My teens have been wandering the ship on their own since they've been in the teen club. My now 12yo is a bit immature and will have more boundaries whereas my now 15yo didn't have as many boundaries at that age. Each child is different and so you need to decide what is right for you. What do you do at home? Can they go to the movies or mall by themselves? The ship is a relatively small place and as safe as anywhere with some common sense. Here is what we do:
1. We have the Voom on everyone's phones (kids and adults). They check it enough and if you want you can tell them that they need to tell you where they are and tell you when they change locations. There are places like the slides where they won't have their phone but you can make allowances.
2. They are never allowed in another person's stateroom. NEVER! I don't care if its their new best friend of the same gender on the cruise. And no one can come in their stateroom.
3. Never allowed to climb on furniture or lean over the railings. I get an eye roll when I remind of that rule and they tell me they aren't stupid.
4. They may not break curfew (whatever you decide curfew to be). My older kids (not my immature 12 yo) stick to the ship curfew which is 1am unless we have a shore excursion planned and that is usually midnight. They need to wake their dad up to say they are back (yes we are lame and can't keep up). Sounds late but you'll be surprised at how many friends push the curfew. Many younger teens (12/13 yo) will have an 11-midnight curfew.
5. They need to get their own drinks (water, mocktail, soda). Teenage girls know why and they should have that rule at home too.
I think the teens just like to hang out. They'll meet their new friends at the teen club and wander the ship and talk.
