Trip Planning Cruises Best Cruises for Teens These are the 8 best cruises to, like, take teens on, I guess. By Jill Schildhouse Jill Schildhouse Writer Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter Northern Illinois University Jill Schildhouse is an award-winning freelance writer based in Phoenix, Arizona. Her work has appeared in such publications as Reader's Digest, Oxygen, and more. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 11/28/22 Fact checked by Patrice J. Williams Fact checked by Patrice J. Williams Instagram LinkedIn Temple University Patrice J. Williams is a travel and style content creator, fact-checker and author of the thrift shopping book Looking Fly on a Dime. TripSavvy's fact-checking Share Pin Email Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Teenagers are notoriously difficult to impress, but if you can deliver a family vacation they’ll brag about to their friends, you’ll earn some serious “cool parent” points. The best cruises for teens offer teens-only spaces like clubs and game rooms, plus plenty of onboard entertainment — we’re talking waterslides, zip lines, surf simulators, and water sports. Of course, a great cruise also has fun shore excursions to keep them busy in each port, whether you’re in Mexico, the Caribbean, or Europe. Read on to discover our top picks for taking a family cruise with teenagers. The 8 Best Cruises for Teens of 2023 Best Overall: Royal Caribbean Best European Cruise: Celebrity Cruises Best Mexican Riviera Cruise: Holland America Line Best Caribbean Cruise: Princess Best Small Ship Cruise: Windstar Cruises Best Activities: Norwegian Cruise Line Best for Families: Disney Cruise Line Best Budget Cruise: Carnival Best Cruises for Teens View All Best Cruises for Teens Our Top Picks Royal Caribbean Celebrity Cruises Holland America Line Princess Windstar Cruises Norwegian Cruise Line Disney Cruise Line Carnival See More (5) Final Verdict Methodology Best Overall : Royal Caribbean Courtesy of Royal Caribbean See Rates on Royalcaribbean.com Why We Chose It This cruise sails on the line’s newest and the world’s largest cruise ship, the Wonder of the Seas, which offers plenty of amenities to wow your teenager and your entire family. Sails from: Orlando (Port Canaveral) Duration: 7 nights Ship name: Wonder of the Seas Itinerary: Orlando; Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas; St. Thomas; St. Martin; Orlando Notable Amenities Dedicated teen spaces, diving and acrobatics shows at the AquaTheater, FlowRider surf simulator, rock climbing wall, zip line Pros and Cons Pros New ship as of March 2022 20 restaurants and 14 bars Stops at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island Cons 18 decks to navigate Cruise Overview 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 ship’s 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. Perfect Day at CocoCay will treat your teens to the tallest waterslide in North America, 1,600 feet of zip line, and both the largest wave pool and largest freshwater swimming pool in the Caribbean. Back onboard, a luxury suite in the ship’s Suite Neighborhood will keep your family comfortable and at the center of all the action. Best European Cruise : Celebrity Cruises Horacio Villalobos/Getty Images See Rates on Celebritycruises.com Why We Chose It Exploring the best of the Mediterranean with your teen while only having to unpack once is a family vacation dream come true. Sails from: Rome (Civitavecchia)Duration: 7 nightsShip name: Celebrity EdgeItinerary: Rome, Corsica, Portofino, Florence/Pisa, Cannes, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona Notable Amenities Magic Carpet floating restaurant, private plunge pools in Edge Villas, rooftop garden Pros and Cons Pros Newer ship (2018) Teen Club for kids ages 13-17 Autism-friendly ship Cons Lacks the quiet spots other ships have Cruise Overview If your sights are set on Europe, one of the best cruises for teens is this seven-day tour of Italy, France, and Spain on the Celebrity Edge. The ship’s Teen Club features sports competitions, video game tournaments, scavenger hunts, silent disco parties, and culinary classes. Your teens can also swim in the pool, listen to live music in the rooftop garden, and watch movies under the stars. Celebrity Cruises’ STEM at Sea program offers exclusive events and activities geared toward teaching teens about marine life, conservation, and nautical exploration. There are plenty of spa services that are teen-friendly, too, including manicures, pedicures, and mother-daughter or father-son massages on side-by-side tables. Best Mexican Riviera Cruise : Holland America Line Courtesy of Holland America Line See Rates on Hollandamerica.com Why We Chose It