18 year old still in high school

[rian90]

I have posted something about my son earlier and whether he could participate in the teens program. Many good responses followed but what I would like to know is if anyone has had success with RCCL allowing their 18 year old teen in the teen program with proof they are still in high school?

 

Please do not tell me its impossible unless you have actually tried this and found out it was. My son is a proud nerd who loves computers and will not threaten anyone's fourteen year old daughter. He is in high school...sees 14 year olds all the time and has not yet molested any of them. I know this because my son is deathly afraid of girls. :p

 

So again, if you have had success or not with RCCL allowing 18 year old high school students to participate in the teen progam, I would be interested in hearing your experience.

[meansun]

I understand your frustration. My 16 yo daughter was in the teen club and she said they had a few 19 yo in there.

[I'm on holiday]

No first hand experience here, HOWEVER, the majoity of High School seniors are 18! IMHO, it's crazy that a 18 year High Schooler would be turned away.

[househunter]

They have to look at from a legal point of view and 18 is legally an adult. What if something happened between an 18 year old and a 15 year old. who would be responsible? The 18 year old would be charged with rape and the cruiseline would have some responsiblity too. Their insurance policies dictate the rules. We traveled with my sister and my 18 year old niece on the Navigator several years ago and that is what they told us then.

[English Jane]

Horses for courses ....

 

My 17 year-old son would throw himself into the ocean rather than attend a teen club.

[linda_22003]

I know this because my son is deathly afraid of girls. :p

 

 

That's a very smart 18 year old. The really smart men stay terrified of us for the rest of their lives. ;)

[newbiecruiser09]

Don't the cruiselines have anything for the 18-20 yr olds? I know they would not want a "program" but you would think they could have a lounge for them where they could hang out, etc w/o alcohol being served. Maybe the lines are too concerned with taking a potential money maker (since no alcohol) and using it for the 18-20s but you'd think they could do it for a night or two?

[Bethee99]

I have talked to people that were in the same boat (no pun intended) but they said as long as their 18 gave up gambling rights they could go to the teen club.

[dolfandude]

I have talked to people that were in the same boat (no pun intended) but they said as long as their 18 gave up gambling rights they could go to the teen club.

 

I was told the same thing by a teen club advisior during our Monarch cruise in January. Our daughter turns 18 in April and we cruise again in July. She wants to go to the teen club!

[emdia43]

On paper they don't allow it but in fact they do.

They won't let him sign up for activities etc but as for wandering into the teen club and hanging out, they don't monitor that closely in my experience.

[mdd3145]

Your son WILL NOT be allowed to hang out in the teen lounge at 18. It doesn't matter that he is still in high school because it goes by age. My son tried to go to the teen club the first night thinking he could meet some new people and was told he couldn't even come in since he was already 18, and yes he is a high school senior. I hope this helps.

[reallyitsmema]

Unfortunately, it really depends on the staff that is working in the teen area on you particular cruise. In June 07 on the Mariner, they would not let anyone 18 into the teen center yet same ship, June 08, they were allowing 18 yr olds in if they signed a waiver giving up their gambling rights. My son was 17 at the time, he hang out with mostly 18 yr olds in the living room all week. As far as the waiver, not really sure what they do with it since one of the kids won $200 one night in the casino too.:cool:

[financialgrl]

Horses for courses ....

 

My 17 year-old son would throw himself into the ocean rather than attend a teen club.

 

 

I was on the Explorer this past July with two 17 y/o nieces. They are with your son. They walked into the teen club once, muttered something about it being lame and never went back. They did, however, attend the late night teen skate and did like that but my guess is b/c it wasn't really a participating team type thing and they had each other to hang with.

[rian90]

Thanks for the help. It appears from what people are saying that in some cases, depending on who is in charge, if he is willing to give up gambling and drinking, neither of which he does, he MAY be able to get into the teens club. But we have to arrange this, he cannot just walk in and he would have to sign a waiver.

 

Those of you who continued with the 'rape' and all that, please understand that I was not asking you WHY an 18 year old should not be allowed in. He is allowed into a public high school where he could, theoretically, also come into contact with 14 year old girls. Of course, if you believe 18 year olds cannot control their hormones, then I guess they should be kicked out of the high schools as soon as they turn 18.

 

Sorry..but the responses on these forums really amaze me. The world is not black and white.

[Debde]

My 19 year old hung out at the teen center and participated in some events.

I guess it depends on staff and how crowded the ship was. We travel off season so it is very quiet.

So-OP-seems like you'll get a bunch of different answers so I'd just tell him/her to go and see what happens.

 

I actaully think this is one thing RC could change. The void the 18-20 year olds have.

[meansun]

Thanks for the help. It appears from what people are saying that in some cases, depending on who is in charge, if he is willing to give up gambling and drinking, neither of which he does, he MAY be able to get into the teens club. But we have to arrange this, he cannot just walk in and he would have to sign a waiver.

 

Those of you who continued with the 'rape' and all that, please understand that I was not asking you WHY an 18 year old should not be allowed in. He is allowed into a public high school where he could, theoretically, also come into contact with 14 year old girls. Of course, if you believe 18 year olds cannot control their hormones, then I guess they should be kicked out of the high schools as soon as they turn 18.

 

Sorry..but the responses on these forums really amaze me. The world is not black and white.

 

The only real thing I see causing an issue is that you will be cruising on Spring Break. They tend to really get strict over that time because of all the teens on board. We brought a Wii on board with us for our son who was 17 at the time. He hung out wherever and whenever and then he would resort to the room when he needed his space to play video games. He had a great cruise.

[Debde]

I did not notice when you were sailing but meansun is right. They may check because it will be busy then.

Funny-It was so quiet when my 19 year old was there-they never asked him to 'sign his gambling rights away'. Never heard of that befor. You learn something every day!!!

[emdia43]

Thanks for the help. It appears from what people are saying that in some cases, depending on who is in charge, if he is willing to give up gambling and drinking, neither of which he does, he MAY be able to get into the teens club. But we have to arrange this, he cannot just walk in and he would have to sign a waiver.

 

Those of you who continued with the 'rape' and all that, please understand that I was not asking you WHY an 18 year old should not be allowed in. He is allowed into a public high school where he could, theoretically, also come into contact with 14 year old girls. Of course, if you believe 18 year olds cannot control their hormones, then I guess they should be kicked out of the high schools as soon as they turn 18.

 

Sorry..but the responses on these forums really amaze me. The world is not black and white.

 

Well said! :)

[reallyitsmema]

Not too sure if the time you are cruising makes that much difference. We were on the Mariner in June both times. The year they did allow 18 yr olds in the teen center, there were almost 800 kids on the ship, almost 300 of them were between 15-17.:eek:;)

[househunter]

Thanks for the help. It appears from what people are saying that in some cases, depending on who is in charge, if he is willing to give up gambling and drinking, neither of which he does, he MAY be able to get into the teens club. But we have to arrange this, he cannot just walk in and he would have to sign a waiver.

 

Those of you who continued with the 'rape' and all that, please understand that I was not asking you WHY an 18 year old should not be allowed in. He is allowed into a public high school where he could, theoretically, also come into contact with 14 year old girls. Of course, if you believe 18 year olds cannot control their hormones, then I guess they should be kicked out of the high schools as soon as they turn 18.

 

Sorry..but the responses on these forums really amaze me. The world is not black and white.

 

Tell that to an attorney! Sorry if my responses offended you. You were asking if they would make an exception for your kid who was not interested in girls. From a legal standpoint, they do things for a reason. Not sure how they would actually figure out who the good or the bad were so they decided to base it on age. No "adults" allowed in the teen area- pretty simple.

[reallyitsmema]

Tell that to an attorney! Sorry if my responses offended you. You were asking if they would make an exception for your kid who was not interested in girls. From a legal standpoint, they do things for a reason. Not sure how they would actually figure out who the good or the bad were so they decided to base it on age. No "adults" allowed in the teen area- pretty simple.

Pretty simple if they were consistant and enforced their policy fleet wide. As in many policies, there is spotty enforcement.

[rian90]

Tell that to an attorney! Sorry if my responses offended you. You were asking if they would make an exception for your kid who was not interested in girls. From a legal standpoint, they do things for a reason. Not sure how they would actually figure out who the good or the bad were so they decided to base it on age. No "adults" allowed in the teen area- pretty simple.

 

Your response did not offend me..just frustrated me since I specifically asked that we not address this issue. :) But it is okay.

 

Besides, we live in Florida where the laws are a bit different. A 24 year old and a 16 year old can have a consensual relationship..but a 26 year old and a 17 year old cannot. So the legality all depends on where you live.

 

And as I said before, 18 year olds go to high school with younger kids. They hang out with them all the time and there are no legal issues there. I can't believe that a cruise ship wouldn't be able to handle this. Plus, 16 year olds commit violent crimes and are tried as adults.

 

My guess is an attorney would be able to see the gray areas a bit better than many. ;)

[rian90]

Pretty simple if they were consistant and enforced their policy fleet wide. As in many policies, there is spotty enforcement.

 

Exactly..the only reason I even posted this is because I saw several people commenting on the exceptions made for their 18 year old kids. When I believed it was a consistent, always enforced rule, I did not question it.

 

If the cruiseline really believes this is a huge liability issue, they would be very strict on this. Obviously, they are not. My guess is it all depends on who is in charge that particular day. The rule is probably more in place for those parents who somehow thing that 18 year old boys are a huge threat to their daughters....

[emdia43]

Plus, when I have asked about specific rules I have been told (consistently) that the Club Manager can always use his own discretion. :)

[Debde]

It just amazes me how a simple question can sometimes turn ugly!!! :eek: