Cruise Ship Arcades and Video Games: What Teens Should Know
The arcade is the one place on a cruise ship where a teenager can quietly run up a bill. Games cost money on every mainstream line, they're charged to a card that doesn't feel like cash, and nobody sees the total until the final statement.
How do cruise ship arcades charge?
Most arcades work like a mall arcade with the coin slot replaced by a card reader. Depending on the ship, you either tap the teen's cruise card on each machine, or buy a game card loaded with credit that's billed to your onboard account. Each play is typically around US$1–3 at recent prices, with bigger racing or VR games at the top end.
Some ships run ticket-redemption games where winnings trade for small prizes. As at home, the prizes are worth far less than the credit spent to win them.
What's free for teens on board?
Plenty, which is the best argument for not living in the arcade:
- Teen club: usually has consoles, a lounge and organized events, all included (see kids clubs on cruise ships)
- Sports and activities: basketball and pickleball courts, mini golf, and on some big ships laser tag, waterslides or climbing walls
- Trivia and game shows: the daily programme lists teen-only and family sessions
- Movies and pool time: outdoor screens and late-night teen events
The casino is off limits. The minimum age is typically 18, and higher on some sailings.
How to set a teen spending limit
- Agree a total before you sail, written down, so there's no debate on day three.
- Set the limit at guest services or in the app on the first afternoon. Most big lines let parents cap a minor's card or switch off charging.
- Check the onboard account daily in the app. Arcade charges show as separate lines.
- Top up deliberately, if at all, rather than lifting the cap.
Bringing their own games
A handheld console is a good sea-day backup and costs nothing on board. Download games, updates and films at home, because ship wifi is slow and expensive for large files (see how cruise ship internet works). Pack a charger, but not a power bar, since most lines ban them.
For the wider picture on keeping older kids happy, Alaska with teenagers has ideas that work on any route.
Have a question about this? A licensed cruise expert can answer it for free — no booking required, no pressure.
Ask a cruise expert →Planning teen entertainment budgets for your cruise
Arcade size varies a lot. Big family ships on Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian and Disney have full arcades, while adult-leaning ships may have a few machines or none. Check your ship's deck plan, agree a budget, and let the free activities do most of the work.
Want this priced up for your dates? Speak to a licensed cruise expert — same price as booking direct, plus perks like onboard credit and prepaid gratuities the websites don't show. No fee, no obligation, and you can book online if you'd rather.
Get a quote or book online →Frequently asked questions
Are cruise ship arcades free to use?
No. Arcades on mainstream lines charge per play, usually through the cruise card or a separate game card linked to your onboard account. Free gaming tends to be in the teen club, which often has consoles, and at included activities like trivia, sports courts or laser tag on some ships.
How much should you budget for a teen's arcade spending on a cruise?
A keen gamer can easily spend US$10–20 a day, so a week's budget of US$50–100 suits most families. Agree the number before sailing and set it as a limit on their card rather than relying on willpower.
Can teens bring a Nintendo Switch or handheld console on a cruise?
Yes. Handheld consoles are fine and work well offline on sea days. Online play needs the ship's wifi, which costs extra and may lag, so download games and updates before you leave home.
More questions you might have
- Can You Bring a Pet on a Cruise ShipAlmost no cruise allows pets — with two real exceptions. What counts as a service animal, which crossings take dogs, and what everyone else does.
- Cruise Ship Medical Care: What's On Board and What It CostsWhat happens if you get sick or hurt at sea — the onboard clinic's real capabilities, typical costs.
- First Cruise Mistakes That Cost You MoneyTen expensive rookie errors — from same-day flights to roaming bills to the drinks-package trap — and the cheap habits that prevent each.
- Port Days vs Sea Days: Building the Right Itinerary BalanceWhy the ratio matters more than the destination — matching itinerary pacing to your actual travel energy before you book.
- Onboard Credit vs a Straight Cash Discount: Which Is BetterThe same-value promotion offered two ways — why the choice matters more than it seems, and how to pick based on your actual spending habits.
- Suite vs Two Balcony Cabins for a Family: The Price TestThe four-person question with a thousand-dollar answer — space math, perk math, the teenager variable, and when each configuration wins.
Booking essentials: Is It Cheaper to Book a Cruise Through a Travel Agent · What Are Expedia Extras on a Cruise Booking · Onboard Credit Explained and How to Get More · Cruise Line Policies Compared: 8 Lines Side by Side (2026)