CRUISES PROVIDE OCEANS OF FUN FOR ONE AND ALL
More than 1 million children under the age of 18 took to the High Seas
with their families in 2004 and there’s a reason why: Cruises offer an
ever-increasing variety of amenities and activities to make them the ideal
family friendly vacation, according to the Cruise Lines International
Association (CLIA) – the cruise industry’s chief marketing organization.
For instance, CLIA member lines have developed onboard programs that
not only feature family “together” time, but also “alone” time for parents.
Together, parents and kids can participate in mock game shows, story
hours, treasure hunts, family water play and make-your-own sundae
sessions. Some cruise lines even provide beepers so children’s
counselors can contact parents at any time during the cruise.
Kids sailing aboard CLIA member-line ships can enjoy a host of
supervised, age-appropriate activities while adults take in the sun on
deck, enjoy a massage for two in the spa or take an enrichment class. In
the evenings, many lines offer babysitting services so that couples can
enjoy a “night on the town,” including dining and dancing.
“More than ever, people want to spend quality recreational time with their
families,” said Terry L. Dale, CLIA’s president and CEO. “A cruise
provides the very best opportunity to do that on vacation.”
Family cruises also offer great value. Several CLIA member lines feature
accommodations that are tailor-made for families, including large
staterooms with cordoned off sleeping quarters for parents and inter-
connecting cabins for families with older kids.
“Since most everything is included in the cost of a cruise –
accommodations, meals, entertainment, children’s activity programs and
more, cruises combine great value with the chance for families to
experience a spectacular vacation together,” said Dale.
Following is a listing of programs, amenities and facilities for children
and families sailing aboard CLIA member-line ships:
CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES
At Carnival, the concept of ‘fun’ is taken very seriously when it comes to
kids. Camp Carnival offers activities that divide children into age groups
of 2-5, 6-8, 9-11, 12-14 and 15-17. For the younger set, Carnival ships
feature kid-friendly amenities and programs supervised by highly trained
youth counselors in state-of-art facilities – some of which measure 4,200
square feet. On several vessels children can also enjoy arts and crafts
centers, with spin- and sand-art machines; cascading poolside slides;
“activity walls;” indoor climbing mazes, and computer labs. The line also
offers expanded children’s menus in the dining rooms and poolside
restaurants.
CELEBRITY CRUISES
Celebrity’s Family Cruising Program is designed with specific activities
tailored to the interests and needs of four age groups. Each ship has a
dedicated staff of eight to 12 youth counselors, including one supervisor
and one lifeguard, who direct the youth activities. Counselors are trained
in child psychology, child development, education and/or recreation. Age
groups are 3 to 6; 7-9; 10-12; 13-15 and 16-17. Celebrity Science
Journeys, offered on every ship, encourage children to learn about
science and nature in an engaging environment. Other program
highlights include youth summer stock theater junior Olympics, magic
lessons, treasure hunts and clown parties.
CRYSTAL CRUISES
Many facilities aboard Crystal’s ships Crystal Symphony and Crystal
Serenity were designed with young guests in mind. Fantasia has
supervised activities, tables and chairs for board games, arts and crafts,
giant padded cubes, Sony PlayStation® kiosks, and large-screen
televisions. Waves is a venue where teenagers can enjoy a video arcade.
The line also offers Etiquette Training for Juniors, developed in
conjunction with Gollatz Cotillion, whereby young cruisers learn how to
handle themselves in a variety of social situations. During holidays and
selected sailings, Crystal offers additional children’s activities under the
supervision of experienced Junior Activities Directors in age-appropriate
groups.
CUNARD LINE
Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 have nurseries staffed by
accredited British nannies. Aboard these British icons kids can even
participate in a dedicated Children’s Tea, served each afternoon. Queen
Mary 2, the world’s largest liner, features age-appropriate programs for
children in three groups: The Nursery provides cribs and cots for children
ages 1-2 years; The Play Zone offers myriad activities for kids 3-6 years
old, including pizza parties, movie nights, and face painting; and for older
children - ages 7-10 years - The Zone offers scavenger hunts, ship tours,
quizzes, DJ booth, and Xboxes, among many other activities.
