Best Family Cruises For Teens And Tweens: Beyond The Kids’ Club
Looking for cruises for your family with older kids? These 7 cruise lines are perfect for older kids who want fun… and a little independence.
Few family vacation options offer as much diversity as cruises.
Cruises check the box on both adventure and relaxation in one all-inclusive package.
Even the oh-so-hard-to-please teen and tween set won’t find much to roll their eyes about sailing the high seas.
But, what are the best cruises for the non-little, non-adult members of your family?
We’ve got a few standouts that are sure to make your cruise vacation teen approved.
Best Cruises For Families: The Quick List
Best Cruise For Overall Family Friendliness: Disney Cruise Lines
Best Cruise For Mega-Ship Experiences: Royal Caribbean Cruises
Best Cruise For Customizable Vacations: Norwegian Cruise Lines
Best Cruise For European River Cruising: Adventures By Disney River Cruises
Best Cruise For Upscale Traditional Family Cruises: Celebrity Cruise Line
Best Cruise For Adventurous Families Wanting Off The Beaten Path: National Geographic - Lindbad Cruises
Best For Budget Cruise Vacations: Carnival Cruise Line
(Photo courtesy of ©️Disney)
Disney Cruises
Think Disney is synonymous with little kids? Think again because Disney Cruises are fantastic for any age.
Yes, there are character meeting opportunities and kid-friendly activities for little ones. But, Disney cruises also just know how to cater to families of all shapes and sizes.
In fact, Disney Cruises earned the #1 spot in Travel and Leisure’s World’s Best Awards for large-ship ocean cruise lines of 2025.
We love the line for teens because you can skip the little kid activities, which tend to be more crowded. And you can head straight to the teen-approved ones.
Our family’s favorite things about Disney cruises are:
Family-Friendly Staterooms and Cabins
They’re larger than the industry standard. And some verandah staterooms accommodate 5 without the need to upgrade to a suite.
Many cabins are designed with touches like a split-bath design and pull-down beds, things you don’t often find with other companies. These features make it easier for everyone to get ready and provide more space during the day.
One- and two- bedroom suite options are available for even more space and upgraded amenities.
Disney Touches
Even though our kids are a little older, they still love photo ops with characters, hidden Mickeys, and nostalgic Disney decor.
Broadway Caliber Entertainment and First-Run Movies
Seeing the nightly show is a staple on lots of ships. But our family thought the shows featured on our Disney cruise were next level. New release movies are also a treat, especially during at-sea days.
Dining Involves Rotating Between Restaurants with the Same Servers
Instead of eating in one dining room, cruisers rotate between 3 main restaurants for dinner on Disney cruises. Your servers still get to know you though because they rotate with you.
Great Private Islands
Our favorite Disney cruise itineraries for teens are the ones that include a stop at one of the brand’s private islands. Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point are tropical getaway spots perfect for the whole family.
Fireworks at Sea
There’s just something about the spectacular fireworks lighting up the sky when you’re not even in sight of land.
(Photo courtesy of ©️Royal Caribbean)
Royal Caribbean
If mega resorts are your travel style, Royal Caribbean is your perfect fit when you travel by sea.
The brand holds the record for the largest ships in the industry. The biggest Royal Caribbean ships are 20 decks high and can accommodate more than 7,000 passengers.
Royal Caribbean also leads the market in total passenger capacity. It only makes sense they have a little something (or a lot of something) for every age group, teens included.
The Best Things About Royal Caribbean Cruises:
Floating City Feeling
The brand’s ships are divided into neighborhoods like Central Park, Boardwalk, and Royal Promenade. Some ships have over 20,000 real plants onboard creating the feeling of a town.
Waterparks at Sea
Royal Caribbean’s large ships feature things like huge water slides and surfing simulators.
Amusement Park Style Entertainment
Rock climbing walls, bumper cars, zip lines, miniature golf courses, and skydiving simulators are a sample of what’s onboard.
