pre teens on Princess

[LisaO]

Hi everyone. I am a little concerned about the age spans in the Princess kids program. My daughter is 12, my son is 13. This is the first time they are not in the same group...and my daughter's group is apparently 8-12 year olds. She is already complaining...she is a mature 12 and looks 14 so we have some issues!! She feels a bit like the baby sitter.
Has anyone else encountered this? Do they narrow the groups even further...like 11 and 12 yr olds?

I'm the family cruise editor here. Yes, some lines do have wide age groups for kids while those which carry the most children annually -- such as Carnival and Royal Caribbean -- separate the kids into narrower age groups. Generally the youth counselors won't bend the rules -- if you're not 13 yet, then you can't join the teen program unfortunately.
Hopefully you'll have a fun time anyway. Princess is a really nice product with beautiful ships, great food and excellent service. Maybe your daugther will meet others her age to hang out with. I'd love to hear how it went upon your return.
Smooth sailing,
Luisa Frey Gaynor

[LisaK]

on Princess the teen groups are pretty much on their own. They have their own teen center and have a few activites planned here and there but mostly its just a place to hang-out, watch videos, play arcades and virtual-reality - as that's what most teens like to do. Personally i think your daughter will be able to get into the teen center, next question, do you have any problems with your daughter hanging-out with 16-18yr olds? I she can't get into the teen center(which i doubt) and if she isn't happy in the kids program she isn't obligated to stay.

[LisaO]

Oh yes, I definately have a problem with her hanging out with 16 yr olds! Thus the quandry...I hope she will find other 12 yr olds who feel the same way she does...then they can complain to each other and not their parents!!! Nothing worse then an unhappy pre teen girl...lol...she won't get happy until everyone around her suffers too...lol!
Oh well, I did hear from 1 MOM with a 12 yr old on the Sun who had a great time..I hope we have the same experience.