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Family cruise
vacation![]() Families take cruises and they cruise often because the price is right, the value for money spent is outstanding and the cruise experience offers unique advantages over comparably priced land-based vacations. Those are the conclusions to be drawn from a just released online survey of more than 1,000 households by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and Cruise Critic, the top online resource on cruise information.
Youth & Teen Programs A Boatload of Fun Cruising with Princess is a complete escape for all ages. There's everything from arts and crafts, game tables, movies, and splash pools (on select cruise ships) to teen centers with ping-pong tables, juke boxes, and all the latest video games. There's a play area and special outdoor deck exclusively for toddlers. And Remix is designed to give teens their own space and the time of their lives. In addition, kids on the Grand and Golden Princess will also enjoy their own deck space with a Whale's Tail splash pool, and teens have a separate hot tub and deck area just for them. All Youth and Teen Centers are fully supervised by our staff of Youth Activities Coordinators. Children are welcome on all Princess cruise ships, but facilities vary. Pacific Princess and Tahitian Princess do not have dedicated Youth and Teen Centers (programs are available only when 20 or more children are sailing). However, when 20 or more children ages 3 to 17 are traveling on these ships, they will enjoy a varied schedule of supervised activities organized by a Youth Activities Coordinator. Family Cruising Tips Anytime Dining is recommended for families who want to dine together, so children may fully participate in the evening youth activities (starting at 7 p.m.). The dining alternatives onboard our ships allow parents the freedom to spend time with their children while they eat an early dinner at the pizzeria, in the 24-hour restaurant offering a special children's menu, in their stateroom with 24-hour room service, or in one of our many alternative dining locations. After taking their children to the supervised Youth and Teen Centers, parents can enjoy dining on their own in the elegant dining rooms. Many shore excursions have been selected with family cruisers in mind. Discounted rates for children and "family-friendly" activities are available to make the most of your time in port. Please see your Adventures Ashore brochure for details. On embarkation day, the Princess Youth and Teen Schedule for the entire cruise will be delivered to your stateroom. If you need more than one copy, please contact your Youth Activities Coordinator. Don't miss the orientation and registration meeting on the first night of your cruise. You and your children can meet the Youth and Teen staff and learn more about our exciting shipboard programs. Parents are always welcome to join their children in the Youth and Teen Centers. And who said cruises aren't for kids? NCL offers what you want, what your kids want- good times all around, for all ages, at all times, just the way you like it. Plus, complimentary activities happen every day- whether your child wants to paint, have a pajama party or put on a show. And just think of the new friends they'll make- you might even have to schedule time just to see them. Longer Kids Crew® hours, so you can stay out later Wii" and X-box 360" game consoles in the Teen Center Family friendly accommodations with lots of interconnecting staterooms All Ages Active Age-appropriate, Supervised Activities Kids Crew Dinner & Teens Dinner Kids Crew News & Teens Crew News Child Care Center & Qualified Counselors Undersea Adventures, Featuring Officer Snook Juniors (Ages 2-5) Storytelling & Painting Developmental Activities Age-specific Games Family Activities First Mates (Ages 6-9) Children's Pool Area** Pizza Making Party Games & Parties Crafts & Classes Navigators (Ages 10-12) Sports Activities Team-building Challenges Games & Parties Video Arcade Teens (Age 13-17) Teen Disco** Sport and Activities Video Arcade Movies and Parties The Youth Staff We like our Youth Staff because they are carefully chosen from Education and Recreation programs at their University. Your child will like our Youth Staff because they are fun. Actually, they are experts in fun- they design specialized activities for all ages. And they'll keep a constant watch over your children to make you happy. Not to mention, each staff member is CPR and First Aid certified, so your child will be safe and secure at all times plus they're trained in communication and confidence building too. Specifics & Restrictions A few things you need to know before the good times begin: A parent or guardian is required to register kids ages 2-17. After registering, kids can participate as often as they choose. Your child will be assigned to an age group based on his/her age at sailing. If they have a birthday while at sea, only then they are moved up. Sorry, no exceptions can be made-this helps keep your child safe. Kids under 13 may not sign themselves in and out. Only a designated adult over 