My kids have been cruising since they were preschoolers, and Disney Cruise Line ships are like their second home. Over the last ten years of cruising, they have gained more and more freedom to check themselves out of the youth clubs, explore the ship on their own, attend shows with friends, make purchases, and more. On a cruise, our kids can see new places, try new foods, make new friends, and gain new independence. Yet with these opportunities must come some practical rules and guidelines to ensure a safe cruise.
I’ve combed the high seas (and the internet) for my top 10 rules to keep teens and tweens safe and give parents some peace of mind:
- You may not enter anybody else’s cabin.
- You may not invite anybody into our cabin. (The ship has youth clubs, family activities and plenty of public spaces for kids. There is no need to hang out with friends in a cabin.)
- Keep us posted on your location using the Disney Cruise Navigator app, the Wave Phone (an option that allows you to text and call without using your personal cell phone. Wave Phones, allow you to call any shipboard phone, stateroom phone or other Wave Phone, making it easy to connect with your travel party or new friends), or the whiteboard on our cabin door.
- Return to our cabin before dinner to change, join the family for the show, or take photos. (I’ll let you know the exact time each day, and one night you may even get to eat on your own while the parents enjoy Palo or Remy.)
- Do not hang out or run through the hallways or elevators.
- Return to the cabin by the curfew we set each night.
- Do not charge anything to our cabin without my permission.
- Wash your hands often and use the hand sanitizer wipes offered to you at every dining location!
- Always use your manners with crew members and other guests.
- There are eyes on you everywhere! I met lots of people on the boards, Facebook and our Meet & Greet and they will let me know how you are behaving. I am sure you will make me proud and have a great cruise!
HAPPY teens!!! Who knew?!
Parents, what rules or expectations have you set for your cruising tweens and teens?
We are getting ready to set sail in 3 days. I really appreciate these ‘rules’ since I will be traveling with my 2 daughters 12 and 17. We are super excited, but I am also a bit unsure about them going off on their own. I know they can’t go too far, but far enough to get into mischief!! lol