With access to a dedicated teens’ club, onboard sports, and lots of activities, your teen might be too busy to even hang out with you on this Holland America cruise. Sails from: San DiegoDuration: 7 nightsShip name: KoningsdamItinerary: San Diego, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta, San Diego Notable Amenities Club HAL activities program, The Loft teen lounge, sports court Pros and Cons Pros Mid-sized ship Attractive pricing Teen program included in cost Cons Wi-Fi is spotty and expensive No self-service laundry Cruise Overview This ship spends a lot of time in Alaska and Hawaii, but its Mexican Riviera itineraries are also worth considering. Holland America Line’s youth activities program, Club HAL, offers an array of diversions for kids and teens ages 3 to 17. Older kids can enjoy music, games, and movies in The Loft, a teens-only lounge designed to resemble a New York artist’s loft. The ship also offers a juice bar, nighttime events, swimming, and creative activities like arts and crafts. There are plenty more activities to keep your teens busy: karaoke, hip-hop classes, the HAL talent show, pickleball, volleyball, and basketball. There’s also the New York Deli & Pizza restaurant and gelato when they’re craving a snack. Finally, the Music Walk entertainment area will keep them occupied with venues that include the Rolling Stone Rock Room, B.B. King’s Blues Club, and Billboard Onboard, where they can play music trivia. Best Caribbean Cruise : Princess Courtesy of Princess Cruises See Rates on Princess.com Why We Chose It The newest addition to Princess’ fleet, Sky Princess has activities, cuisine, and more that will appeal to teenagers. Sails from: Ft. LauderdaleDuration: 7 nightsShip name: Sky PrincessItinerary: Ft. Lauderdale, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos, Ft. Lauderdale Notable Amenities The Beach House teen center, interactive “Deal or No Deal” game show, Discovery and Animal Planet exclusive tours Pros and Cons Pros New ship (October 2019) 25 restaurants and bars Fast Wi-Fi and USB ports in rooms Cons Standard cabins are on the small side Cruise Overview 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 cruise’s destinations from educational speakers. Outdoors, there’s 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. Best Small Ship Cruise : Windstar Cruises Courtesy of Windstar Cruises See Rates on Windstarcruises.com Why We Chose It This luxurious and leisurely yacht cruise up and down the Caribbean’s Windward Islands is extra fun thanks to the ship’s Watersports Platform. Sails from: San Juan, Puerto RicoDuration: 7 nightsShip name: Star PrideItinerary: San Juan, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Guadeloupe, St. Martin, San Juan Notable Amenities Unlimited use of water sports equipment, access to the ship’s bridge, live entertainment Pros and Cons Pros Staff-to-guest ratio of 1:1.5 Ship renovated in summer of 2022 World-class dining and culinary program Cons Not as much entertainment as larger ships No teen-specific programming Cruise Overview While Windstar doesn't cater to kids (and has a minimum sailing age of 8), there’s still plenty for families and teens to love aboard the Star Pride. The Watersports Platform, available on all six of Windstar's ships, lets you jump directly off the ship into the ocean. Other than swimming in the sea, your cruise includes such complimentary activities as snorkeling, wakeboarding, paddleboarding, and water-skiing. There are also kayaks and floating mats to use, and on beach days, the crew sets up all the equipment on the beach. The cruise’s 312-passenger, all-suite yacht was renovated in the summer of 2022 and features two new restaurants, a spa and fitness center, an infinity pool, and more outdoor deck areas. The new 820-square-foot Owner’s Suites Midship are popular with families with teens. And the Star Suites with third berths are 277 square feet and feature an extended seating area with a sofa bed. Best Activities : Norwegian Cruise Line Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line See Rates on Ncl.com Why We Chose It From ropes course to the fastest water slide on a cruise ship, there is an endless list of to-do's on the Norwegian Cruise Line. Sails from: Orlando (Port Canaveral)Duration: 9 nightsShip name: Norwegian GetawayItinerary: Orlando; Bahamas; St. Thomas; Antigua; St. Martin; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Orlando Notable Amenities Five waterslides, three-level sports complex, ropes course, walk the plank thrill experience Pros and Cons Pros Ship refurbished in 2020 20 dining options Video arcade Cons Ship can feel crowded Cabins and balconies are on the small side Cruise Overview Norwegian Getaway