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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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TOP ATTRACTIONS: Care to dissect a squid? "Edutainment" offerings also include science projects, such as whale-watching, coral reef studies, building and racing sailboats, and marine biology studies . . . Junior Ranger and Teen Explorer programs, developed with the National Park Service, help kids learn about Glacier Bay and the Alaska wilderness . . . "Save our Seas" program teaches kids about the waters in which the cruise line sails; kids get a plush animal that depicts a species in danger, such as humpback whales, white pelicans, manatees, sea turtles and pandas.
GENERAL VIBE: Attention to on-board education might be off-putting to kids taking a break from school. But then there's that stuffed animal . . .
MORE INFO: 800-PRINCESS (800-774-6237), http:/
Royal Caribbean
WHERE THEY GO: Three- to 14-night sailings to Alaska, the Caribbean, Canada, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, the Pacific Northwest and the Panama Canal.
SAMPLE COST: Seven-night Western Caribbean cruises start at $700 per person.
THE BASICS: Kids' activities are offered in -- count 'em -- seven age groups: 6 to 18 months, 18 to 36 months, 3 to 5 years, 6 to 8, 9 to 11, 12 to 14, and 15 to 17 . . . On several nights, kids eat dinner in popular dining areas with their favorite youth staff and new friends -- without the 'rents . . . For $24.95, kids get unlimited nonalcoholic drinks; another package provides kids with unlimited soft drinks ($20 for a seven-night cruise) . . . Group baby-sitting is available for $5 an hour per child; in-cabin sitting for six months and up, $8 an hour, cash. . . . No stroller rentals.
TOP ATTRACTIONS: New Freedom of the Seas ship, debuting in May, has a water activity to beat all: on-board surfing. You can ride the waves standing upright or on a bodyboard. Check it out on the Web site -- but not when the kids are around, unless you're ready to book this ship . . . Adventure Family for kids 3 to 11 (and their parents) features ship-building regattas, talent shows and scavenger hunts . . . Aqua Babies and Aqua Tots are playtime programs for ages 6 months to 36 months . . . Teens 13 to 17 can visit the Y Spa for massages, facials, hair and nail treatments, and fitness classes; prices range from $23 for a manicure to $100 for a hair-styling session.
GENERAL VIBE: Lots of excitement and emphasis on family togetherness.
MORE INFO: 866-562-7625, http:/
Windjammer
WHERE THEY GO: Tall-masted sailing ships make four- to 13-day trips to the Caribbean and Bahamas.
SAMPLE COST: Four-day sail to the Bahamas starts at $345 for adults. Kids ages 6 to 12 sail free with two paying adults (or half-off with one parent) year-round. Taxes included, but not port charges.
THE BASICS: Kids are grouped into two age ranges: 6 to 11 and 12 to 17 . . . Children under 6 not allowed . . . Windjammer's ships are smaller and more intimate than standard cruise ships, with no dress-up dinners, casinos or other typical cruise trappings. The emphasis is on exploring the ports and beaches, kayaking and mountain biking, so there's not a lot of onboard monkey business for kids. However, there are some kid-specific distractions of the summer camp variety, such as knot-tying and building aquariums out of Jell-O. Plus, kids get a chance to help with the sailing . . . No strollers available . . . Free supervision from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., or until the last dinner seating is over. Afterward, babysitting is $10 an hour . . . Sodas are $1 each.
TOP ATTRACTIONS: Children learn a kid-version of scuba diving, called "bubble maker," free. Older kids get to try real scuba.
GENERAL VIBE: Laid-back, relaxed, low-key -- yet adventuresome.
MORE INFO: 800-327-2601, http:/
