Activites for 18-20 year olds on Allure of the Sea?

[Kramerica_S]

We're looking forward to cruising on Allure next week. Does anyone know what's available  for the 18-20 crowd? Our son is too old for the teen program, and too young for adult. I'm sure there will be others his age on board; I'm wondering if there are any organized activities, hang-out areas, etc.  Thanks!

[JLMoran]

Unfortunately, 18-20 is a bit of a "limbo" zone for organized activities or even having ways to find others in that age bracket. My older daughter will be in this bind for whatever cruises she takes with us between 2019 and 2022.

[twangster]

Welcome to the message boards!

This is an awkward age for many things, including but not limited to cruising.

I took my friend's daughter with me on Allure last year.  She was 19 at that time.  We've cruised together before several times but when she was younger.  She is like a daughter to me and I've been in her life for it's entirety but it's been interesting.  Just like my own children, things change at this age and they don't want to hang around us old folks or do the "kids" programs on board because... they aren't kids anymore.  They are not kids and beside... they know more than us at this point.  I get that.

The challenge is one we all face as our kids grow up.  When and how to let go but not let go so much.  How to protect when they don't think they need protection but we know better. 

So, with much trepidation you let them explore more including more freedom on a cruise.  Kids (ok not kids) have a way of finding each other at this age because they are all in the same boat (ship but let's not go there).  That did happen and I put more than a few extra miles on my shoes keeping watch at a distance but in the end it all worked out. 

There were some events for this age group that I escorted her to but was not allowed to enter while keeping the requested distance away but they didn't meet the expectation so we moved on.

I think it's different with girls but I shouldn't need to explain that here.

Since, I have often wondered how she really felt about this experience.  It came up in conversation last week and she talked about this cruise with enthusiasm.  Perhaps she just wants to go on more cruises . 

I guess the point is, try to keep them engaged and involved to the extent that you know your son while not trying to be overt about it.  You know him better than he does yet understand stuff is changing.  Overall, follow your heart and let loose the reins a bit as you see fit, yet be prepared to be their safety net or comfort zone when required.

This is a learning and growing phase for them too, even if they already know everything.  Allure was a positive experience for us despite not having a structured program from the cruise line for this age group to depend on.  I hope it matches that for your son.

[melski94]

My daughter turned 18 a few weeks before our spring break cruise.  The first few days were tough.  On previous cruises, she would  meet new friends in the teen club and hang out with them so much that we rarely saw her except for dinner. This cruise she tried a few 18-20 year old meet ups as in the Cruise Compass but she said there was no one there.  Once she got over the fact she may not meet anyone to hang out with, she hung out with us and she decided her parents were almost fun.  We'd sit around the pub and just had a good time hanging out with our new "adult". During the day, she was willing to do things with her younger siblings. It was still a good cruise but just different than what she experienced in the past. 

[Kramerica_S]

Thank you! I appreciate everyone's thoughtful responses. Looking on past 'Compasses', I see that there will likely be an 18-21 Meet-n-Greet early on. This will be a good start!  - Susan