Summer cruise w/boys 14 and 18; Europe or ?

I have two boys, 14 and 18. They love history and culture, swimming and animals/nature. They are well behaved, but I'd rather not have them on a ship where they are the only teens. My older son can do fine without peers; the younger one would prefer to meet other kids, but not essential. Some flexibility in dining would be preferable. We've been to Alaska and Caribbean before on Holland America; they'd prefer not to go back to Alaska. HA-type price point is probably what we would do again, or at least not much more expensive. I'm likely the only adult along but we often travel that way, so I don't anticipate problems. I'm thinking Europe or maybe Asia, but would be open to Caribbean. We are looking to travel this summer between June 15 and end of August.

As in the past, I find the initial research of options completely overwhelming so would love some general advice. Once we have decided what to do, I remember these forums are a wealth of specific information about the ships and ports. At this point, I'm trying to figure out what lines/ships and regions would be best for them. I can enjoy almost anything.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

With cruising today, most mass market cruise lines would have many other children their age on board, in particular during the summer vacation and other holiday periods. Frankly HA would be the last cruise line I would consider with children based no their typical demographics. I would suggest talking with a cruise specialist travel agency but would think RCI, Carnival, Disney, and NCL would be the more likely first choices in your consideration.

Thanks. Appreciate it. When they were little we took two Disney cruises and enjoyed them but don't think that they would hit the right note with them right now. I can definitely look at the other ones. I guess based on past experience I'd like to find ones that emphasize a bit more cultural events, even if that meant slightly fewer kids.

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Thanks. Appreciate it. When they were little we took two Disney cruises and enjoyed them but don't think that they would hit the right note with them right now. I can definitely look at the other ones. I guess based on past experience I'd like to find ones that emphasize a bit more cultural events, even if that meant slightly fewer kids.

 

 

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I would think that most of the cultural opportunities would be centered around the port of call excursions, which would be offered similarly by most of the cruise lines. Some may also have on board discussions, which would have to be researched by line. Checking the itineraries offered with the different ports of call would also be a way to narrow down your choices. Again, a cruise travel agent would likely be able to help, or perhaps ask these questions on the various CC cruise line boards for other's insights.

The Med is a port intensive cruise where you are off the ship by 8:30am and don't reboard until 5:30 - 6pm. Ships in this area essentially operate as floating hotels and there is usually only 1 day at sea in a 7 day itinerary. The shore excursions can be quite expensive, so it is wise to join the cruise roll call and book private excursions with others on your ship as these cost less and you get to see a whole lot more. Europe takes a great deal more planning than the Caribbean but it can be an incredibly rewarding experience. During the summer months, when school is out, there will be other teens onboard these ships touring the Med with their parents as well. However, the only time for getting together will be in the evenings with the exception of the 1 day at sea during the week.

There are ships that are most likely to have teens onboard in the Med. These include:

RCCL Independence of the Seas

NCL Epic

Since your kids are into history, I would think a Med cruise would be ideal. Your kids might really enjoy seeing Barcelona and the Gaudi sights and Bouqueria Market, Florence - while Florence is very interesting, we love visiting the Tuscan Hill Country towns such as San Giminagno, Montepulciano, Volterra, and Sienna, Rome - the colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish steps and in Naples, visiting Pompeii and Herculaneum. There is literally so much to do on a Med cruise, there is something for everyone and it will be an experience none of you will ever forget.

If your boys like history and culture, there is nothing to compare to Europe! As the previous poster said, being very port-intensive, there will be limited time for socializing. But finding a buddy or two and perhaps joining them for dinner would help. And, private excursions with others on your roll call, especially those who also have kids, would be your best bet. I would agree that the folks on HAL tend to be older. Never sailed NCL but had a super good Carnival cruise in the Med several years ago.

Our DS who is now almost 19 has been cruising since he was 3. He too loves all the history surrounding the countries we visit. He is like your 18 yr old in that he does not worry about having other kids on board.

He really enjoyed the Baltic cruise, the Med cruise and the British Isles cruise. We did all of them on Princess and we all had a blast. Once you are off the ship it is non stop sightseeing. On the days at sea we all passed out and relaxed so that we were ready for the next day.

I would pick where you want to go first and then see who goes there and then decide...

