Traveling With Teens: Why Cruising May Be A Good Fit For Families

Traveling with teens brings a unique set of challenges. They’re at an age where independence is important, interests often do not align with their parents, and they’re increasingly hard to impress. Planning a family trip that keeps everyone entertained while also giving parents a break is no small task. Cruising may be the answer.

While many cruise lines have a kid’s program that focuses on younger kids, Holland America Line has the High Score Teens Club a space specifically designed for teens aged 13-17, offering a tech-friendly environment that centers on gaming and socializing. It’s a recent addition to Holland America’s youth programming, aimed at enhancing the cruise experience for teenagers by providing them with a dedicated place to play video games, participate in tournaments, and connect with other teens onboard.

“It’s not a kids club per say, but instead a place for teens to come and hang out and play pinball machines, old-school arcade, skee-ball, air hockey and more,” says Natalie Irwin, lead entertainment host, aboard Holland America Line’s Oosterdam vessel.

She explains that High Score Teens Club is outfitted with popular gaming consoles, including options for both solo and multiplayer games. Teens can play everything from sports games to adventure. “High Score is designed with a tech-savvy teenager in mind,” says Irwin. But it’s more than just gaming. “High Score serves as a place for teens to simply hang out and socialize. With a relaxed environment that’s specifically for teens, it gives them a break from family activities and a chance to meet peers in a space they can call their own.”

What’s comforting to parents is that the club is monitored by adult staff, but it’s a teen-only space. It gives teens the independence they crave while making parents feel secure knowing their kids have supervision.

Not all Holland America ships have High Score. “Currently, Eurodam, Oosterdam and Nieuw Amsterdam have it,” says cruise director Erin Karpovich.

Karpovich notes that kids often make friends with other teens at High Score, but then it quickly expands. She says, “They meet at High Score and hit it off and then plan to meet throughout the ship.”

One of the most popular spots for teens to meet up is the basketball court. It doesn’t hurt that HAL often has a teen meet-up planned nightly at 9pm. “Teens will eat dinner with their parents and then head to basketball while their parents go to a show,” says Karpovich. With over a hundred nationalities aboard, kids make friends easily with other kids, often in unplanned ways.

Teens off the ship

Having fun off the ship is just as important. HAL attracts many multigenerational families, and teens tend to take part in the more active shore excursions, says Irwin. For example, in the European itinerary, the shore excursion that includes hiking up Mount Vesuvius in Pompeii often sells out. Other popular tours include biking, kayaking, and ziplining. Teens often meet other adventure enthusiasts on the active excursions and then meet up once back on the ship.

Which itineraries are teen-friendly

When it comes to popular teen itineraries, Karpovich notes that the seven-day Mediterranean sailing aboard Oosterdam is a popular European sailing. “Alaska is another popular location for families, especially multi-gen groups, as they seek to check off a bucket list destination together,” says Karpovich. For families sailing between October and April, Karpovich says the seven-day cruise in the Caribbean and Mexico are popular.

Dining with teens

Teens can be adventurous eaters one day and craving comfort food the next. Plus, they often have specific tastes, sometimes shifting from day to day. All of this makes it challenging to plan meals when on vacation. Cruising makes it easy. There are plenty of options at a variety of times.

“On Holland America the dining room is the main restaurant and is good for families who want to catch up at dinner,” says Karpovich. Options like steak, seafood and pasta are on the menu. She notes that the Lido Market is a casual buffet, for teens who want to explore a variety of foods at their own pace. With food stations serving everything from Italian to Asian-inspired dishes, sandwiches, and salads, teens can pick and choose exactly what they want. The market also has a grab-and-go section, making it easy for teens to fuel up before heading off to their next activity.

Located poolside, Dive-In is a favorite among teens craving classic fare like burgers, hot dogs, and fries. It’s a quick and easy option for lunch or a snack, and since it’s near the pool, teens can grab a bite and jump back into their activities without needing to change out of swimwear. The Pinnacle Grill is an upscale steakhouse and is a good spot for families celebrating a special occasion like a birthday.

“One of the biggest challenges when traveling with teens is working around their often-unpredictable schedules,” says Karpovich. Holland America has As You Wish Dining which lets families decided daily what time they want to eat. This means teens don’t have to commit to a set schedule.

Karpovich also notes that many casual dining spots, like Lido Market and Dive-In, offer extended hours. “Teens can grab a snack or meal whenever they want, making it easy to fit in a bite between activities,” she says. “This flexibility ensures they never have to rush through a meal or wait long when they’re hungry.”

So while planning a family trip with teens can present its challenges, cruising may turn out to be the right option for your family.

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