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

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.

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

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

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.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! May you have many many more happy years. Hope you will be doing something extra speical.

Charlotte