8 teen-centric and cool cruise holidays

Okay, you probably aren’t planning to give your over 13s a spare key to the cabin and a free run of the ship on your next cruise holiday. But a few minor concessions to independence aren’t out of the question. Or you could just go full indulgent, throw any parental caution to the wind and pick a cruise that’s purely and simply, start to finish, teen-centred – not unlike most average teenagers in fact. Here are eight tried and tested options to cover most bases from a bit of freedom to spoiled rotten.

1/8  Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas

It’s almost a given that the largest cruise ship afloat would be the one to exceed even the wildest teenage expectations. This is the boat with a 10 storey high dry-slide called, Ultimate Abyss: the tallest at sea and it’s dry; because that tested infinitely more terrifying than wet. White-knuckle thrills aside, there’s also a full size basketball court, round-top-deck-running track, an ice rink and 12m high rock climbing wall.

2/8  Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Cruise Line

Trying to identify Norwegian Cruise Line amongst all the others vying for your attention? They’re the ones with the work of art hulls and Breakaway has one of the most extravagant commissions yet. Admittedly that’s probably an enormous, ‘so what’, once you’re on board, but it’s an indication of the company’s attention to detail and they don’t miss a trick when it comes to teens.

3/8  Carnival Vista, Carnival Cruise Line

Winner of Best Cruise for Teens 2016 and Cruise Critic’s Editor’s Choice 2016, award- drenched Carnival Vista is the ship with SkyRide top-deck cycle track. Definitely a bit more theme-park than an average bike ride, this feature’s unique to Carnival, only on Vista and scores high with competitive teenagers.

4/8  Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas

Anthem of the Seas isn’t the biggest in the Royal Caribbean fleet, but as far as packed with teen attractions goes, there’s nothing quite like it sailing at the moment. Take RipCord iFly for starters, a skydiving simulator with all the cool, floaty bits and none of the sheer terror. The NorthStar 360˚ viewing capsule is hydraulically lifted 90m above the ocean for best sea views on land or sea. And Anthem even has an onboard fairground, in case all other thrills fail.

5/8  MSC Meraviglia, MSC Cruises

If first for everything’s a pre-requisite with teens, Meraviglia launches on 04 June 2017 and promises to be the biggest, shiniest and best of all in the MSC fleet. A sneak preview of how good shows: F1 race simulators (only ones at sea), full size bowling alley, sports courts for every court sport, and the Polar Aquapark – claiming to be the most intricate ocean going waterpark yet.

6/8  Costa Diadema, Costa Cruises

Minimalist teens might find Diadema’s love of all things shiny a little tough to take. But if they can get past the glitz, it’s the boat with Laser Maze and Laser Shooting, Grand Prix Simulators, 4D Cinemas and a pool deck with retractable roof and three deck high movie screens.

7/8  Azura, P&O Cruises

P&O Azura isn’t packed with white-knuckle cruise firsts like some, but scores high with teens on destination experiences instead. And if you’re sailing with adventurous types, on-board waterparks don’t hold up against the likes of white water rafting in Galicia; Sicilian off-roading; volcano trekking in Palma or round Vesuvius; kayaking glacial Nordfjord; or Game of Thrones in Dubrovnik.

8/8  Ecuador, Andes & Amazon, International Expeditions

Cruising on a restored Amazon riverboat; taking off on small group canoe expeditions through the jungle; exploring Ecuador’s cloud forests; meeting the Andean people of Otavalo; seeing squirrel monkeys and anaconda as up close as possible and mixing sailing with glamping in some of the world’s wildest wildernesses. Granted there are no kids clubs on this particular cruise, but if you’re looking unforgettable with teens, this is it.