The 7 Best Cruises for Teens of 2021

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. Their H20 Club is designed specifically for teens ages 13 to 17. There, they'll enjoy a pool table, retro-style arcade, game consoles, and more. Britannia also has entertainment for the entire family. Nightly shows include performances from comedy piano players to cabaret and pop music; there's truly something for everyone.

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 “SkyRide,” 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. Outdoors, they'll find soccer, volleyball, ping pong, 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. Symphony is also home to a video arcade (games vary by ship) 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; Sitka, Alaska; Hubbard Glacier, Alaska; Seward, Alaska

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: Los Angeles
• Duration: 7 nights
• Ship Name: Norwegian Getaway
• Itinerary: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Mazatlan, Mexico; Cabo San Lucas, 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 production shows, standup comedy, and their own rendition of Deal or No Deal. Norwegian also hosts freestyle dining, so families have more flexibilities about where and when to dine.