Guest Post
If you’re traveling with a teenager, you know the kind of trouble that they can get themselves into. Here’s how to keep them busy, happy, and out of trouble on a cruise ship.
Choosing The Proper Itinerary
When you travel with teenagers, one thing you’ll quickly learn is that your itinerary can’t be too long or you’ll end up with very bored teenagers.
Boomerang trips, or trips where you stop in at multiple ports work best. A few days at sea, and then a few days on land, are probably best. Some cruise lines departing from Southampton, for example, will stop off at Sydney for a few days before moving on to the next port or returning home.
Choosing a Young Atmosphere
You’re traveling with teenagers. They’re young. You need a cruise line with a young atmosphere. This can be tricky because, if you choose the wrong one, you might be happy but your child won’t.
Not all cruise lines offer entertainment geared towards young people either so you really have to research that before you book a cruise. For example, if your child likes playing basketball, make sure there’s a court on the boat.
A Cruise Line With A Long List Of Activities
Youth-oriented activities are a must, especially if you want your child to stay out of trouble. Teen movie night, a pool or teen-only deck area, and adult-free clubs are major pluses.
Coffee shops, tween clubs, computers with Internet access or an Intranet social network, a D.J. lounge, and a game room are also nice.
Get a Lot Of Room
Your teen might be a great kid, but probably a terrible roommate. Get as much room as you possibly can. For the older teens, you could consider getting them their own cabin so that you can have your space and they won’t feel like you’re cramping their style.
You won’t have to deal with the dirty socks on the floor, the funky smell, and weird morning rituals. If you do this, also make sure they get their own key card and you get a copy of it so that you don’t have to bang on their door for breakfast. They’re less likely to have wild parties if you can do unannounced check-ins.
But, probably the best part about getting a separate room for your teen is that it allows you some peace and quiet. This is your holiday too, after all.
Have “The Talk” About Sex, Drugs, and Alcohol
It seems so weird to have to have this talk on a holiday, but you need to. You really do. Lay down the rules on alcohol and drugs during the vacation, as well as sex. Hey, you’re going on a cruise which may (OK will) at some point offer opportunities for curious young teens.
Think about your cruise as a week-long party for them because, in many ways, it is.
If it can happen on land, it can happen on a cruise. Prepare for it.
Michael Wilson, the Managing Director at Bolsover Cruise Club, continues to passionately run the company his parents created in the late 1960’s. Once known as Bolsover Travel, Michael takes an interest in all areas of the business. Michael also enjoys spending time with his family, watching rugby and gardening.
