Great Cruises For A Family With Teenagers
Anyone who has ever traveled with teenagers knows that the process can be exciting at best and terrifying at worst. Because of this, it’s important to consider your teen while planning a family cruise. There are many cruises available throughout North America, Europe and the Caribbean and, while cruises offer a wide variety of exciting activities for travelers, some are specially tailored toward accommodating families with teens. Check out one of these great cruises when it’s time to plan your next family vacation and don’t forget to visit Allianz’s cruise portal page for plenty of cruise-related ideas and inspiration.
Dining And Entertainment For The Family
Your teens won’t go hungry either. They can access main dining rooms for family meals or hang out at casual buffets. If your teens get hungry late at night, they can also enjoy 24-hour room service as well.
Every evening, plenty of family-style entertainment takes place. Depending on the ship you book, entertainment can range from acrobatic shows to Broadway productions.
While you’re deciding on the best family cruise to book for you and your teenage children, you and your family can enjoy an awesome cruise experience with Norwegian. Sign up with your email to get Norwegian cruise deals delivered straight to your inbox.
But What Are The Best Cruise Lines For Families Without Character Meet And Greets
Parents know that a cruise for six year olds and a cruise with a teenager are two different vacations. The person who coined the expression happy wife, happy life, never went on a family vacation with a moody fourteen-year-old.
In the search of the best family cruises after your brood outgrows kids clubs, Luxe Recess will share ongoing trip reports from experts on tween and teen fun, our kids!
Well be writing about our travels with younger and older teens on some of the best cruise ships the Norwegian Joy, the Norwegian Encore, and the newest ship, the Norwegian Prima debuting in 2022 which also debuts an elite Prima Class of ship for Norwegians next six new ships.
A FACEBOOK GROUP FOR SEEKING ADVICE AND INSPIRATION FOR THE BEST LUXURY FAMILY BREAKS.
The other ships are part of Norwegians Breakaway Plus category of ship. These are mega-resort-style ships with added family entertainment like laser tag, virtual reality gaming, and go kart speedways. The Bliss and the Escape round out this category with the many teen-friendly experiences, and these newer ships will offer these enhanced experiences for every age group.
Recommended Reading: Private Dinner Cruise West Palm Beach
Which Cruise Line Is Best For Teenagers In 2022
Are you planning a family trip and trying to ensure that its as fun as possible for your teenager? This can be a big struggle for parents, family members, and guardians of teens because it can already feel like youre dragging them there against their will at the best of times, and you want to create some fun memories, and you know that choosing something theyll enjoy is the best way to try to break through their shell.
If a cruise ship vacation is in the cards, heres some suggestions and ideas of the best cruise lines for teenagers. Wondering what are the best cruises for teenagers? Heres everything you need to know.
Alternative Andalusia In August With Croisieurope
MS La Belle de Cadix, CroisiEurope
Get beyond the Costa del Sol and discover a more authentic side to Andalusia with a river cruise along the Guadalquivir. Relaxed French line CroisiEurope offers Family Club sailings during the summer holidays, with free places for children under 16 .
Theres a small pool on the sun deck and family-friendly excursions, including a visit to Seville Aquarium, a horse show in Jerez and a trip to the Isla Magica theme park, where the rides and slides nod towards historic explorers such as Columbus and Cortes.
The seven-night Andalusia: Traditions, Gastronomy and Flamenco on La Belle de Cadix departing Seville on August 18, starts from £1,311 for an adult and two children sharing a cabin
Recommended Reading: Car Rental Near Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal
Best Ship For Families On A Budget: Freedom Of The Seas
You want to take your family on a fabulous cruise but also need to make every dollar count? Check out Freedom of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean revamped this ship in early 2020, and it offers plenty to do without the price tag newer cruise ships come with.
Freedom is still a “big ship”, so there’s no compromising on what there is to do onboard. You’re going to find a surf simulator, beautiful pool area, aqua park, water slides, rock climbing wall, and much more.
