Best family ship for teens

[pjdandcjd]

Hi everyone! My husband and I just got home from our first cruise. It was only a four day just to see if we would like cruising. And you guessed it...we loved it! Now we want to take our kids on a cruise but not sure which ship or destination to try out. Our kids are 20, 17, and 14 and we live in western NY. Not sure I want to spend a ton on airfare as this cruise will be more than double the cost of last time. Thanks in advance for all suggestions! Thanks to everyone on this site our cruise was wonderful! We learned so much from everyone here!

 

 

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[Cruising4]

For teens we believe the bigger the better. Look to the big ships - CCL Breeze/Dream/Magic; NCL Breakaway/Getaway/Epic; RCCL Allure/Oasis (or Freedom class). RCCL Quantum will be sailing shortly and it looks amazing.

 

You can hop on the Getaway or Quantum from NY/NJ so no flying. They don't have the most exotic itineraries but flying wouldn't be necessary. Quantum is made to be a cold water ship with lots of indoor activities.

[mweiss1998]

I am taking my kids (14, 11 & 9) on their first cruise next year and we chose the Pride out of Baltimore because it is within driving distance. My kids are younger so I was happy that it is a smaller ship so they don't get too overwhelmed when they are on their own. Not that I plan on them running free but coming and going from the kids clubs.

[dredawg]

I think the Splendor sails out of NYC but does the East Coast (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and maybe Maine. I live in Ontario and always think of Western NY as Buffalo and surrounding area (I can hear the little Western New York jingle in my head from some news show). If that is true you can always drive down to Florida... tampa, ft Lauderdale and Miami all have ports sailing to the Caribbean and it's anywhere from 18 to 24 hours depending on amount of stops you make. We just get a hotel in Miami that allows you to park your car for a minimal fee and then offers you a shuttle to the port in the am. For us (party of four) in Toronto the gas is just a little over $400 dollars return and the cheapest airfare we could find was $536 per person...that savings equals a whole lot of drinks of the day :D

 

However you get there...have fun!

[ncovert]

Hi everyone! My husband and I just got home from our first cruise. It was only a four day just to see if we would like cruising. And you guessed it...we loved it! Now we want to take our kids on a cruise but not sure which ship or destination to try out. Our kids are 20, 17, and 14 and we live in western NY. Not sure I want to spend a ton on airfare as this cruise will be more than double the cost of last time. Thanks in advance for all suggestions! Thanks to everyone on this site our cruise was wonderful! We learned so much from everyone here!

 

 

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Cruise critic just released their awards for best ofs last week. Looked like there were lots of Disney ships on the list. But a good search of 2013 cruise critic awards will find it. Sorry I am on my IPad right now or I would include it in this response.

 

Happy sailing

[Micgoody]

My kids had a blast on the Ecstasy. 10, 14, 17 at the time during Thanksgiving.. I think if you go during a school vacation or summer time when more kids are on board you can't go wrong no matter the ship. My children loved the kids programs on board, even my shy 14 year old had a blast and made lots of friends.

[pamrose228]

Just be forewarned, your 20 year old in NOT a teen and NOT an adult in cruiselines eyes. 18-20 is the worse possible age for young adults to cruise, no organized activities, they are left to fend for themselves. I bought my 20 year old (he was three weeks from turning 21) on the Splendor and he was bored on all sea days. He spent little time in the casino but a college student has little money to spend on gambling so he resisted temptation.

 

We are thinking of doing an Alaskan cruise for his college graduation but he will be 22 then and the experience will be very different.

[pjdandcjd]

Just be forewarned, your 20 year old in NOT a teen and NOT an adult in cruiselines eyes. 18-20 is the worse possible age for young adults to cruise, no organized activities, they are left to fend for themselves. I bought my 20 year old (he was three weeks from turning 21) on the Splendor and he was bored on all sea days. He spent little time in the casino but a college student has little money to spend on gambling so he resisted temptation.

 

We are thinking of doing an Alaskan cruise for his college graduation but he will be 22 then and the experience will be very different.

 

That's good advice. The last thing I want to do is spend good money on a cruise and have them be bored. I think we need to do a lot of research before we book anything!

 

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[pjdandcjd]

For teens we believe the bigger the better. Look to the big ships - CCL Breeze/Dream/Magic; NCL Breakaway/Getaway/Epic; RCCL Allure/Oasis (or Freedom class). RCCL Quantum will be sailing shortly and it looks amazing.

 

You can hop on the Getaway or Quantum from NY/NJ so no flying. They don't have the most exotic itineraries but flying wouldn't be necessary. Quantum is made to be a cold water ship with lots of indoor activities.

 

Wow! I just looked up the Quantum and what an amazing ship! I think it may be a little out of our price range though...something to definitely think about.

 

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[pjdandcjd]

I think the Splendor sails out of NYC but does the East Coast (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and maybe Maine. I live in Ontario and always think of Western NY as Buffalo and surrounding area (I can hear the little Western New York jingle in my head from some news show). If that is true you can always drive down to Florida... tampa, ft Lauderdale and Miami all have ports sailing to the Caribbean and it's anywhere from 18 to 24 hours depending on amount of stops you make. We just get a hotel in Miami that allows you to park your car for a minimal fee and then offers you a shuttle to the port in the am. For us (party of four) in Toronto the gas is just a little over $400 dollars return and the cheapest airfare we could find was $536 per person...that savings equals a whole lot of drinks of the day :D

 

However you get there...have fun!

 

That's the ship we just got off. I loved the Splendor-the staff was wonderful and the steakhouse was absolutely worth every cent! I would definitely sail her again! Just think the itinerary is a bit dull for my kids. I'll have to check out other sailings. I'm not bashing Canad/NewEngland at all-just for my kids I think they will want beaches and warmer weather.

 

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[Taylor95]

I suggest the Norwegian Breakaway out of NY, Bermuda itinerary!

 

 

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[Bsbllmom]

Just be forewarned, your 20 year old in NOT a teen and NOT an adult in cruiselines eyes. 18-20 is the worse possible age for young adults to cruise, no organized activities, they are left to fend for themselves. I bought my 20 year old (he was three weeks from turning 21) on the Splendor and he was bored on all sea days. He spent little time in the casino but a college student has little money to spend on gambling so he resisted temptation.

 

We are thinking of doing an Alaskan cruise for his college graduation but he will be 22 then and the experience will be very different.

 

I was wondering about this. My kids (21 &18) and I are leaving Thursday, I was wondering if my 18 year old would get bored. We love to do things together but know my oldest will want to do a couple of adult things that my youngest can't do. I will try to find things that he will enjoy. :/

[Athankfulheart]

If your 18yo is still in high school, have them bring their student ID on the ship. If you accompany them to the teen club on the first night and show the valid high school ID then they will allow them to join the group :)

 

 

(I read about this here and it has also been my personal experience)

[familycruzr]

I was wondering about this. My kids (21 &18) and I are leaving Thursday, I was wondering if my 18 year old would get bored. We love to do things together but know my oldest will want to do a couple of adult things that my youngest can't do. I will try to find things that he will enjoy. :/

 

The 18 year old can do almost anything the 21 year old can do. The exceptions are serenity and drinking alcohol.

[familycruzr]

That's good advice. The last thing I want to do is spend good money on a cruise and have them be bored. I think we need to do a lot of research before we book anything!

 

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We are cruising on the Dream out of New Orleans for Christmas, My girls are 19 and 17, and on our roll call there are several families with older teens cruising.

[pamrose228]

We are cruising on the Dream out of New Orleans for Christmas, My girls are 19 and 17, and on our roll call there are several families with older teens cruising.