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
Disney’s ships Disney Magic and Disney Wonder have nearly an entire
deck dedicated to children ages 3 months to 17 years. Oceaneer’s Club,
for kids 3 to 7, includes dances with Snow White, a Sebastian’s Musical
Sea Search for instruments and splashy games on the line’s private
island. Kids 8 to 12 can venture to “infinity and beyond” at the space and
science themed Oceaneer Lab. The Stack (Disney Magic) and Aloft
(Disney Wonder) are reserved for kids 13 to 17 and are packed with
comfy couches, a soda bar, Internet access, plasma TVs, MP3 players
and board games.
HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
Holland America Line’s Club HAL youth program features age-specific
activities designed to provide kids and teens with entertaining choices –
and parents with peace of mind knowing their children are having fun
while being well supervised at the same time. Activities planned for
children ages 5 through 8 might include arts and crafts, face-painting,
camp-out night and candy bar Bingo. Tweens, the in-betweens, ages 9
through 12, might learn golf putting, have dance parties, compete in on-
deck sports events, play arcade games and tie-dye t-shirts. Teens will
enjoy the teen disco, dance lessons, arcade games, sports
tournaments, play stations and movies.
MSC CRUISES
Each of MSC Cruises’ ships feature a designated children’s area, and
MSC Sinfonia also offers a Teen Club. Children are under the
supervision of trained youth counselors who coordinate organized
games, sports, arts and crafts, and special age-appropriate parties.
Activities are organized by age group, with more activities planned during
the holiday and summer vacation seasons when more children are
sailing. The line’s ships offer suites (double, queen- or king-sized bed
plus sofa bed) are able to accommodate as many as four people. MSC
Lirica, MSC Opera, MSC Sinfonia and MSC Armonia also offer family-size
suites consisting of two rooms.
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
Norwegian Cruise Line ships offers supervised programs (ages 2-5, 6-8,
9-12, and 13-17) with a host of Kid’s Krew venues, including dining areas
exclusively for kids, video arcade rooms and teen clubs. NCL America’s
new vessel, Pride of America, features extensive recreational
opportunities for kids, including 250 interconnecting cabins. The ship
also has eight 360-square-foot suites with private balcony, living room
with double sofa bed and entertainment center, separate den with a
single sofa bed, and private bedroom with two twin beds. Four additional
family suites feature two interconnecting cabins that sleep up to eight
and include two separate bathrooms.
PRINCESS CRUISES
Princess Kids offers a wide range of activities for children in three age-
specific programs, with age-appropriate activities and often separate
facilities, for kids 3 to 7, 8 to 12 and 13 to 17. Most ships feature youth
and teen centers that keep young sailors entertained with art corners,
game tables, ping pong tables, juke boxes and the latest video games.
Newer ships feature such diversions as a toddler’s play area and
theater, doll’s house, crawl-through castle and splash pool. Larger
vessels also offer expansive children’s and teen centers with indoor and
outdoor areas or separate areas for each age group.
RADISSON SEVEN SEAS
Radisson Seven Seas’ Club Mariner children’s program caters to
children age 6 to 17 and is offered on select voyages. To better
accommodate families, Paul Gauguin now boasts 28 triples in
categories C, D and E. There are 25 staterooms on Seven Seas
Navigator that can accommodate children. Another option for families are
Master Suites aboard Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager.
Through August, kids 9 to 15 sailing aboard Paul Gauguin in French
Polynesia can participate in “Ambassadors of the Environment,” a
partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society, which
provides an interactive experience that encourages ocean responsibility.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean Youth Program offers five age-
appropriate groups for kids that include a host of programs. Adventure
Science blends science experiments with wacky entertainment.
Adventure Art by Crayola offers kids the chance to create such crafts as
cultural masks and pottery. Sail Into Story Time combines a story hour
with activities and projects. Adventure Family offers kids and their parents
the chance to spend quality time together with a host of activities. The line’
s new Freedom of the Seas, scheduled to debut in May 2006, will offer six
different family-focused cabin categories specially designed to
accommodate larger families.
For more information about family programs on CLIA-member cruise
lines, contact a CLIA-member travel professional. To locate an agency
near you, use the Travel Agent Locator on CLIA’s website at www.
cruising.org.