In fact, the resort-style pool deck stands out as a big win for families. Kids can enjoy time at Splashaway Bay aqua park while adults will find serenity at the Solarium. The Lime & Coconut spans 3 decks, which creates a fun party atmosphere onboard.
Freedom has Royal Caribbean’s new take on kids club and teen area, just like the newer ships.
Since Freedom sails 3- and 4-night cruises from Miami, you can find an inexpensive price tag along with all the cruise fun.
Best yet, every single one of Freedom’s itineraries visits Perfect Day at CocoCay, which means a full day of fun in the sun. So much of what you can do at CocoCay is included with your cruise fare, which is more money saved.
In short, Freedom of the Seas delivers on the promise of something for everyone, but at far less of a cost than newer ships.
How Can I Stay Safe While Cruising
Regardless of where your cruise takes you, it is always important to keep safe while traveling. These simple tips can help you avoid trouble and stay safe:
Use your safe Cabins come with a safe. Use it. Keeping electronic devices, jewelry, money, documents, and passports in the safe is always a good idea to protect yourself from theft.
Dont drink excessively Alcohol is a major contributing factor in safety incidents aboard cruise ships. Be mindful of your limits, and pace yourself. There is plenty of alcohol on board, and it can be easy to get carried away. And never accept any drinks from a stranger.
Keep on top of handwashing Make sure you use the hand sanitizer provided in the ships dining areas. Norovirus is a common issue on cruise ships, and with thousands of passengers sharing a confined space, it is easy for germs to spread.
Book the sponsored excursions You might be able to save some money by booking shore excursions independently, but it is always safer to book through your cruise line. The sponsored excursions cruise lines offer are vetted and insured to ensure the safety of you and your fellow passengers. Your safety is worth the price even if it costs a few extra bucks.
Keep track of time Pay close attention to the arrival and departure times when you are in port. They are not suggestions, and your ship will leave without you. We recommend arriving at your ship 30 minutes before the last call to avoid missing the boat.
Recommended Reading: Alaska Cruises Out Of Seattle
Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Radiance
Fresh off a $200 million reno, the newly refurbed Carnival Radiance makes its grand debut in April 2020, sailing summer voyages from New York to the Eastern Caribbean. It’s the first Carnival ship with a Big Chicken, an ocean-going version of former NBAer Shaquille O’Neal’s popular on-land fried chicken restaurant. Be sure to order the Shaq Attack crispy chicken sandwich. At WaterWorks, the ship’s water park, teens can splash and speed along the 203-foot-long AquaTunnel slide and 212-foot-long Twister slide. There’s even a massive 75-gallon PowerDrencher tipping bucket. At the SportSquare, teens navigate a suspended ropes course and get in a round at the nine-hole mini golf course.
Here Are Seven Of The Best Cruise Lines For Families With Itineraries That Kids And Adults Will Love
Steven Diaz/Courtesy of Disney
With planned itineraries and excursions, a range of activities for all ages, and the ease of unpacking just once while visiting multiple destinations, cruises are a great option for family vacations and multi-generational travel.
Cruises are ideal for family vacations. For starters, they offer exceptional value, as theyre inclusive of dining, lodging, and transportation to amazing ports around the world. On top of that, many cruise lines offer both family activities and things for kids and parents to do separately so they can have a fun vacation that suits everyones tastes and needs, Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief at Cruise Critic, recently told Travel + Leisure.
Cruise vacation options range from small-ship expeditions to larger ships with pools, water slides, game rooms, and an array of restaurants, so the choice depends on your familys interests and capabilities. Here are seven of the best cruise lines for families.
Also Check: What Is The Best European River Cruise Itinerary
The Points Guy Readers Choose Carnival As Best Mainstream Cruise Line
Carnival Adds New Top Honor Amid Recent Awards
Carnival Cruise Line has been named the Best Mainstream Cruise Line of 2022 by The Points Guys Readers Choice Awards which recognizes the best options the travel industry has to offer according to votes from travel enthusiasts.
