The 7 Best Cruises for Teens of 2020

Best Overall: MSC Meraviglia

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• Sails from: Miami
• Duration: 7 nights
• Ship Name: MSC Meraviglia 
• Itinerary: Ocho Rios; Jamaica; Georgetown, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico

MSC, the Mediterranean cruise line that’s been breaking into the American market, is known for being very family friendly and has a variety of vessels that will appeal to teenagers. Its newest ship, Meraviglia, has a roster of activities like the waterpark with a thrilling body slide, a bowling alley, a 4D cinema, two Formula 1 virtual-reality race cars, and a dazzling Cirque du Soleil show. The ship hosts two teens clubs: one for 12 to 14-year-olds and one for ages 15 to 17 with air hockey, board games, foosball, and table tennis. Teens can learn to mix beats at the DJ music center, lounge around with alcohol-free cocktails, take dance lessons, play video games, or stay up late at the teens-only disco.

Best European Cruise: P&O Cruises

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• Sails from: Southampton, U.K.
• Duration: 7 nights
• Ship Name: Britannia
• Itinerary: Stavanger, Flam, Olden, Bergen

Families considering a cruise to Europe should consider sailing on Britannia, operated by the U.K.-based cruise line P&O. The big news for teens is they have a “teens only deck” with a sun lounge and a dedicated plunge pool at the aft of the ship. The teens club also has bean-bag loungers, a pool table, movies, video games, talent shows, and theme parties. Britannia has a unique cooking club for hands-on cooking lessons and special family lessons that parents and teens can partake in. The evening shows in the theater are fantastic, with a massive, state-of-the-art LED screen. 

Best Caribbean Cruise: Carnival Cruise

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• Sails from: Miami
• Duration: 8 nights
• Ship Name: Carnival Horizon
• Itinerary: Grand Turks, Turks and Caicos Islands; La Romana, Dominican Republic; Curacao, Netherlands Antilles; Aruba, Netherlands Antilles

Carnival Horizon’s teen-friendly activities include “Sky Ride,” a suspended bicycle track with jaw-dropping (and heart pounding) views that overlook the Sports Square. Here, teens will find a clubhouse for indoor games like bowling and pool, while there’s soccer, volleyball, and ping pong outside as well as a mini golf course and a ropes course. There are two teen clubs: Circle “C” for kids ages 12 to 14 with dance parties, games, movies, and more, while Club 02 is for teens ages 15 to 17 where they can listen to music, play sports and video games, sing karaoke, and party into the night. The ship also has an IMAX theater and Hasbro, The Game Show for live game show performances with audience participation. 

Take a look at other options with our selection of the best Caribbean cruises.

Best Large Cruise Ship: Royal Caribbean

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• Sails from: Miami
• Duration: 7 Nights
• Ship Name: Symphony of the Seas
• Itinerary: Roatan, Honduras; Costa Maya, Mexico; Cozumel, Mexico, Perfect Day Cococay

Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas is the world’s largest cruise ship, and features industry firsts like glow-in-the-dark laser tag and the 10-story Ultimate Abyss water slide that plummets 10 stories — the largest at sea. Teens can catch a wave on the Flow Rider surf simulators, try their luck on the rock-climbing wall, or go ice skating and ziplining. For something mentally challenging, there’s The Rubicon — an escape room-like puzzle. Symphony is home to two different video arcades, and teens have their own hang out zone and disco. Activities for teens and tweens are broken into two groups with dodgeball competitions, talent shows, and sports contests. 

Best Educational: Princess Cruises

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• Sails from: Vancouver
• Duration: 7 nights
• Ship Name: Emerald Princess
• Itinerary: Ketchikan, Alaska; Juneau, Alaska; Skagway, Alaska; Victoria, Canada; Seattle, Washington

The 3,080-passenger Emerald Princess doesn’t have as many over-the top amenities as other vessels do, but it does have a solid program for teens. The teens club on Emerald Princess is called “The Beach House” and has a modern, chilled-out vibe. The club hosts movies, hip-hop classes, video game competitions, and sports contests. Plus, teens have a separate sun area and hot tub. Princess also hosts the “Voice of the Ocean,” modeled after the popular talent show. The cruise line also has a partnership with Discovery, so inquisitive young minds can go stargazing or learn about the destinations from educational speakers. Outdoors, there’s a nine-hole miniature putting course, a sports court with basketball hoop, and movies under the stars out on the pool deck. 

Best Activities: Norwegian Cruise Line

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• Sails from: New Orleans
• Duration: 7 nights
• Ship Name: Norwegian Getaway
• Itinerary: Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Harvest Cay, Belize; Costa Maya, Mexico

Norwegian Getaway has five water slides, including the fastest at sea, plus two swimming pools and four hot tubs. There’s also a massive sports complex with a ropes course, rock climbing wall, and basketball court. Teens have their own space called Entourage — during the day, it’s a clubhouse with theater workshops, themed events, pool parties, and more but in the evening, it becomes a teen dance club. Getaway is also home to some fabulous live entertainment including Cirque Dreams and Steam, a dinner show with steampunk-costumed performers in the illusionarium Theater. Norwegian also hosts freestyle dining, so families have more flexibilities about where and when to dine. 

Best for Families: Disney Cruise Line

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• Sails from: Port Canaveral
• Duration: 3 nights
• Ship Name: Disney Fantasy
• Itinerary: Nassau, Bahamas; Castaway Cay, Bahamas

Disney is known for its kid’s programs, and while the Disney Fantasy ship has plenty for little ones to do, they don’t leave the teens out, either. The 4,000-passenger ship is not only the youngest in the fleet, but it's significantly larger than the older vessels. Onboard, there’s the Aqua Duck water coaster, the Midship Detective Agency interactive scavenger hunt, the innovative virtual porthole windows in cabins. Teens can download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App for a full menu of activities. Fantasy has both a tweens and a teens club, Edge (ages 11 to 14) and Vibe (ages 14 to 17). The clubs have high-tech music, video and gaming systems, karaoke, scavenger hunts, themed nights, a dance floor, and other special events.

Still can't find what you're looking for? Check out our roundup of the best cruises for kids.