One of the best ways to spend a family vacation together is on a cruise. On a cruise ship, everyone is happy, all meals are provided for, entertainment is free, and there are activity options for everyone that will ensure each member of the family has a great time while onboard. Since kids can be notoriously hard to please, and it's even harder with teenagers, why not take the work out of planning the perfect getaway by booking a cruise?
There are a wide range of cruise brands to choose from, each unique with something different to offer. Some brands cater to young families, others to adults only. Teens can be a tough crowd, but we have figured out the 3 brands that are perfect for families with teenage kids. Each of these brands have fun onboard activities, special teen-only hangout spots, delicious dining, and so much more!
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has been a top choice for families for decades, and with each new ship they built, they become bigger and better than ever.
TEEN SPACES | Royal Caribbean offers a phenomenal teen program, as well as teen-only hangout spots onboard their ships. These are the areas where kids can play sports, games, hangout with their peers, party, and feel like adults without the adults. The older kids can come and go as they please without having to be checked in by their parents, and they will be fully entertained for hours in a relaxing environment. Spaces like the Living Room and Fuel Teen Club offer a club-like atmosphere where the kids can dance, be the dj, or just hangout and catch a comedy or action film in the 3D theater.
ACTIVITIES | Throughout the Royal fleet you will find so many fun onboard activities that will keep your teen distracted and entertained throughout the cruise. Those long sea days won't seem long at all for the family with so many things to do. Adrenaline-pumping activities include rock climbing, indoor skydiving, waterslides, zip-lines, the Ultimate Abyss dry slides on the Oasis Class ships, and so much more. For a more chill time the arcade is always a fun space, and mini-golf can be a great activity for the whole family. There are also fun sporting events going on at the sports court, and laser tag and the FlowRider are a great way to stay entertained. For teens who like brain games, some ships have an escape room available, which is always a good time.
DINING | Whether your teen is a picky eater, a foodie, or just eat everything in sight, there are always options on a Royal ship. The Windjammer Marketplace offers an incredible buffet that has everything from pasta to salad, to burgers, and more- so your teenager can get what they want, and as much as they prefer. Royal also boasts incredible specialty dining that is always a hit with the whole family from sushi at Izumi, to burgers and shakes at Johnny Rockets, to a delicious steak dinner at Chops Grill.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Another incredible brand that caters to families, and entertains teens well is Norwegian Cruise Line. NCL offers many onboard activities, elevate specialty dining, high-tech games, and many more venues and spaces that teenagers love.
TEEN SPACES | Entourage is a great teen program/space onboard many NCL ships. Here teens can hangout with their peers, enjoy dance parties, video games, movies and much more, as well as organized games throughout the ship. Having teen-focused spaces truly allows your teenagers to let loose and relax.
ACTIVITIES | There are plenty of activities to be found on a Norwegian ship. The incredible Galaxy Pavilion is a great option for tweens and teens, as guests can don VR headsets and play interactive virtual reality games such as racing cars, flying spaceships, and more! In addition to the incredible indoor space are equally amazing outdoor activities. Across the fleet Norwegian offers amazing water slides as well as dry slides, go karting, mini golf, and games out on the sports court.
DINING | NCL is known to have some of the best complimentary dining in the mass-market cruise industry. Spaces such as the Indulge Food Hall allow you and your family to enjoy an array of delicious cuisine from all over the globe- from Indian food to Texas bbq. You can order from any of the restaurants in the food hall from the ipad at your table, and it will be delivered to you, allowing even picky teens to order exactly what will make them happy. The Surfside Cafe offers a full buffet, and the Local Bar & Grill has incredible pub fare that is open late into the night- perfect for your teenager's midnight snack! In addition to the included dining, you will also find amazing specialty restaurants from Italian food at Onda, to an elevated steakhouse meal at Cagney's- great options for every member of the family, and an opportunity to have a nice elevated meal that everyone will enjoy.
Celebrity Cruises
For a premium cruise brand that is also teen friendly, try Celebrity Cruises. This elevated cruise experience has lots of options for teenagers to hang out and enjoy time spent with their peers, as well as enjoy activities around the ship.
TEEN SPACES | The Teen Club is a great option for teen onboard. This club was created specifically for teenagers in mind, and is a space to chill and relax without adults. Events at the Teen Club include silent disco parties, video game tournaments, and more!
ACTIVITIES | While Celebrity Cruises tends to be a more laid-back style of cruising, there is still plenty for teens to do onboard. There are sports tournaments, mini golf, culinary classes, and plenty of lounge spaces to enjoy. The pool deck is a great way to relax and catch some sun, and is the perfect place for the family to enjoy together.
DINING | The dining onboard a Celebrity ship are truly elevated. If your teen is a foodie, Celebrity is a great option, offering elegant fine dining at Eden, Italian fare at Tuscan Grill, and an endless buffet at the Oceanview Cafe. Every member of the family will have options onboard a Celebrity ship, from the pickiest of palates, to the most discerning.
Booking Your Cruise
Now that you are ready to book your family's next vacation onboard a Royal, Norwegian, or Celebrity ship, reach out to the experts at Harr Travel. We know the ships inside and out, and have an amazing relationship with the cruise line. Our advisors will craft the cruise of a lifetime for you and your family at an exceptional rate, and give you the Harr Travel signature service every step of the way.
or email:
Comments