This recognition is a testament to our position as an industry leader and it exemplifies our popularity with cruisers for delivering the best service, food, entertainment and activities at sea, said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. Families choose Carnival because we offer something for everyone no matter age or interests and to have that acknowledged by the readers of TPG, who know how to travel well, is an honor.
The TPG Readers Choice Awards were announced during a ceremony Wednesday night in New York City at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, and Carnivals award was accepted by Chief Communications Officer Chris Chiames. The Points Guy, a trusted travel and lifestyle media platform that focuses on maximizing travel experiences and minimizing spending, has been recognizing the best in airlines, travel, credit cards and loyalty programs through its annual awards since 2018.
Caribbean Christmas With Norwegian Cruise Line
Top deck, Norwegian Prima
New ship Norwegian Prima is designed for the sunshine, with an expansive outdoor deck packed with pools, waterslides, a go-kart racetrack and an outdoor sculpture garden.
Eating al fresco is encouraged too, with an open-air food hall and Italian, Mexican and American speciality restaurants with outdoor seating. Prima is sailing in the Caribbean this winter, so you can make the most of the onboard experiences in the tropical sunshine and spend Christmas Day in Cozumel snorkelling on a coral reef, visiting Mayan ruins or driving an ATV to a cenote.
The seven-day Caribbean: Great Stirrup Cay and Cozumel cruise on Norwegian Prima departing Port Canaveralon December 23 starts from £7,976 for a family of four staying in a Balcony suite .
Also Check: Buy Used Toyota Land Cruiser
Christmas In Antarctica With Lindblad Expeditions
Antarctica isnt only for adults, particularly if you choose the right cruise line. Lindblad Expeditions runs a Global Explorers programme where adventurous teens can earn a Zodiac drivers licence and record sightings of penguins and whales in a field notebook with the crews naturalists.
Teens will love spending Christmas among the ice, and you could even be back in Buenos Aires for New Years Eve. Expedition cruising is expensive, but Lindblads special offers can help, including $500 off for under-18s, fourth guest travels free and triple occupancy on some cabin types.
The 13-day Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent cruise on National Geographic Endurance departing December 19 from Ushuaia starts from $23,190 per person based on two adults and one child sharing a cabin, with a $500 discount for under-18s .
Best Cruise Lines In The Mediterranean
Seabourn has five ships, which hold between 450-600 passengers and cruise to more than 400 destinations. As part of a multi-year agreement, the cruise line has contributed more than $1.5 million to support UNESCO, which grants its guests “unique access” to more than 170 World Heritage Sites, according to its website.
Also on the list: Oceania Cruises , Crystal Cruises , Costa Cruises , MSC Cruises , Silversea Cruises , Holland America Line , Norwegian Cruise Line , Princess Cruises , Royal Caribbean International and Cunard Line .
Read Also: Catamaran Cruise San Juan Puerto Rico
Youth Facilities & Amenities
Adventure Ocean youth facilities are designed to meet the needs of younger guests. Kids will have a blast at our complimentary, award-winning Adventure Ocean® Youth Program. We break kids and teens out into age groups so that they can enjoy specialized programs made to expand their imaginations in interactive, multi-room spaces designed just for them. Its an awesomely fun, totally edu-taining adventure.
Best Cruises For Teenagers: 7 Best Cruises To Take Your Teenager When Holidaying
Last updated on By Bonita Brown
A vacation is not a vacation if your teen is dissatisfied and locked up in her room. Or in this case, her cabin.
Thats why taking your teens interests into consideration when choosing your holiday cruise is essential. And for that, we present to you 7 of the best cruises that cater to teenagers.
Lets see each of them, and a ship each from the cruise line.
Read Also: What Does Seabourn Cruises Include
Disney Magical Moments For The Whole Family On A Disney Cruise
When looking at best cruise lines for families most people consider Disney. With Disney theres something fun to do every day on a Disney Cruise ship. The itinerary has a touch of disney magic wherever you sail. Disney are known for Deck Parties and themed days such as legendary saga in Star Wars Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea.
