TheRealAlex97 Posted July 11, 2022 Report Share Posted July 11, 2022 I (20) am sailing on Odyssey in 3 weeks for summer vacation. Can’t wait! My one concern is that I’m in the 18-20 age group which makes it more difficult to find people to socialise with. Previously, I would have had the teen club, now that isn’t an option and I’m under 21 so not fully considered an adult by the cruise line. It’s a family trip so I don’t have friends with me and my boyfriend (25) had to back out. How can I socialize on the ship and find people my age to hang out with? I am a bit worried about being lonely. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted July 11, 2022 Report Share Posted July 11, 2022 Welcome to the message boards! To some extent, you're no different than any other adult onboard. Granted, you can't drink alcohol so bars may not be as attractive (you are allowed to go in them). While there may not be a dedicated area for folks your age specifically, I think you'll find others around your age at the pool deck, shows, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fox Posted July 11, 2022 Report Share Posted July 11, 2022 Some of the best people I have associated with have not been my age. Try reaching out to others. Life is learning experience and you can learn much from older people as well as the innocence of children. MicDay 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moby Dick Posted July 11, 2022 Report Share Posted July 11, 2022 Just go everywhere the adults go. You just can't drink the alcohol. I can't think of a venue you can't go into, other than the age restricted younger venues. So, just enjoy yourself and put yourself out there, SAFELY! teddy, Neesa and MicDay 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireclan Posted July 11, 2022 Report Share Posted July 11, 2022 When I took my oldest granddaughter, 19 at the time, on a cruise in 2018 there was a meet and greet for ages 18-20 listed in the cruise compass. It was held either the first or second night of the cruise and I believe that was the only time I saw it. Royal may still do this or maybe not but you might want to keep an eye out for it if interested. KristiZ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Levi is good Posted July 11, 2022 Report Share Posted July 11, 2022 This is a difficult age to be on a cruise in my experience. I've cruised with both my kids in this age range, and your concerns are legit. As fireclan mentioned there may be a specific meet and greet for your age range, and if not, I believe you can request one. But it is hard... Too old for the teen club, too young for the bars. As Moby Dick mentioned it's probable you can get into the bars, but speaking for my own kids, they just weren't comfortable socializing with people that much older. For the cruises where this was an issue for our family, they ended up hanging out more with us, it's just the way it went. If that's not an option, definitely see about the meet and greets for your age range. Okay I just saw you're on the Odyssey... So in the Mediterranean I believe the rules are you can drink in the bars, but double check that. If that's the case, that's probably where your age range will go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted July 11, 2022 Report Share Posted July 11, 2022 Go to the bar relax and enjoy a few drinks 18 year old to drink on European cruises so enjoy yourself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddy Posted July 11, 2022 Report Share Posted July 11, 2022 I say explore everything the ship has to offer and go to the different events and venues to see what’s happening. Step out of your comfort zone and enjoy yourself. Do things you might not ordinarily do. Our youngest joined me on Adventure for the second leg of my back to back in February 2020 when they were 19. The first couple days they were bored, but after that I rarely saw them. They were in demand for trivia teams, doing karaoke, and even ended up a team captain at Quest. When we did get together for dinner daily, all kinds of people were saying hi to them and chatting them up….and this was a kid who considered themselves an introvert with some anxiety Moby Dick and WAAAYTOOO 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pattycruise Posted July 11, 2022 Report Share Posted July 11, 2022 See if there is a FB group for your sailing and if so create an event for “whatever age group” for the first or second night. My daughter did this on a recent Oasis sailing, Check the cruise compass if any are posted under cruise compass on this board, and see if the ship is running any socials for your age group. I know they did on my last oasis sailing. Also the club on Oasis was 18 and up, so it could be a place to meet similar age group if Odyssey does that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrimsonCruiser Posted July 11, 2022 Report Share Posted July 11, 2022 I found the trivias to be a great place to meet people. Since they are often done in groups there will always be a nice group that is happy to adopt a stray. TBH in my experience they've generally been older than me but it did stop me from being lonely when I did my own thing. Also - silent disco was a great place to find people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FoxboroCruiser Posted July 11, 2022 Report Share Posted July 11, 2022 Plenty of people over 21 don’t drink alcohol. You’re basically in that club (just not completely by choice). On the ship you can live like any adult, minus the ability to order alcohol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted July 12, 2022 Report Share Posted July 12, 2022 6 hours ago, FoxboroCruiser said: Plenty of people over 21 don’t drink alcohol. You’re basically in that club (just not completely by choice). On the ship you can live like any adult, minus the ability to order alcohol. This applies for US/ Caribbean sailings not Europe where age for drinking is 18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMLM Posted July 12, 2022 Report Share Posted July 12, 2022 19 hours ago, Levi is good said: This is a difficult age to be on a cruise in my experience. I've cruised with both my kids in this age range, and your concerns are legit. As fireclan mentioned there may be a specific meet and greet for your age range, and if not, I believe you can request one. But it is hard... Too old for the teen club, too young for the bars. As Moby Dick mentioned it's probable you can get into the bars, but speaking for my own kids, they just weren't comfortable socializing with people that much older. For the cruises where this was an issue for our family, they ended up hanging out more with