# Travel >> Types of Travel >> Family Vacations

The Best Cruise Ship for Teenagers

Cruises are an excellent vacation option for families with teenagers. Aside from occasional shore excursions, the entire vacation is on a floating ship which gives teens the freedom to explore on their own without having the parents worry. Cruise lines are aware of the decision-making factors teens have on family vacations and therefore, have created various features and amenities geared solely for teens. The best cruise ships include an array of activities for teens to choose from and also provide opportunities for them to socialize and meet new friends.

Surfing and Rock Climbing on the Royal Caribbean
- For antsy teens that need to be constantly in-motion, the Royal Caribbean International is known for its abundant on-board activities. The latest ship, Freedom of the Seas, boasts a 40-foot wave simulator for teens to ride the wave with a surfboard or boogie board their way down. It also caters to younger teens with an outdoor, water theme park called, H2O Zone. Many other Royal Caribbean ships have rock-climbing, ice skating rinks, basketball courts, miniature golf course and even night activities with teen-only lounges, music jam sessions, arcades and nightclubs. The supervised nightclubs kick off around 10 p.m. and can go on until the next morning.
  
  Royal Caribbean International
  800-562-7625
  www.royalcaribbean.com
Paradise Oasis on the Holland America Line
- Holland America Lines (HAL) offers The Loft, an exclusive teens-only nightclub, karaoke, arcade, bingo and movies. Daily activities like the sports tournament and trivia contest will keep teens entertained and give them the social opportunity to meet new friends. The ship even stages a talent show if there are more than 100 children on-board. The Oasis is the outdoor pool area which resembles an island with its thatched hut, palm tress, lounge chairs and waterfall. For culinary teens, HAL offers complimentary cooking workshops where participates learn the basics of cooking including kitchen safety and reading recipes while having the opportunity to cook a meal. Teens over 15 years old can participate in the adult classes.
  
  Holland America Lines
  877-932-4259
  hollandamerica.com
Cruise Programs for Younger and Older Teens on the Carnival
- Both younger and older teens will be able to enjoy the age-specific teen activities and programs Carnival has to offer. Circle C is geared towards tweens and young teens from 12 to 14 years old. All indoor and outdoor activities including: scavenger hunts, pool parties and dances are all supervised by the Circle C staff. Club O2 is for older teens aged 15 to 17 years old and supervised by a staff as well. Similar activities are offered but have been specifically altered for the older group. It also includes lounges and nightclubs that resemble the cool, hip décor of adult venues. Non-alcoholic "mock-tails" are offered at the nightclubs while a live DJ plays the latest music ever night. CO2 also offers teens-only excursions for teens who like to explore the ports with their new friends.
  
  Carnival
  877-227-6482
  carnival.com