Teens

[GreyShadow]

What is best cruise ship for teens? Mine are 16 and 13.

[CruisingAlong4Now]

What is best cruise ship for teens? Mine are 16 and 13.

 

1. Where are you going? Port intensive? Beaches?

2. What do they like to do? Cultural activities? Party? Snorkel? Hang with Mom and Dad?

3. Are they outgoing and like to meet new people? Are they happy to just be with each other?

4. Is the 16 yo more comfortable around adults or kids?

5. How responsible are they? Would you leave them alone on the ship if you go on a shore excursion? Are your family vacations usually a 24/7 together affair?

 

"Best" ship for teens depends on YOUR teens. What my teens like, has no bearing on your teens.

 

If you are more explicit and describe your boys? girls? you will get help, not just opinions.

[CruiserBruce]

1. Where are you going? Port intensive? Beaches?

2. What do they like to do? Cultural activities? Party? Snorkel? Hang with Mom and Dad?

3. Are they outgoing and like to meet new people? Are they happy to just be with each other?

4. Is the 16 yo more comfortable around adults or kids?

5. How responsible are they? Would you leave them alone on the ship if you go on a shore excursion? Are your family vacations usually a 24/7 together affair?

 

"Best" ship for teens depends on YOUR teens. What my teens like, has no bearing on your teens.

 

If you are more explicit and describe your boys? girls? you will get help, not just opinions.

 

Some very well thought out questions. Like many of the "what is the best" questions that appear here, there is no one right answer- there may be MANY possible right answers.

[MCC retired]

All the mass market cruise lines do well to entertain teens .

Especially the new monster ships .

As long as you choose a sailing date (school breaks) when other teens cruise .

An itinerary that interests your teens is more important than the cruise line .

[boulders]

My teen son's favorite cruise line is Royal Caribbean. My teen daughter's favorite cruise line is HAL. Neither liked Carnival. Teen daughter got food poisoning on Disney.

[Keith1010]

All of this depends on your kids.

 

There are truly many choices.

 

Keith

[SuiteTraveler]

The two major competitors for "active onboard" cruises are NCL and RCCL. Their ships are so good, they ARE the destination. NCL has major water slides like what you would find at Wet & Wild and a ropes course. RCCL has flow riders and ice skating. They both have rock climbing, mini golf, sports courts, arcades and so much more. Which do your kids prefer?

 

I would check out these ships:

 

NCL

Getaway

Breakaway

Epic

Escape

 

RCCL

top picks of RCCL ships bolded

Oasis

Allure

Harmony

Quantum

Anthem

Ovation

Freedom

Independence

Liberty

 

These are some of the best "active" ships in existence. NCL has a great spa area for the grown ups. RCCL offers the Conservatory which is also for grown ups and some other areas as well. Both lines offer lots of different restaurants both included and specialty. IMO, these lines are more similar than different. You could have an absolutely amazing cruise on either line.

 

In terms of overall feel, the RCCL ships are divided into neighborhoods and feel somewhat like being in a theme park. The NCL ships feel more like a Las Vegas Casino Resort Hotel. The NCL ships have The Haven, which, if you can afford a suite, is an awesome experience - sort of like being in a High Roller Suite in Las Vegas. The RCCL ships also have some interesting suites including The Lofts which are 2 story. Both lines have great entertainment such as broadway shows, acrobatic shows, comedy shows. RCCL shows are more spectacular with high diving, ice skating where as NCL shows are more intimate. Both are great! NCL has the most elaborate and comprehensive buffet of any ship at sea. It is really amazing just to watch the entire operation. RCCL has a Merry-go-round and/or bumper cars on some of their ships. It's really hard to say which of the two lines is better as I think they are both great in their own ways and you and your teens could have an amazing vacation on either line.

[Nitemare]

This is the kind of question a Travel Agent would be perfect for. Costs you nothing to use one and they can answer all sorts of questions for you with PERSONALIZED answers and additional questions to get you the info you need.

[daisyh]

My teens loved the NCL Getaway. We are actually going on our 2nd Getaway Cruise soon.

[Cruisin' Chick]

I would agree with those who say it depends on your kids.

 

My daughter may have liked being on a cruise with a rock climbing wall and the other things mentioned...but for all of five minutes. I think if there's a pool and entertainment (she likes movies and the shows), a variety of food (she's picky), and other kids her age, she tends to be happy.

 

The OP's kids might have different tastes and desires.

[TORQ]

All of this depends on your kids.

 

There are truly many choices.

 

Keith

 

I agree I have 2 boys, and they have always had a ball! We're going on or 14 cruise this Feb. and our 15 in Oct. So they have grown up if you will on cruise ship vacations now my youngest is 20! So if you have any child, they will have a ball