On cruise and kids so ungrateful and bored

[Fishnchips22]

On our first ever week long cruise, ship is amazing, loads to do. Family of four, kids are 19 and 12. They’ve enjoyed some
of it but now can’t be bothered to get up in the morning, spend loads of time on phones, haven’t done the pool/slides etc. DH pretty lazy too, so unless I organise stuff we don’t do anything. I’m so frustrated, last day today and I’m off doing my own thing cos they can’t be bothered. I’m just so fed up, it was a very expensive holiday and I’ve had a crap year with losing a parent and just wanted some lovely family time. My 12 year old DD just can’t be bothered, despite being blown away by the ship when we first boarded. I went to a show last night on my own as none of them fancied it. And just had lunch on my own as they were still in bFeel like holidaying on my own in future and saving my money! I just feel they’re so ungrateful. Does anyone else have this?

Did you read any of the last 11 pages?

Contrary to the OP’s view, you can have any kind of experience on a cruise. You can absolutely “chill out and sleep”. Then if you feel like it, you can have a facial, a swim, a walk. Then go off in your own to explore in ports. I also don’t much like organised entertainment, but cruising is often a great way to visit places. DH and I cruised around India (with one port in Sri Lanka and one in Thailand). We spent a day in several Indian locations. We loved it so much, we went back, flying there for 3 weeks fabulous weeks. We cruised Central America stopping in several ports in Columbia, Guatemala, Panama and Costa Rica. As a direct consequence, we later fly to Costa Rica, travelling around for 3 weeks. I have just booked a cruise (in 2026) stopping at the major ports in Iceland. It’s actually the most efficient way to see Iceland, as all the best spots are near the coast, but far about. Travelling by car would be long and arduous, much quicker (and more chilled) travelling by ship. The ship we will be sailing on has a fabulous Spa, with a sauna and steam room with walls of glass looking out to sea. We mostly enjoy land based holidays, but cruises have their place too for us.

Not anymore. Most ships now have wifi from Starlink. The Satellite service.

I feel for you and disagree with a lot of the comments. Last October I took my
DD (15) to a lovely all inclusive resort in Tenerife. Unfortunately she has mental health problems and very bad PMT so wasn’t in a good place during that week. She also wanted to stay in the room a lot and it was very disappointing as my expectations were that the holiday would do her good and we would have lots of fun enjoying all the activities. Obviously she had a good reason to opt out and I didn’t blame her but it still felt like it was a waste of money and time. I did do some things on my own but it was sad I would have enjoyed them more if she was with me enjoying them. I also felt guilty for taking her when she wasn’t well and for feeling disappointed but it was a natural reaction. Half the fun of holidays for me are seeing my DD happy and enjoying them whether that is right or wrong. Luckily, her mental health has improved now and she is usually very grateful and does enjoy doing lots of activities and going to shows, and we had an amazing holiday in May this year in Orlando doing all of that. I don’t blame you at all for being a bit gutted.

We made the mistake of going on an expensive P&O holiday cruise a couple of years ago. Never again. It was like holidaying in an airport lounge for a fortnight. The ‘swimming’ pool was tiny, standing room only, and filled with middle aged overweight badly sunburned brits yapping. You couldn’t get on a sun lounger, reserved by same lot. The shows were abysmal. I still feel panicked by the sense of being trapped in a giant butlins camp floating through the med, Union Jack flying high, counting down the hours until the ‘holiday’ would end. I can imagine how teenagers would feel if on the same cruise. Sorry your holiday wasn’t the right pick for you and your family this time.

P&O was the mistake. You need a much higher end line.

Some most definitely are.

Companies like MSC are definitely aimed at the family market. Especially during the school holidays.

We went on one recently with children/teenagers. They all had an amazing time.
They loved the food, the pools and water parks, arcades and the themed nights.

They also loved waking up in a different place everyday. It was an adventure.

Best holiday ever apparently 🤷🏼‍♀️

This is a hard one we have a 17 and 20 year old and we now holiday as a couple as we all have different interests and the of our daughters doesn't like the sun. We went to Benidorm last year and the 20 year old was fine but the 17 year old came down to the pool a few times then went back to the room as it was too hot, she came back down to go for a walk for tea. We did go to a water park and the beach as a 4 but it's what interests them.

I've never been on a cruise so can't comment. They could do with making some friends if they are confident enough. Sorry it hasn't been you wanted.

Sorry for your loss OP.
19 year olds aren't known for wanting to spend time with their parents and 12 will be coimg to an awkward age too.
That aside, it's hard to find something everyone loves.
Hold on to the enjoyment they've had their own way. At least they did join in to start with.
Like others have said, your DH might just want to rest.

Are you a Sah mum?

Not anymore. Most ships now have wifi from Starlink. The Satellite service.

I haven’t found this to be a thing and I cruise a lot.

You must be going on the older ships or more old fashioned lines as it definitely is a thing.

You must be going on the older ships or more old fashioned lines as it definitely is a thing.

I will look into it, I get WiFi on Scenic but have to pay for it on Celebrity.

Our cruise in the summer had pretty reliable WiFi, it was expensive (approx £110 for two weeks) we paid it for the teens device so she could in touch with her friends back home but also as all the teens on the ship were in touch by snap chat with what time and where everyone was meeting.

And you know this how? How do you know it wasn't a joint decision? I know lots of kids who love cruises, my own included. Not all kids are there because their parents forced them to be 🙄

The wants and needs of a 12 yr old and 19yr old are totally different. I saw recently a family that had just had a few scattered v reasonably priced city breaks with both or either of the kids. It seemed to work out well . By 18 our kids wanted to do festivals, holidays with their friends. The 12 yr old might enjoy an activity weekend either abroad or in uk . Small bursts of fun sometimes is better ? Also you and hubby maybe have a weekend/night away yourselves every now and again . The 19yr should be more than capable of looking after the 12 yr old !!!!! Good luck .

Yes. True. I guess the idea of a holiday is that it should be a holiday to everyone who is on it!

A cruise with a child and a young adult? 🤦‍♀️ It's not for that age group. Most people don't want to do alot when they go away, anyway.

Your youngsters certainly fall into the category age, of disengagement. I expect your 19 year old is now of an age that holidays with parents are at an end.

You need to look at more child friendly in future with your 12 year old and include in the decision of where to go and what to do. They are of the age of wanting to do different things

let them relax. You chose a cruise and they don’t find it interesting. You are different ages. I can’t imagine taking teens on a cruise and expecting them to love it. I have two teens and one of them is going to join the Royal Navy. Still wouldn’t bore him with a cruise holiday!

I bet neither of your children would have chosen a cruise with loads of oldies, given the chance to decide themselves

When my kids were teens, they loved a cruise! It's all about picking the right cruise line/destination - some cruises are very family orientated, and the average age is far below what you might expect.

BUT the beauty of the cruise is that you do what you want, when you want. IMO, most teens will want to lounge about. My 18 yo DD came with us last year, spent many hours FaceTiming her boyfriend, and lounging about most of the sea days. She did do some things with us - shore trips, one show, a few trivia quizzes, sometimes lunch or dinner. But she also did her own thing the rest of the time, and I don't think she made it to breakfast even once. She definitely didn't go in the pool or on the slides (although she would have done when she was younger) She still says it's one of the best holidays she's ever had!

My DH is not one for shows, so on a cruise I will go to those either with the kids or on my own. Just as I like a lie in, he doesn't, so he goes for swim or to the spa first thing. He also likes to watch football, but I will go for a sunbathe at those times. I would be upset if he didn't come to dinner with me, but it doesn't bother me that sometimes we do our own thing.

OMG so sorry! I would have had their phones off them and had a fit.

OMG so sorry! I would have had their phones off them and had a fit

Why? I can understand getting a 12 year old off their phone for at least some of the time, but an 19 yo adult? Surely it's up to them how they want to spend their holiday? Although I probably wouldn't ask them on holiday again, but that's ok at 19

It’s very recent. Some lines are just now making the change

Many cruises ARE child friendly and market themselves as such.

For those proclaiming that cruises are not for young people ..... what do you think is happening on them?!

Nope. If they’re with company and on a paid for holiday they need some manners.

Nope. If they’re on a paid for holiday and with company they need some manners.