More than 1 million children under the age of 18 took to the High Seas
with their families in 2004 and there’s a reason why: Cruises offer an
ever-increasing variety of amenities and activities to make them the ideal
family friendly vacation, according to the Cruise Lines International
Association (CLIA) – the cruise industry’s chief marketing organization.
For instance, CLIA member lines have developed onboard programs that
not only feature family “together” time, but also “alone” time for parents.
Together, parents and kids can participate in mock game shows, story
hours, treasure hunts, family water play and make-your-own sundae
sessions. Some cruise lines even provide beepers so children’s
counselors can contact parents at any time during the cruise.
Kids sailing aboard CLIA member-line ships can enjoy a host of
supervised, age-appropriate activities while adults take in the sun on
deck, enjoy a massage for two in the spa or take an enrichment class. In
the evenings, many lines offer babysitting services so that couples can
enjoy a “night on the town,” including dining and dancing.
“More than ever, people want to spend quality recreational time with their
families,” said Terry L. Dale, CLIA’s president and CEO. “A cruise
provides the very best opportunity to do that on vacation.”
Family cruises also offer great value. Several CLIA member lines feature
accommodations that are tailor-made for families, including large
staterooms with cordoned off sleeping quarters for parents and inter-
connecting cabins for families with older kids.
“Since most everything is included in the cost of a cruise –
accommodations, meals, entertainment, children’s activity programs and
more, cruises combine great value with the chance for families to
experience a spectacular vacation together,” said Dale.
Following is a listing of programs, amenities and facilities for children
and families sailing aboard CLIA member-line ships:
CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES
At Carnival, the concept of ‘fun’ is taken very seriously when it comes to
kids. Camp Carnival offers activities that divide children into age groups
of 2-5, 6-8, 9-11, 12-14 and 15-17. For the younger set, Carnival ships
feature kid-friendly amenities and programs supervised by highly trained
youth counselors in state-of-art facilities – some of which measure 4,200
square feet. On several vessels children can also enjoy arts and crafts
centers, with spin- and sand-art machines; cascading poolside slides;
“activity walls;” indoor climbing mazes, and computer labs. The line also
offers expanded children’s menus in the dining rooms and poolside
restaurants.
CELEBRITY CRUISES
Celebrity’s Family Cruising Program is designed with specific activities
tailored to the interests and needs of four age groups. Each ship has a
dedicated staff of eight to 12 youth counselors, including one supervisor
and one lifeguard, who direct the youth activities. Counselors are trained
in child psychology, child development, education and/or recreation. Age
groups are 3 to 6; 7-9; 10-12; 13-15 and 16-17. Celebrity Science
Journeys, offered on every ship, encourage children to learn about
science and nature in an engaging environment. Other program
highlights include youth summer stock theater junior Olympics, magic
lessons, treasure hunts and clown parties.
CRYSTAL CRUISES
Many facilities aboard Crystal’s ships Crystal Symphony and Crystal
Serenity were designed with young guests in mind. Fantasia has
supervised activities, tables and chairs for board games, arts and crafts,
giant padded cubes, Sony PlayStation® kiosks, and large-screen
televisions. Waves is a venue where teenagers can enjoy a video arcade.
The line also offers Etiquette Training for Juniors, developed in
conjunction with Gollatz Cotillion, whereby young cruisers learn how to
handle themselves in a variety of social situations. During holidays and
selected sailings, Crystal offers additional children’s activities under the
supervision of experienced Junior Activities Directors in age-appropriate
groups.
CUNARD LINE
Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 have nurseries staffed by
accredited British nannies. Aboard these British icons kids can even
participate in a dedicated Children’s Tea, served each afternoon. Queen
Mary 2, the world’s largest liner, features age-appropriate programs for
children in three groups: The Nursery provides cribs and cots for children
ages 1-2 years; The Play Zone offers myriad activities for kids 3-6 years
old, including pizza parties, movie nights, and face painting; and for older
children - ages 7-10 years - The Zone offers scavenger hunts, ship tours,
quizzes, DJ booth, and Xboxes, among many other activities.
