The Big Three: Long-haul cruises for families with teenagers

So what do you do: a family are sitting in front of you with two teenage children. They want some sun, but that’s pretty much where the unity ends. The daughter wants something active, the mother wants a spa, the father wants to lounge all day and not do anything while all the son ever really wants to do is play computer games.

Well, unsurprisingly, we think a cruise is your best option. The flexibility, the choice, the freedom to do whatever they want is something that needs to be experienced to be believed. Here are our three choices for long haul cruises for families with teenagers.

Following on from the publication of Cruise Adviser’s Family 2015-16 guide, each week we will be running our Big Three feature, which gives you a trio of cruise options to choose from. This week it’s long-haul cruises for families with teenagers.

To request a copy of Cruise Adviser’s Family guide email: info@cruise-adviser.com or read it online now.

All prices based on a family of four sharing an inside cabin, unless otherwise stated

Middle East 

Cruise line: MSC Cruises
Destination: Middle East
Date: February 13, 2016
Duration: Seven days
Departure port: Dubai
Price: £1,408

Have you ever considered a holiday in Dubai? For teenagers it could just be the answer. With cruises leaving throughout the early part of the year – which could fall nicely for half-term – why not get your customers to try something different? Shore excursions available include visits to Ferrari World and sand dune buggy rides. And that’s not to mention all of the great facilities that are on board.

Alaska 

Cruise line: Royal Caribbean International
Destination: Alaska
Date: July 29, 2016
Duration: Seven nights 
Departure port: Seattle
Price: £2,872

When travelling with older children, customers may elect to book multiple or interconnecting staterooms, rather than sharing one cabin. What’s great about the bigger cruise lines is that they will all do their best to accommodate guests in whatever numbers they book. RCI’s teen facilities are some of the best in the industry with basketball courts, game consoles, nightclubs and Scratch DJ Academy.

Hawaii 

Cruise line: Norwegian Cruise Line
Destination: Hawaii
Date: May 7, 2016
Duration: Seven nights 
Departure port: Honolulu
Price: £2,623

A cruise around Hawaii for seven nights doesn’t sound like a bad way to spend your holiday to us. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America has everything you could need. Theatres, pools, hot tubs and those all important teen clubs. Complete with juke boxes, table football, dance floors and air hockey, your teens will have plenty to keep them busy. Oh, and they will also be in Hawaii. Did we mention that?