Variety of Nighttime Shows
Ships feature everything from Broadway style theater, to ice skating shows, to comedy clubs.
Cabins to Accommodate Various Budgets
Cabins range from small, windowless cabins to luxurious multi-room, cathedral ceiling suites. In fact, the brand boasts 34 cabin categories in all.
Variety of Dining Options
Some vessels have over 20 places to eat, ensuring everyone’s tastes are met.
Access to CocoCay
Royal Caribbean’s “more is more” philosophy extends to their private island as well. CocoCay features the Caribbean’s largest wave pool, North America’s tallest waterslide, and a plethora of other attractions.
Smaller Class of Ships Offered As Well
While the brand’s current focus is mega ships, the company’s older ships are also in use. Less busy ports, no sold out reservations and shorter lines for activities are often a worthy trade-off.
You might also like:
(Photo courtesy of ©️Norwegian Cruise Lines)
Norwegian Cruise Lines
One of my family’s favorite cruise experiences was on a Norwegian Cruise Lines cruise. The emphasis on flexibility allowed us to do our vacation our own unique way.
Norwegian stands out as one of the most customizable cruise lines. What better to ward off teen pickiness?
The company’s 20 or so ships sail to the Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii and Alaska. So finding your perfect cruise itinerary is easy-peasy too.
The Best Things About A Norwegian Cruise:
“Freestyle Cruising”
The brand literally coined their own term to describe their style. It means no set time for dining, no formal nights, and a relaxed setting.Dining Variety
We loved the access to speciality restaurants. They include Italian cuisine, Asian foods, and steakhouses. These are in addition to the main dining room. It made us feel like we were in a true vacation destination as opposed to confined to a ship.Onboard Activities
Newer ships feature things like go-cart tracks and laser tag.Access to The Haven
This "ship-within-a-ship" area features suites, private pools, and dedicated butler service for those who choose to upgrade.Private Islands
We loved our visit to Belize’s Harvest Cay. Some itineraries also include stops at Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas.Promotions May Mean More Amenities Than On Other Cruise Lines
While prices vary due to age of ship, itinerary, and other factors, we felt like we got more bang for our buck. Our promotion meant we got premium amenities included at no extra charge.
Just by being here you’re helping to make the world in which we travel better than we found it.
Learn more about Castles and Carpools charitable mission HERE.
(Photo courtesy of ©️Disney)
Adventures By Disney River Cruises
Cruising doesn’t need to mean huge ships with stops in large ports.
River cruising has been a popular ocean cruise alternative with older adults for years. Add a little Disney to the mix and it becomes the hot ticket in family vacations too.
Adventures By Disney River Cruises are hosted on chartered AmaWaterways ships. So families can visit the same enchanting river ports that ships catering to adults have been traveling to for decades.
Current itineraries include cruises along the Danube, Rhine, and Rhone Rivers. Seine River cruises have been offered in the past as well.
Adventures By Disney River Cruises Make One Of The Best Family Cruises For Teens Because:
Access to Smaller Cities and Towns
Small river vessels can go places not accessible to large cruise ships. The result is access to charming, fairytale like towns.
Much Smaller, More Intimate Feel
While ocean cruise ships typically accommodate between 2,500 and 7,600 passengers, river cruise ships hold far fewer. About 100 to 250 passengers sail on each river cruise.
More Culturally Immersive
Adventures By Disney River Cruises focus on local history, learning about an area’s traditions, and meeting people from the place visited. Think things like visiting local farms, exploring medieval castles, and hands-on activities, like cookie-making classes.
Active Schedules
Itineraries include several options for guests to choose from. Active teens have opportunities to hike, bike, and explore.
Teen-Friendly Onboard Activities
Specialized activities are planned with teens in mind, allowing for family time as well as time away from parents.
Adventure Guides
Around 8 adventure guides are onboard ships. They’re equipped with the skills to ensure teens are engaged and having fun.
You might also like:
7 Unique Family Vacation Ideas To Add To Your Bucket List Adventures
(Photo courtesy of ©️Celebrity Cruises)
Celebrity Cruises
Just because you’re traveling with teens, doesn’t mean you have to eliminate affordable luxury cruising options.
Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean’s sister company, allows kids, yet receives accolades for its refined and innovative ships. In fact, the Celebrity XCel even received Cruise Critic’s 2025 award for best new ship.
So, you won’t find things like water slides. But, you’ll still see a Teen Club. And you’ll find lots of activities your kids will love, like X-Box stations, silent discos, and games.
The Best Things About Cruising with Teens on Celebrity Cruise Lines:
Upscale Dining Options
Celebrity Cruises consistently ranks as one of the best cruise lines for food quality.
Unique Activities
Sure, you’ll see commonly found activities like pool games and movies. But Celebrity Cruises also feature less common activities like cooking classes and glass-blowing lessons.
Edge-Class Ships Cater to Families
Features like a rotating platform known as the Magic Carpet, unique dining, and spacious suites cater well to families.
Grass Areas on Solstice-Class Ships Are Great For Active Teens
This space is perfect for family picnics and games like bocce. It also houses sports courts and theaters for outdoor movie nights.
Unique Destinations
In addition to sailing to popular Caribbean, Mexican, and European destinations, Celebrity sails to places like the Galapagos. Their fleet of smaller ships is able to navigate places larger ships cannot.
Ready to book your cruise with us? Contact us HERE to get started.
(Photo courtesy of ©️National Geographic- Lindblad)
National Geographic Expedition Cruises
If unique is really what you’re after, ditch the traditional and check out National Geographic-Expedition Cruises.
These cruises cater to adventurous, curious families who want something completely different than traditional cruising.
The expedition-style vacations take place on vessels holding under 150 passengers. The brand travels to ports of call in all seven continents, offering over 100 different itineraries. They focus on remote, small-ship, and specialized experiences, immersing guests in the culture, history, and nature.
National Geographic-Lindblad Expedition Cruises offer:
Immersive Experiences
The focus is on discovery and learning in both remote and well-known places.
Expert Guides and Helpers
Scientists, historians, and photographers are onboard, helping to lead your vacation.
Small-Ship Experience
You’ll get to know your guides and your fellow passengers as you visit places only reachable by smaller ships.
Cabins and Common Areas Are Like A Nice Hotel
Being on an “expedition” doesn’t mean you’ll feel like you’re roughing it. Cabins, dining areas, and common spaces are modern and feel high-end.
Ships Built with Exploration and Education In Mind
No waterslides, amusement park-like attractions, and Broadway shows here. Things like Zodiacs, kayaks, and underwater cameras replace these things..
Sustainability and Giving Back
We love that they focus on protecting the waters and land they explore and give back to local initiatives.
For more travel inspiration, check out:
(Photo courtesy of ©️Carnival Cruises)
Carnival Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line proves that big fun doesn’t need to break the bank. Several of the cruise line’s ships even made U.S. News and World Report’s list of the 15 best cruises for kids in 2026.
It’s no wonder Carnival has long been the choice for budget-conscious travelers. And we think the line remains a solid choice for families hoping to hit the high seas without a high price tag.
The company’s fleet of 29 vessels provide variety in cruising for first-timer cruisers as well as seasoned ones.
What Makes Carnival Cruises Great for Families with Teens:
Affordability
Carnival’s cruises are typically priced lower than other cruise lines sailing the same itineraries.
Quality Dining and Food
We found the food on our Carnival Cruise to be on par with other cruise lines. The casual restaurants were even better than some we’ve experienced on other ships.
"Fun Ship" Atmosphere & Entertainment
The focus is on fun instead of luxury, which often bodes well, especially for the kids in your family.
Family-Friendly
Features like WaterWorks water parks, mini-golf, and even a roller coaster are present on many ships.
Access to suites
Since these cruises are priced cheaper, suites are more likely to be within budget.
