Cruising with teens: The best cruise lines

Embarking on a cruise with teenagers opens the door to a world of shared adventures and new discoveries, making it an ideal travel option for families. Cruises offer a unique blend of independence and togetherness, allowing teens the freedom to explore and engage in a variety of activities while providing families the opportunity to reconnect in a relaxed setting. With their array of onboard amenities such as sports courts, pools and teen clubs, cruises cater to the diverse interests and energy levels of young adults. 

This environment encourages teenagers to step out of their comfort zones, try new things and meet new people from around the world, fostering independence and growth. Moreover, the inclusive nature of cruising – from entertainment and dining to exciting shore excursions – simplifies planning and budgeting, making the travel experience enjoyable and stress-free for everyone. A cruise holiday offers the perfect balance of structured activities and leisure time, ensuring that families with teenagers have a memorable and fulfilling vacation experience together. Here are the five best cruise lines for cruising with teens: 

Celebrity Cruises is an excellent choice for families with teenagers, offering a perfect blend of sophisticated amenities and exciting activities. Their ships cater to the dynamic needs of young adults with dedicated areas like Camp at Sea, a teen-only lounge where guests aged 13 to 17 can socialise, play games and participate in specially designed events. 

For adventurous teens, there are activities such as rock climbing, basketball and swimming pools, ensuring there’s never a dull moment. Celebrity Cruises also offers a variety of shore excursions that cater to a wide range of interests, from cultural explorations to outdoor adventures, providing enriching experiences at every port.

The modern fleet features diverse dining options, from gourmet restaurants to casual eateries, appealing to the tastes of even the most discerning teenagers. Plus, Celebrity Cruises’ luxurious accommodations and exceptional service ensure a comfortable and memorable family cruise. 

Norwegian Cruise Line offers an ideal blend of freedom and fun, making it a top pick for families cruising with teenagers. Its Freestyle Cruising concept ensures a relaxed, flexible atmosphere that caters well to the independent nature of teens. 

The ships boast thrilling amenities like aqua parks, rock climbing walls and virtual reality games, perfect for adventurous young adults. The Entourage Teen Club, for ages 13 to 17, provides a cool, safe space for teens to socialise and participate in supervised activities. Additionally, Norwegian Cruise Line’s diverse shore excursions, ranging from cultural tours to outdoor adventurers, engage teens in unique and memorable experiences at each destination.

The variety of dining options, from buffets to speciality restaurants, caters to all tastes, ensuring mealtime satisfaction for the whole family. With contemporary accommodations and a wide range of onboard entertainment, Norwegian Cruise Line successfully strikes a balance between youthful energy and family-centric fun. 

P&O Cruises expertly caters to families with teenagers, striking a perfect balance between fun and relaxation. Their ships are equipped with dedicated teen areas like H2O and Scene, where youngsters aged 13 to 17 can mingle, enjoy gaming consoles and partake in various organised activities in a friendly, supervised environment. 

Beyond these zones, P&O Cruises offers a plethora of activities that appeal to the adventurous spirit of teens, including sports courts, swimming pools and thrilling shore excursions that range from cultural explorations to outdoor adventurers. 

The culinary options onboard are diverse, satisfying a wide range of preferences with everything from casual snacks to fine dining experiences. Additionally, P&O Cruises' entertainment lineup includes the latest movies, live shows and music, ensuring there’s something for every teenager to enjoy. 

Princess Cruises is an exceptional choice for families with teenagers, blending luxurious comfort with a variety of teen-friendly activities. Their ships feature exclusive areas for teens, like the Beach House, a perfect spot for young adults to chill out, make friends and participate in exciting activities. 

The line’s unique Discovery at SEA programs offers educational and entertaining experiences, from stargazing to wildlife encounters, aligning with the inquisitive and adventurous nature of teenagers. For those seeking thrills, there are sports courts, pools and movie nights under the stars. 

Additionally, Princess Cruises’ itineraries include diverse and engaging shore excursions, ideal for family explorations and adventures in new destinations. The dining onboard caters to all tastes, with a variety of options from gourmet to casual, satisfying even the pickiest eaters. 

Royal Caribbean International stands out as a premier choice for families with teenagers, offering an exhilarating blend of adventure, entertainment and innovation. Known for its groundbreaking ship design, the cruise line features an array of thrilling activities including rock climbing walls, surf simulators, ice-skating rinks and zipline courses, all of which cater perfectly to the adventurous spirit of teens. 

Dedicated teen clubs like the Living Room and Fuel Teen Disco provide a cool, supervised environment for teens to socialise, dance and relax. Additionally, Royal Caribbean International’s state-of-the-art virtual reality experiences and escape rooms offer unique entertainment opportunities.

The cruise line’s shore excursions are equally engaging, ranging from cultural explorations to adrenaline-pumping adventures. With a diverse array of dining choices, including casual eateries and speciality restaurants, even the pickiest eaters are satisfied.