The 6 Best Kid-Friendly Cruises for Your Family Cruise

Table Of Content

• What are the main benefits of choosing one of these cruise lines for a family vacation with teenagers?
• Kid-Friendly Cruises on P&O Cruises
• Additional Disney Cruise Features for Kids (Including Family Rooms)
• What Makes a Ship Teen-Friendly?
• Explorers Come in All Ages. And Princess Inspires Their Imaginations

Norwegian cruise ships for kids include the line’s newest vessels, which offer all the mega-ship bells and whistles families have come to expect (though we found NCL Encore and Bliss to have a more adult vibe). Having an amazing promotion like that, encourages families to bring their young ones onboard. MSC has some pretty cool activities for teens, such as virtual reality, racing simulators and a family theatre where movies are shown and games are played. In the last few years, cruise lines have stepped up their game to keep things fun and exciting for teenagers. In this post, you’ll find cruise lines and ships that are great for teens and make a wonderful family vacation. Even though Disney Cruise Line is known as the cruise line for families with younger kids, don't rule it out as a vacation option for families with teens.

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What are the main benefits of choosing one of these cruise lines for a family vacation with teenagers?

Super Family Cabins consist of two triple cabins, while Executive Family Suites feature two queens along with extra storage space. Ages 12 through 17 can head to the Young Club or the Teen Club, which MSC has stocked with things like foosball, sports tournaments, a Formula 1 simulator, bowling, selfie-sharing and music-streaming stations and more. You'll also find big pool decks with water and light shows and poolside cabanas that are a great way to bond by the pool. This cruise line is also hot on its kid-friendly shore excursions, such as kayaking, bike rides, trips to beaches, boat tours and to the summit of volcanoes or snow-covered mountains. You can rest assured knowing that your children are in good hands because the Royal Caribbean kids' program counselors are some of the friendliest and most engaging in the business. Celebrity Cruises has a reputation of being an upscale cruise line that attracts an older crowd.

Kid-Friendly Cruises on P&O Cruises

Royal Caribbean family cruise packages include free daytime and early evening access to its popular kids’ clubs. A sizable amount of real estate is dedicated to them, with separate areas for toddlers, kids and tweens/teens. Norwegian Cruise Line is the perfect cruise line for young people and teens who are going on a family vacation. Norwegian cruise ships have some of the best activities for both older kids and younger kids. You can expect activities like dance parties, video games and scavenger hunts around the ship. With its exceptional amenities, dedicated teen lounges, and teen-friendly activities, Royal Caribbean offers an unforgettable cruise experience that appeals to teens and creates lasting memories.

Additional Disney Cruise Features for Kids (Including Family Rooms)

Norwegian Cruise Line offers the “Freestyle Cruising” concept, dedicated teen spaces called Entourage, and thrilling attractions such as go-kart tracks, waterslides, virtual reality areas, and ropes courses. Yes, all of these cruise lines provide dedicated teen clubs, exciting attractions, and engaging entertainment for teenagers. When it comes to planning the perfect cruise vacation for teenagers, you have a variety of incredible options to choose from.

The Koningsdam is a beautiful mid-sized cruise ship known for its music entertainment options, such as the Rolling Stones Rock Room and B.B. The Koningsdam does include the Kids Club, so your teenagers will always have a space onboard to retreat to when they want some time alone or to meet other teens. Disney Wish is the newest ship to the Disney Cruise Line and offers a variety of upgraded accommodations and experiences.

Lindblad has partnered with National Geographic for a kid-friendly adventure program. Allows guests to enjoy as many soft drinks as they like for a fixed price for the duration of the cruise. Teens get their own late-night party on the dance floor with a DJ spinning all the best bangers. The new Adventure Ocean® youth program is designed to ignite the imagination.

What Makes a Ship Teen-Friendly?

Other themed events on select sailings include Star Wars Day at Sea, Marvel Day at Sea and special Halloween and Christmas events throughout the fall. Onboard the ships, plenty of family cabins and loft suites mean room for the family to spread out. There's even a Royal Family cabin that sleeps eight, and Symphony of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas’ Ultimate Family Suite with a two-deck slide, LEGO wall and games aplenty. The Adventure Ocean play spaces cater to Aquanauts (ages 3 to 5), Explorers (6 to 8) and Voyagers (9 to 11).

