The Best Cruises For Teens: A Guide To Star Of The Seas℠
With awesome activities from morning until the wee hours, Star of the Seas℠ has cracked the code for delivering the best cruises for teens.
By Heidi Sarna | Published on May 15, 2025
When my sons were younger, they were endlessly enthusiastic and wanted to join every cruise activity they could squeeze in, from movie nights and costume parades organized by Adventure Ocean Youth Program to mini golf, ice skating and rock climbing with mom and dad. Things change as the years go by, and we parents know it's not always easy to please our sometimes picky teens. There's good news: Star of the Seas has cracked the code for delivering the best cruises for teens and the entire family. Given the sheer volume of things to do (and eat!) onboard all day long, I guarantee your teens won't ever be bored. From a staggering 40-plus ways to grab a bite to a cool pool for every day of the week, the thrills offered by six record-breaking waterslides and a ropes course that dangles you 154 feet above the ocean, Star of the Seas is designed to offer one of the very best cruises for teens out there. Read on to learn more about this epic cruise ship.
Endless Eats Tempt Teens
If your teens are anything like mine, they have big appetites and strong opinions about what they like to eat on vacation. Maybe it's pizza and tacos every day, or perhaps they have an adventurous palate. My sons would generally sleep through breakfast and then head straight to the Windjammer buffet for a massive lunch of pasta, chicken, fries and more. In the hours between lunch and dinner, they grazed at the many eating spots around the ship. For parents, that's the beauty of a cruise — dozens of places onboard for all ages to eat all day long, from grab-and-go venues to themed eateries and nice sit-down restaurants. The numerous dining options put Star of the Seas in the running as one of the best vacations for teenagers.
With its laid-back vibes and casual beachside bites, the Pier 7 restaurant in the Surfside family neighborhood is the perfect pit stop for active kids to fuel up before or after a race to the top of the rock-climbing wall or an energetic round of air hockey in the nearby arcade. Brunch favorites like a stack of fluffy buttermilk pancakes especially appeal to teen taste buds. California-inspired cuisine like the crispy mango shrimp tostadas and fish tacos hit the spot for a refreshing and light lunch on a hot day. For a quick bite before running off to Thrill Island or the sports court to shoot some hoops with new friends, teens will definitely be satisfied by the casual grub at Surfside Bites.
Meanwhile, up on deck in the middle of the action near the Adrenaline Peak climbing wall and Lost Dunes mini golf, Basecamp is set up to fortify fun seekers (and their audience, like mom!) with addictive pretzel bites, smash burgers (I have no control when these are in the vicinity!) and 'Tato Tots. Anyone with a sweet tooth will dig the decadent milkshakes at Desserted that are concocted with all manners of toppings and drizzles.
I've always loved setting up our family's gear at the main pool to be close to the action as well as convenient food options. This way, we can make the pool our base so my teens can enjoy a little independence while staying nearby. On Deck 15 you'll find another slew of mouth-watering teen-friendly noshing spots. Hit up Hooked Seafood for fish sandwiches and lobster rolls, then head to El Loco Fresh for heaps of nachos easily shared with new friends. When the kids are ready for a sweet treat, Sprinkles is the go-to spot for a refreshing cone of soft serve whenever the mood strikes.
For some good old-fashioned family time, dinners at the specialty restaurants always got the attention of my teens — who, let's face it, weren't always eager to hang out with mom and dad — again proving Royal Caribbean is the best cruise line for teens. They love the chicken parmigiana, Meat Lovers' Pizza and creamy desserts at Giovanni's Italian Kitchen nearly as much as the Japanese food at Izumi Hibachi & Sushi — they could never get enough of the seared tuna tataki rolls and poke bowls. If you and your teens plan on dining at multiple specialty restaurants, consider pre-purchasing Specialty Dining Packages for discounted pricing.
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Best Cruise Activities For Teens
After fueling up at the many dining spots onboard, it's time to take advantage of the sheer volume of thrilling things to do all day on Star of the Seas. With so much to do, your teen will be occupied running from one activity to another.
