The Suite Life on Deck (Disney Channel, Disney XD)

common sense media says

Disney spin-off is implausible but fun for tweens.


parents & educators say
  • 30% say sexual content is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that, like its popular parent series The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, this show is filled with content that's bound to entertain tweens but might leave parents rolling their eyes. The largely unsupervised teen characters engage in lots of mischief, discipline is virtually nonexistent, and no problem arises that can't be solved by the time the credits roll. One of the twins is pretty flirty and makes mildly suggestive comments, while another main character constantly gloats over her family's wealth and uses money and expensive gifts to control her peers -- her manipulations are played for laughs, of course, but they're still grating. Tween fans may need to be reminded that little of what they're seeing is relatable to most people's reality.

Positive messages: Characters sometimes learn lessons about topics like friendship and responsibility, but in general the show is intended to entertain and amuse rather than convey specific positive messages. Potty humor includes body odor and farting.
Positive role models: Adults are rarely present and are ineffective when they're
around, so the teens pretty much do whatever they want without
consequence. A main character often brags about her family's wealth and tries to
control others with money. The central twins frequently get up to mischief, though most of it isn't meant in a mean-spirited way.
Violence: Some pranks and pratfalls (a man leaps over the edge of a ship to get away from teens he dislikes, for example), but there's no mistaking that they're strictly for laughs.
Sex: Teens have crushes on each other, but everything's pretty innocent, with just the occasional kiss or two. Zack in particular makes a fair number of comments regarding girls' attractiveness (i.e. "I'm going to study anatomy, starting with her"). Zack briefly shares a room with a girl, but nothing happens.
Language: No cursing, but some use of words like "butt."
Consumerism: Lots of associated Disney tie-ins.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on The Suite Life on Deck

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about how real life differs from Zack and Cody's world. How is their lifestyle like a fantasy? Do they ever seem affected by anything serious -- like money, illness, or family struggles?
  • Kids: Do you ever worry about those things? Is there any part of Zack and Cody's life that you can relate to?
  • Tweens: Do you think you'd enjoy living in another country? If so, where would you go?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In THE SUITE LIFE ON DECK, twins Zack and Cody Martin (played by Dylan and Cole Sprouse, respectively) leave the luxurious confines of the Tipton Hotel for the equally swanky S.S. Tipton to set sail on a study-abroad program called Seven Seas High. Joined by spoiled heiress London Tipton (Brenda Song) and long-suffering hotel manager-turned-ship supervisor Mr. Moseby (Phill Lewis), Zack and Cody are primed for adventure -- and with new friends by their side, there's no shortage of fun or mischief to be had at sea.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
It's a no-brainer that this spin-off of the very popular Disney series The Suite Life of Zack and Cody will entertain fans left adrift when that show ended in September 2008. The trouble-making twins won't let a change of scenery interfere with their penchant for mischief, and new friends Woody (Matthew Timmons) and Bailey (Debby Ryan) happily sign on to follow the boys' often misguided leads.

It's just too bad that Disney didn't mix a few more positive lessons in with all of the fantasy-based fun. Zack and Cody are teens now, but they're still allowed to run amok (and encourage others to do so) without any real adult supervision. Spoiled London takes every opportunity to remind her peers of her fortune and often attempts to sway their actions with money, which sends some iffy messages about materialism and peer pressure. If your tweens do tune in, take the opportunity to do a reality check: Point out that little of what kids are seeing here would be accepted as responsible teen behavior and that in the real world, there are consequences for your actions that last beyond a 30-minute episode.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-G
Network: Disney Channel
Cast: Brenda Song, Cole Sprouse, Dylan Sprouse
Genre: Comedy
Where to watch: Disney Channel

This review was written by Emily Ashby
 
 

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What parents & educators say

8
Based on 30 parent & educator reviews:
  • 30% say sexual content is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

BlueSunday
teen, 15 years old
 
Mind Numbing
This is horrible. I mean I gave it a shot at first, but I knew how bad the Suite Life with Zach and Cody went, so I pretty much expected this. The characters are too rude and annoying to bear. Mosby has gone crazy, he no longer has control like he once did, and now he's been sucked into this sheer madness. Zach is so obsessed with girls, I'm beginning to think he has some sexual disorder. EVERY SINGLE EPISODE he sees this 'chick' that he thinks is 'a hot smoking babe' and flirts with her, has a short relationship, then she leaves so he could do it over and over again. Cody and his 'darling little Baily' (which we knew were going to be together in the first place) use to be insepereable, but then of course they broke up for the dumbest of reasons, and of course they STILL have feelings for eachother. GET OVER IT YOU TWO! GOSH. And Cody somehow has gotten to think that he's a prize and is always right. Puh, whatever. And Baily, she can and cannot be okay. She's a nice girl in some ways, but also rediculous, and if I was from Kansas I would be appauled. In one episode she covered up curse words with "what the corn" "what the haybills" and all of that. Seriously. London is horrible, I would throw her overboard. How is it she's still in High School anyway, they can't carry that out for much longer. She squeals, she howls, she cries, she does everything possible for you to hate her. The show went severly down the hill, it doesn't have a point anymore. They just need to end it.

the green guy
teen, 14 years old
 
cool show but not as funny as the first one
at first i hated it now i love it lol

 
perfect for kids turning into tweens though....
It's not a good show at all, they messed it all up!!! The idea of them trying to mess up a hotel is a lot better than the idea of going to school on a cruise ship....woody is a useless character, cody is more flirtatious, and London is all dumb and full of herself instead of being a little kind-hearted and had at least a bit of common sense once in awhile. Sometimes it has no plot whatsoever, and the acting is poor. They are overdoing this idea and turning it from an entertaining, legit show to a lame, corny fail of a comedy.

tilzy456
kid, 12 years old
 
Too much bullying
This show is ok. I'm usually not one to fuss with sexuality and language but the way they treat eachother is rude and some of the characters are very unrealistic and stereotyped. In one episode Zack tells Baily something along the lines of being more atractive so when they are filming their school news show Baily takes out her hair and unbuttons a few buttons on her shirt. I think London's character is so unrealistic. Just because you're rich doesn't mean you're dumn and she doesn't have the right to walk out of class and not be scolded or in detention. The only realistic thing is that she's 20 and still in high school. Woody's character is stereotyped way too much. Just because you're over weight doesn't mean you're a slob and like to eat fried foods and don't bathe. Being overweight I find their constant teasing and portrayel of woody very offensive. I also think the way London treats Baily is so cruel and horrible it's sick. With all the suicides going on wouldn't Disney tone it down. If it was real life Baily would've gone back home or would have went off on London. With London calling Baily's clothes ugly and telling her she's fat the yay me pranks in the first season it's like a book I read about a suicidal teen. I used to like it but what DC thought were laughs went too far

 
Kids dont need to know about Teenage years yet!!
I don't like it very much, like at the very beginning was ok, and the ideas ok, but the actors are bad, and Cody and Baily constantly break up and date, its annoying. Cody's gotten to be pretty rude, and Zach isnt too bad, hes interesting, but he chases girls like a dog and the girls he usually dates for like one episode is always some moron. London has gotten so dumb its umbarrible, I'm tired of her screaming too. Baily can be ok, but shes an over reacter.. I'm sorry for those that do like it, I understand you have your own taste, I'm just expressing my opinon. I know the actors are trying, but they need to work better at it! I also wish they made everything look more realistic, like they use a green screen or something to make it look like they're outside, I'm not convinsed. Would it kill them to get fresh air? I may be forgetting something, I'm trying to remember it all.... perhaps that says it all, but I just want all of these sitcom deals to at least go to another channel because its messing with Walt Disney's reputation. I knew streight from the beginning the show would end up being mostly dating. Like that Paris episode! Sorry, I'm being too complainy...

RainforestGal
teen, 15 years old
 
Abandon Ship!!
I'm gonna give it to ya streight. I do not like it. The acting stinks, when they were younger it was SO much better. At the beginning of the show it was fine. But London has gotten dumber than ever to the point I cannot stand her! They show too much kissing and things like that, on the remix of Titanic they showed when Zach liked that girl, she was hardly wearing clothes for 1, and . . . man it was a neat idea, but they messed it up. And they make these shows too prodicable. YES we knew Cody would date Bailey. . and its REALLY sappy now. . the idea is good, but once again they messed it up.

 
Best TV show
This is show is awesome, and Zack and Cody are funny

Mr Dad
parent
 
The London character is gets too much focus
This London character is ridiculous! Perhaps the producers believe she is ridiculous as well, but she sure gets a lot of screen time. She's supposed to be like Paris Hilton, an airheaded heiress. She gets way so much focus, plot lines and punch lines that it certainly feels as if the character is celebrated. The fact that she is proud of how dumb and girl-ish and materialistic says it all. She kills the show...and it ain't much to begin with. The boys need to get off the tube and experience their puberty elsewhere. Time to give it a rest.

Sel Gomez ...
kid, 11 years old
 
Funny, clean show
I think it's overall a pretty good show. I like Suite Life of Zack and Cody, and I think this one is just as good. My concerns are London, because she is pretty snobby, and overall DUMB. She doesn't even know her ABC's. or how to spell even a simple word, like School. And she bribes people with money, and lots of it. Her father is a millionare, and she gets praise and spoil by him. She can be kind sometimes, but overall mean. There is some sexual behavior, as for crushes and kissing, but it's mild. Some messages for bribing money, doing mean pranks. As for consumerism, there is Harvord, Yale, and other noticable products. My positives are good role models. I like how Bailey, ( Debby Ryan ) acts. She is a very good role model. Even though her things about Kansas can be a little weird sometimes, she's overall good. Cody can be good, because he expresses interest in school. Though it is very obvious that ever since Cody and Bailey broke up, they still have feelings for each other, they just don't want to admit. Overall, clean funny show.

emniki422
kid, 12 years old
 
Good Show For Tweens
I really like this show. You could say it is stereotypical, but I don't think it was meant to be mean. The people on this show aren't the best role models, and they do insult each other, but it's meant for laughs and in the end, everyone is friends and they love each other. This show is just meant to be funny, not mean. I would recommend this show.

Daisy15
kid, 13 years old
 
Bad show for ALL ages
I ABSOLUTLY HATE IT!! First off it's way too far-fetched. Second, I think it's a little more inappropriate then has been said. In one episode,while pretending to be Baily, Cody shakes his chest and says, "I plan on shaking my bon-bons to every boy in Paris!" Wow..... And, since i'm from the middle-west, I find it offensive when people make stereotypes, like we all live on farms in the middle of nowhere. Wich is exactly what there doing with Baily. Like how she has so many farmy sayings! And the only adults to be their role modles are Mr. Mosbey and Ms. Tutwiler, and they're terrible role modles! Mr. Mosbey has anger issues, and Tutwiler is a crazy cat lady! Seriously, DON'T WATCH THIS SHOW!!

MonarkWing
teen, 15 years old
 
Typical for Disney Channel
To tell the truth, it has the same morals all of the shows on Disney have. The characters in this aren't very well actors (they over exagerate and shout a lot) they aren't usually very mice to eachother, like calling eachother names even though its supposr to get laughs, London is getting dumber and dumber as the show continues (makes me want to hit her in the head with a cashmer purse full of dimonds) Baily actually isnt 'horrible' but she makes it seem like being from Kansas makes you a hic by saying things like "What in the name of corn is goin on!" or something like that (just unrealistic although a little funny) Their are hardly any adults to tell them right from wrong. Zach constantly hits on girls and the girls are usually dumber than a light pole. Once in an episode that was suppose to be like the movie Titanic, a girl he was dating wasn't really wearing anything but a shirt and in another episode they found a girl lost at sea and Zach thought she was hot, so by taking advantage of her amesha, he was saying they were dating and they were about to- (but he was cut off before he could say more) London also hits on guys at every single stop they go. Cody and Baily are in an off-on realationship (it was obvious that would happen sinse episode 1) and they keep saying how perfect their realationship is like lifes a fairytale, yet they constantly yell and break up. This time they said its "for good" I'm not trying to be hateful, but that is exactly what they do, like they do on almost every show. No offence to those that like the show, it 'can' be good sometimes.. sometimes.

Professional Mom
parent of 11 year old
 
Horrid show is filled with insulting and stereotyping.
I do not understand why parents would like this show. Its not necessarily innapropriate, but downright obnoxious and shallow. The girls do nothing but insult eachother, and there is horrible stereotyping. It isn't for younger kids, and even if you allow your tweens to polute their mind with this make sure you teach them the exact oppisite of what this show considers morals. Some suggestions for better family shows are-Phineas and Ferb, Zeke and Luther, or ABC Comedy night (if their ready)

Addiesmom
parent of 3 and 6 year old
 
Sassy mouth, sassy mouth, tisk, tisk, tisk.
This show may be okay for older kids and tweens, but at my house, with a 5 year old, we have it banned. My main objection to the show is different than the things mentioned below. I think the kids are snotty. They are disrespectful to each other and to the adults. It's all packaged as humor, but at my house, being "sassy" to grown-ups for a laugh, is unacceptable.

ilovecookiez
teen, 14 years old
 
A better version of the suite life of Zack and Cody
I actually kinda think this is better than the older show. There are more laughs and their parents always kinda annoyed me so I'm glad they're out of the show. London is still as annoying as ever and Cody has a better and less annoying girlfriend as well. Because Barbara was just annoying because she acted all tough yet shes this boney little thing. Yes, this is streotypical, but I'm pretty sure they don't mean to harm anyone. It's probably the only funny show on Disney Channel. Also, I don't like the way Bailey is potrayed, just because you grew up in the south, doesn't mean you're some loser hillbilly.

reviewer_3.141 ...
parent of 11 year old
 
kids will find it funny, but i think disney has gone too far.
I personally dislike it, but my son loves it. They insult each other way too much and I wouldnt want my son acting like any of the charachters either. Also, there are really bad messages like if youre smart youre a nerd. Disney has gone too far.

kipper123
kid, 11 years old
 
Ok show
This a pretty good show. I think London shouldn't be so mean to Miss. Tutwiler. Another negative message is how London treats Bailey and Mr. Mosbey like dirt.

Safemancam001
teen, 14 years old
 
Bab show for everyone!
I liked the show a few years ago, but now I realize it's very cheesy and nothing is funny about it!

mom of the ...
parent of 11 year old
 
Bratty show with worse messages and role models than people think.
Zack and Cody is the most annyoing show ever put on disney. My son likes it, but i think there are terrible role models on that show, especially Zack, London, and Woody.they also use lots of insults, about 10-15 per episode. The stereotypes (messages) are horrible too, like runnig around without parental supervision, and London thinking money can solve every problem.

drama movie fan
teen, 14 years old
 
good show!!!!!!!
i love this show it's really entertaining. But keep in mind this show i a little more sexy than the first. I recomend it to kids 8-13.

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