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.
Some cruises have stacks for teens to do onboard on their own, but when the ship docks it's likely they'll be moaning and groaning about having to do boring tourist stuff with the folks. Not with Carnival. This cruise has supervised shore excursions exclu
The kids will be happy to know that inside the teens-only lounge, there are no set activities or programs. All there is are spaces to hang out, games to play and parties to attend. If they choose to sit in a corner and twiddle their thumbs, that's their p
If artistic and fun is your teenager's style, then Norwegian is the perfect fit. On top of its supervised hangout space, which is filled with video games, music and movies, the liner offers activities from sports and music jams to circus tricks and graffi
The fun begins once they get their hands on the console. From there they can participate in gaming theme parties and tournaments against their peers. They also have a private hangout space where they can make friends, play sports and chill.
MSC offers a teens-only club space, which is open until 11pm, as well as activities such as sports, video games and spa and hair treatments. Teen-only events include a white teen party, MSC flashmob and formal night.
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
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 |
|
| Indoor Skydiving |
|
| Dodgems/Bumper cars |
|
| Ice skating |
|
| Basketball court |
|
| Video arcade |
|
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.
Up to $3000 bonus value on select flights, holidays and accommodations
Win 1 of 20 Intrepid trips globally for two
Up to 55% off select family trips and adventures
Up to 80% off Carnival Cruises from Brisbane
Up to 45% off Australia and New Zealand cruises
Royal Caribbean Cruises: Up to 30% off plus kids sail FREE
Princess Cruise Line AU: Cruisemas Boost - $99 Deposits + Combinable with PCL AU Landmark Sale
Australia sightseeing cruises from $109
20-pax private harbour cruises from $315/hour
Kid-friendly activities in Sydney starting at $45
Sydney whale watching cruises from $69
Norwegian Cruise Line: Up to 35% off sailings + unlimited drinks and FREE specialty dining
Get 3 free amenities with Celebrity Cruises
Up to 71% off international holiday cruises
Up to $50 off your first cruise
3+ nights last-minute cruises from US$89
Greece: Blue Star Ferries tickets from EUR€20
Up to 50% off river cruises
Find where you should be cruising to in January for exotic sights, incredible food and even better views.
Sip, relax and eat delicious gourmets with your special one while enjoying the scenic views of Sydney Harbour this Valentine's Day.
All the best super cheap deposits and heavily discounted sailings in this year's Black Friday and Cyber Monday cruise sale.
A guide to the best family-friendly liners that sail through Europe.
Cruising is a great vacation option for young adults and modern ships are full of enough activities, bars and nightlife to keep you entertained through your whole trip.
You’ll never feel alone on these top cruises for solo travellers.
Discover which cruise lines take you around Australia in style, with world-class entertainment, globally inspired dining options and coupon codes to help you save on your next booking.
Get the most out of Vivid Sydney this year and hop on a Vivid cruise for the best views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and more.