 

Christmas you will always find lots of famiies with young adults, older teens. We did our cruise in mid-January during winter break for college. My son was alone, with us, there other young adults on roll call but most had a friend. Very awkward age and no one seemed to warm up to each other. And going to the nightclub is even an issue. And the 19 year old will be able to gamble not the 17 yo. My son said a teen won $2500 on some machine and the casino didn't pay him because he was underage.

[Bsbllmom]

The 18 year old can do almost anything the 21 year old can do. The exceptions are serenity and drinking alcohol.

 

so he can sit in the casino? He won't gamble but at least just be there.

 

If your 18yo is still in high school, have them bring their student ID on the ship. If you accompany them to the teen club on the first night and show the valid high school ID then they will allow them to join the group :)

 

 

(I read about this here and it has also been my personal experience)

 

Oh he graduated in June. I think we will just do things that he c an do and still have a great time.

 

Thanks for your responses. :) I love this forum, everyone is so friendly and helpful.

[VaTech8912]

Pride out of Baltimore. My sons are currently 18 & 21 but we have been on it many times over the years. Younger son liked the O2 club when he was under 18 and loved being able to go to the comedy club after he turned 18. Both always found a group of kids/young adults to hang with regardless of age. We have also been on the bigger ships and didn't find anything extra, activity wise, worth the additional cost/hassle of flying. Just my opinion.....enjoy!

 

BTW - the 18yo and 21yo can do all the same things except drink alcohol and the serenity area....so no real difference.

Edited September 8, 2014 by VaTech8912

[sunnygirlrn]

I agree with the newer Carnival options, Dream/Magic/Breeze!!! I would have your 20y/o ask a friend to go. My kids loved their cruise. We saiked the Glory last year and this year we sail the Sunshine (&my daughter turns 20 on that sailing). There's a ton to do. And most teens want to lay in the sun, swim and eat Guys Burgers lol. But, sometimes it's a little nicer when they have a buddy to roam the ship with. Plus, there's usually only a couple days at sea while the others you are off exploring various ports. Maybe plan a day ahead and do some parasailing prior to your departure! (Always a hit)

[pjdandcjd]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions, comments, advice, etc. I can't wait to book something now! So many good options...to anyone who is sailing in the near future: have a great time! And be sure to let us all know how it was after!

 

 

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[familycruzr]

so he can sit in the casino? He won't gamble but at least just be there.

.

 

I'm pretty sure he can even gamble.

[lablover61]

Hi everyone! My husband and I just got home from our first cruise. It was only a four day just to see if we would like cruising. And you guessed it...we loved it! Now we want to take our kids on a cruise but not sure which ship or destination to try out. Our kids are 20, 17, and 14 and we live in western NY. Not sure I want to spend a ton on airfare as this cruise will be more than double the cost of last time. Thanks in advance for all suggestions! Thanks to everyone on this site our cruise was wonderful! We learned so much from everyone here!

 

 

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It is not as important the ship , but the time of the year you cruise. We have cruised four times on various CCL ships with teenage kids and they always had a ton of kids their age on the ship and o2 (teen club ) . We always cruise either on their mid winter or Spring breaks , and it turns out many schools in various states share the same schedule !

 

 

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[ColoradoWine]

That's good advice. The last thing I want to do is spend good money on a cruise and have them be bored. I think we need to do a lot of research before we book anything!

 

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We are on the Dream over Christmas and will have 6 teens between 2 families... 19, 2 @ 16, 2 @ 13 and 12. We aee a little concerned about the 19yr old but hoping he'll do ok.

We are cruising on the Dream out of New Orleans for Christmas, My girls are 19 and 17, and on our roll call there are several families with older teens cruising.

[MOM2CHADALI]

We just took our 14 and 16 year olds on the Grandeur out of Baltimore. I was worried because it was a smaller ship without a lot of activities. I thought my fears had come true on embarkation day because there was whining about being bored. Then the teen lounge opened. We barely saw them the rest of the trip. They had such a great time, they begged to go back on the same ship. Who am I to argue? Booked for 8/7/14.

 

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