on the Miracle with DD and her friend , both 16. They wre ein the cabing next to ours . Before the trip we told them they could go do their own thing but to check in with us at various intervals and we would all have dinner together.

 

We told them to be in at midnight, but if some teen event ran later or they met friends and wanted to hang out and have pizza or whatever , we would deal with that as it came.

 

I guess there weren't too many kids their age on the cruise so they never really hung out with a group, but they always stayed together.

 

I think 2 nights they asked to stay out a little later because they were enjoying the Kareoke. Which was fine.

 

Most nights theye were back in the cabin eating room service and watching a movie way before DW and I :)

[elon mom]

No matter how responsible your kids are, there are strangers on the ship. There are always stories about molesting, rape, etc-these things happen on ships too. There have been several fugitives found on cruise ships just in the past few weeks..... I would be leary about having young kids running too late alone. A lot can happen in a split second. Unfortunately, everyone on that ship is not as nice as you are.:)

[ShillyShally]

Our last 2 cruises with the kids we were also sailing with my ex (their father) and his wife so we outnumbered the kids (3 of them) and they had 2 sets of parents looking after them. They are now 16, 13 and 11 are generally prefer to hang out with us or each other so we really haven't had to deal with it yet - this June we sail with just DH and I and the kids and we'll see who if any of them want to leave the nest, LOL, but they are very good about checking in or staying close or staying together depending on the day/time.

[stellatj]

I guess i am the mean strict mom my 11 yr old will be with us at all times.

i will not allow him to roam around the ship. he can do stuff with camp carnival but thats it.

[Handsome58]

What can happen at home on land can happen at sea.......make sure you keep a watchful eye on your kids no matter how old they are......PERVERTS cruise also and they count on people letting the "ship" babysit their kids.........that's all...........now my son has always had a curfew, walkie-talkie and check in times......he will be 18 in 2 weeks and those rules have applied on the past 5 cruises..........his curfew has gotten later but he has always had one........

[LHP]

Both of our boys were allowed to stay out as late as they wanted AS LONG AS THEY WERE PARTICIPATING in Camp Carnival activities.

 

Best as I can remember ...until the oldest was 15, if he wasn't at Camp Carnival...he was with us or in the room asleep. He was very mature for his age (and extremely gifted).

 

As he got older ( and proved himself to be responsible), he was given a later and later curfew. Midnight at first, then 1AM. By the time he was 16, he was usually hanging out with college age folks...which he usually met playing ping pong.

 

Now he is grown (20) and the only rule is "don't wake me up when you come in" or it will be back to a curfew!!! ;)

 

The youngest is a special needs child, so he will always be with us or in an organized activity.

 

I will admit that I have always been overprotective. With the creeps out in the world today, I am so relieved that my boys are "grown".

 

There have been far to many pictures confiscated in raids on a pervert's computer of him surrounded by kids on a cruise with drinks in their hands. No one knows what was in those drinks. So "being in a group" these days is still no guarantee of safety. sadly....

[wenocancer2]

My 11 year old (who just passed her American Red Cross Babysitting Course) and my 7 year old will be sailing with us. My husband & I were recently discussing the cost of Camp Carnival (babysitting) after 10 o'clock. My 11 year old chimed in and said "Why can't we just stay in the cabin with the door locked? It has a peep hole."

 

Never thought about that. It would only happen after 10:00 when room stewards no longer come into rooms. They would not be allowed to order room service or anything. Do you all think that would be okay?

[dmdiver]

I would think that staying in a locked room would be okay as long as you can be sure they won't open the door for anyone. Also, don't advertise the fact that they will be there alone. You know, just quietly say what you need to say.

 

Our kids have always shared the room next to us. I've already spoken to them about not going into anyone's cabin or allowing anyone into theirs. In the past, we have had everyone check in with us, dinner together was a must & knock on the shared wall when coming in after us. I've thought about walkie talkies, but haven't decided for sure. Mine are 23, 20 & 15 so I know they don't want to be treated like pre-teens. However, moms worry.

[funship freddy]

No matter how responsible your kids are, there are strangers on the ship. There are always stories about molesting, rape, etc-these things happen on ships too. There have been several fugitives found on cruise ships just in the past few weeks..... I would be leary about having young kids running too late alone. A lot can happen in a split second. Unfortunately, everyone on that ship is not as nice as you are.:)

 

"several fugitives found on cruise ships just in the past few weeks"

 

More facts and information please !

[lcpagejr]

She may be referring to passengers who have open warrants on them and Homeland Security detains them when they disembark

[seashell36]

Our GD is a mature 12 years old....very responsible. However' date=' she is only 12! [/color']

 

Have you asked her parents what their policy is? I would follow along the same lines that they have set for outings she has at home.

My DH & I will be travelling with at least 2 pre teen girls in October. We have set an in Camp activities or with parents policy already. Our DD is almost 12 and I know that she is a responsible and mature girl, but she will not be allowed to roam around on the ship at night with her friends. We have a younger friend (younger and cooler than parents:eek: ) who has said that she will "hang out" with the girls some.