Royal Princess Youth & Teen Club Photo Tour: Princess Cruises Kids Programs by Age Group
The Lodge (Ages 8–12) - Older kids and tweens can enjoy games, activities, and plenty of space to make new friends.
One of our first stops after boarding any cruise ship is always the kids club. In fact, I consider the kids club orientation one of the most important things families should do on embarkation day. It is usually the only time parents can go inside, meet the staff, tour the space, and see the schedule for the week. In this photo tour, I'll show you each space and explain what kids can expect at every age level.
I like to get a feel for the environment, meet the counselors, and understand what activities my kids will be doing throughout the cruise. It also gives my kids a chance to see the space before they are dropped off for the first time.
Princess Cruises has one of my favorite kids club programs at sea. Unlike some cruise lines where the schedule simply lists general activities like "arts and crafts," Princess provides detailed programming and sticks to it. My kids always knew what was happening and could decide if they wanted to attend a specific activity.
One of the coolest examples happened during our Alaska cruise on the Grand Princess. When we entered Glacier Bay, a National Park Ranger came onboard and spent time with the kids. They learned about the park, Alaska wildlife, and even had the opportunity to earn their Junior Ranger badges. How cool is that?
Another thing that stood out to me was the location of the Youth & Teen Club. Many cruise ship kids clubs can feel a little dark or tucked away, but the Royal Princess has large windows looking out to the ocean. The space feels bright, open, and airy, which I loved. Between the ocean views and all the natural light, it felt much more inviting than some of the windowless kids clubs we've visited on other ships.
My Kids' Experience on Royal Princess
I love how there is a printed schedule given out at orientation. It makes it easy to know what is going on rather than depending on the app.
On our most recent cruise last month on the Royal Princess, both of my kids were part of The Lodge group, which serves ages 8 to 12. Having them in the same group made things much easier for us. I also appreciated that Princess keeps 12 year olds in the Youth and Teen club program. On some cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, 12 year olds move into the teen program. My son was not quite ready for that jump, so The Lodge felt like the perfect fit.
Our dinner seating was around 6:00 PM. After dinner, the Youth club opened at 7:00 PM, and my kids would head up there while my husband and I enjoyed a little time together. My son would usually spend an hour playing skee ball, video games, or joining whatever activity was happening that evening. That hour gave us time to walk around the ship, grab a drink, or even spend a few minutes in the casino before meeting back up with him for one of the evening shows or activities.
Whether you are cruising with a toddler, an elementary schooler, a tween, or a teenager, Princess has dedicated spaces and activities designed specifically for that stage. During our Royal Princess cruise, I toured each area and took photos so you can see exactly what the spaces look like before you sail. While Princess officially calls it the Youth & Teen Club, many families simply refer to it as the Princess Kids Club.
Tiny Cruisers: Babies and Toddlers (6 Months to 2 Years)
Princess Cruises does a great job making life easier for families traveling with little ones. While there is not a drop off nursery, babies and toddlers can still enjoy the Youth & Teen Club during special parent accompanied play sessions. It is a nice space for younger kids to explore, play, and get out some energy.
It is also a great place to meet other families traveling with babies and toddlers. You can swap cruise tips, compare notes on activities around the ship, and sometimes just laugh about the realities of traveling with young children.
When my daughter was 18 months old, we took a cruise through Asia. Between teething and jet lag, she was often awake long before the rest of the ship. My husband and I would take turns pushing her stroller through the quiet hallways at 4:00 AM. Looking back, those early morning walks are some of my favorite cruise memories. We had the ship almost entirely to ourselves, and there was always coffee nearby, which I definitely appreciated.
If you are in this stage of parenting right now, take the cruise. Even the challenging moments often become the memories you cherish most later.
The Treehouse: Activities and Fun for Ages 3 to 7
The Treehouse is the main kids club space for younger cruisers. The bright, forest themed space is designed for active play, creativity, and imagination.
Kids can participate in crafts, games, dance parties, scavenger hunts, and themed activities throughout the cruise. Princess also incorporates destination themed programming when possible, which adds an extra layer of fun on itineraries like Alaska.
The focus at this age is on making friends, staying active, and having fun while giving parents a little time to enjoy the ship on their own.
The Lodge: The Youth & Teen Club for Ages 8 to 12
The Lodge is designed for older kids and tweens with a more relaxed outdoors inspired feel. The space combines active games with comfortable hangout areas, making it a great fit for this age group.
Activities may include video games, skee ball, sports competitions, scavenger hunts, trivia, crafts, talent shows, and destination themed activities. There is usually a good mix of structured programming and free time.
This was the age group for both of my kids on Royal Princess. During the orientation, I like to point out activities that match their interests, whether that is video games, sports, crafts, or competitions. Later in the cruise, it gives us something specific to talk about. Instead of asking, "How was kids club?" I can ask, "Did you try the scavenger hunt?" or "Did you end up playing skee ball today?"
Going into the kids club with a positive attitude can make a big difference. If your child is hesitant, pointing out activities they might enjoy can help them feel more comfortable and excited about giving it a try.
The Beach House: Princess Cruises' Teen Lounge (Ages 13 to 17)
The Beach House is the dedicated teen lounge onboard Royal Princess. Rather than feeling like a traditional kids club, it feels more like a place for teens to hang out, meet friends, and enjoy activities designed specifically for their age group.
Teens can participate in video game tournaments, sports competitions, dance parties, themed events, and social activities throughout the cruise. There are also plenty of opportunities to simply relax and spend time with new friends.
The outdoor area was what really impressed me. The Beach House has its own outdoor hangout space, including a dedicated hot tub for teens. As I walked through during the tour, I kept saying, "Wow, this is so cool."
The space feels open and welcoming, with different areas for games, socializing, and organized activities. For teens who want independence without being completely on their own, it strikes a nice balance.
Final Thoughts on the Royal Princess Kids Club
The kids clubs on Royal Princess were one of the highlights of our Alaska cruise. Princess Cruises does an excellent job creating age appropriate spaces that feel welcoming, organized, and fun.
What stood out most to me was the detailed activity schedule and destination focused programming. Whether it was earning a Junior Ranger badge in Glacier Bay, learning about Alaska wildlife, playing skee ball with new friends, or simply having a place to hang out after dinner, there was something for every age group.
For families cruising on Princess Cruises, I highly recommend attending the kids club orientation on embarkation day. It is the best opportunity to meet the staff, tour the spaces, and help your kids feel comfortable before their first visit.
More Cruise Kids Club Photo Tours
If you are planning a family cruise, you may also enjoy these other kids club photo tours and guides: