Sex and the City……….It’s the ultimate divide between men and women. They ….. women ……want to spend time with Carrie and her self-obsessed slappers (look that very British word up on www.urbandictionary.com). I mean, do women really behave like this?
How could any sane man like a TV show with character in it called Mr Big? It makes out that all women are obsessed with shoes and swapping intimate details about men and our failings over breakfast. This show appeals I think to a very unique gene found only in women and anyone with testicles who says they like it probably spends Thursday nights wearing high heels and a bra and Saturday’s pressing wild flowers.
I mentioned a few weeks ago that while on-board the Carnival Splendor, I was forced to endure watching the SITC movie and I can still taste the bile that formed in the pit of my stomach as I watched three scarily skinny women and one plump one all have rumpy pumpy with their bras on while covered in sushi.
Well, last night Heidi said that she wanted to watch it again because the last time we did on the ship, the phones were ringing and she couldn’t concentrate. I told Heidi that I would rather wear Judge Judy’s underwear as a hat then sit through that crap again ……. she responded by saying that if I didn’t watch it with her there would be no sex in my city ever again…….bugger.
As I sat and watched this sex fest sponsored by Prada, Dolce and Grabanna and Jimmy Poo shoes I started to think what I would have done as a producer and director of this movie to insure that there will never ever be a Sex In the City 2.
Here they are.
1. The three ladies all look into Sarah Jessica Parker’s eyes………….and turn to stone
2. Sarah Jessica Parker’s character Kerri, Kerry or whatever, breaks her ankles wearing those shoes with the huge heals and has to be put down …………..by a vet.
3. Crossing the road in a busy New York street, all the girls get the heels of their Jimmy Poo shoes stuck in a drain gate and are mowed down by a bus.
4. All the girls get married………..and the sex automatically stops…………….forever.
I also started to think this movie proves why all the top sports coaches and managers are men. Can you imagine a lady coach at half time giving a team talk to the Miami Heat who are three points behind the LA Lakers during the playoff thingy? There would be no inspirational fire lit under the arse of Dwyane Wade to go out there and prove that he is twice the player Kobe Bryant is. ………”G on Dwayne, get out there and dunk over his head, show him you are de man, kick him in the bollocks and tell him his shoes look like something from Sex and the City.”
Nope……..a woman coach would give the team a calm chat, making sure all the players felt appreciated………including the opposition. She would encourage the team to talk about their feelings and finishing with “Don’t worry, it’s just a game……and if you lose maybe you can be on the next series of Dancing with the Stars………….Dwyane, make sure you ask Kobe if he is OK and ask after his family would you.”
As much as I don’t understand programs like Sex and the City my wife, like many women, see no problem in starting up a conversation during the start of a soccer or basketball game. The other day I had settled down to watch a big soccer match. It was Chelsea vs. Manchester United which is like watching The New York Yankees vs. the Philadelphia 49ers….it was a huge match and I had been excited about watching it all day.
Then…….just 30 seconds before kick off…..Heidi decides she wants me to get the Christmas decorations out of the attic. My answer was, of course, “In a minute,” which is a gene every man possesses. Of course, a minute and many more went buy as I completely forgot about her request although she reminded me a few times during the first half. Then of course, I was treated to lots of banging and deep sighing as ……..to prove a point…….she got the stuff out of the attic herself……..and I have been in the doghouse ever since.
When I was young I always dreamed of being a super hero. I wanted to be the invisible man so I could save the world and, of course, sneak onto the set of the Brady Bunch and see Marsha Brady in her knickers. I also dreamed of doing something heroic. I was going to join the army, be a police officer but…………I was too much of a coward and so I went to work for an insurance broker’s in London instead.
Many of today’s younger people don’t want to be a hero and that surely is the fault of TV. Most……not all……idea of doing something heroic is to get on American Idol or America’s Next Top Model, etc. When I look back at my teenage years, the TV programs I watched all had a charitable nature to them. Take the A Team who armed only with weapons made from sacks of corn and an old tractor helped farmers who had been exploited by the mafia get their land back.
Heroes these days seem to have to be cynical, moody and sneering. And so, over the next few days I am going to give you a list of my starting five heroes…… yep …….stand by for the ultimate basketball team……….they will be called “Heald’s Heroes.” The players will be listed in tomorrow’s blog……..but first………we need a coach……..someone who will inspire and challenge ………and as pat Riley has retired from coaching there is only one person I can turn to ………..Winston Churchill.
Who better to lead the team than the tactical genius who masterminded the classic victory over the Germans? My team needs a coach not afraid to forge ahead when everyone else tells him that he is talking bollocks. A coach who can inspire the team when all seems lost and doing so while drunk. Defeating the world’s most evil empire was hard enough ……but doing while completely wasted…….well, that’s just brilliant.
Imagine his halftime talk……………..a glass of brandy in one hand a big old Cuban cigar in the over. “We shall fight them in the D, we shall fight them using the pick and roll and we shall fight them from the three point line……we shall never surrender……..unless they are more than 10 points up with just two minutes to play………..then we are buggered.”
My team needs somebody who is not afraid to give a tongue lashing once in a while and Winston was the greatest exponent of that. My favorite out of many was when he was approached by a radical feminist called Nancy Astor. She told him…..” if you were my husband I would put arsenic (poison) in your tea.”
Winston replied, “And if you were my wife………….I would drink it.”
A man with these leadership and vocal skills would make the perfect coach and ……….he would allow cigar smoking during the game………..and on these merits……..the coach of the Heald’s Heroes………..is Winston Churchill.
Stop by tomorrow for the starting five team of heroes.
Good evening everyone. So far this week 35,000 of you have read the blog thingy and I am so grateful to you all for taking the time to do so. Obviously, once I am back on-board the real texture of the blog thingy will return featuring the on-board stories and events.
There are lots of new and exciting events coming your way in 2009 and none more so than our three bloggers cruises. Yesterday, I had a long conversation with Ruben Rodriguez, our executive vice president of marketing and guest experience. He committed to the continued support of the blog thingy and the bloggers cruises themselves and that was exciting to hear. Al Ernst will be joining us on the Carnival Fantasy in February 2009 as I hope will my mate Alan. Here are just some of the events that have all ready been arranged for this great cruise.
Events
PRE-CRUISE CHARITY EVENT FEATURING ALL OF US HELPING PUT SOME OF THE FUN BACK IN NEW ORLEANS
I WILL HOST A COCKTAIL PARTY AT A NEW ORLEANS HOTEL (FOR VOLUNTEERS ONLY)
ON BOARD EVENTS
DEDICATED DINING ROOM JUST FOR BLOGGERS
BREAKFAST WITH JOHN EACH MORNING
Q AND A SESSIONS
PRESS Q AND A SESSION
TEA TIME WITH JOHN
WELCOME ABOARD COCKTAIL PARTY
BLOGGERS TALENT SHOW
COOKING DEMO WITH CHEF KEVIN
BLOGGERS GAME SHOW
LIVE BLOGGING
LIVE LINK UP WITH HEIDI
LAUNCH OF BRAND NEW CARNIVAL EVENT CALLED ……..SORRY, IT’S TOP SECRET
PRIVATE BLOGGERS ONLY EXCURSION IN COZUMEL
FAREWELL COCKTAIL PARTY
COMPLIMENTARY IN CABIN GIFTS
LOADS OF FUN AND MUCH, MUCH MORE
Now, as far as the New Orleans charity event is concerned they will only allow 100 of us to assist. Therefore, we need to have the names of those who would like to volunteer. A link to a form will go up tomorrow Saturday (December 6, 2008) at 12:00 pm eastern standard time on my blog.
Anyways, there are still a few places left for February and I see already that many of you are already booking for the Carnival Dream bloggers cruises as well………come and join us……these are going to be just brilliant voyages.
I have also received comments from many of you who are sailing with me on the Carnival Valor during the spring ………….I can’t wait.
Now, I need your help. Carnival’s award-winning children’s programs — Camp Carnival, Circle C and Club O2 — continue to grow from strength to strength and I know many of you who travel on our ships are huge fans of these. Even guests who cruise with no children comment how these programs insure that the kids are kept busy and having fun rather than running up and down the corridors knocking on cabin doors and running off……like I used to do when I was very young.
Anyway, Roger Blum and his staff have run these programs with massive success and now we want your advice. You see, there is a group that as yet, we do not specifically cater for……and they are the 18-20 year olds. We have always thought of them as adults and included them in all the adult-based activities and events.
However, I have seen one or two comments where guests feel we can do more. So right now our cruise directors are brainstorming with their staff on what we can do and will report back to Roger with their ideas. And so I thought it might be good if there were any parents who read this blog who have family members aged 18-20 for their help. If you do, can you ask them what they would like…..do they have any suggestions …… anything they want to do that would make their cruise even more enjoyable. Let me know …..and I will share their ideas with everyone.
Also, as we go into the New Year……..are their any activities and events you would like to see our entertainment staff host. Again…..let me know and we will do our best to feature your ideas. Thanks to all in advance.
I had nice chat with my sister Suedrip yesterday. She was speaking from her desk in her glass tower in Hong Kong. It’s been a tough few months for her and others of her species……..I am very proud of her and can’t wait to see her and the family at Christmas.
I thought I would share her fun out look on life with you…..here she is. Like the Ohlone tiger beetle, the banker is now on the endangered species list and it won’t be long before David Attenborough, he of the whispering voice heard on Blue Planet and Life on Earth …is making a program about us.
“I’m out here, just as dusk is falling, with my microphone and with naturalist David Attenborough, who is an expert on this shy and timid creature. So, David, what are the chances of catching a glimpse of a banker this evening?”
“Well, John, as you know, they are very timid and shy and inclined to panic at the least sight or sound. That is why we are both speaking in this special naturalist’s whisper and wearing shorts two sizes too small for us… This is certainly a good desolate area to look for them. They usually build their nests in tall glass structures, using large, shiny desks for protection. They feed on caviar, mostly, and a kind of regurgitated coffee-like liquid.”
“Why are they threatened with extinction?”
“Basically, it’s a loss of habitat and a loss of confidence. A sudden drop in habitat prices caused an epidemic among them, known as portfolio declines, or to give it a scientific term….. the shits. We don’t yet know if this disease can be passed on from bankers to humans.”
“Bankers are gorgeous little creatures but they faint at the slightest thing. I don’t know if we’ll spot any this evening. Just keep a sharp eye out for their droppings.”
“Shhh, David. What’s that over there? There’s something moving in the shadow, just outside the Starbucks. Do you see? Now it’s scurrying along the street toward the traffic lights, dodging past the parking meter. Here, take a look through my binoculars.”
“Yes, I see it now. No, that’s not a banker……that’s a lawyer. There are thousands of them around here. There’s no danger of them dying out; in fact, they thrive in these conditions and they also breed like accountants. ……let’s just stand very still in this doorway for a few moments and we might hear the characteristic cry of a banker – it’s the sort of sound you would make if I shoved a cattle prod up your bottom.”
“Wait a minute, I think I heard one whimpering just then. Maybe if I rustle this $100 bill it might just lure the little chap out into the open.”
“To hear one is great, but to see it would be a real bonus.”
“Don’t say the word ‘bonus.’ It upsets them and some have been known to develop dementia and the fling themselves out of tall structures”
“Now it has probably gone back into its hole.”
“Well, it has been an absolutely fascinating evening, David, and even though we didn’t see a banker, I feel I’ve learned a great deal more about its plight as an endangered species. Brrrr, I don’t know about you, but I’m beginning to feel chilly in this economic climate and I think we ought to make tracks back to the studio for a nice mug of tea.”
“Great idea, John.”
