|
FAMILY CRUISE ROUND-UP
Most of the major cruise lines offer supervised activities for children, similar to the camp-like programs offered by large resorts. (More active families should see the adventure travel listings for information on rafting trips!) When you're picking a cruise line for your family, be sure and ask specifically for a cruise that offers the kid's programs, and check to make sure that it covers your child's age group. Some cruise lines offer children's programs only during the holidays, or offer programs for very small children only in the mornings, for example. Also ask about babysitting services and how much they cost. You'll find descriptions of some of the children's programs offered by major cruise lines, as well as an alternative vacation for floating families. PRINCESS CRUISES Four of the line's vessels feature special youth centers, while other ships offer a special children's program when 15 or more children are on board. Youth centers are open from 9am to midnight every day. Board geme tournaments, coloring contests, arts and crafts, bingo, scavenger hunt, ice cream and pizza parties, and storytelling. Showings of kids' movies such as Wizard of Oz, Bambi and Cinderella happen every night. Counselors supervise individual swimming, pool games and snorkeling lessons. For teenagers, there are exercise classes, arts and crafts, Italian lessons and video games, and a different PG or PG-13 movie every night. Babysitting and nursery services are not available, minimum age is 24 months, and meals are not provided in the youth centers. The fare for children traveling as 3rd nd 4th berth passengers is about half of the minimum rate. For more information, contact a travel agent. PREMIER CRUISE LINES First Mates, for 2-4 year olds, offers a club house with stories, sing-alongs and treasure hunts, toys and games. Kids Call for 5-7 year olds offers ice cream parties, a kiddie pool and magic show, a tour of the ship's bridge by the Captain, and starring roles in the ship's current theatrical production; Starcruisers, 8-10 year olds, have their own junior pool; the 11-13 year old Navigators enjoy sports activities; and 14-17 year old Teen Cruisers get to know each other at their own dances and karaoke parties. And if you're a single parent looking to get away with the kids, Premier Cruise Lines can help you plan your great escape. Single parents sail at 125% of the regular fare, and kids 17 and under cruise for the lower 3rd, 4th and 5th guest rate. Ask your travel agent for more information. NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE Norwegian Cruise Line's Kid's Crew program offers activities for youths ages 3-17, including games, parties, scavenger hunts on the line's private island in the Bahamas, and autograph-signing parties with professional athletes. Youngsters can pick their meals from their own kids menu, including the Space Mouse Special, King Kong Burger and Jaws Dawgs, and Universal Studio characters such as Woody the Woodpecker, Rocky and Bullwinkle put in personal appearances. The program is offered year-round for ages 6-17 aboard all vessels, with programs for ages 3-5 available during the summer months and holidays (though restricted to sea days and mornings). For more information and reservations, call a travel agent or call 800-327-7030 (in Dade County, FL, 305-445-0866. CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE Carnival Cruise Line's Camp Carnival provides morning-to-night activities for kids in four age groups: 2-4, 5-8, 9-13 and 14-17. The program operates from 9:30am-9:30pm most days, after which babysitting services are available, for a nominal charge, at slumber parties in the children's playrooms. Carnival's Fun Ships include a 15-foot-high, 114-foot-long water flume slide. Carnival's nine ships sail to the Bahamas, Caribbean and Mexican Riviera on three-, four- and seven-day cruises, and the line also offers Carnival Cruise and Disney Vacations. Call a travel agent for more information. THE BARGE LADY As an alternative to the giant cruise ship, families can try floating the canals of France and Britain in barges. The Barge Lady offers a personalized brokering service for European barges, matching customers "to that perfect barge--perfect in terms of price, amenities, special interests, number and composition of group, specific area desired and previous travel history." Ellen Sack, who operates the service, says that the barge trips are less expensive than the large lines, and cater to a variety of interests. "The informal La Belle Aventure is an especially good choice for families with small children. Facilities aboard include both a child-sized bicycle and a tandem bicycle, and the sightseeing program can be customized to include everyone's interests." For more information, and to request a copy of The Barge Lady's 1995 Preview, call 800-880-0071. AMERICAN HAWAII CRUISES American Hawaii Cruises offers children's programs seasonally, or anytime 12 or more children are on board a ship. Children 18 and under sail for $195 when sharing a room with two full-fare adults. Both of the company's ships offer a youth recreation center and full-time recreation coordinators who organize shipboard activities for kids age 5-16 including pool games, talent shows, arts and crafts, hula lessons and ukulele classes. Freshwater swimming pools and a movie theater are also onboard. American Hawaii Cruises sail from Honolulu with shore excursions including raft adventures off the coast of Kauai, snorkeling and sailing near Kona, a trip to Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, bicycling down the 10,000-foot Haleakala Volcano on Maui and seasonal whale watching trips. For more information, call 800-765-7000. Bed and Breakfast Inns |
|