Disney cruise ships have Splashtacular pools, fun slides and splash zones for little ones. There theatre shows are magical and of broadway standard meaning the whole family can sit back and enjoy the magic of Disney.
The 8 Best Cruises For Teens Of 2022
- Best Mexican Riviera Cruise: Holland America Line
- Best Caribbean Cruise: Princess
- Best for Families: Disney Cruise Line
- Best Budget Cruise: Carnival
This cruise sails on the lines newest and the worlds largest cruise ship, the Wonder of the Seas, which offers plenty of amenities to wow your teenager and your entire family.
- Sails from: Orlando
- Duration: 7 nights
- Itinerary: Orlando Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas St. Thomas St. Martin Orlando
Dedicated teen spaces, diving and acrobatics shows at the AquaTheater, FlowRider surf simulator, rock climbing wall, zip line
-
New ship as of March 2022
-
20 restaurants and 14 bars
-
Stops at CocoCay, Royal Caribbeans private island
-
18 decks to navigate
Wonder of the Seas is truly larger than life, and it delivers island-hopping adventure for passengers of all ages. It provides one of the best cruise experiences for teenagers, who will appreciate the ships teens-only spaces, like Social 100, where they can make new friends while having access to a hot tub, selfie area, gaming area, and a bar with a menu of nonalcoholic cocktails and shakes. The entertainment on Wonder is next-level. Its AquaTheater stages shows by high divers, aerialists, and acrobats, while Olympic-level skaters perform on the Studio B ice rink.
You May Like: Where Do Cruise Ships Dock In Aruba
Are Cruise Fares All
Most cruise lines will include many amenities in their base fare, but they are usually not all-inclusive. Your cruise fare typically includes meals in the main dining room and buffet, onboard entertainment, and your cabin.
It generally wont include specialty restaurants, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, spa treatments, and shore excursions. Before booking, it is good to see whats included with your base fare and make sure you budget for the extra costs. Internet and drink packages typically cost extra and are a good idea to add to your budget if you plan to drink and post pics to social media.
Best Caribbean Cruise: Princess
The newest addition to Princess fleet, Sky Princess has activities, cuisine, and more that will appeal to teenagers.
- Sails from: Ft. Lauderdale
- Itinerary: Ft. Lauderdale, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos, Ft. Lauderdale
The Beach House teen center, interactive Deal or No Deal game show, Discovery and Animal Planet exclusive tours
-
Fast Wi-Fi and USB ports in rooms
-
Standard cabins are on the small side
The 3,660-passenger Sky Princess has a solid program for teens. Its teens club, The Beach House, has a modern, chilled-out vibe and features air hockey, Skee-Ball, and a jukebox. The club hosts movies, hip-hop dance classes, video game competitions, and games of dodgeball and basketball. Plus, teens have a separate sun area and hot tub and can attend the teens-only Rock the Boat party.
Princess has a partnership with Discovery, so inquisitive young minds can go stargazing or learn about the cruises destinations from educational speakers. Outdoors, theres a nine-hole miniature golf course, a sports court with a basketball hoop, and movies under the stars out on the pool deck. When hunger strikes, they can grab pizza from Slice or a cone from Gelato.
You May Like: When Do Cruise Ships Leave Port Canaveral
Final Thoughts On Best Cruises For Teenagers
Well there it is, the best cruises for teenagers!
As someone whos cruised throughout my teenage years, I can say that cruising is the ultimate vacation. I mean, its hard to complain when youre traveling to cool destinations, meeting new people and eating unlimited pizza on vacation!
Whats your favorite cruise line for teenagers? Please let me know in the comments below.
Happy Cruising!
Ethan
Ethan Schattauer writes about fashion, travel and college advice on the website WhatToWearMen.com. As a frequent cruiser, Ethan shares his unique perspective on what cruising is like for teens and young adults.
Featured photo credit Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas
Lets connect: