Best Cruises for Teens

Dedicated teen spaces, diving and acrobatics shows at the AquaTheater, FlowRider surf simulator, rock climbing wall, zip line

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.

Magic Carpet floating restaurant, private plunge pools in Edge Villas, rooftop garden

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.

Club HAL activities program, The Loft teen lounge, sports court

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.

The Beach House teen center, interactive “Deal or No Deal” game show, Discovery and Animal Planet exclusive tours

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.

Unlimited use of water sports equipment, access to the ship’s bridge, live entertainment

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.

Five waterslides, three-level sports complex, ropes course, walk the plank thrill experience

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.

Teens’ and tweens’ clubs, live shows geared to teens, sports deck with miniature golf and virtual sports simulators

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.

IMAX theater, SkyRide suspended bicycle track, water park with waterslide

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.”