| Teens & Cruising
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What makes a cruise a great cruise for teens? It can be summed up in two
words -- other teens. The cruise lines have done a good job creating
facilities and activities where teens can meet up, sometimes wisely
disguised with names like Optix and Common Grounds. And the lines have
also tried hard to create exciting programs like pool parties, dancing
and karaoke contests, hoping to keep their teenage guests more, well,
regulated. This has met with limited success. The reality is you can't
expect your teen to hang out at the teen center all day.
One of the joys of cruising for families with teens is they can have at
least a little freedom from the parents, at least while the ship is at
sea. That's not to say teens can't get in trouble on a ship, including
problems with alcohol. Drinking ages vary onboard ships, starting from
18 or 21.
A few things parents of teens should keep in mind: Let your teens hang
out, but know where they are (you might consider bringing walkie-talkies
so you can stay in touch).
Talk with your teens about your policy on drinking alcohol.
Remind your teen that family rules still apply while on vacation.
In choosing a ship, look for teen-appealing offerings like hot tubs, a
rock-climbing wall, a waterslide, a mini-golf course, a
basketball/volleyball court, a video arcade and 24-hour food offerings.
Some teens will probably spend part of the trip bemoaning their left
behind boyfriend or girlfriend. If your teen is so inclined, pick a
vessel with an Internet Cafe, but be aware it's not hard to rack up big
bills when you're paying 50 cents to $1.50 per minute.
To assure there will be other teens aboard, cruise during a school
vacation period. If you choose another time, call the cruise line to see
if other teens are booked (you may be surprised how many people pull
their kids out of school for a chance to cruise).
Be assured your teen will find plenty to do on your family cruise
vacation. And you may even find he or she looks forward to meeting up
with you at dinner to catch up on the day's goings-on.
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