When my Grandson graduated from high school,because of his love of history, we did a Med cruise. He doesn't have to be around others his age and to be honest, a Med cruise is so port intensive that we barely saw anything of the ship. We started early in the morning and we returned exhausted, in time to shower for dinner and then we were watching the clock until a respectable hour to go to bed...the 18 year old included. He LOVED Rome and all the ancient ruins he had only read about but our ship also visited Turkey and he was absolutely BLOWN AWAY with the history there (Ephesus). He was also able to enjoy a glass of wine at 18 and since we visited Spain, he was able to enjoy the Sangria which was the best I've ever had anywhere. There were five of us so the expense was cut down greatly when we divided it up. I'd suggest that you get on with your roll call once you decide to book if you plan a Med cruise. You can pair up with others on your ship for private excursions which will whittle down the cost considerably. We had one day at sea and we honestly used it to relax and recoup by lounging around out by the pool. The ship really becomes second thought if you do a Med cruise because it's so port intensive. Keep in mind that the cost of flights can sometimes be a consideration too. We managed to get a really good deal but it involved a 5 hour layover in Ireland. We didn't mind because of the money we saved. The Caribbean can be cheaper, especially if you can drive to the port. I think Royal Caribbean would be the line that would best suit your guys. Cheaper than Disney, has lots of activities on board for your boys and lots more young people their age during the summer months. Go with a ship like Freedom or Liberty as they are usually cheaper than the newer Oasis, Harmony or Allure and they still have all the bells and whistles like the rock climbing wall, ice skating rink, basketball court, Flow-Rider, arcade, etc. Plenty of excursions in the Caribbean have history and culture such as the Mayan ruins, plus fun excursions like swimming with dolphins or sting rays and snorkeling over reefs and wrecked vessels. Sit down and discuss which activites all of you would enjoy and then look at the total costs of both, including flights, cost of the cruise itself and a hotel for the nigh prior to the cruise...this is always important to do. We went two days early for the Med cruise and one day earlier than the cruise for all Caribbean cruises.

Med cruises are great for history. Nothing reinforces what they've learned in school more than seeing it first-hand. Based on what you've said so far, here are my thoughts:

--Go earlier rather than later. The Med in July and August gets progressively hotter and more crowded.

--In the upper mass market range that you're looking for, you aren't going to find a lot of incredible "on ship" cultural opportunities. Holland America used to have a real port expert (as did Princess) but now these only seem to be on longer voyages. I'd say look first for an itinerary that appeals to you, THEN consider the ship.

--The real trick is to do your homework and figure out what will provide the best blend of learning opportunities and fun at each port. (Not every port can be museum after museum at that age...)

--I would look for a cruise that starts in one major port and ends in another; then, plan to spend a few extra days in each of these. Rome should be a must. So perhaps look for Rome to Barcelona, or Rome to Venice, etc.

--You don't need expensive excursions in every port. At some, it's possible to just walk off the ship and be in the midst of things. If you search out a self-guided walking tour in advance, you're all set. Public transportation is often pretty good in Europe as well (relative to the US).

If your son loves history and culture, Europe is a suitable destination. I think the Baltics can offer more. It would be more interesting for them to listen to Port of Call lectures the way Princess conducts. The port insights and tour tips on-your-own will be helpful for them.

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If you wish to sail around the Mediterranean the best time to guarantee a significant number of youngsters on board is the school holidays, mid-July until the end of August.

Regards John

Do the Med

My kids prefer it to the Carib

As do most well educated kids who love to learn

As do really nice families that don't see a cruise as a drunken party time but a chance to see the great history of the world

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Thanks so much. Realize I never posted a thank you! Took the advice and we are doing a Med cruise in June. Going to Rome beforehand. Getting so many great ideas from people here about what to do. We are all very excited.

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Get a copy of Rick Steves' Mediterranean Cruise Ports. Read it with your boys and let them pick out sights they would like to see/visit. Get them involved in the planning. On Rick Steves' website he has free downloads of audio tours for ipod/mp3 and you can print out maps to go along. Particularly helpful for Rome, Pompeii, Florence... EM

Thanks! That's great. They love podcasts so will try to get them to download and I will too. Did get that book. It seems great though doesn't cover everyplace we are going.

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He recommends Lonely Planet for the places he doesn't cover. He has audios for Venice, and since you are spending a day there, you or your boys might like to read one or more of Donna Leon's Commisario Guido Brunetti mysteries. EM

Okay thanks so much. We love mysteries.