“Oops, I just trod on something squelchy in the darkness.”
“Nothing to worry about, John. It was just the world’s last surviving Ohlone tiger beetle.
Goodnight
Your friends
John, Heidi, Suedrip and the Thingy
Filed under: Bloggers Cruise, Travel
Hi John, I wondered why the roof on the Spendor pool was always closed on our November cruises. Now I understand it isn’t working. Has it been fixed? Will it be open for the South America cruises?
Thanks,
Jo
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, could it be that you and Heidi share my birthday. DOB 12/5/1937.
Hi John, (PLEASE REPLY)
The activities for the Blogger’s Cruise sound great. I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to it.
Do you know if Ron Pass will be at the piano bar for the blogger’s cruise? He is the absolute best.
Kisses to you, Heidi and the baby.
Princess Elaine, the quiet and single of Big Ed’s Evil Krewe
Please Reply
Quick question….. I am sailing on the Conquest on the 28th of this month. Is the Piano Bar non smoking? I know you spoke of the Piano Bars and their smoking status in a previous blog, but I can’t remember what you said. For the record, and not to disrespect the smokers out there, I hope it is a non smoking venue.
Thank you for your time and the wonderful blog.
Stephen Smith
BOY or GIRL Poll is now at;
BOY 29%
GIRL 71%
To cast your vote go to;
http://ekonefe.wordpress.com/open-poll-page/
BIG ED
Thanks for posting at least an outline of events for the Blogger’s cruise! We’ve planned some things for the CruiseMates part of the group, and it doesn’t sound like they should interfere with the Blogger’s events for all the bloggers… I really didn’t want any of our “stuff” to cause any scheduling conflicts with the other blogger’s events.
I was hoping Al was going to be there for this cruise, so that’s great news too. He’s horribly funny!
I’m certainly getting a chuckle out of your adjustments to domesticity. We men just love to think we’re masters of our domain… but as they say … bullocks!
Regards,
Kuki
CruiseMates.com
John:
What a brilliant idea to offer something for the 18-20 year olds.
Of course, they don’t need babysitting. But they are usually single and a way to “meet and greet” would be nice.
I know they have the singles meet and greet at the piano bar one night…but that has to much emphasis on the “single” aspect.
What the 18-20 year olds need is simply a time each day during the cruise to do some silly activity like trivia or bean bag toss. (my personal favorite)
They don’t need a dedicated room like Club O2 or Circle C. They don’t need a long structured schedule….they just need a 2 hour time and place every day … or maybe just the first few days to introduce one another in a comfortable atmosphere.
I know that DJ will be sad when he is to old for Club O2. This has always been his favorite part of the cruise. And even though he doesn’t really “do” anything, but walk in and out…it has given him a place to meet up with other kids his age. It has given him a place to hang out…where he knows Funship Freddie will not ever come.
So KUDOS to Carnival for thinking about the 18-20 year olds.
Linda (Mom of your friend ~age 17~ DJ)
Hi John: Do any of the “Bloggers”events have specific times yet? Or are you still working on that?
Dear John the things we do for the love of a woman or the survival of a man.Such Small sacrifices for their undying devotion to our needs.Yea sure I’m actually starting to believe myself.Anyway all the events for the Blogger’s cruise sound fantastic can’t wait.Best wishes to Heidi and the Thingy
You always have me laughing! Miami Heat in the playoffs! Too funny!
Jeff (Go Celtics!)
Hi John,
I would like to comment on the idea of a club for 18-20 year olds. I am only 16, but have already booked a cruise in which I will be 17 for next year and will probably book another for when I will be 18.
I think it is a good idea. I know Carnival does have club that 18 year olds can get into (I think), but I would rather not be at the same club as a 50 year old man trying to be young or in the same club as my parents.
Hope that helps
When it comes to Sarah Jessica Parker, I just say nay.
Hi John:
Don’t give in to SATC. It stinks that you couldn’t enjoy your big football match.
Bankers have a tough time right now and next year could be just as bad.
Great events planned for the big voyage ahead.
Thanks for posting.
Take care.
Hi Heidi!
David
John, If you forget what tomorrow is you will be right here;
http://creativity-online.com/work/view?seed=5e32d548
BIG ED
Just want to wish you and Heidi a fabulous anniversary. Please stay outta that dog house.
Sallie
Wannabe Thong Princess of King Ed’s Evil Krewe
John… sorry to reply so late on this….
a couple days ago, you wrote about Disney vs Cruising… and you said….
“Yes I am biased…………….but I am also someone who has tried it all…………theme parks and resorts and all I can say is this. Anyone who doesn’t take their family on a Carnival value for money, fun , safe cruise vacation that offers the best in entertainment for everyone night and day……………is absolutely bonkers.”
You know who agrees with you? My kids! Since we took them on thier first cruise in 2003, year after year they can choose their vacation – and again and again it is Carnival they have selected! I always thought I would be that Disney Mom, but I guess they realize the wonderful fun we have.
We are looking forward to our sixth cruise as a family (and my 9th) on the Carnival Pride from Miami in April!
Catrin
Hi John, Heidi, Thingy, and Stephanie,
It’s me, PennyB from New Orleans.
Can’t wait for tomorrow to sign up to “work”. I guess that’s what volunteering is all about. I only wish it was open to all who want to participate.
John, from the sounds of your blogs, maybe you can just give everyone moral support and look good for pictures. Not everyone has DIY skills but think of all the special gifts you do have! Try that one on Heidi.
CU Soon,
PennyB
John,
Great idea about the 18-20 group. Funny thing, my daughters are 18 and 20. I will ask them asap. The 20 y/o is at college, so I will have to call her to get her opinion. They haven’t had the pleasure of cruising yet, but they know my obsession with it. : ) We are trying to plan one with them now, but my older one wants to wait till she’s 21 so she can have wine at dinner. LOL That’s what happens when they do a study abroad in France for the summer. It’s legal there for her already. Anyway, sorry to go on, I will definitely ask for their input.
All the best to you, Heidi and little Thingy/Desk,
Hi Sue and Stephanie
Little Nan
Dear John & Heidi,
Wishing you both a Happy Anniversary and the very best for many more to come. The FUN begins for you in 2009. All the Best. Cheers, Ray & Deb
I’m so jealous that I’m not going to be on this cruise–makes me want to cancel the Splendor and switch to this one! Bummer!
I hope Susie survives the crisis. Have a great weekend!
Cheryl
Hello John and Heidi; It is already Dec 6 so Happy Anniversary. All good wishes and many, many more.
My daughter is expecting the same time as you so I am wathcing her and wondering if you are looking the same – if we make the BC2 I’ll see you on the video link.
Again Happy Anniversary.
Judy
I can tell that your sister shares your sense of humor – great “reporting” from the the urban wilds!
My kids are older now, but a few years ago when they were in the 18-20 year range, I think that some informal meet-and-greet opportunities would have been appreciated. Or a themed excursion announed for this age group (e.g., zip line, kayaking, etc.).
Heidi,
I am with you about the “in a minute” put off.
Men never take the time to tell us women what they are doing or why. Prehaps if John had responded with “I am getting ready to watch the game I have been looking forward to all day may I do it afterwards” he wouldn’t be in the dog house right now.
John a little tip. If you don’t mean in a minute don’t say in a minute. Now if only my husband would learn this one. He might not be in the dog house so often himself.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Big Ed–that HAS to be the funniest video I have ever seen. Am sending it to all my friends.
John unfortunately, I think your actions would qualify you for a lifetime membership. I understand the male gene which causes complete necessity to watch a sporting event, but come on–you had a break at halftime–and you let Heidi and THINGY drag out the decorations?
As to activities for 18-20 year olds–what I think might have motivated my son would have been some sort of organized sporting event (say, basketball) for kids only in that age range. Another thing might have been a video game competition for only that age range. I agree an organized all day program would not work, but certain activities once or twice a day might be a nice way for this age range to meet. What about a cooking class for this group?
Happy Anniversary!!!!!! Wishing you many, many, many more years of happiness and blessings.
About the 18 -20 groups from what I seen, I think they would love get together’s, dancing, sport tournaments and activities like the quest. Love that you are going to be blogging live from the BC2.
Eugenio just sent you this morning the sugar free chocolates that you wanted. I hope they reach you soon. I’m still trying to find a very special gift for Thingy.
A great big hug for you two in your anniversary from the 4 of us.
Heidi and John,
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! May you have many many more happy years. Hope you will be doing something extra speical.
Charlotte
Happy Anniversary.
SITC, well, you can count my daughter in the mix. And I of course decided to get her the 6 seasons for Christmas, and the movie. It is all she talks about. There is not one hour that goes by that when we are talking she does not reference SITC to it (insert rolling eyes).
I hope Carnival decides to do some changes in their agenda; inclusive to all. I am sure they will come up with something.
Have a good day, and a good day off tomorrow.
Keep smiling John, my best to Heidi and the baby.
HI Heidi and John
Its been such a busy week, just caught up on five days of blogging, loved reading about the Destiny, was on it in December 97 with my brother, it was one of the best holidays ever, we had a fantastic time, no boyfriends, wives, husbands, we just did what ever we felt like, I remembered one of the ladies we eat with at dinner, she only ever had ice cream for all courses, she was with her friend and they were huge, both of them were prison officers and great company, the entertainment staff put on a wonderful show called ‘if i was not upon the sea’ laughed so much, still have the old video and still watch it! Memories! Anyway am living without a kitchen at moment, have no cooker, no sink and today the floor went! Help, there is dust everywhere, |I am sure dave is in house somewhere along with the boys but impossible to see anything. When i get to see my 18 year old, i will ask him about what he would like on carnival, i am sure he will say more 18 year old girls!!
Anyway thats enough waffle, off to dust now, take care
Michellex
“”BOY” IS COMING BACK UP
BOY 43%
GIRL 57%
To cast your vote on if it’s going to be a boy or a girl go vote on my blog
http://ekonefe.wordpress.com/open-poll-page/
BIG ED
PS While there go to the HOME page and leave John and Heidi an anniversary wish
My ideas:
1) the person who posted about NOT being in the same room as a 50 year old is excellent and should be taken seriously.
2) special coded Carnival sign and sail cards that CANNOT be shared. This way you don’t have 17 year olds trying to get in or 21 and aboves trying to get in. If a 17 year old turns 18 on a cruise then they would have to get their card reissued at the bursar’s desk.
3) As much as I love being a particular NJ beach location during the summer I made a pact with myself that when I start running into my daughter’s classmates, it’s time for me to find a new location or to only be there when it’s still daylight.
4) Carnival might like to think the opposite way too. There are a lot of cruising adults who spend a fortune but don’t necessarily want to be in the same club as the 21 and above set either. As much as we love the Piano Bar and the Bars outside the casino, maybe they should make use of one of their special dining rooms and turn it into an dance venue with music from the 60’s to the 80’s with dance lessons thrown in. The pre-dinner motown music happy hour on Liberty was so much fun last May. We just wish they had done that after dinner or as a deck party!
5) What about prizes too. Just like high school graduation parties, these kids love door prizes: i.e. something from gift shops, things for dorm room, i.e. pillows, blankets, pj pants, tank tops, mouse pads, skins for laptops (talk about advertising), a Carnival i-pod, a credit towards a future cruise, a free manicure/pedicure, assistant CD for a night, yadda yadda yadda.
Carnival should sponsor some sort of contest and put it out there to the general public with the prize being a SCHOLARSHIP!!! Does Carnival fund a corporate scholarship. If not they should.
18-20 year olds are a tough age just like tween set.
John & Heidi,
Happy, Happy Anniversary!!!!
Hugs!
Princess Barb & Carl
John,
My daughter Jennifer is 18 and a half (yes, get used to counting in months). She has many, many ideas for 18-20 year olds. But you see, she would rather send them to you or post them here herself because I, being a mom, doesn’t get anything right. So just let me know how you would like her to send you HER ideas herself and she will get right to it.
Princess Susan
Hi Jon,
After talking with some family members and my son who is 18, I have some ideas for you and for Carnival (similar to what you and some others have said). First, it is a great idea to implement some sort of “program” or “organization” (to a degree) for this age group. None of the cruise lines have something for this group, and it really would be great for Carnival to do something like this. Not only that, but this age group does not want to be in the club with adults, and vice versa. In addition, they need some sort of way to meet others their age who are in the same position as them.
So, first, I think that there should be something the first day or night (maybe with a member of the cruise staff or teen program) to allow everyone to introduce each other and to meet. Then, there should be some sort of activity (not an all day program), but one or two random “organized” activities for this age group each day, to allow these older teens to 1) meet up and 2) do something “different” together. Sometimes, maybe it can just be something as simple as “meet-up in the lobby” or somewhere on the ship. Other times, it would be nice to have some activities for this age group such as disco to themselves either outdoors on deck or in the disco, pool and hot-tub party at night (maybe with some music outside), cooking demo, ship tour, special dinner, basketball or volleyball tourney…
So, it would definitely be a great addition and another way for Carnival to make itself stand out from the other cruise lines to have random scheduled meet-ups for this age group (organized and unorganized), and some random, diverse activities(some scattered ideas explained above).
This can be listed either in a small box in the Capers, or these several daily random activities can be given on a sheet to staterooms with teens in this age category, just as the teen program activities are handed out on cards to teens in the staterooms each night.
Sorry for making this so long, but coming from an 18 year old himself, I thought this could help.
I hope you, Hedi, and the thingy are all doing well!
-Matt
John,
This has happened with me aboard several of the cruises I have recently been on. Being in that age group is rough because you have the freedom of being an adult, but with some restrictions, and you are too old to be part of O2. Last year aboard the Valor I met a group around my age and we hung out on our own. This year aboard the Freedom I was on my own.
Teenagers run on their own schedule. Some wake up later than others do. I suggest you make activities in the afternoon/evening. Teens should have their very own disco. Being in the adult disco is nice when there are young people around (20’s and 30’s). However dancing to some of the music and seeing your 50+ year old parents, on the dance floor dancing the same song you are, or watching you, is strange. Every age group has their music that they like to dance to, and sometimes they shouldn’t be mixed. The club would be a place for the young adults to dance and have a good time.
Also, something like the Carnival Color Hop, but for this age group, would be good. It doesn’t have to be daily. Maybe one day a quest, another day a scavenger hunt, and the color hop as the final activity. The Color Hop could be the culminating/ goodbye party.
Another thing I’ve noticed is that there are many 18-20 year olds going to the main production shows. How about a meet and greet with the dancers for this group? Like a question and answer session with them.Or how about learning a dance with the cast and performing it during the Legends Show? Work on the dance from the second day of the cruise and at the end there could be a part at the end where the 18-20 year olds show their hard work off.
Hot tub parties, challenges, sports, trivia face offs, and even stuff like playing guitar hero and the Wii is still attractive to this age group.
The host should be someone on the entertainment staff. It needs to be someone young, that can relate to this age group, and someone with lots of energy and creativity.
I love the idea of a special program for the 18-21 year olds. My son is not old/mature enough to hang out with the adults, and not socially adept enough to easily meet others. Guitar hero and Wii are great ideas, as is at least time at the disco. Just even someplace for them to hang out with video games and such would be a help- they can all go to the shows together, go bounce some basketballs, swim and slide. I am concerned about what we are going to do in March when my son takes his first cruise- 21 and young for his age. My younger son has the teen club to hangout with, and they aren’t great pals anyway. Any ideas of current programs will be gratefully saved.