Extended Family Cruise - activities for teens? - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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I'm trying to plan a cruise for a family reunion. We have several teenagers in our family and one of my sisters has concerns about what her teenage son will have to do on board. She doesn't want him to go on vacation and just sit and eat and play video games.
Any input on what your teenagers have enjoyed on board? Thanks
The teens have their own area on board. There are also teen-only activities and shore excursions. They can watch movies, play basketball, go to the arcade, go in the pool and surf the internet. There is a teen beach on Castaway Cay. As far as the eating part goes, that's half the fun of a cruise, and there are plenty of choices on the ships. My DS was 20 when we took him, not quite a teen, but he loved being able to go to the snack areas and get several burgers, hot dogs, etc. He also loved getting room service at 2 AM! He slept in most mornings, went jet-skiing at Nassau, and did alot of sunbathing!
Once he sees how much there is for them to do, the problem will be when she'll actually SEE her son!
They do an awesome job of amusing the 'big kids' with games, dances and activities. There are many shore excursions just for teens, too. They have their own private area onboard yet the level of supervision is there so Mom doesn't have to worry.
Depending on the age, the parent can choose whether or not they can get off the ship by themselves, too.
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With the attention paid specifically to "teens" (as opposed to lumping them in with all the other kids), I'd say Disney is tops in making sure teens enjoy their trip. They're a species unto themselves and Disney seems to understand that!
With the attention paid specifically to "teens" (as opposed to lumping them in with all the other kids), I'd say Disney is tops in making sure teens enjoy their trip. They're a species unto themselves and Disney seems to understand that!
I have to agree with this. One of the things DCL does best is keeping the teens occupied. We were on a Spring Break cruise this last time, loaded with teens, and you would have never even known they were there. They'd appear as a group occasionally, and everyone would wonder where they all came from. My oldest has cruised twice as a teen, and they have been her favorite vacations ever.
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Ditto to the comment about teens on spring break cruise. We shared a table with a family with two teens and they were clearly having a blast (showed up for dinner, but like my DD did a runner as soon as was socially acceptable, except when server had them working puzzles at the table). The parents enjoyed their "couple" time both on the ship and Castaway Cay and family time on shore excursions. Seems to be a perfect mix that keeps everyone in their happy zone.
What to do with "new" teens? My DS will be 13 by the time we cruise again and while he gets along fine in the making new friends dept.
I'm a little worried about him being around older teens.
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Wishing my life away on my next Disney Cruise...WHAT A WAY TO GO!!!
Funny about that point - exactly the reason my DD insisted we load up on cruises before she turns 13. There's always Ocean Quest for the 10-14 age group - older kids are not allowed in there. I know that parents of younger kids can complete paperwork to give their child special permission to go "up" (particularly if they have older siblings or are just about to turn the necessary age) to the next activity level, but don't know if the reverse is possible. From what we have seen with other families, younger teens have been quite happy in the Stack (we've only cruised on the Magic, so can not comment on the Wonder). However, teens in question had siblings in the Stack too - don't know if that made a difference or not.
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I think it really depends on your 13 yo and if he's a "young" 13 or a "mature" 13. Disney isn't going to let things get out of hand or too rowdy or anything. However, I do believe that discussions obviously won't be "censored" so it depends on what you are comfortable with.
Maybe give him the choice of the teens or Ocean Quest? If he checks out OC and it's too young for him, he may be perfectly fine with hopping up to the Stack.
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He slept in most mornings, went jet-skiing at Nassau, and did alot of sunbathing! 
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My oldest has cruised twice as a teen, and they have been her favorite vacations ever.
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