Marie:
I really like Fodors but, for your stakes being so high for the trip a) It is a "final" big family vacation. b) No previous cruise experience...you should IMMEDIATELY go to www.cruisecritic.com.
The information is invaluable and these folks/teens too, are avid cruisers. You will find THOUSANDS of threads about cruising w/teens that are current and reliable so that you can constructively move forward.

Happy Travels
Oaktown

Hi Marie,

All cruise lines have kid's programs. You really will find it difficult to choose. Teens usually do not care for structured programs. They will find friends to hang out with on any cruise line. I see them at 3 or 4 in the morning in small groups gathered all over the ship talking.

You will, of course, have to monitor your teens. Most people tend to think nothing can happen on a closed environment cruise ship. They are dead wrong. Teens can get liquor the same as the can at home. They can get in trouble, the same as at home. Do not count on the security force to watch your child, they are not cops.

If your children know the difference between right and wrong you should not have a problem.

Paul

I've been researching cruise ships for our first family cruise and notice that the children's programs all top out at age 17 so might not work for your 18 year old. Not sure whether your 15 year old would rather participate in the teen program or hang out with his/her 18 year old sibling... something to consider as well.

Hey Paul, there is no security force. At least not the ships I have been on. Or at the very least they are so small they couldn't handle a barroom brawl.

If you don't want your children drinking, don't take them on a cruise. It's to easy to get booze for them. These ships tend to turn a blind eye to this sort of behavior because they don't want to offend anyone. Yes yes I'm quite sure our friend Paul will have something to add. I just take him with a grain of salt. He seems to have info about everything involved with ships.

I can tell you from personal experience that on more than one cruise I have seen young children drunk on these ships. It doesn't really bother me because, hey they're not mine. And I don't have to hold their heads over the toilet in the middle of the evening. The choice is yours. Try a place that doesn't serve booze or at least will control the consumption of it. I would suggest Disney, they're more family oriented. Carnival is more like Spring Break for young adults.

Phil:

(SIGH), you are missing a great opportunity by NOT holding the little drunks heads over the toilet...

I am the mom of a teen and he is Perfect, lets get that out the way first.
I just picked him up from the Sunday afternoon Teen gathering at the church (really). Enough about him...

PHIL: If you EVER see him, his cousins or any other teen who is drunk, perfect or not, and they need that assistance with "huggin" the ceramic "lady" be sure to "accidentially" let their head dunk IN it so they will NEVER get that way again.

Happy Travels
Oaktown

You bet, the security force on ships would never knock on a parent's cabin door or it might result in an altercation. Do not think Disney is any different. When parents are on vacation it is the "don't bother me" atitude.

The security force do offer transportation for the inebriated kids .... it is called a wheelchair.

Paul

Paul:

You commented on another thread that you have been on 70 cruises. I am taking this opportunity to ask you if you have been on EVERY cruise line and all of their ships? I AM SINCERE.

Also, aproximately how OLD are you, do not answer if that is getting into too much of your information.

Finally, which cruise ships are the worst/best at turning the other way when it comes to teens and alcohol?

Oh, I would also like to know which cruise ships have the most parents of teens to toddlers who REALLY have a confrontational demeanor when it comes to telling them that their "baby" is passed out sloppy drunk?

I SERIOUSLY HAVE TO KNOW.

Happy Travels
Oaktown

Come on people, I asked a question about which cruise line and islands my kids would enjoy, I did not ask for anyones opinions on teenage drinking. Why does everyone have to assume when you mention the word teenager is synonomous with alcohol. A simple answer to my question which is what this forum is suppose to be about.

Sorry Marie,

On these forums the most simple of questions have a tendency to get blown out of proportion.

Just choose the items that pertain to you.

Paul

Sorry just had to laugh. Your question is very valid I just cracked up at the subjectooking for the best cruise line with teenage girls

Sounds like a dirty old man on the prowl

Marie,
I don't know about all the aspects beaten about by the previous posters, however, I have been on the Dawn Princess twice. I don't think I saw anyone sloppy drunk.
It seemed to me that the younger set was having a good time. Some friends recently went on the ocean princess with their teenagers and the kids enjoyed themselves. They have kids and teen programs to keep them busy.
I have just made reservations for the grand princess with my 5 kids. I have great confidence that my children will behave and that the cruise personnel will treat them appropriately.
Whatever you decide, have a great time.

Mike

I have been on RCCL,Carnival and NCL with a teenage boy. Suspect as long as you stick to a one of the newest boats in their fleets you will be ok with any of them. Kid will be impressed with the opulence of the larger/newer boats and the facilities. Do not go on any boat older than 3-4 yrs better to go with the newest of the fleet. I am sure any teenager would be impressed with a ship like RCCL's Voyager of the Seas with rock climbing, ice rinks etc. Depending on the time of the year, you take your chances on the nature of the crowd. Like any trip with a teenager the crowd they find on board is somewhat luck of the draw. Be mindful of people looking to take advantage of young women with booze, etc. Have had friends run into this in the past. Just because it is vacation don't let your guard drop on strangers.
A cruise is a wonderful way to get the family together, enjoy!

Marie:

You forgot to say thank you. Was I helpful in my first post?

Sorry about the "teen drunk" thing but you know how things just "spin" on these threads. OHHHHH, so that is why it is called a thread! Might want to keep that in mind(wink).

Happy Travels
Oaktown

Yes you are correct a thank you is in order, your first post was extremely helpful, cruisecritic.com is a great site, I'm just starting to research cruises so it was a great place to start.