The Best Cruise Vacation For Teens
How to enjoy the best cruise for teens
By Mary Luz Mejia | Published on January 29, 2024
For families looking for an easy, carefree vacation, there's nothing like a cruise. And for parents looking for the best cruises for teens — packed with enough activities and entertainment to keep them happy while catering to family members of all ages — Royal Caribbean cruises are tough to beat.
That's especially true of Icon of the Seas℠. With the largest waterpark at sea and other amusement park-style features, the ship is destined to become one of the best vacations for teens. Sailing seven-night eastern Caribbean and seven-night western Caribbean cruises, the itineraries each feature a stop at Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay®, which also has its own exciting waterpark and other adrenaline-pumping experiences teens are sure to embrace. Read on for everything you need to know about Icon of the Seas, designed to offer the best cruises for teens.
Wow-Worthy Thrills
If you have thrill-seeking adolescents in your family, you know that jaw-dropping attractions make fun vacations for teens. The Category 6 Waterpark onboard the ship is home to a whopping six record-breaking slides, including the Frightening Bolt, a vertical drop waterslide that's the tallest at sea. Teens can also test their courage on the Pressure Drop℠, the first open free-fall slide at sea, for some gravity-defying fun.
Have a teen who is competitive by nature? They'll head directly to Storm Chasers℠, a racing duo slide designed with mats. Even better, wrangle the whole fam together to tackle Hurricane Hunter℠ or Storm Surge℠ together. These two new raft slides are designed to thrill the whole gang.
Teens can further indulge their inner daredevil with the Crown's Edge℠. This combination of skywalk, ropes course and thrill ride is a test of bravery — and a total rush. Staff strap riders in before they step onto the ship's walkway, where brave souls can look down at the crashing waves below while they walk along. At any time, the floor beneath might collapse and leave adventure-seekers literally hanging over the ocean!
Located near the waterpark, the ultimate rock-climbing expedition — aptly named Adrenaline Peak — awaits anyone who likes to test their limits. The impressive climbing wall offers a craggy course with breathtaking views from the top of the ship. As a bonus, climbers can choose their difficulty level. Then it's all about scaling to the peak at top speeds. With new racing lines, teens can challenge siblings, new friends...or you.
Fun For The Whole Family
Icon of the Seas is home to Surfside℠, a neighborhood designed with all-day entertainment for families to ensure teenage-friendly vacations with a pool. While little ones head to the carousel, teens can make a beeline to the Arcade at Surfside for some retro-style games, a round of air hockey or some fun with the classic claw machine. And, since the best vacations for teens feature a space they can call their own, there's Social 020. This teen-only club is designed for chilling out with new friends and isn't too far from Surfside.
Teens can also round up their crew and head over to their choice of fabulous ocean-view pools. The Royal Bay℠ pool offers plenty of room for a dip as the largest pool at sea. Teens will also love the Hideaway Pool, the first suspended infinity pool at sea. With a resident DJ and waterside day beds, this pool offers the ultimate beach party vibe.
Cruises for teens would be incomplete without the all-important food factor. When they've had their fill of swimming, rock climbing and water slides and are ready to refuel, it's time to head over to Pier 7℠. During breakfast, lunch and dinner, this restaurant offers a laidback ambiance serving family faves. Take a bite out of comforting classics or twists on tried-and-true favorites. Love brunch? You can enjoy it here all day, every day. Turn any day of the week into your family's own Taco Tuesday with surf 'n turf tacos or mango shrimp tostadas. There's also the Surfside Eatery℠, which serves a bountiful buffet of tasty choices designed to suit kids, teens and parents alike.
On tap at Surfside Bites℠ and Basecamp℠ are the sweet and savory snacks and grab-and-go lunches that appeal to kids — and adults — of all ages. Or you can pick up something refreshing at The Lemon Post℠. While this is an all-ages bar, there are two distinct menus — an adults-only menu featuring creative cocktails for the 21-and-over crowd, and one for teens and kids that offers groovy, color-changing drinks in funky souvenir cups.
If your growing kids have a serious sweet tooth, head to Desserted℠ on Thrill Island for decadent milkshakes. Towers of toppings, delightful drizzles and frosty shake mashups make for Insta-worthy photos. Boozy options are also available there for parents.
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Cool Cruises For Teens Include Perfect Day At Cococay
Fun vacations for teens typically include a new adventure, and an epic day at Royal Caribbean's private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, hits the mark. This tropical oasis in The Bahamas offers an incredible vacation day for families with teens. Perfect Day at CocoCay has something for every teen's mood, from chill vibes on white sandy beaches beside calm turquoise water to a day racing down the waterslides at Thrill Waterpark® — including the tallest waterslide in North America.
Extroverted kids can take part in a variety of friendly sports competitions, from volleyball to soccer. Or gather the family for a quiet moment 450 feet above the ground in the Up, Up and Away helium balloon ride. Cool down with an icy drink at the swim-up bar and people-watch at the largest freshwater pool in The Bahamas. Or splurge for the day and soak up the rays in your own private overwater cabana. Whatever you do, don't forget to reapply sunblock during your day at the beach.
Family-Friendly Spectaculars
The best cruise for teens features awe-inspiring moments that they likely wouldn't come by on land — think world-class shows and spectacles in state-of-the-art venues. Consider the AquaDome℠, which showcases advanced robotics and a shapeshifting waterfall. Here, AquaTheater performers display feats of agility and strength under a towering cascade of water. Or watch Olympic-style performances on ice in Absolute Zero℠, the largest ice-skating arena in the fleet. During the shows, high-resolution digital images projected from the ceiling to the rink transform the surroundings and transport viewers into the story. Skaters, take note: While the rink is home to shows at night, during the daytime you can bundle up, strap on a set of blades and make figure eights to your heart's content.
Sweet Dreams Are Made At Sea
When you're making the most of family time, even downtime is important on a vacation. Icon of the Seas offers rooms designed specifically for families, featuring options to suit different fams' unique travel styles. The Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony staterooms are a great choice for teens who want their own room with a TV and personal space to unwind. With the push of a button, these staterooms allow you to transform your living space into an extended oceanscape, fresh sea breeze included! Or you can choose to upgrade to a Panoramic Suite, where floor-to-ceiling glass windows deliver the wow factor with a clear line of sight to the dazzling AquaDome. Looking for something even more extra? Consider a Sunset Corner Suite with a wraparound balcony for seemingly endless ocean views.
Other family accommodations to consider include a Surfside Family Suite, designed with a spacious split-bathroom layout plus extra room for your teen. And there's the first-ever Ultimate Family Townhouse, a decadent three-story suite that has a wraparound terrace with a hot tub, a cinema room and direct access to all the memory-making fun that Surfside offers right from your private patio. Other townhouse perks include Royal Suite Class Star status, which provides access to exclusive experiences like your family's personal Royal Genie, priority access everywhere onboard and loads more.
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