21 may sign them in and out of Kid's Crew. Until our Youth Staff gets to know you, have a photo ID ready for drop off or pick up. We're flexible. Our activities and programs are subject to change to accommodate a child's needs. Sorry, we are not able to have one-on-one care within our Youth Programs. Leave the flip-flops and sandals in your stateroom-we play hard and require proper footwear. We are not able to change diapers or pull-ups, but we leave you with a beeper to alert you to do the duty. Beepers do not work ashore, so parents will have to stay onboard when their children are in our Youth Program. Your child not feeling well? Sick children need to see the medical center before coming to the program. There's no charge if your child is well and is allowed to join the activities. Please let us know if your child has allergies or note any medications on their registration&we like to have snacks and will need to know. Want to involve the whole family? Great activities are offered throughout the cruise including Pizza Making. Just remember, a parent is required to attend with a child to participate. Because our Youth Staff is not included in onboard gratuities, cash gratuities are divided among the staff and greatly appreciated. Individual gratuities can be made through the onboard Reception Desk. What activities will be available for my child(ren) onboard? Subject: Youth Activities/Family Activities Staffing: Youth Activities are directed and organized by a special staff of youth counselors. Youth Counselors have a formal education in Recreation, Education, Child Development or related fields. In addition Youth Counselors have experience working with large groups of children ages 3-17 years of age, in school/community sponsored youth programs or summer camps. Youth Counselors hold certifications in CPR and some speak Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese. All Celebrity ships carry a minimum of 6 Youth Counselors year round. During holiday sailings, Celebrity ships carry 8-12 Youth Counselors. Ship Mates (ages 3-6) Activities Include: Theme Parties Treasure Hunt T-shirt Decorating Talent Show Arts & Crafts Dancing and Musical Games Play Stations Cartoon Trivia Ball Pit Ship Tours Movies Ice Cream & Pizza Parties Celebrity Cadets (ages 7-9) Activities Include: Theme Parties Relay Races Team Trivia Arts & Crafts Play Stations Movies T-shirt Decorating Fitness Activities Ship Tours Talent Show Outdoor Games Ice Cream & Pizza Parties Ensigns (ages 10-12) Activities Include: Pool Olympics Scavenger Hunts Karaoke Talent Show Theme Parties T-shirt Decorating Sports Activities Team Challenges Initiative Games Movies Play Stations Late Night Pizza Parties Admiral T's (ages 13-15 & 16-17) Activities Include: Theme Parties Scavenger Hunts Teen Late Night Dancing Pool Olympics Sports Tournaments Team Trivia Karaoke Talent Show Play Stations Fitness Activities Age Restrictions: The Celebrity X-Club Youth Program provides activities for children and teens 3 to 17. Children must be a minimum age of 3 years old. to participate in organized and counselor supervised activities. Proof of age may be requested. At the discretion of the Youth Program Manager, parents may accompany their toddlers to utilize the Fun Factory and participate in Shipmate activities. Health Restrictions: *Children participating in the Celebrity X-Club Youth Program organized and counselor supervised activities without a parent, must be completely toilet trained and diaper/pull-up free. *Children with Disabilities: Any child over the age of 3 who must wear diapers or pull ups due to a disability may participate in the Youth Program as long as the parent submits a signed copy of the ADA XClub Accommodation Request Form. Availability: The Celebrity Youth Program is available year round with a full, five-tier age group program during President's Week, Easter, Summer, Thanksgiving, and Christmas sailings. On all other sailings, a combined age group program is offered. Program Hours: The Children's Playroom / Fun Factory is open daily from 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 P.M. each day. Slumber Party from 10:00pm - Midnight is offered each night on a sign up basis for a fee of $6 per child, per hour. Only while the ship is docked will a nominal fee of $6.00 per hour per child, children ages 3-12 years old who wishes to participate in various sitting services offered by the X-Club Youth Program; Afternoon Party from 12:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M. and Dinner Party from 5:00pm - 7:00pm Afternoon Party from 12:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M. (port days only) Dinner Party from 5:00pm - 7:00pm (complimentary while @ sea) Slumber Party from 10:00 P.M. - 1:00 A.M. daily (complimentary on the last night of the cruise). On the last evening of the cruise , the Celebrity Youth Program hosts a, "Parent's Night Out" in which children participate in a Pizza Party, evening activities, and complimentary Slumber Party, while their parents enjoy their last evening of fine dining and world class entertainment. Ensign (10-12 years) and Teen (13-17 