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
Disney’s ships Disney Magic and Disney Wonder have nearly an entire
deck dedicated to children ages 3 months to 17 years. Oceaneer’s Club,
for kids 3 to 7, includes dances with Snow White, a Sebastian’s Musical
Sea Search for instruments and splashy games on the line’s private
island. Kids 8 to 12 can venture to “infinity and beyond” at the space and
science themed Oceaneer Lab. The Stack (Disney Magic) and Aloft
(Disney Wonder) are reserved for kids 13 to 17 and are packed with
comfy couches, a soda bar, Internet access, plasma TVs, MP3 players
and board games.
HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
Holland America Line’s Club HAL youth program features age-specific
activities designed to provide kids and teens with entertaining choices –
and parents with peace of mind knowing their children are having fun
while being well supervised at the same time. Activities planned for
children ages 5 through 8 might include arts and crafts, face-painting,
camp-out night and candy bar Bingo. Tweens, the in-betweens, ages 9
through 12, might learn golf putting, have dance parties, compete in on-
deck sports events, play arcade games and tie-dye t-shirts. Teens will
enjoy the teen disco, dance lessons, arcade games, sports
tournaments, play stations and movies.
MSC CRUISES
Each of MSC Cruises’ ships feature a designated children’s area, and
MSC Sinfonia also offers a Teen Club. Children are under the
supervision of trained youth counselors who coordinate organized
games, sports, arts and crafts, and special age-appropriate parties.
Activities are organized by age group, with more activities planned during
the holiday and summer vacation seasons when more children are
sailing. The line’s ships offer suites (double, queen- or king-sized bed
plus sofa bed) are able to accommodate as many as four people. MSC
Lirica, MSC Opera, MSC Sinfonia and MSC Armonia also offer family-size
suites consisting of two rooms.
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
Norwegian Cruise Line ships offers supervised programs (ages 2-5, 6-8,
9-12, and 13-17) with a host of Kid’s Krew venues, including dining areas
exclusively for kids, video arcade rooms and teen clubs. NCL America’s
new vessel, Pride of America, features extensive recreational
opportunities for kids, including 250 interconnecting cabins. The ship
also has eight 360-square-foot suites with private balcony, living room
with double sofa bed and entertainment center, separate den with a
single sofa bed, and private bedroom with two twin beds. Four additional
family suites feature two interconnecting cabins that sleep up to eight
and include two separate bathrooms.
PRINCESS CRUISES
Princess Kids offers a wide range of activities for children in three age-
specific programs, with age-appropriate activities and often separate
facilities, for kids 3 to 7, 8 to 12 and 13 to 17. Most ships feature youth
and teen centers that keep young sailors entertained with art corners,
game tables, ping pong tables, juke boxes and the latest video games.
Newer ships feature such diversions as a toddler’s play area and
theater, doll’s house, crawl-through castle and splash pool. Larger
vessels also offer expansive children’s and teen centers with indoor and
outdoor areas or separate areas for each age group.
RADISSON SEVEN SEAS
Radisson Seven Seas’ Club Mariner children’s program caters to
children age 6 to 17 and is offered on select voyages. To better
accommodate families, Paul Gauguin now boasts 28 triples in
categories C, D and E. There are 25 staterooms on Seven Seas
Navigator that can accommodate children. Another option for families are
Master Suites aboard Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager.
Through August, kids 9 to 15 sailing aboard Paul Gauguin in French
Polynesia can participate in “Ambassadors of the Environment,” a
partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society, which
provides an interactive experience that encourages ocean responsibility.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean Youth Program offers five age-
appropriate groups for kids that include a host of programs. Adventure
Science blends science experiments with wacky entertainment.
Adventure Art by Crayola offers kids the chance to create such crafts as
cultural masks and pottery. Sail Into Story Time combines a story hour
with activities and projects. Adventure Family offers kids and their parents
the chance to spend quality time together with a host of activities. The line’
s new Freedom of the Seas, scheduled to debut in May 2006, will offer six
different family-focused cabin categories specially designed to
accommodate larger families.
For more information about family programs on CLIA-member cruise
lines, contact a CLIA-member travel professional. To locate an agency
near you, use the Travel Agent Locator on CLIA’s website at www.
cruising.org.
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