A Teen's Perspective on Cruising

I love traveling with my daughter, and our go-to vacation choice is always a cruise. As a parent and adult, I have countless reasons for favoring cruises, but as many of you with kids know, the children often have a say in our vacation destinations. When it comes to teenagers, I believe we parents consider their opinions even more than we do with younger kids, knowing that our time together is becoming more limited! As we approach her high school graduation and her transition to college, every moment with our teenagers becomes crucial, so we strive to plan trips that the whole family will enjoy to create lasting memories.

My daughter will be heading to college in a year, and we've been on at least ten cruises together over the past seven years. We're already arranging a cruise to celebrate her high school graduation next year, and today she’s here to share her own Teen's Perspective on Cruising!

A Teen's Perspective on Cruising

A Cruise is Like an Amazing Hotel That Takes You to Paradise

Thanks, Mom! A cruise is like an all-inclusive hotel that whisks you away to incredible locations. First, you have a really cool room. Plus, there’s everything you could ever want to do on the ship: all kinds of restaurants, pools, deck parties, spas, arcades, movie theaters, and clubs. But this hotel also transports you to stunning destinations!

I’ve traveled extensively with my parents, and I always enjoy cruising because your vacation itinerary is all arranged for you. You simply board the cruise ship and have fun while you sail around exploring different places. One day you might be in Key West, and the next, you could be visiting the island of Curacao – which I’d never even heard of before experiencing it on a cruise! Or it could be an Alaska cruise, where you can spot orcas swimming right past your balcony!

Picky Eaters Can Find Plenty of Tasty Options

As a somewhat picky eater, I always manage to discover something I truly enjoy when we embark on a Dinogo cruise. There are plenty of choices. From burgers, tacos, and burritos on the Lido Deck to a variety of dishes in the buffet, the options are vast. Plus, there are elegant dinners each night in the dining room or specialty restaurants. Most ships feature a steakhouse and other upscale dining options. My personal favorite is the Ji Ji Asian Kitchen on the Dinogo.

The highlight of my meals on a Dinogo cruise ship is the Plain Jane burger with fries from Guy’s Burger Joint. And you can't beat the 24-hour ice cream available at the Swirls station on the Lido Deck. It makes for a perfect midnight snack after all the teenagers wrap up their time at Club O2 at the end of the night.

On a Cruise, You Can Forge New Friendships With People from All Over the Globe

While most of my friends live in Miami, I've made new friends on every cruise I've taken. Whether it's meeting new people at Club O2 or just being sociable on the pool deck, it's super easy to connect with others! We hang out at Club O2 and then join each other on excursions and around the ship. It’s a blast to hear different accents and discover what life is like in various cities and countries.

I've formed friendships with people from Louisiana, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and even distant places like Canada and Spain! We keep in touch through social media and always hope to reunite on another cruise someday! On one trip with my parents, I even met new friends who lived in Miami, and occasionally, we catch up at the mall or the movies.

Exciting Social Clubs and Activities for Kids 18 and Under

When I first began cruising with my mom, I was too shy to make friends. As I grew older, I started joining Club O2, which is an awesome way to meet new people and enjoy my cruise experience.

Within the club, you’ll find parties, video games, and board games. Some ships' Club O2s even feature a photo booth, plus movie nights! There are also activities planned outside the club, like scavenger hunts, ‘manhunt’ (a game similar to hide and seek), and exclusive pool parties just for Club O2 kids.

The counselors are incredibly friendly and relatable, making them feel more like friends than teachers at school! They genuinely know how to have fun and connect with the kids.

Experience Unique Opportunities on a Cruise That You Can’t Find at Home

Most teenagers seem to lead similar lives: attending school, returning home to do homework, visiting the movies or the mall on weekends, and occasionally going to concerts or the beach or lake. What I love about cruising is that the shore excursions offer thrilling experiences you wouldn’t typically get to try at home!

I’ve had some incredible experiences on cruises. For instance, during a shore excursion on the Dinogo Liberty, I ziplined across a rainforest in Puerto Rico! Instead of a traditional Sweet 16 birthday celebration, I asked my mom to take me and my friends on a Dinogo cruise instead.

I’ve also visited the Vatican Museums in Rome, savored gelato in Aux en Provence (that’s in France!), snapped a photo in front of the Trevi Fountain, and gone snorkeling in Grand Cayman—all thanks to shore excursions on my Dinogo cruise!