Best Cruise line for teens

[Bdash1400]

My wife and I would like to take our boys on a cruise to the Western Caribbean between now and February, but I’m having a hard time deciding which cruise line to pick. I know Disney offers a lot for the kids to do and I’m able to find out much about the other lines. My youngest is 12 now but will be 13 in January and my oldest is 15. So far it looks like Disney but I want to check to see if others have travel with kids on other cruises.

[elfed]

Actually most of the popular lines have good kids' programnes today. Carnival's bigger ships enjoy a good reputation with teenagers probably a bit more than the others. We took our 16 year old a couple of years ago on the Valor and Legend and he had a pretty good time. Don't forget they are fully aware of mom and dad's presense and don't really let themselves go when parents are around!!!

Regards,

James.

[Mebert]

I've never taken teens on a cruise but they seem to have a great time on Carnival.

Disney sounds like a natural even though I've never sailed on one of the ships. I've heard a lot of good things about the line.

[Gregswife]

We started cruising when our kids were teen-agers and the TA recommended Carnival. My kids loved it and there alwyas seemed to be something to keep them busy. They are grown and gone now but we still stick with Carnival. They have excellent things for teens - teen disco, water slide, etc. I highly recommend it.

[GottaCruz]

Out of the many cruises we've been on, over 25 of them, all except one were on Carnival. My kids loved the Carnival program and we 've been doing Carnival for 11 years now. If they were happy, we could enjoy ourselves and relax. My kids loved the programs so much that they didn't want to leave the activities when we would go to get them. They made lots of friends and were kept so busy. I highly recommend Carnival for kids of all ages.

[lilrosie]

Well we have only been on one..the kids that were onboard were very happy and having a great time..it was on Carnival..we are going on another one in Oct this time we are taking our 2 sons youngest will turn 12 Oct 20 and we leave Oct 28th...(HAPPY BDAY JUSTIN) and our oldest will be 15 in Feb...I recommend Carnival...IMO :smiley:

[jacketwatch]

:cool: Carnival. Our son and his girlfriend who were about 21 then, enjoyed our cruise with Carnival on the Destiny. This was to the Eastern Caribbean and they had a blast. :cool:

[Mebert]

GottaCruz,

You always talk about your Carnival cruises and how wonderful it is for the kids. What was the one line you cruised that was the exception and did they have a teen program?

[GottaCruz]

Mebert, In July we tried RC for the first time. We sailed Majesty for three days. DD, who is 14, had a great time at the camp activities.She met some really nice kids. However, since we only sailed RC once , I don't feel qualified to talk about their kids programs like I can with Carnival. Since we've been sailing Carnival for the last 11 years, I know that every age category had an excellent program. For RC, I can't say how the program is for any age aside from the one DD was in.

[btate]

I did a lot of looking and research to decide this very question. From the advice and marketing on the cruise lines, I chose Royal Caribbean. They have college educated persons who watch after the kids and seem to cater to the different age groups very well. I took four kids on this trip 9, 11, 13, and 15. I found that they were well accepted and the programs seemed to keep their interest for the entire cruise. I was very pleased with what they had to offer. The price was within my budget as well.

I have not sailed Carnival, but have heard that some of the older ships have smaller rooms and seem to show a bit more wear and tear? Perhaps that is why some of those cruises are so extremely inexpensive? I am sure that the newer boats are very nice, I would check the ratings of the ships. . .

I am no pro on the subject, but did find a LOT of fun for everyone and very well ballanced for all in the family who came on this RC cruise.