years) activities are hosted by the Youth Staff. Ensigns and Teens are free to enter and leave activities as they please. Parent Responsibility: Children ages 3-9 must be signed-in and signed-out of the Celebrity Youth Program by their parents, who must present their Celebrity Signature Card for identification. Children and teens ages 10-17 are free to come and go as they please from activities hosted by the Celebrity Youth Program, but are required to follow the basic rules of the ship for those under 18 years old. When outside of the Celebrity Youth Program, parents are responsible for the supervision of their children. We also ask the you refrain from allowing your children to utilize the pool pr jacuzzi without your supervision. Babysitting (Stateroom Services): For a nominal fee of $8.00 per hour, for up to two children within the same family, parents can arrange for a private, in-stateroom Baby Sitter. Babysitting services are available through Stateroom Services onboard all Celebrity vessels. Parents are asked to make all private, in-stateroom babysitting requests 24 hours in advance. Children must be a minimum age of twelve months or older and there are to be no more than two children per Baby Sitter. Private, in-stateroom babysitting is subject to personnel availability. Toddler Time (Children under 3): Parents can now accompany their toddlers to a special event held only for toddlers and their parents. Youth Staff will provide toddler appropriate toys and equipment for these junior cruisers to feel like part of the fun. Celebrity has also provided changing tables and baby wipes in either the Fun Factory lavatory or these washroom closest to the Toddler Time venue. Celebrity Youth Program Behavioral Policy: Inappropriate behavior will not be permitted during Celebrity Youth Program activities. Youth demonstrating inappropriate behavior will first receive a verbal warning, second receive an age appropriate time out for continued inappropriate behavior and third, parent notification and dismissal from the Celebrity Youth Program activities. From Travel Weekly: Celebrity Equinox Sister to the Solstice, which received rave reviews from agents last year, Celebrity Cruises 2,850-passenger Celebrity Equinox begins service in August, sailing in the Mediterranean and the Southern and Western Caribbean during her first year. Among the attractions for families are: A half-acre Lawn Club with real, growing grass, where families can play croquet, bocce ball, practice their putting, or just feel the grass between their toes while miles out at sea. Family veranda suites at 575 square feet have verandas 53-105 square feet and feature floor-to-ceiling sliding-glass doors, sitting area with sofa convertible to a trundle bed, a privacy partition, 32-inch LCD TV, master bedroom with two beds convertible to queen size and a second bedroom with one twin bed. Childrens programs and spaces are tailored for ages 3-6, 7-9, 10-12 and 13-17. The X Club, an area designed exclusively for teens, has teen-oriented entertainment, a dance club and cool coffee bar. On the two formal evenings, parents are treated to free babysitting, and counselors take the children to a pizza party for dinner Every year, more and more families are sailing with Royal Caribbean International. A cruise vacation gives families a chance to spend time together and create memories while exploring exciting new places. With so many cool activities onboard, "Are we there yet?" is a thing of the past. From Royal Caribbean classics like our rock wall to the Adventure Ocean and Fisher-Price kids' programs, there's always something fun to do. And, when the ship is in port, our Explorations! shore excursions turn every destination into a family-friendly adventure. Check out more family fun below, and start planning your next vacation with Royal Caribbean today! Onboard Features and Activities With some of the most innovative ships at sea, Royal Caribbean offers plenty of ways to keep kids entertained. Kids and their parents can get together and participate in fun onboard activities like ice-skating, karaoke, talent shows, bingo tournaments and the family disco. Take part in constructing and decorating a Lowe's wooden cruise ship in our 'Build and Grow' with Lowes workshops. Foster friendly competition with a family climb on our famous rock wall or a round on the mini-golf course. On our newest Freedom Class of ships, you can even try surfing on the FlowRider-an amazing wave simulator. Family Destinations and Shore & Land Excursions Royal Caribbean's private destinations, CocoCay and Labadee, have all the makings of a perfect family adventure. Both islands offer pristine beaches and spectacular scenery, but kids will be most fascinated by state-of-the-art Aqua Parks and Labadee Luc's Splash Bash. Older kids might enjoy parasailing and snorkeling as well, or get the whole gang together for organized Family Beach Activities. Kids ages 3 to 8, accompanied by their parents, can experience a special driving adventure on the Fisher-Price Power Wheels® Track, featured on CocoCay. With the huge variety of Shore & Land Excursions offered at all Royal Caribbean destinations, you're sure to find many that are suitable for the entire family. Sightsee, snorkel, explore ancient ruins or investigate a city museum-there is an excursion to match any taste or activity level. Learn more about Shore & Land Excursions. Fisher Price Playgroups Join your 6- to 36-month-old in the fun of Fisher-Price Aqua Babies and Aqua Tots, interactive playgroup sessions developed by early childhood experts at Fisher-Price. Each 45-minute session offers age-appropriate activities that expose children to new experiences while seamlessly combining playtime with learning time. Learn more about Fisher-Price playgroups. A parent or caregiver MUST accompany children during all playgroup sessions. Adventure Ocean Adventure Ocean is a complimentary program of fun and educational activities open to all guests ages 3-17. Children are separated by age: 3 to 5; 6 to 8; 9 to 11; 12 to 14; and 15 to 17. Your child will get to learn about local customs, do cool science experiments, and make great new friends. The 12-14 and 15-17 Adventure Ocean groups allow teens the freedom to come and go as they please for sports, themed parties, movie nights and more. Teens can also meet and relax in the laid-back Living Room lounge, or dance late into the night at Fuel, our teen-only nightclub. To participate in Adventure Ocean, children must be three years of age and potty-trained (no pull-ups or diapers). You can feel confident leaving your children with us because every member of our Adventure Ocean staff holds a college degree in education, recreation, or related field and has experience working with children ages 3-17. All are certified in CPR. Learn more about Adventure Ocean. Eat, Drink and Be Merry For our youngest guests, we offer a kid's menu featuring all their favorites: pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, peanut butter, and mac and cheese. Kids have their own beverage programs too. The Unlimited Soda Package lets them purchase a fountain soda package so they can enjoy as many fountain sodas as they want. On selected nights, our youth staff hosts dinners in our casual restaurants. It's a great opportunity for kids to eat with other kids and for parents to enjoy a meal alone. Time for Mom and Dad As a vacation for the whole family, Royal Caribbean also provides quiet time for Mom and Dad. That can be during the day, while the kids are at their own Adventure Ocean programs, or at night, while the kids are with babysitters. Babysitting is offered both in a group setting, and individually in your stateroom. In stateroom babysitting must be booked through the Guest Relations Desk (Purser's Desk) at least 24 hours in advance. It cannot be booked prior to the cruise vacation and there is no guarantee that sitters will be available. The service is offered when personnel is available. Children MUST be at least 1 year old. Approximate Rate: $10.00 per hour for one or two children within the same family or $15.00 per hour for three children within the same family. Times and prices are subject to change without notice. Payment must be made in cash Oasis of the Seas The largest cruise ship in the world, Royal Caribbean Internationals 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas, will make her debut in November with a design based on seven distinct neighborhoods: the Boardwalk, Royal Promenade, Central Park, Vitality at Sea Spa, Pool and Sports, Entertainment and the Youth Zone. She will sail alternating seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. The Youth Zone covers more than 28,700 square feet including, Kids Avenue, a central boulevard connecting children with dedicated Adventure Ocean spaces and various themed play areas. The new Royal Babies and Tots nursery will be the cruise lines first nursery for infants and toddlers six months or older. Within the Youth Zone, Kids Avenue will serve as the main promenade for young cruisers to access the various Adventure Ocean areas where age-specific activities will be offered to three Adventure Ocean program age groups, each with its own space: 3-5, 6-8 and 9-11. The teen-only spaces are completely separate, adjacent to the ships Sports Deck, where kids can test their skills on one of the ships two FlowRider surf simulators; the miniature golf-course, Oasis Dunes; or the Sports Court for volleyball and basketball games 2 THEMED DINNERS PER CRUISE JUST FOR KIDS with a menu designed by our chef for our younger guests. The children's program is called Fun@sea and is handed out to all children upon boarding by a member of our entertainment staff. The program shows the exact times of the different daytime and evening activities. Costa gives parents travelling with children some time off by organising two events where kids spend the evening with other guests their age at a fun themed dinner (Squok, Pirates, Circus, Video games world, Halloween, WWF in the Jungle or Underwater) and fun activities designed especially for them. While the kids are being entertained, parents can relax as they enjoy sumptuous cuisine and a romantic evening together, feeling secure that their children are having while being supervised by our dedicated Youth Counsellors. With this program, parents and children will both be pleased with the variety of shipboard activities and the warmth of Italian Style cruising. Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica Costa Cruises is launching two new ships in early June: the 2,260-passenger Costa Luminosa with 772 of her 1,130 staterooms and suites designed with verandas and the Costa Pacifica, with 1,504 staterooms, including 91 Samsara spa staterooms, 521 veranda cabins, 58 suites with private balconies and 12 Samsara spa suites. Pacifica will remain year-round in the Mediterranean, offering seven-night cruises, while Luminosa offers Northern Europe and Mediterranean cruises, followed by Middle East itineraries out of Dubai. International clientele and international kids program, with children of all ages picking up languages during the cruise. Dedicated space and programs from karaoke to sports for cruisers 3-6 years, 7-11, 12-14 and 15-17, with two themed dinners per cruise just for kids with special menus. A pool deck with a retractable magrodome extending over two pools. Playstation World areas where kids can try their hand at the latest-generation Playstation games. On the Costa Luminosa, parents can even rent PS3 consoles so that their children may play the games in their cabin. Carnival Dream Carnival Cruise Lines carries
an estimated 625,000 children aboard its 22 ships, about half the number for
the North American cruise industry. The 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream will be
the lines largest ship when it debuts on Sept. 21. The ships
inaugural itineraries are divided between Europe and the Caribbean, and family
features include: More than 19,000 total square feet of space catering
to younger cruisers. Dedicated space and programs for children ages 2-5,
with arts and crafts and a variety of age-appropriate toys and games; 6-9-year
olds with PlayStation2 and Wii linked to plasma television screens; 9-11 with a
karaoke machine, air hockey and foosball tables and PlayStation2 and Wii video
game consoles; and tweens and teens own lounges and entertainment.
Carnival WaterWorks with a 303-foot-long, four-deck-high corkscrew
waterslide and a 104-foot-long spiral waterslide that leads into a giant
funnel, plus a pair of double-lane 80-foot-long racing slides. Deluxe
oceanview staterooms with one full bathroom and a second bathroom with a junior
tub, shower and sink, along with a variety of inter-connecting staterooms and
accommodations can hold up to five. www.carnival.com Plus KIDS 17 & UNDER SAIL FREE! Coming: Family-Friendly Cruise Ships MSC Splendida MSC Cruises 3,300-passenger MSC Splendida will spend 2009 in the Mediterranean, offering weeklong cruises after her debut in July. The ship has a broad range of dining, from romantic French to Tex-Mex, and the gelato and pastries bring the generations together. This is a European ship, with a wide variety of nationalities on board, and family friendly features, including: An ongoing Kids Sail Free policy that allows cruisers under 17 sharing a stateroom with two full-fare-paying adults to sail free. Two innovative mini-bowling alleys in the high-tech Sports Bar. The traditional-looking bowling surface is actually made of a tough phenol compound which allows anyone to join in the fun without changing shoes and the balls are smaller than the norm great for family competition. Childrens programs offered in dedicated spaces and in various parts of the ship, divided into 3-6, 7-12 and 13-17. Childrens waterpark, and teen centers complete with video games and karaoke. Classic American food as well as Italian pastas and pizza. Seabourn Odyssey Yachts of Seabourns
450-passenger Seabourn Odyssey, launching in late June, has all ocean-view
suites, with 90 percent having verandas. The ship will sail in the
Mediterranean and Caribbean in 2009, followed by a world cruise starting in
January. They do have children on board during summer vacation and holidays,
with family travel best suited to older kids and shorter itineraries. On
Odyssey there are 14 sets of suites that can be connected for a 554-square-foot
Double Suite. Three sets are A1 category suites of 295 square feet each. Five
sets connect two V-category suites of 300 square feet each. All V-categories
include private verandas (two for combinations). Two Penthouse suites
(1½ times the size of a V) connect with a V-category suite, as does one
extra-large disabled-access Owners Suite. The two Wintergarden Suites
can be connected to a V-category suite to create the Grand Wintergarden Suite:
1,182 square feet inside with two verandas totaling 217 square feet, plus a
private glassed-in solarium. These also have a whirlpool tub in the master
bath, plus guest bath. About 20 percent of Seabourns charters are
private individuals or families celebrating milestone events such as wedding
anniversaries, birthdays, etc. They can customize the itinerary (to some
extent), the onboard programming and entertainment and even fly the family
flag.
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