MARCH 2019 globaltravelerusa.com 31
cruising
FUN FOR ALL:
Bumper cars and
rock climbing
wall on a Royal
Caribbean
International cruisePHOTOS: ©
ROYAL CARRIBEAN
INTERNATIONALALL IN THE FAMILY
Cruise lines know how to please passengers of all ages. BY J.D. BROWN AND MARGARET BACKENHEIMER
MANY CRUISE LINES are only too happy to keep the whole
family entertained these days, as some 42 percent of parties now
sail with children under 18. Mid-sized to mega-sized ships offer the
widest range of programs and facilities dedicated to kids and teens,
although these playgrounds at sea are not the only option. Some
all-inclusive luxury liners and smaller expedition ships are also
family-friendly.
Among major premium line choices, Disney Cruise Line takes
center stage. Not only do Mickey and friends roam the decks, but
dashing figures from Star Wars and the superheroes of Marvel
Comics also come to life. Especially popular with children ages
4–11, Disney runs programs for every age group, from babies to
teens and beyond, capped by its 1820 Society, which sponsors
exclusive get-togethers for passengers ages 18–20. Although Disney
dedicates nearly a full deck of space exclusively to kids, many
onboard activities bring families together, from themed deck parties,
Broadway-style musicals and character breakfasts to mother-daughter
and father-son spa treatments.
Disney’s top rivals offer plenty of kid-friendly diversions, too.
Royal Caribbean International’s big ships feature some spectacular
attractions, including bumper cars, zip lines, rock climbing walls
and ice rinks. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Splash Academy teaches
circus skills, from tumbling to juggling, that children (ages 3–17)
then perform in a special show for parents. Holland America Lineand Princess Cruises both offer extensive kids’ clubs and slightly
lower-key, more “mature” activities. Princess, for example, provides
Ping-Pong and bocce as well as family shore excursions with
Animal Planet-themed tours focused on whales, sharks and other
wild critters.
While high-end, all-inclusive cruise lines lack the full onboard
facilities and array of programs for children of the larger main-
stream operators, several are quite welcoming to parents with
kids, especially on summer and holiday cruises. Celebrity Cruises
maintains “fun factories” for children and a GenNXT program
for 18- to 20-year-olds. On the final evening of some voyages,
Celebrity’s Parents Night Out gives parents a night of dining and
entertainment to themselves while children attend a pizza feast and
slumber party on their own. Many of Crystal Cruises’ luxury sail-
ings also set aside special spaces with Junior Activities programs for
3- to 17-year-olds that include water polo and teen discos.
A third but rarer option is an expedition cruise designated as
a family adventure. Forget water parks and disco parties; instead,
these educational cruises focus on parents and children interested
in exploring nature, both separately and together. On select
Galápagos and Alaska sailings, for example, Lindblad Expeditions’
National Geographic Global Explorers Program enables kids to
earn a Zodiac “driver’s license” while recording wildlife sightings
and participating in guided field activities on shore.