Teenagers have more influence on our vacation-planning decisions that we might like to believe. If you’re considering a family cruise and have older kids to keep busy, it’s important to find a ship that offers dedicated teen spaces and lots of top-deck attractions, such as rock climbing walls, water slides, and surf simulators.
Kids’ clubs exclusively for 13- to 17-year-olds not only offer age-appropriate activities, but they also are a great place for teens to meet and make friends. These five standout ships offer the best cruises for teens, with action-packed fun that will keep everyone in the family happy, including those who might be the hardest to please.
1. Icon of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is the largest ship in the world, accommodating as many as 7,600 passengers and featuring eight themed “neighborhoods” with activities and dining options for all ages. The Surfside neighborhood, a space dedicated to families (which also has staterooms located close to the family-friendly activities) has 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 area at the top of the ship boasts a water slide, open free-fall slide, and family raft slide. There’s still plenty of room for Royal Caribbean favorites, such as the rock-climbing wall and the surf simulator. Seven swimming pools make it easy to stay cool in the Caribbean sun.
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 World America (MSC Cruises)
MSC’s ships offer plenty of activities and entertainment for teen cruisers, especially on MSC World America, the line’s newest U.S.-based ship. Tweens 12 to 14 and teens 15 to 17 get their own respective clubs, complete with video game consoles, contests, a disco, table games, themed events, and other special programming. Teens also have access to drone-flying competitions as well as a high-tech adventure course called Star Shooters.
Another highlight for teens is the SportsPlex, a multi-purpose space that can transform from a sports court into a rink for roller skating and bumper cars. Other activities include Zorb ball rides and hoverboarding. More adventures await teens outside, thanks to thrilling water slides and a dry slide, a two-level ropes course, and a giant swing that lifts riders 160 feet above the ocean.
MSC World America homeports year-round in Miami and offers Bahamas and Caribbean cruises, which include stops in the line’s private island, Ocean Cay.
3. Norwegian Aqua (Norwegian Cruise Line)
Norwegian Aqua, the first ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s Prima Plus class, is packed with entertaining activities fit for teens. Entourage, the teen club, is an exclusive space for 13- to 17-year-olds where they can enjoy activities such as theme parties, movie nights, trivia, and video games. Teens also get designated hours at the Glow Court, which sets the stage for games on its LED color-changing floor, and the Stadium offering various table games.
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There’s also no shortage of action around the ship. The main attraction is the Aqua Slidecoaster, an exhilarating, hybrid roller coaster-water slide that thrusts single or double riders into twisting tubes. If your teens are still thirsty for thrills, they can step into the free-fall slide, which shoots down 10 stories. Other activities include mini-golf and a video arcade.
Families can choose to depart from Port Canaveral or Miami for Caribbean and Bahamas cruises that includes stops in the line’s private islands Great Stirrup Cay or Harvest Cay, depending on the itinerary, The ship also offers Bermuda cruises from New York.
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, with a funky retro twist—serves up scavenger hunts, trivia games, drawing classes, card tournaments, karaoke, and more.
The Hideaway is another designated space for tweens and teens, 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 the AquaMouse water slide.
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Disney Wish is based in Port Canaveral, Florida and offers short Bahamas cruises that visit Castaway Cay, the line’s private island.
5. Carnival Jubilee (Carnival Cruises)
Carnival Jubilee is the third and final vessel in Carnival Cruise Line’s Excel 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. Young adults, 15 to 17 years old, can socialize with same-age teens at Club o2. This venue features music, movies, video games, karaoke, and theme parties like Carnival’s version of a high school prom.
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Adrenaline rushes come easy with attractions like the BOLT rollercoaster; thrilling water slides, and a challenging ropes course. But it’s not all about the thrills; teens on Carnival Jubilee are encouraged to pamper themselves, too. The spa offers a special service menu for teens, complete with pedicures, haircuts, and facials.
Carnival Jubilee sails year-round from Galveston, Texas, to the Caribbean and Bahamas. Some itineraries include stops to the line’s private island, Celebration Key, as well as Half Moon Cay, which is operated by its parent company, Carnival Corporation.
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Gina Kramer also contributed to this article.
