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Family Cruises: Charting Your Course
Young passengers play computer games at Carnival Valor's Camp Carnival, which is aimed at ages 2 to 11.
(By Andy Newman/carnival Cruise Line)
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| For kids, Holland America's Club HAL is all about play -- and a free T-shirt.( - Holland America Line) |
GENERAL VIBE: Low-key and classy. Teen offerings, in particular, seem on target and not the least condescending.
MORE INFO: 877-724-5425, http:/
Norwegian Cruise Line
WHERE THEY GO: Two- to 16-day cruises to Alaska, Bermuda, Canada/New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, Mexican Riviera, Panama Canal, South America, South Pacific.
SAMPLE COST: A seven-day cruise to the Bahamas and Florida is on special for $449 per person. Children under age 2 sail free when accompanied by two or more paying guests.
THE BASICS: Kids' activities are offered in high season (which varies, depending on destinations) for four age groups: 2 to 5, 6 to 8, 9 to 12, and 13 to 17; groups shrink to three, combining the two middle age sets, when fewer kids are aboard . . . Under 6 months, a letter from a pediatrician is required . . . Bring your own stroller . . . In-stateroom baby-sitting after hours is $8 an hour for the first child, $5 for each sibling . . . Teen Passport ($34.50) buys up to 20 nonalcoholic specialty drinks, exclusive dance and pizza party, and a Farewell Frat Party . . . While an NCL vessel is in port, parents with infants and toddlers have access to the children's facilities in the mornings . . . Kid's Crew backpack package includes a souvenir cup and access to unlimited fountain sodas for the entire cruise, a ball cap, sunglasses, luggage tag and T-shirt, but it'll cost you: $39.50 on seven-day cruises, $33 for four days and $28 for three days. Kids Soda package gets them unlimited fountain sodas for $16, $10 or $8.
TOP ATTRACTIONS: "Wacky" cooking classes, treasure hunt and sand-castle building competition on the cruise line's private island; for teens, the "Newlymet Game," line dancing.
GENERAL VIBE: Norwegian has covered all the kid bases with dependable, if not too flashy, activities. Plus, it's always fun to get a backpack full of stuff.
MORE INFO: 800-327-7030, http:/
Princess
WHERE THEY GO: Seven- to 29-day cruises to all seven continents.
SAMPLE COST: A seven-day Caribbean cruise starts at $479 per person. Children sharing third and fourth cabin berths start at $199 per person.
THE BASICS: Kids' activities are offered in three age ranges: 3 to 7, 8 to 12, and 13 to 17 . . . On smaller vessels, children's programs operate when 20 or more children ages 3 to 17 are on board . . . Minimum passenger age is 6 months (12 months on some of the line's Exotics itineraries) . . . Kids' programs are free until 10 p.m., after which kids ages 3 to 12 are watched in the ships' Youth Center (until 1 a.m.) for $5 per hour . . . Soda packages cost $3.95 per day for cruises 13 days or less, or $3.50 per day for longer cruises.
