First Time Cruiser

pam · January 12, 2004

We won a cruise and are going on the Carnival Imagination to Ocho Rios and Cayman Island April 3-8. We have an outside cabin with balcony. We have a 17 yr old son, 14 yr old daughter, and an eight yr old daughter. I am really worried that everyone will have a good time. They are worried about leaving their friends, that they won't meet anyone and it will be boring. This will be our last family vacation together as my son will be starting college in the fall. Any suggestions??

pam · January 12, 2004

We won a cruise and are going on the Carnival Imagination to Ocho Rios and Cayman Island April 3-8. We have an outside cabin with balcony. We have a 17 yr old son, 14 yr old daughter, and an eight yr old daughter. I am really worried that everyone will have a good time. They are worried about leaving their friends, that they won't meet anyone and it will be boring. This will be our last family vacation together as my son will be starting college in the fall. Any suggestions??

pam · January 12, 2004

We won a cruise and are going on the Carnival Imagination to Ocho Rios and Cayman Island April 3-8. We have an outside cabin with balcony. We have a 17 yr old son, 14 yr old daughter, and an eight yr old daughter. I am really worried that everyone will have a good time. They are worried about leaving their friends, that they won't meet anyone and it will be boring. This will be our last family vacation together as my son will be starting college in the fall. Any suggestions??

sailingrose · January 12, 2004

Have your kids go to the meeting on the first evening of the cruise in their respective programs. It is very important for them to start the first evening as lots of bonds are formed on that night. I doubt that your kids will be bored if the kids programs are up to par. Can't comment on Carnival's programs as it's been years since we sailed them.

My kids have been sailing with us since they were 6 and 8. I have never heard either of them say they hated the cruise. My son gets seasick so that's his only complaint. My daughter would go tomorrow if we could.

I hope that you chose early seating as the kids programs especially for the 8 year old are geared toward the early seating.

Relax, and think positive thoughts.......also there is a teen message board on cruisecrazies.com that your older ones might use to be able to meet some friends in advance.

sailingrose · January 12, 2004

Have your kids go to the meeting on the first evening of the cruise in their respective programs. It is very important for them to start the first evening as lots of bonds are formed on that night. I doubt that your kids will be bored if the kids programs are up to par. Can't comment on Carnival's programs as it's been years since we sailed them.

My kids have been sailing with us since they were 6 and 8. I have never heard either of them say they hated the cruise. My son gets seasick so that's his only complaint. My daughter would go tomorrow if we could.

I hope that you chose early seating as the kids programs especially for the 8 year old are geared toward the early seating.

Relax, and think positive thoughts.......also there is a teen message board on cruisecrazies.com that your older ones might use to be able to meet some friends in advance.

sailingrose · January 12, 2004

Have your kids go to the meeting on the first evening of the cruise in their respective programs. It is very important for them to start the first evening as lots of bonds are formed on that night. I doubt that your kids will be bored if the kids programs are up to par. Can't comment on Carnival's programs as it's been years since we sailed them.

My kids have been sailing with us since they were 6 and 8. I have never heard either of them say they hated the cruise. My son gets seasick so that's his only complaint. My daughter would go tomorrow if we could.

I hope that you chose early seating as the kids programs especially for the 8 year old are geared toward the early seating.

Relax, and think positive thoughts.......also there is a teen message board on cruisecrazies.com that your older ones might use to be able to meet some friends in advance.

GottaCruz · January 12, 2004

pam,

sailingrose gave great advice about the kids going to the welcome meetings on the first night. That's very important. My kids always met kids there. You will all love the Imagination. I sailed her in July and then again last month. Camp Carnival is great- the kids love the activities , especially for your 8 year old. My kids are 18 and 11 now and always had a great time. Your 14 year old should go to the meeting even if she doesn't want to do the camp activities- just to meet some kids and then they'll make their own plans. Your 17 year old son will meet up with kids at the disco. Everyone is in the same boat :cheesy: and is looking to meet others. Don't worry about anything. It will turn out great.

GottaCruz · January 12, 2004

pam,

sailingrose gave great advice about the kids going to the welcome meetings on the first night. That's very important. My kids always met kids there. You will all love the Imagination. I sailed her in July and then again last month. Camp Carnival is great- the kids love the activities , especially for your 8 year old. My kids are 18 and 11 now and always had a great time. Your 14 year old should go to the meeting even if she doesn't want to do the camp activities- just to meet some kids and then they'll make their own plans. Your 17 year old son will meet up with kids at the disco. Everyone is in the same boat :cheesy: and is looking to meet others. Don't worry about anything. It will turn out great.

GottaCruz · January 12, 2004

pam,

sailingrose gave great advice about the kids going to the welcome meetings on the first night. That's very important. My kids always met kids there. You will all love the Imagination. I sailed her in July and then again last month. Camp Carnival is great- the kids love the activities , especially for your 8 year old. My kids are 18 and 11 now and always had a great time. Your 14 year old should go to the meeting even if she doesn't want to do the camp activities- just to meet some kids and then they'll make their own plans. Your 17 year old son will meet up with kids at the disco. Everyone is in the same boat :cheesy: and is looking to meet others. Don't worry about anything. It will turn out great.

JohnG · January 12, 2004

And that week is in the middle of the 6 week long, or so, spring break period, so there should be plenty of kids. My, now 16 and 13 year old, kids don't like to use the organized kids programs. They can meet plenty of kids and hang out. Going the first day to the organizing meeting is good advice just to meet their peers.