When you have teens, you know how hard it is to figure out a vacation that will cater to everyone in the family. It’s a mental game of finding somewhere to go where the parents can have time by themselves at least once, the kids can have so much fun they won’t even want to look at their phones, but there are still activities for the whole family to come together and make memories.
If you think that is an impossible task, have you thought about taking the family on a cruise? With a variety of activities and zones for each family member to separate out or come together, these are the best cruise lines for teens — and the rest of the family — to enjoy their vacation the way they want.
Before you book a cruise
As with any vacation, especially with teens, there are a few tips to keep in mind. An important thing to remember is to know and stick to your budget. Check for what is included in the ticket and what extras you have to pay for.
Each cruise line has multiple ships, and they usually have a different theme and general vibe. Some cruise lines will have certain accommodations on all their ships, but some only have select things on specific ships. Check which does which. If you have a teen with special needs or dietary restrictions, it’s best to call and ask about those before you book.
Disney Cruise Line
If you are a Disney family, instead of taking the annual trip to Florida to Disneyland, take the vacation on the water. Tweens and tweens will appreciate the hangouts made especially for them, called Vibe and Edge. The vibe is for high schoolers, and the Edge is for tweens who want to feel grown up, and both spots are found on every Disney Cruise Line ship.
If your teens love karaoke, Broadway-style shows, pop art, waterparks, video games, or listening to music, there is a cruise line that caters to multiple interests, so you can pick the one that best suits your family. In addition to all things teen approved, the cruise will have the usual standard of Disney magic aboard.
Celebrity Cruises
Teens can participate in scavenger hunts, enjoy silent disco parties, take culinary classes, or play video games on Celebrity Cruises. There is a teen club, called X Club, where there will be activities separated out by age group so your teen can be with their peers for social events. Teens can treat themselves to self-care and indulge in spa time or let their competitive side come out and try to win a sport or video game tournament. There is a dedicated tween space called Captains, with a lot of the same type of events and activities found in the teen club, but for those in-between-aged kids.
Another really cool point for Celebrity Cruises is that it has autistic-friendly cruises. From catering to dietary needs to sensory-friendly toys and movies, autistic families can enjoy a whole world just for them.
Princess Cruises
Except for the Ocean Princess and Pacific Princess, all Princess Cruises have teen-friendly centers, clubs, and activities. Your kids can be the star and attend a red carpet event that lasts all night or visit one of the themed hang-out clubs to socialize and play games.
For parents who want to let their kids have their freedom but still know the child is safe, Princess Cruises offers a MedallionClass option so the family can keep track of everyone no matter where they run off to. The MedallionClass also reminds everyone of the itinerary, so when it’s time for family activities, no one misses anything.
Cunard
For Cunard, your teen will love to take part in games, discos, and sports events in the Teen Zone. From table tennis to video games and crocheting, there will be something for every kind of teen to keep them happy. Depending on which cruise you pick, the family could participate in themed days, visit a planetarium, or see who would be the next Robin Hood and test their skill at archery. If your teen has no idea what they want to do, the activity packet left in your room when you arrive will help them figure out how they want to spend their vacation.
Norwegian Cruise Line
With a dedicated program just for teens called Entourage, Norwegian Cruise Line wants the younger crowd to take part in themed parties, video games, sports, and creative art events. For the teens and everyone else on the trip, try rock climbing, water slides, zip lining, and eat all of the food.
Norwegian Cruise Line have counselors available, which is an amazing resource to help teens figure out what they want to do and plan their activities so they are the best they can be. Teens will get a detailed plan so they can pick what excursions they want to try, taking the pressure off of them and the parents to figure it all out.
When picking a family vacation when you have teens, don’t overlook a cruise as an option. Amusement parks and beaches have appeal, but a cruise can combine all of the elements you want on one ship. The adults can slink off and have that quiet dinner alone while the kids have a blast in a safe environment with teens their age. Play into your child’s interests to find the best cruise lines for teens so they can have new experiences for themselves while the parents get to remember what it’s like being regular adults. When the whole family gets to do something they like to do, the vacation will be one of the most fabulous and memorable ones yet.
