updated 2:51 p.m. ET May 19, 2006

Teenagers are in hot demand by the cruise industry. Both surveys and anecdotal evidence suggest that parents in search of a pleasant vacation would do well to not only consult but also seriously consider the input of teen members of the family. This age group is one of the travel industry's most demanding. And it's no secret that a dissatisfied teen can create a messy imbalance among an otherwise happy family.

Cruise lines are interested in drawing teens, too, knowing that they have a special impact on family vacation choices. And there's another reason: Today's teens are tomorrow's adult passengers. As such, a handful of cruise lines are creating special programs, facilities and amenities for the teenage cruise traveler.

Highlights of these include: teen-only discos, lounges and sun decks; shore excursions geared (and limited) to teens; youth spa programs on several lines that now offer treatments such as mother/daughter facials, father/son massages, spray tans and pedicures.

Matching your teen's personality with that of the cruise ship is crucial. Also, cruise length can be an important factor for busy teens, with short itineraries often working best. Families with both teens and younger siblings will want to select a ship with a solid children's program, so the entire clan will be happy.

Speaking from experience, here are our editor's picks of the best cruise options for families with teenagers.

For the teen who is an uber-social party animal
Try Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Liberty.

• Why: Carnival Liberty, the newest in the Conquest-line of the fleet (the line with the biggest ships) offers a unique-to-Carnival amenity: the drive-in-movie-like Seaside Theater cinema screen that sits above the pool area. We also like the fact that its newly designed Without Batteries -- the newest incarnation of a teen disco -- is located not upstairs with the kiddie facilities but in the heart of the otherwise adult-oriented promenade.
• Best features: For older teens, 16 to 18 years old, there's a mixer on the first evening, a Mocktail Party in the disco on the first formal night, and an afternoon ping pong tournament. Each night, the Disco Dance Club is open from 9:30 to 10:45 p.m. for kids age 12 to 18. At 10:45 p.m., the DJ announces that the Disco will reopen at 11 p.m. for guests 16 to 18. Younger teens can shift to another activity -- like a movie, karaoke or a swim. There are also teen spa services and a discounted teen shore excursion program where the kids vote on which tour to take.
• Beware of: You may never see your kids (which can be a plus or a minus).

For the energetic teen looking for all the comforts of home
Try Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas (or any of its other Voyager-class siblings, including Voyager, Adventure and Explorer of the Seas).

Guide to family cruises What to know before you go Best shore excursions for kids Best cruises for teens Controlling your kids at sea Best staterooms for families

• Why: We picked Navigator of the Seas in particular because it offers a range of six-, seven- and nine-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. Onboard, the 3,000-passenger ship is a floating playground with features that include an ice skating rink, rock climbing wall, miniature golf course, full-size basketball court and dedicated teen facilities. If the kids are looking for fuel, we heartily recommend a pit stop at either Ben & Jerry's or Johnny Rockets.
• Best features: One big plus is that the ship's youth program divides teens into two groups. 12- to-14-year-olds are wisely separated from 15-to-17-year-olds for activities like karaoke, toga parties and sports tournaments. Parents are banned from The Living Room, Back Deck and Fuel -- the teens-only facility where teens can drink mocktails and dance the night away (until 2 a.m.).
• Beware of: Navigator is a huge ship and it can be easy to lose track of your teen (and unsupervised teens on big ships are one of the cruise industry's biggest hassles). We'll also warn you about this plus-and-minus factor: With fifteen Internet stations in The Living Room and Fuel -- plus unlimited Internet access via laptop in all cabins -- parents may need to exercise supervision.

For the teen who is adventurous and into water sports
Try Windstar Cruises' Wind Surf.

• Why: The combination of a cool, five-masted sailing vessel -- and a can't-be-beat exotic itinerary. The ship will spend winter of 2005 sailing a new, six-night itinerary in the Mayan Riviera, with stops in Belize and Honduras. This is a fabulous itinerary for both history (Mayan ruins in particular) and scuba diving (not to mention excursions like a trip to Belize's Jaguar Paw Resort, where guests can fly between treetop platforms along zip-line cables).
• Best features: Back to the region's appeal for scuba divers, Wind Surf is offering a Discover Scuba Diving Program, gliding by manta and eagle rays, turtles, dolphins, barracuda and reef sharks. The fairly priced dive program ($140) features a class by the pool, pool session, and supervised dive. The program is open to teens (the rule is 12 and above) though they must be accompanied by a parent.
• Beware of: This is definitely not a ship for younger children or pre-teens, so it's pretty much off limits to multi-kid, multi-age families. There are no planned activities (or facilities) onboard for kids of any age.

For the teen who is an urban (or suburban) sophisticate
Try Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Dawn.

• Why: Norwegian Dawn has 10 restaurants (all open seating), ranging from Tex-Mex to steakhouse to sushi to French. Not only does that mean terrific flexibility (particularly at dinner time) it also means teens can eat with -- or without -- their families. The ship is also strong on entertainment for young folks, and future American Idols can participate in a Junior Star Seeker competition, with winners receiving a free cruise and a chance to perform for fellow passengers.
• Best features: Teens will gravitate to the teen-only club/disco as well as the ship's video arcade, basketball court, paddle tennis and giant chessboard. Organized social activities include a farewell party the last evening, an afternoon dance party and a pool party. A discounted beverage card is available -- for $34.50, your teen can order 20 smoothies and other nonalcoholic drinks. Another plus, particularly for families based in New York and the mid-Atlantic? The ship sails, year-round, to the Bahamas and Caribbean from New York -- which means airfares aren't necessarily required.
• Beware of: Some of the ship's smaller dining venues are very popular (Tex-Mex and Le Bistro, for example) and reservations are a must, available one day in advance. A handful have surcharges (not to mention one that actually has an all a la carte menu).

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