Explorers Come in All Ages. And Princess Inspires Their Imaginations

The cruise line’s newest Oasis-class ships -- Wonder of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas -- feature even more kid-friendly extras. That includes the Ultimate Abyss slide, a 10-story light-and-sound filled drop that ends at the Boardwalk (children must be at least 43 inches tall to slide). The entrance is through the open jaws of a massive anglerfish -- probably the most terrifying part of the whole ordeal, as the ride is over in a matter of seconds. On Celebrity cruise ships, you’ll find really cool pool areas, hot tubs, a video arcade, a miniature golf course and a basketball court.

Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, will likely keep teens happy with its huge water park, a choice of beaches, water sports and lots of barbecue. A cruise ship provides teens space to hang out with their peers in cool venues designed just for them. As teens roam the ship, they can munch on snacks as they please or buy sodas or smoothies with their room key without the need for parental approval. The intimate 96-passenger National Geographic Endeavour II is well-suited to teens, with unassigned seating in the restaurant for a more casual dining experience.

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For example, Disney Cruise Line allows those who are at least 21 to bring two bottles of wine or six beers onto the ship with them in a carry-on bag on embarkation day and again at each port of call. Carnival Cruise Line allows cruisers 21 and older to bring one bottle of unopened wine per person on board in their carry-on luggage on embarkation day only. In partnership with Discovery™, Princess has developed engaging new youth programming and wonder-filled centers designed for our youngest guests. Beach time, boat rides, water sports, luaus and volcano tours combine for an epic family trip, with the ship taking the stress out of meals and transportation.

On some of the newer Disney ships, teenagers (14-17 years old) have their own sun deck and a nice area to hang out in the Vibe lounge. In the Vibe lounge there is a stage, video games and a smoothie and soft drink machine. The fun starts at the teen lounges, which are tricked out with video games, table games and plenty of seating to chat with new friends. Cunard’s Teen Zone for 13- to 17-year-olds is equipped with comfy beanbags, table football, games consoles, movies and books, with a program of sports, discos, quizzes and gaming.

Disney Cruise Line ships are known for meet-and-greets with Mickey Mouse and Disney princesses, interactive movie-themed dining experiences and enormous kids clubs and play areas. If you have older kids, Norwegian may be the best cruise line for your family. Zoom around the largest race track at sea, immerse yourself at the high-tech Galaxy Pavilion or take a plunge on the water slides.

As the Mediterranean line grows its U.S.-based fleet, it is staying attuned to the needs of traveling families. On Norwegian Escape, The Haven includes two-bedroom family suites that sleep up to six passengers, and there are family mini-suites that feature bathtubs. The line’s first high-ropes experience, Altitude Skywalk, launched alongside Altitude Minigolf on Arvia. Disney Dream features a replica of the Millennium Falcon from "Star Wars," where young ones can play pilot or learn lightsaber techniques from a Jedi Master. You'll also find a theater, arts and crafts workshop, science lab, video arcade and the Scratch DJ Academy (not on Anthem of the Seas). Both Waterworks and the ropes course are included in the overall cruise fare, though BOLT is currently priced at $15 per person, per ride.

Plus, the ships have complimentary all-you-can-eat pizza and soft serve that’s available through the wee hours. If you're after fun on dry land (or at least when you're in port), MSC runs a Family Explorer program, which melds education with fun shore excursions that are designed to be interactive for the whole family. For the under twos, there’s a nursery with its own area and organized activities. Keep in mind that children in this age group need to be accompanied by their parents/guardians at all times.

There is round-the-clock (free) fun, with movies projected onto big screens on deck, pool contests, “Family Feud Live” and one of the best-in-the-business youth programs. Circle C (12- to 14-year-olds) and Club O2 (15- to 17-year-olds) have chill-out spaces, gaming, movies and karaoke among the included activities. Carnival also regularly offers deals, such as reduced fares, free room upgrades and bonus onboard credit, too. This all adds up to nice savings that can go towards a few extras on Mardi Gras.