The waterslides are always the first stop for my kids the minute we board. Now that they're a bit older, they'll race to the highest and scariest ones first. Star of the Seas, like its predecessor Icon of the Seas, takes waterslides to a whole new level at the Category 6 Waterpark with its six snaking slides geared toward thrill seekers. My sons love the aptly named Frightening Bolt, the tallest drop waterslide at sea that's guaranteed to raise your pulse as you take the plunge. Another favorite is the hair-raising Pressure Drop, an open free-fall waterslide that pushes you over the edge and into the abyss. Grab a mat and zip down the Storm Chasers slide built for racing. Teens can also gather their whole crew to give the Hurricane Hunter and Storm Surge group-style raft slides a go.
Nearby, the bravest teens can step over the edge, literally, at Crown's Edge. It's a combination skywalk, ropes course and thrill ride that dangles you high over the ocean. Note: This is for the most courageous cruisers out there.
For pursuits a bit less nerve-wracking but just as fun, the arcade at Surfside has more than 30 games, including classics like air hockey. One deck below Surfside is the Adventure Ocean space for kids under 12. Nearby, in its own private space, the Social020 Star of the Seas teen club was designed for chilling with new pals from ages 13 to 17, with the freedom for older kids to come and go as they please. Games, sports and parties are organized for teens in the club as well as various areas of the ship, including the sports court high up on deck where my athletic sons could be found nearly every day putting their skills to the test with new friends.
Teenagers can also splash all day in one of the ship's many ocean-view pools and whirlpools. The largest at sea, featured on both Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, is the Royal Bay pool. It's located in the middle of all the action and offers prime real estate for people-watching.
Poolside contests, like belly-flop competitions and silly relay races that often involve props like balloons and bagels, are also crowd-pleasers for young and older cruisers with a goofy sense of humor. My sons and I always make time to watch the hilarious pool games as well as the fun game shows and trivia contests held in various lounges throughout the day and night.
There are more teen-friendly activities when docked at Perfect Day at CocoCay, which every Star of the Seas cruise visits. Speed demons are drawn to Thrill Waterpark, with its floating trampoline, wave pool and 14 adrenaline-spiking waterslides. Teens like my sons, who are always up for a challenge, will want to reach new heights by ziplining across the island or going for a ride in a giant helium balloon.
Things To Do On The Best Cruise Ship For Teens
The fun doesn't stop when the sun goes down on Star of the Seas. This works just fine for many teens — especially mine, who love to sleep in and stay up late. This is without a doubt one of the best cruise ships for teens, as there's so much to do later in the day. For instance, the Category 6 waterslides are open until 10 p.m., so teens can get their thrills in after dinner under the night sky. For something a bit less heart-pounding, popular films and major sporting events are often shown on a giant 220-square-foot screen on deck under the stars. Teens can grab a snack, sit back on a comfy chaise lounge and get lost in epic matches or classic blockbusters.
The private teen club, Social020, is another option for nighttime fun and a great way for teenagers to make new friends. Mixers are scheduled at various times of the day, including evenings when teens will surely love the idea of having their own place to party.
The many teen-friendly areas of the ship open all day and into the night include the always-buzzing video arcade and the mini golf course up on deck. And then there's table tennis, another teen favorite; my sons have spent countless hours of their cruising lives whipping that little white ball back and forth across the net. Teenagers can also scale new heights at night at the Adrenaline Peak climbing wall, choosing from different routes and racing lanes to see who can get to the top first.
For the whole family, including teens, deck parties under the stars with live music are cruise favorites and an opportunity to let loose while dancing and singing along to popular songs. Indoors, in the many lounges onboard Star of the Seas, the day will end on a high note for music lovers thanks to live bands, singalongs and karaoke. For my brood, sharing a hearty laugh at family-friendly comedy shows has always been a bonding moment for us and a great entertainment option that appeals to the whole family. Family-friendly activities are what make this ship one of the best vacations for teens.
The impressive physical feats performed by the cast at the Absolute Zero ice rink against the backdrop of high-resolution digital projections is another family cruise favorite teens will surely approve of. Likewise, the amazing skill and artistry showcased at the AquaDome won't go unnoticed even by easily bored teenagers when they see the superhuman high divers, synchronized swimmers, aerialists and slackliners featured in the Royal Caribbean evening entertainment repertoire.
On an exciting ship like Star of the Seas, even just walking around is entertaining. Your teenagers will love cruising the pool decks, sometimes with new ship friends, enjoying the people-watching ops and checking out the shops and eateries. A slice here, a cone there — the choices are endless.
