Cruising With Teens
Give them thrills, choices and a little freedom, and teens become cruise fans.
Get Family Cruise QuotesCruising With Teens: Keep Them Busy and Happy
Teenagers can be the hardest travelers to please and the biggest fans of cruising once they find their footing. The secret is giving them things to do that feel like their choice. Clubs and curfews are covered on Cruises for Children; here we look at the activities that win teens over.
Thrills on board
Surf simulators, water slides, climbing walls, race tracks and laser tag on the larger ships. Check what your ship has before you book.
Active shore days
Snorkeling, kayaking, zip lines and ATV trips. Teens often rate these the highlight of the trip.
A teen space
Most family lines have teen-only lounges with their own events, a good way to meet others their age.
Some independence
A free afternoon with agreed check-ins goes a long way.
Ports Teens Remember
Itinerary matters more with teens than with younger kids. Caribbean ports with reefs and beaches suit water-lovers; Alaska offers glaciers, wildlife and adventure tours; Mediterranean cruises reward teens interested in history, especially if you prepare with a film or a book about the places you will see.
Let teens choose at least one shore excursion themselves. Port-by-port ideas for the Caribbean are on Caribbean Cruise Ports, and Shore Activities lists tours worldwide.
Making It Work for Everyone
- Book an internet package or agree on Wi-Fi limits before you sail.
- Consider a connecting cabin or a cabin across the hall so teens have some space.
- Plan one evening the teens choose, such as a show, a game night or a specialty restaurant.
- Bring a friend: some families let a teen invite one, which changes everything. Check documents and consent forms for a non-family minor.
Teen Questions
How much freedom should a teen have on board?
That is a family decision. Ships are contained and staffed, but agree on check-in times, places that are off limits and how you will stay in touch before you sail. Lines’ own curfew and age rules are explained on Cruises for Children.
Can teens go ashore on their own?
Lines generally require guests under 18 to be accompanied by an adult when leaving the ship in port, so plan shore days as a family or join an organized tour together.
Let Teens Help Plan
Involving teenagers in planning is the surest way to win them over. Give them a budget for one excursion, ask them to research a port, or let them pick the specialty restaurant for the family’s big night. They arrive with something they are looking forward to, and you get an ally on the trip rather than a reluctant passenger.
Find a Ship Your Teens Will Love
Tell us what your teens are into. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will match ships and itineraries with the right activities and send free quotes.
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