has five waterslides, including the fastest at sea, plus two swimming pools and four hot tubs. While that alone could explain why it’s one of the best cruises for teens, 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; in the evening, it becomes a teen dance club. Getaway is home to some fabulous live entertainment, including Broadway shows, stand-up comedy, and live music. And when it comes to food, Norwegian’s Freestyle Cruising concept means that families have more flexibility about where and when to eat. Best for Families : Disney Cruise Line Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line See Rates on Go.com Why We Chose It Don’t discount Disney as just a cruise line for little kids. It has plenty of magic up its sleeve for teens, too. Sails from: Orlando (Port Canaveral)Duration: 7 nightsShip name: Disney FantasyItinerary: Port Canaveral; Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman; Falmouth, Jamaica; Disney Castaway Cay; Port Canaveral Notable Amenities Teens’ and tweens’ clubs, live shows geared to teens, sports deck with miniature golf and virtual sports simulators Pros and Cons Pros Tons of entertainment for all ages Lots of adults-only spaces Cons Pricey Small swimming pools Cruise Overview Disney is known for its kids’ programs, and while the Disney Fantasy has plenty for little ones to do, the ship doesn’t leave teens out. The 4,000-passenger ship is both one of the youngest and largest in the Disney fleet. Onboard, passengers will be treated to the AquaDuck water coaster, Midship Detective Agency interactive scavenger hunts, and innovative virtual porthole windows in interior cabins. Teens can download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App for a full menu of activities. Fantasy has both a tweens’ club (Edge, for ages 11 to 14) and a teens’ club (Vibe, for ages 14 to 17). The clubs have high-tech music, video, and gaming systems; karaoke; and dance floors. They also host scavenger hunts, themed nights, and other special events. Best Budget Cruise : Carnival Victor Sokolowicz/Bloomberg via Getty See Rates on Carnival.com Why We Chose It With six-night cruises under $400 per person, you can afford to take your teens and even let them bring a friend. Sails from: MiamiDuration: 6 nightsShip name: Carnival HorizonItinerary: Miami; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; Miami Notable Amenities IMAX theater, SkyRide suspended bicycle track, water park with waterslide Pros and Cons Pros Attractive pricing Three age-specific youth spaces Newer ship (2018) Cons Party atmosphere makes finding quiet spaces difficult Cruise Overview Carnival Horizon’s teen-friendly activities include SkyRide, a suspended bicycle track that provides jaw-dropping (and heart-pounding) views. In SportSquare, teens will find a clubhouse for indoor games like mini bowling and pool, while outdoors, they'll find soccer, volleyball, pingpong, miniature golf, and a ropes course. The ship has two teens’ clubs. Circle “C” is for kids ages 12 to 14 and has dance parties, games, movies, and more. Club O2 provides teens ages 15 to 17 with a place 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, a video arcade, and its own version of the game show “Deal or No Deal.” Final Verdict While your teen may roll their eyes at the thought of a family vacation, they’ll love the freedom they can have on a cruise that caters to their needs. Our top cruise for teens is Royal Caribbean’s 7-Night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day aboard Wonder of the Seas, which is outfitted with everything your teen could desire, from their own “bar” to rock climbing and zip-lining. For a more intimate experience on a smaller ship, try Windstar’s Windward Islands Surf & Sunsets. The Star Pride has every water sports toy under the sun, and your teen can jump off the ship straight into the water. If your teen gets bored fast, book a berth on Norwegian’s Caribbean: Dominican Republic & Antigua cruise. The Norwegian Getaway has loads of activities to keep them busy, from the fastest waterslide at sea to a teen dance club. Methodology We evaluated over a dozen cruise lines before selecting the best cruises for teens in each category. We considered various elements, like the cruise line’s reputation and quality of service, ship design and architecture, and notable amenities such as swimming pools and waterslides. We also reviewed each ship’s dining and entertainment options and the types of experiences available to guests. In determining this list, we evaluated numerous customer reviews and considered whether the cruise line has collected any accolades in recent years. Getty Images / cdwheatley Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit