The care and feeding of a teenage on a cruise

[Spikesgirl]

We are crusing with our god daughter this summer and it will be a new experience for us. We don't have any children and have grown up pretty naive about how to keep a teenager happy. Any hints as to things we might want to encourage her to try. She's very introverted and prefers the company of adults to kids her own age. She doesn't like to shop, but she is a third degree black belt. Any ideas or suggestions, parents ot there?

Charlie

[SCIROCCO]

Sit down with her and look at the tours that are offered through the cruise lines and also the Ships have a great workout gym! That way you and her can decide together on what you like! It worked with my four Daughters!

[Spikesgirl]

Robert - her response so far has been - "Whatever you want to do is fine with me." She did express interest in visiting the Lourve and Stonehenge, but that's been it. She lives in Florida, so there's a distance problem as well. I will definitely have her check out the gym - that's good call.

Wow - four daughters? You must have the patience of Job.

Thanks for the input!

Charlie

[GottaCruz]

How old is she , Spikesgirl???

[Mebert]

I used to travel with my godson from the time he was about 14 years old. I was like his surrogate father because he came from a fatherless home. We used to stay at my brothers house in Florida, traveled to L.A., San Francisco, Salt Lake City, New Orleans, Mobile, Houston, Reno, Las Vegas, and many local places near our home. I used to suggest certain adventures and let him choose what he wanted to do. If he couldn't make a decision, I would choose. He always seemed to be satisfied with the result. He seemed to just be happy visiting a new and unknown place and any thing that we did was a learning experience for him.

One of the highlights of our traveling adventures was in Salt Lake City when a store clerk asked me if my godson was my son. I hemmed and hawed and said "No. He's my godson." When we got out of the store my godson said "When somebody asks you if I'm your son, say yes and be proud of it." That made my day.

My godson is now 34 years old and a father and seems to be very experienced in traveling with his son.

We have many fond memories and photographs as momentos of our quality time together.

If she doesn't choose anything, choose something active and exciting, if you can stand it. She may just be happy to spend the time with you.

The Louvre and Stonehenge sound like pretty good choices to me. You'll have a lot of time to spend with each other.

[Spikesgirl]

Mebert - what a great story! Hope that Wendy comes away with similar feelings. her parents tells us that she's closer to us than any of their other friends, which is odd since we only see them about once every three years. I just want this to be the best experience in her life. One glimmer of hope, she's already 'volunteered' to go with us to Tahiti next year.

Cheryl - I'm sorry, Wendy is 14 now, but going on 30 according to her mom. She still doesn't like boys (thank the gods for that) and prefers to be with adults to young people her own age.

Thanks again for all the feedback,

Charlie

[SMB]

Mebert, that story was like a hallmark commercial. Now I'm all weepy.

[SCIROCCO]

Ok Charlie she would love Swimming with the Dolphins, Parasailing, Maybe a Beach Break with food included, also scuba or snorkeling would be ok for her age also Zipline where you fly on a metal line over the canopy of the Jungle, she would love to do the Dunns River falls!If thats your Port of call! as well Look at some of those copy them and paste them in a e-mail or give her the site with the tours and let her decide if she doesnt then you and everyone will love Swimming with the Dolphins in Cozumel oh BTW what is your Ports of call??

[TheSkipper]

I think this will work out fine. As another father of four daughters I think by the second day of the cruise, whe will be in the swing of things.

A few years ago we took our 13 year old twin grandsons on a cruise. They live in Kansas and had never even seen an ocean nevermind a cruise ship. The cruise line added another 13 year old boy and his parents to our table and everyone had a fantastic time. It was fun for us the see the cruising experinece through their eyes! I think we had become "jadded" after so many cruises.

[Mebert]

Mebert, that story was like a hallmark commercial. Now I'm all weepy.

Spikesgirl,

You must leave a lasting impression on her every time you've been together. Sometimes young people develop great admiration for some adults simply by observing their behavior and the positive interaction that takes place between them. You must be one heck of a godparent to have that much of an impression after seeing your goddaughter every three years. It can happen.

SMB,

I have been rewarded many times over by my association with my godson. I think he has help me see and learn about the U.S. Cananda, and Mexico. I thought I was helping him to have an educational and fun experience, but I think I learned a lot and certainly had much fun.

I have more stories about him that I'll put in another thread.