us, it's just the way it went. If that's not an option, definitely see about the meet and greets for your age range. Okay I just saw you're on the Odyssey... So in the Mediterranean I believe the rules are you can drink in the bars, but double check that. If that's the case, that's probably where your age range will go. I would agree with this and recognize it is tough. My kids are in the exact same situation (1 Boy & 1 Girl). My daughter was very concerned as she loves to be very social. We sailed on Symphony back in June and there was a meet and greet scheduled. My daughter went but indicated that nobody really showed up. I can tell you that I was concerned for her but several of the statements from the others who have posted were true. They both participated in activities (Karaoke, trivia, dancing on the promenade, etc) and spent a good amount of time at the pool. When they were in ports of call they were of legal age to get a drink so they got one at the beach. While the trip might not have been packed with the activities like the teen club, they indicated they had a good time. It is absolutely a transition that is a bit lacking from the cruise line but overall it is what you make of it. From a parent standpoint we were happy to spend some really good times laughing with them Make the most and have a great time! Levi is good 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Levi is good Posted July 13, 2022 Report Share Posted July 13, 2022 Quote DMLM, how did your daughter find out about the meet and greet? Was it posted on the board they have? We are sailing on the symphony next May, and one of my kids will unfortunately still be in that age range (only three months shy of 21!!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moby Dick Posted July 13, 2022 Report Share Posted July 13, 2022 3 hours ago, Levi is good said: In this blog there is a "Roll Call" section for every Royal ship and probably all, if not most, of their sailings for about a year out. If not, create one. That's a great place to find social events for just about anything, not just the 18 - 20 year old ages. Again, if you don't find a social gathering for the 18 - 20 year old ages, start one. I'm going to start one for sexy senior citizens, 70 and above to have a fashion show of Speedos, T-bars, and/or thongs. I'm encouraging all to get involved. MicDay, Neesa and Levi is good 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reigert2008 Posted July 13, 2022 Report Share Posted July 13, 2022 On 7/11/2022 at 8:57 AM, TheRealAlex97 said: I (20) am sailing on Odyssey in 3 weeks for summer vacation. Can’t wait! My one concern is that I’m in the 18-20 age group which makes it more difficult to find people to socialize with. Previously, I would have had the teen club, now that isn’t an option and I’m under 21 so not fully considered an adult by the cruise line. It’s a family trip so I don’t have friends with me and my boyfriend (25) had to back out. How can I socialize on the ship and find people my age to hang out with? I am a bit worried about being lonely. Check out the Cruise Compass for the "Singles and Solo Cruisers Mixer" you may find another person in your same situation and make a new friend. I've never been to it since I am not single and have not yet been a solo cruiser, but it seems like a good way for people to meet others. As a person who doesn't drink alcohol, we spend virtually no time in the bars and always have great time. We've struck up conversations with people at Café Promenade, the pool deck, Windjammer, etc.... Also check out the "open" activities like Pickleball, Table tenns, etc.. We met someone who joined us to hit pickleball (not competitively) and then we had a friend for the rest of the cruise. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pattycruise Posted July 13, 2022 Report Share Posted July 13, 2022 I'll reiterate this: "See if there is a FB group for your sailing and if so create an event for “whatever age group” for the first or second night." On some of the FB groups I belong to there was at least one young adult who took it upon themselves to share their social media contact info and they organized their own meet/greet. No, not all "kids" belong to FB but a lot of the concerned parents hoping their "kids" will be able to socialize with others their age do, and they will let their "kids" know to join FB or answer for them in the group that their "kids" will be at the event set up by others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted July 14, 2022 Report Share Posted July 14, 2022 On 7/13/2022 at 6:53 PM, Moby Dick said: I'm going to start one for sexy senior citizens, 70 and above to have a fashion show of Speedos, T-bars, and/or thongs. I'm encouraging all to get involved. Somethings are best left to the imagination WAAAYTOOO and Moby Dick 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moby Dick Posted July 14, 2022 Report Share Posted July 14, 2022 8 minutes ago, Ray said: u Somethings are best left to the imagination My eyes, my eyes, it hurts. Some things you just can't unsee! Ray and Neesa 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRealAlex97 Posted July 14, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2022 Thanks all for the advice. I think I’ll have a look at the roll calls and Facebook groups to see if there is anyone. I don’t actually drink so not getting allowed into bars isn’t an issue but it is sometimes harder to socialize when there aren’t age specific activities. Doesn’t help that I look younger for my age facially and have braces so I can’t just go socialising with any age range, plus the fact that 20 is still fairly young, most older adults probably don’t want to hang out with guys my age. Probably too young for events like LGBT meetings as well. Pattycruise 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pattycruise Posted July 15, 2022 Report Share Posted July 15, 2022 3 hours ago, TheRealAlex97 said: Probably too young for events like LGBT meetings as well. I wouldn’t make presumptions. Go check it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natalie.gonzalez Posted July 15, 2022 Report Share Posted July 15, 2022 go to the Hush parties!!! so much fun- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRealAlex97 Posted July 15, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2022 8 hours ago, Pattycruise said: I wouldn’t make presumptions. Go check it out! I suppose I could though I do think it’s likely I wouldn’t fit in, I can’t quite imagine it having many people in their early/mid 20s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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