If you’re planning a family cruise and you have teenagers to keep busy at sea, you already know how important it is to figure out which lines offer the most entertaining cruise ships for teens. The megaships offer the most bells and whistles—rock climbing walls, racetracks, and surf simulators—but don’t count out some of the ships with fewer attractions, especially if your teen is content hanging out with other kids the same age, playing foosball or video games, and joining in activities like sports tournaments and dance parties.
As an avid cruiser who’s sailed on ships of all sizes, I’ve toured many teen clubs and personally checked out the virtual reality games, high-tech simulators, and other activities while on board. These five standout cruise ships for teens are some of my top picks from different cruise lines. They offer just the sort of action-packed fun that will keep everyone in the family happy, including often-hard-to-please teenagers.
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1. Icon of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is the largest vessel in the world, six percent bigger and 10 feet longer than the previous record holder, Wonder of the Seas. Billed by the line as the “ultimate family vacation,” the megaship accommodates as many as 7,600 passengers and features eight distinct themed “neighborhoods” with activities and dining options for families and kids of all ages. The Surfside neighborhood, a space dedicated to families (which also has staterooms located close to the family-friendly activities) features a supervised teen club, Social020.
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Thrill-seekers will want to check out Category Six, the largest water park at sea. The impressive new area at the top of the ship boasts lots of firsts—the tallest waterside, the first open freefall slide, and the first family raft slide on the high seas. The vessel also has Royal Caribbean favorites, such as a rock-climbing wall; the surf simulator, FlowRider; a Sports Court offering basketball, dodgeball, volleyball, and pickleball; and a mini golf course, Lost Dunes. In addition, the ship has an impressive seven pools.
Icon of the Seas offers Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries yearround from Miami. All cruises include a stop at the line’s fun-filled private island, Perfect Day at Coco Cay, where teens will find more warm-weather activities waiting ashore.
2. MSC Seashore (MSC Cruises)
MSC’s ships offer plenty of activities and entertainment for teen cruisers, especially on MSC Seashore, one of the line’s U.S.-based ships. Tweens 12 to 14 and teens 15 to 17 get their own respective clubs, complete with video game consoles and contests, a disco, table games, themed events, and other special programming. It also features a Teens Lab, an immersive, modern tech space.
Another highlight for young adults is the TLS Teens Late Show, a weekly “late-night show” event during which they will be interviewed by hosts, chat about different trending topics, and even have a chance to earn prizes. Outside, a jaw-dropping “waterpark meets obstacle course” features a virtual reality waterslide, Adventure Trail hanging bridge, and much more.
MSC Seashore homeports in Port Canaveral and offers Bahamas and Caribbean cruises ranging from three all the way up to 14 nights.
3. Norwegian Bliss (Norwegian Cruise Line)
Norwegian Bliss, one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway Plus class ships, and one of their largest vessels, is packed with entertaining activities that are best fit for teens. Entourage, the teen club, is an exclusive space for 13- to 17-year-olds where they can chill out, play games, and meet other kids their own age. The lounge offers movies, music, art, and sports, and there are planned age-appropriate activities to join in throughout the sailing. You’ll find some of these events listed in the daily program.
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There’s also no shortage of action around the ship with two watersides—Aqua Racer and Ocean Loops; a two-level racetrack, Bliss Speedway; an open-air laser tag course; a video arcade with VR games, skeeball, and more; a two-lane duck pin bowling alley at The Local Bar and Grill; and mini-golf.
For quieter pursuits, young adults can play board games like Monopoly, backgammon, checkers, and chess in The Library and Card Room. And there’s a jogging track so they can stay in shape while at sea. From October to April, it offers Western Caribbean and Panama Canal itineraries from Miami, as well as cruises to Mexico’s Baja Peninsula and the Panama Canal from Los Angeles. There is also a transatlantic sailing between Miami and London.
4. Disney Wish (Disney Cruise Line)
There are three dedicated adult-free zones on Disney Cruise Line’s cruise ship Disney Wish. Edge, for ages 11 to 14, is inspired by a New York City loft and decorated in bold, bright colors, creating the perfect cozy spot for kids to hang out, play games, and watch movies. Other cool features are the “photo walls” (graphic arts display) for capturing shareable vacation images; an indoor solarium with a skylight and décor with the theme of a city park; and a soda bar.
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Older teens, ages 14 to 17, can play games, watch movies, and meet new friends at Vibe. This teen-only area, inspired by a Paris artists’ loft—and with a funky retro twist—features pop art murals, French columns, bold graffiti, and Disney-inspired travel posters. Additional highlights of the club are the floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the views and planned activities geared toward teens such as scavenger hunts, trivia games, drawing classes, card tournaments, karaoke, and more.
The Hideaway is new to Disney Wish. The third designated space for tweens and teens is also retro in design with vibrant colors and disco ball lights. Here, young adults can listen to music, kick back and relax, or join in the fun during a friendly competition on the dance floor. Teens can also look for additional onboard programming throughout the ship in the Hero Zone, Luna and other venues. And they won’t want to miss taking a ride on Aqua Mouse, Disney’s first attraction at sea.
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Disney Wish is based in Port Canaveral, Florida, and sails three- and four-night itineraries to the Bahamas. The voyages include a stop at Castaway Cay, the line’s private island, where younger cruisers can head ashore for land-based fun. Activities available on the island include banana boat rides, fishing adventures, adventure jeep rides, and an Atlantis Aquaventure.
5. Carnival Jubilee (Carnival Cruises)
Carnival Jubilee is the third and final vessel in Carnival Cruise Line’s XL class. Circle “C” is the designated area where tweens ages 12 to 14 can hang out together for dance parties, outdoor movies, games, and other activities. The colorful space features comfy seating areas where kids can chill and chat while supervised by the ship’s friendly counselors. Young adults, 15 to 17 years old, can socialize with same age teens at Club o2. This venue features current music, movies, sports and video games, and karaoke. The space is also host to theme parties like Carnival’s version of a high school prom.
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There’s no shortage of action-packed fun around the ship with BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea; thrilling water slides at WaterWorks, the ship’s water park; a challenging ropes course; and Sports Square, which features mini-golf, basketball, foosball, ping pong, and other sports activities. The ship’s ZSPA has an indulgent spa service menu for teens with pedicures, haircuts, facials, and fitness classes. Carnival Jubilee sails round-trip from Galveston, Texas, and include ports of call in Mexico and Roatan, Honduras.
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Gina Kramer also contributed to this article.
