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?

What type of cruise is it, have you had stops at interesting places ?

It's upsetting when a holiday doesn't go as you hoped.

But you haven't said anything in your post which indicates they're necessarily bored or ungrateful, just that they're using this holiday to be lazy and don't fancy doing some of the specific things you wanted to do (e.g. show).

Mine must be weird then! We’ve done three and they love them. Back on again next year - and we do formal - Cunard. They’re both old enough to hit the gym now as well as the pool, both of which they love. Both love the food and don’t mind black tie formal dinners. When DS2 was young we got through those with top trumps.

We do trips when in port which we agree on as a family unless it’s somewhere you get to yourself eg Venice . Neither of them comes to the talks/lectures and DH won’t go to the shows either so I go on my own to that.

We normally all get up and get breakfast by 9 even on ship days but I wouldn’t have a problem if they skipped it.

When DS2 was 7 he loved the kids club on ship days - great activities on themed days eg dinosaurs, space etc.

So both of them love it even though we don’t do the family focused ones.

I'm glad that you've made the most of it anyway, OP. I agree with PP's that 12 and 19 are awkward ages to go on family holidays. My DD (19) went on holiday with a friend this summer rather than with us!

If your 19-year-old lives at home, perhaps you and your DH could go away together next time and they could be in charge at home?

I wouldn't want anyone to have any expectations of me on HOLIDAY

Hash brownies in Amsterdam are SUPER strong so always be very careful.

I've had three separate friends have really scary negative experiences from them and you're usually warned by the staff who sell them that they are surprisingly strong if you have no tolerance to cannabis.

Some of these replies are wild 😂 I think it’s fairly obvious the OP means they’re on a family friendly NCL/royal Caribbean ship? In that case it’s very geared up for kids with teen night clubs, slides, VR gaming etc. plus top quality entertainment like shows, comedians, live bands and singers.

I think some of the posters seem to think all cruises are a Fred Olsen job full of pensioners? They’re really not, they are heaven for most kids/young adults and way more fun/things to do than the “local B&B in rural Slovenia” so beloved on mumsnet.

We did all of those things on our cruise in the summer, in fact more then any other holiday we have done. Literally 9 different cities in 14 days.

Huge sympathies, OP. What a disappointment for you. I'd feel the same way. I once agreed to have a young woman from Australia come and stay for a few days with me in London, because she said she wanted to do 'art' and 'theatre' and 'history'. I lived a 10-minute tube ride from central London and unless I practically threw her out of the house, with maps and tickets and a list of things to do and see, she'd have spent the whole fortnight ended up staying lying in bed, on her phone. It's terrible behaviour.

Next time the holidays come along, I suggest you book something for yourself and leave them at home. I'm serious. The 19-year-old can look after the 12-year-old. I'd remind them that they just wanted to lie about on their phones when given the opportunity to see some interesting places and have some new experiences, so you're not going to waste your hard-earned cash on holidays in future.

For all the people going 'this is how young people are', that's not true. A friend has taken her son on several cruises during school holidays. He uses the gyms, goes on day excursions, swims and gets involved with some of the activities. He's always made friends.

And young people should bloody well be grateful for the amazing opportunities parents offer!

OMG, @GinnyPiggie Somebody else knows Catford! I went to kindy there, Every UK person since then has just looked at me blankly
Sorry way OT

This.
With knobs.
I would hate the "organised" stuff and therefore refused to do a cruise couple of times.
😁

Absolutely! But I’m waiting for someone to come along and tell you that you haven’t really experienced these places because you didn’t stay with a local family and accompany them to their weekly shop.

Yes I agree with @TheChurchofStevieNicks (great name btw) that the replies have been really harsh. The op is allowed to feel disappointed and sad you know.

Id be reserving my ire for my dh in this scenario op. He needs to look lively! And he Should be having a word with the kids too. I hope everyone perks up op.

And op I’m sorry for your loss. Look after yourself.

What type of cruise is it, OP? Lots of stops? Family orientated?

What a boring holiday for young people.

This. 12 and 19. I'm sorry but this is to be expected.
Yor dh on the other hand.......
Just enjoy this peaceful time on your own, that's all you can do.
Ps
I would love that 😂x

Actually we all chose it and it isn’t full of

really? Who came up with the idea?

tbh though everyone gets something different form a holiday - so why are you behaving like the holiday police? if they want to stay in bed until 11.30 then why can't they?

Why is it boring?

😂that really made me laugh!
So true. Cruises can be brilliant, I feel so sorry for the OP.
At least you've done something fun on your own!

Why are you leaving your 12DD to her own devices? You are the mother and should be asking her to get up, off her phone, go for lunch, show, etc.

Can’t comment on 19 year old and your husband as they are adults

Also interesting how many people still think cruising is for old people!

So many family ships to choose from now. We gave my DD free reign (with in reason of course) to choose next summers holiday (as we are doing an adults only special trip for out special birthday / anniversary earlier in the year) and she has chosen to cruise again. We have booked a different itinerary so we get to see different cities again, she wasn't bothered where we went just loved the ship. In addition my young adult DS who didn't come this summer has also booked to join us with his gf after seeing the photos / videos (he didn't want to come this year).

Where are the ports? When do you get off next? Discuss all the onboard activities and agree a few your'll all do together. Choosing your relax and sleep is allowed.

Of course, I will await those replies!

(my laughing emoji was to do with that poster writing a long paragraph about her holiday for no particular relevance)

@Futurethinking2026 my 10 year old brought home all the marketing info for various cruises from our last trip. He has them pinned to his wall with the ones he wants to do circled......I had to break to to him that we weren't doing a month long cruise to South America in March as he would be in school!! ( and we can't afford it!!!)