The phrase “bored to death” doesn’t exist on these teen-friendly cruise lines.
Teenagers can be some of the hardest people to please. They’re at that time in their lives where the worst thing in the world is to be seen with their parents. So being stuck with the family on a cruise ship can seem like a nightmare.
If that’s the case with your teen, then turn their frowns upside down with the plethora of activities on these cruise line.
They offer everything from wicked waterslides to teenage lounges, so they won’t have to “hang” with you if they don’t want to.
1. P&O Cruises
Hailed as the Best Family Cruise Line by Out And About With Kids magazine in 2014, P&O Cruises caters to all members of the family with four dedicated kids clubs to suit various ages.
For tweens 11–14 years old, the place to be is HQ. It’s the ultimate chillout space with movies, video games and karaoke sessions. For teenagers 15–17 years old, there’s HQ+. It’s a more adult version of HQ that features a movie-making studio and teen jam
- Teenage lounges: HQ and HQ+
- Teen activities: Jam bands, movie-making, movies
- Teen-only parties? No.
Top teenage friendly cruise features and which lines have them:
If your teen things cruising is for an older crowd, just refer to this list of teen-approved activities you can do onboard ships. Depending on the line and package you book, they're not all included in the cruise fare, so we'd recommend checking with the line directly to see if there are any extra costs associated with the activity.
| Activity | Cruise line(s) |
|---|---|
| Zip lining/Flying Fox |
|
| Laser tag |
|
| Rock climbing |
|
| Waterslides/Waterpark/Splashpads |
|
| Segway obstacle course |
|
| Surfing |
|
| Ropes course |
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| Indoor Skydiving |
|
| Dodgems/Bumper cars |
|
| Ice skating |
|
| Basketball court |
|
| Video arcade |
|
Importance of cruise travel insurance
Family holidays are expensive enough and a lot of work goes into planning the perfect getaway - especially when it comes to hard-to-please teenagers. You shouldn't need to worry about any added expenses or stress if your trip doesn't go according to plan.
Getting cruise travel insurance can cover you in more ways than just a regular travel insurance policy, including cover for missed shore excursions, cabin confinement and even medical evacuations if an emergency happens on board. Having the right cover will also come in handy if something were to happen to anyone in your family on the holiday - not just your teen.
Top teenage-friendly tour deals and flights
CruiseAway
Up to $1,000 off + $1,000 OBC world cruises with Princess Cruises
Valid for 2020 cruises. Destinations include Mediterranean, Norway, Iceland, Alaska, Auckland, Tahiti, Honolulu. Bora Bora and more. T&Cs apply.
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CruiseAway
Up to 40% off Royal Caribbean cruises
Save on select Royal Caribbean sailings from now until February 2020 in the South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia.
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Gate1 Travel
Up to $1,100 off European river cruises
Valid on select dates from March 2019 - November 2019. Destinations include Budapest, Munich, Prague, Berlin, Krakow and more. Note: Deposit must be paid by 7 November 2018 to receive discount.
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CruiseAway
Up to $4,000 off Europe river cruises
Valid on 2019 cruise with Viking River Cruises. Destinations include Danube, Budapest, Vienna and more. T&Cs apply.
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CruiseAway
Up to 40% off New Zealand cruises
Valid on 2020 cruises with Princess Cruises. Departs from Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland. T&Cs apply.
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CruiseAway
Up to 33% off Princess Cruises
Save on select Princess sailings in New Zealand, Alaska and Australia.
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Fred. Olsen
Up to 30% off Christmas and New Year's cruises
Valid for travel from November - December 2018. Destinations include South Pacific, Caribbean and Australia. T&Cs apply.
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P&O Cruises
Up to $200 on board credit on last-minute cruises
Valid from October - December 2018. Destinations include Moreton Island, Noumea, Hamilton Island, Vanuatu, Brisbane, Sydney and more. Cruises start from $315 per person for 3-night comedy cruises. T&Cs apply.
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P&O Cruises
$49 deposit: short break cruises
Valid for 2 to 4 days cruises departing on December 2018. Destinations include Moreton Island, Noumea, Hamilton Island, Vanuatu, Brisbane, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
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Uniworld
Up to US$100 off river cruises
Valid on select dates between March - December 2019. Destinations include Vienna, Budapest, Passau, Basel, Cologne, Bucharest and more. T&Cs apply.
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CruiseAway
50% off second guest with MSC
Valid for cruise between December 2018 - April 2019 with MSC Meraviglia. Includes free Cirque du Soleil at Sea dinner & show.
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Scoopon
34% off New Year's Eve cruise
Valid until 31 December 2018. Includes one ticket to a six-hour New Year's Eve cruise, open bar, canapes on arrival and standing buffet. T&Cs apply.
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CruiseAway
Up to 30% off P&O cruises
Save on select P&O sailings between March - August 2019 in the South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia.
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P&O Cruises
Premium drinks package from just $79
Valid on selected cruises 7 nights or more. Includes bonus onboard spending money and more. T&Cs apply.
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CruiseAway
Up to 33% off cruises + US$300 OBC with Holland America Line
Valid for cruise from November - December 2018 and January - April 2019. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Tasmania, Tasmania, Adelaide, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Papeete, Tahiti, Bora Bora and more. T&Cs apply.
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CruiseAway
Up to $400 off + $300 OBC with Princess Cruises
Valid for cruise from October 2018 - December 2019. T&Cs apply.
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Veltra
Up to 6% off Sydney Harbour New Year's Eve cruise
Valid on 31 December 2018. Includes unlimited drinks. T&Cs apply.
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CruiseAway
Free double upgrade with Azamara
Valid from March - September 2019. Destinations include Venice, Miami, Hawaii, Barcelona, Athens and more. T&Cs apply.
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CruiseAway
Up to US$1,000 OBC + free upgrade
Valid on select 2018 - 2020 cruises with Seabourn. Destinations include Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand and more. T&Cs apply.
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Fred. Olsen
Fjords cruises from £679 + up to £100 tour credit
Valid for travel on select 2018-19 sailings. Choose from a complimentary all-inclusive drinks upgrade or up to £100 pp shore tour credit. T&C's apply.
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Let's Ferry
20% off Super economy tickets
Valid on routes to Mykonos, Greece. T&Cs apply.
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Let's Ferry
Greece: €20 passenger tickets with Blue Star Ferries
Valid on select dates of sailings. Destinations include Mykonos, Paros, Santorini, Karpathos, Leros, Samos, Lesvos, Kea and more. T&C's apply.
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Fred. Olsen
No single supplement
Book select cruises as a solo traveller and pay no single supplement.
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CruiseAway
Melbourne Cup cruise on Pacific Explorer from $2,274
Valid from November 2018 - November 2019. Includes tickets and transfers to Flemington Racecourse. T&Cs apply.
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