What Activities For Pre-teens and Teens?

[rugrath]

I am seriously considering booking a cruise on the Conquest out of Galveston in 2009. I am concerned that there will not be enough activities to keep 12, 13 and 16 year old children busy and entertained. I am mainly worried about the 16 DS. Can anyone please tell me the different things they observed for this age group. Are there water slides? How about the Water Works slide area? It is hard to tell by their website what the ship actually has.

[EngIceDave]

They'll meet up with other kids, make friends and then the activities schedule means squat...they'll ditch the camp stuff

 

They'll hang out in the teen club, go swimming and explore the ship

 

No worries

[KatSt]

We've been taking our 3 teens on cruises for a few years now. We haven't been on the Conquest, but have been on her sister ships the Liberty and Glory.

 

There is a Club O2 lounge for the 15 - 17 year olds. That's where the kids hang out. They have dancing at night, TVs, arcade games and more.

 

There is also a big water slide, baseketball, etc. for all ages to use, adults included.

 

The 12 and 13 year olds will be in Circle C. They are also supposed to have their own area to meet with various activities.

 

All of our kids love cruising. If you go when school is out there are hundreds of kids on the ship for them to do things with.

[Jacky4]

There is plenty of activities but it all depends on the teen. My 13 year old loved it and did all the activities and when there wasn't activities planned he met up with his new friends and hung out. My 16 year old nephew didn't go to the teen club the first night which seems to be when groups are made. He ended up being bored and hanging out with his parents most of the time. I would make sure your 16 year old goes to the first teen club meeting. I am not sure of everything in his age group but I know every night they have a teen party in the disco. They have a night time swim, basketball games, free video game night and make your own sundae/pizza parties...If he doesn't want to participate in the teen club there is a gym, video arcade, ping pong, mini golf and just hanging out at the pool. Also on port days you will probably not be on the ship anyways.

[pamrose228]

I have a now 15 year old who was 9 and 11 when we sailed with CCL. The highlight of these two cruises was the "stay up the entire night" for the preteen group. You check your preteen in at 10 pm and they feed them with coke and candy and they run around the ship until 7 or 8 am (totally escorted). It costs $35 well worth it.

[rugrath]

Thank you so much for your answers.

[nothomeonacruise]

I know your teens will all have something to do. Why not ask them what's wrong with time to chill and relax? I'd take a "boring" day on the sea in heartbeat!