Sounds as though Carnival Cruises would be ideal for you. Would avoid Thomson and Costa and these cheap sounding Spanish line ones that are all inclusive.

From what Pestee said here http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=121558 it doesn't sound like Carnival in the Med would be much fun! How about Royal Caribbean? They seem to have all the things going on to appeal to teenagers. We are booked on the 'Independence of the Seas' out of Southampton to the Med next summer.

I would recommend Royal Caribbean for you too.

I've never been on one myself but from your description, they would really suit your family, lots going on (ice-skating rinks, climbing walls, those surfboard simulator things), golf etc.)

Have a look at their website: http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk but don't book direct. Phone around some agents. We got the cheapest price from http://www.scotlandscruisecentre.co.uk but cheaper by phone than online. (And we don't live in Scotland!)

Big Ships are great. Lots of things to do for adults and kids. BUT,
Not so great when there is 2500 or more passengers all trying to go ashore at the same time.
Total bedlim. That would really put the dampners on any cruise.
Happy hunting

Thanks to everyone for your ideas, will start searching.
Can't think why I have been persuaded to look at cruising as I hate the water, will probably spend all my time wearing a lift jacket

I agree that Royal Caribbean are the best option with your teenagers. Lots for them to do and on the question of going ashore if you are not on an organised tour then you can stagger your going ashore accordingly. Would not let this one issue put me off.

Sue

Beechcomber, you are what I was 12 months ago!!!.

My wife and I (42 and 43) cruised with our daughter and son (15 and 14) on Navigator of the Seas out of Barcelona last June, and it was far and away the best holiday we've ever had, to the extent that we're already booked to do the Baltic with Carnival in 2009 and the sprogs are keeping up a relentless campaign to cruise the Caribbean on the Oasis of the Seas in 2010.

Regarding your worry about the water, trust me when I say most of the time you forget you are on a ship. If you cruise out of Southampton, there are a few sea days taking in a Bay of Biscay at the start which I believe can be a little rough. With that in mind, a fly cruise which departs from a Med port might be a more suitable option if nervousness about the water is an issue, but believe me when I say there is little or no sense of movement

Two options with Royal Caribbean are either Navigator of the Seas, which cruises out of Civitavecchia (50km from Rome) next year alternating between an Eastern and Western Mediterranean itinerary, or Voyager of the Seas, which cruises a seven day Western Med itinerary out of Barcelona. Both ships are virtually identical, and having cruised Navigator this year (on the recommendation of previous posters in this thread it must be said), I would absolutely recommend either ship.

Hi

We have cruised with Ocean Village, Thomson Emerald and Island Escape. Our daughter was 12 when we started cruising and her favourite would be Ocean Village, loads for teenagers to do.
Carnival on the other hand would not recommend at all for teenagers or anyone of any age. Very disappointing cruise this year with them. Yes I left a review which you may wish to read.

Good luck cruising is the best holiday we ever took.

We all had a super time on Carnival Liberty so much that we have already booked Carnival Glory
May 2009[son and future daughter in law getting married on board] also booked the Liberty again
for Aug 2009 cruising the Baltic city,s.can,t wait great cruise line
ann

Entirely agree that Royal Caribbean is best, by far, for the age profile of your teenagers. Our daughter is 17 now, and cruised 4 times with us over past 4 years. We were on Voyager last year, and just returned from Ventura, but her opinion is that the Royal Caribbean ships holds much more of a WoW factor. Having cruised now with 8 different cruiselines, and parents of 3 grown up children we agree with her that Royal Caribbean is best for teenagers and young adults.

I am interested in the RC cruise Independence of the seas leaving from Southampton in July 2009, is this ok for couples?

It might be better for you if you could go at the beginning of July, before the English schools break up.

thats a good idea..Thanks, I think the cruise began 4th July?

At least that might reduce the number of youngsters on board! Do not book direct with Royal Caribbean. Try the specialist cruise travel agents, who will knock quite a bit off the price. I think phoning is better than online. They gave me a lower price that way. We got the best deal through Scotlands Cruise Centre (and we don't live in Scotland). We are booked on Independence in August.

I wonder if it is worth waiting until a few weeks before, to try and get a cheap deal?