Trying to keep teenagers happy and engaged on holiday can be quite a challenge. Royal Caribbean have it covered on their latest ship Symphony of the Seas. Symphony of the Seas for Teenagers is one of the best holidays as well as being perfect for the parents.
Catering for everything any family could want from fantastic drinks packages the latest tech and state of the art activities but still maintaining cruise traditions such a formal night, check out our Royal Caribbean formal night guide here. Symphony of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s largest cruise ship yet with seven neighbourhoods and over 2,700 staterooms. The Symphony is part of the Oasis class of ship so you will find the teenage activities very similar to the other ships in this class. Also check out our Symphony of the Seas Dining and Bar Guide.
What is on offer for Teenagers onboard the Symphony of the Seas? Lets find out.
The living room with just enough freedom to make them feel cool
As with all Royal Caribbean ships the onboard teen, tween and kids programme is exciting and innovative. There are two age groups for teenagers 12-14 and 15-17 which are usually mixed together if the teen numbers onboard are low.
The moment we boarded Symphony of the Seas our boys were on the look out for friends to share their vacation with. The teen staff make this easy with an open house and a meet and greet on day one in the Fuel Lounge.
The beauty of the older teens club is the freedom that that get. They can come and go of their own free will, meet with friends and hang out. The teen staff onboard Symphony are well trained in getting the kids to mingle and encourage them to make friends.
They can spend as long as they want doing the kids activities or simply use this space as a place to meet their friends.
The living room is the teens 12-17 chill out room on deck 15. A huge room with trendy sofas and beanbags and a completely adult free zone! Planned activities, meet ups, games and party’s take place here.
There are table football and table tennis games as well as a whole row of PlayStations and gaming chairs. Every teens dream! There is always a teen staff member there to oversee them and to encourage them to join in.
The social scene. What activities are there for Teenagers onboard Symphony of the Seas?
The teen center is a hive of activity and at the beginning of the week a planner will be given to your child. Activities run all day from 10am until past midnight. Some of the activities include sock wrestling, karaoke, human bingo, and even silent discos.
The teen staff are innovative and fun with ideas for constantly changing itineraries so your teens never get bored. Do not be surprised if your teen is still mingling and dancing in the teen disco at midnight, they really do have the time of their lives. Our boys found friends on day one, we contacted them via the onboard wifi and arranged to meet for dinner everyday. They had so much fun it was perfect holiday tailored just for them.
What sports are onboard Symphony of the Seas?
If your teen is more sports orientated fear not. The Symphony of the Seas has a vast array of sporting activities. Some activities require a waiver to be signed prior to taking part.
This is just signed once during your stay and they will get a wrist band to use for the rest of the cruise. Here are some of the amazing features onboard.
A huge sports court on deck 15 where they can play football, or basketball.
The Rock Climbing wall is great fun. Children over 12 do not need supervision but must have a signed waiver.
The Zip line is open daily and has amazing views as you fly over Central Park.
A fabulous games arcade ( extra charge )
Crazy Golf
Not to mention ice skating, laser tag and watersports!
Come on! Dive in
Perhaps some of the best facilities for teens onboard the Symphony are the water sports. With three huge slides including one that washes you down a giant champagne bowl, ( a bit like being flushed down a loo!) you will be sure to get wet.
The perfect storm is a trio of three story high slides out by the pool. Parts of the slides are see-through as they take you rushing down to the pool at lightning speed.
There are two flow riders open daily, where you can try your skills out body boarding or surfing!
Learn to dive and become PADI certified.
Another great aspect of the activities is the PADI onboard certification programme. It’s a five star diving centre where young teens and adults can take an open water course or try diving in the wonderful Caribbean sea. Learning to dive on Symphony of the Seas for teenagers can be a magical experience.
Teenage food monsters!
If your teens are anything like mine they love to eat and there is plenty of choice onboard.
We always get a soda package so they can grab a drink from any of the soda machines onboard. The soda machine had over 100 different flavours of soda from kiwi to sports drinks.
If they don’t have their soda package cup with them they can show their seapass at any bar for a drink too.
Windjammers is food heaven if your kids want to grab and run or they can pick up a pizza slice in Sorrentos.
They could also grab a hot dog in the Boardwalk Dog House or a healthy salad in the Park Cafe. The choice is endless and the freedom they feel is amazing. Oh and did I mention self serve ice-cream?
Whizz down to the boardwalk on the Ultimate Abyss Slide
Teenagers can also test their courage on The Abyss slide. The tallest slide at sea which plunges down 10 decks with lights and music to the Boardwalk below. After a short tutorial you can climb inside a sack for quick fast ride down.
The boardwalk neighbourhood is another hive of activity with a carousel, restaurants and sweetshops. This is where you will find the rock climbing wall.
Dont forget the little ones – What is on the kids daily planner?
The Symphony of the Seas may be great for teenagers but lets not forget the little ones. With three other clubs for kids onboard Royal Caribbean your children will have the time of their lives.
The Aquanauts for 3-5 years, the Explorers 6-8 years and the Voyagers at 9-11 years. Day time activities run from 9am until 10pm with a late night party zone option from 10pm until 2am (extra fee).
Our boys loved being entertained by parachute games, gaga ball, talent shows and obstacle courses to name but a few. They always had whale of a time and and we struggled to get them out.
The pools are also great fun with a million and one ways to cool off or alternatively check out one of the many climbing areas onboard.
Symphony of the Seas for teenagers really is the perfect cruise vacation. The amount of activities are completely jam-packed into the planner. There is also an option to purchase Zoom WIFI at an extra charge (this did come in handy). Alternatively walkie talkies serve just as well to keep in touch.
There is something different everyday and it feels completely safe as well as exhilarating at times. My boys had an amazing time and certainly kept their cool!
Are you curious about sailing on other cruise lines? Check out our Royal Caribbean, MSC comparison post HERE.
Donna x
Thank you Donna! I’ve only ever given cruising a passing thought before, now it’s something I really want to do! Keep the inspiration coming please 🙂 x
Arrh thanks Steph, I think your girls would love it. There is so much choice out there as well x
Omg sounds and looks amazing, I’ll be looking at going next year with my family. Cheers Donna x
Oh wow Donna! This looks utterly amazing;) That climbing wall looks great fun and the flow rider too. I would just want to hang with the teens I think!
What an amazing place! So many things to see and enjoy for the teens.
This looks brilliant. I can’t believe there’s any teens who wouldn’t have the best time on this ship! My boys would love it…we’d probably not see them the whole time we were on board #MondayEscapes
Donna I so need to try this ship it looks insane !
I have two boys one is 17 and the other is 18 and I’m worried that the 18 year-old won’t get to hang out with his brother in the lounge. Will my 18-year-old be able to play video games with his brother in the lounge?
Thanks!
Hi as far as I know Royal Caribbean are quite hot on this, and he will not be allowed in. It is for the safeguarding of the younger teens. They do have meet and greets for the 18-21 adolescent though and generally the older teens seem to hang out in the same areas each cruise. We are in a similar position and yet to experience this as our son just turned 18 and we have our cruise booked this year.