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  • Unique Cruise Experiences for Children

    By Jason

    Families across the world are constantly looking for the best family vacation options, and cruising has always been the best option. Whether you’re enticed by the myriad of fun features, grand sports complexes, dining/entertainment for all ages, or discount cruise deals, cruising is a phenomenal option for families with children. What you may not know is that many cruise lines offer special programs, unique features, and themed cruises for kids. Let’s take a look at some of the options and aspects that stand out from the rest.

    Ambassadors of the Environment Youth Program

    Cruise Line: Paul Gauguin Cruises

    Environmentalist, explorer, and educator Jean-Michel Cousteau (son of Jacques Cousteau) and the Ocean Futures Society joined forces with Paul Gauguin cruises to create the Ambassadors of the Environment Youth Program. This program uses exciting hands-on activities and learning through experience to immerse and educate young explorers (cruise passengers aged 9-17) to French Polynesia’s natural beauty, wildlife, cultures, and more. Each onboard program for children will be hosted by experts from the Ocean Futures Society, and parents can even join too.

    Destination: South Pacific & Tahiti

    Dates: 2013 - June 26; September 21; November 2

    2014 - March 12; June 14; August 30; October 25

    Nerdel Program

    Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises

    Seeing the importance of wellness and healthy eating habits rise in importance in recent years, Celebrity Cruises developed a partnership with The Nerdel Company and puppet/icon Nerdel to encourage healthy eating and promote active lifestyle through onboard fun activities all at once. Including puppet performances, healthy pizza making, singing, puzzles and games, puppeteering lessons, and even kid’s puppet performances for ‘Shipmates’ (ages 3-5) and ‘Cadets’ (ages 6-8), the Nerdel program will bring music, performance, education, and nutrition together for young cruisers. The program aims to educate on nutritional intelligence as well as empower younger children to take ownership of their physical fitness.

    The Nerdel Program is available fleet wide.

    DreamWorks Experience

    Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean International

    Children will surely be delighted by Royal Caribbean’s DreamWorks Experience (exclusively offered by Royal Caribbean International). Whether it’s a character meet n’ greet, enthralling exclusive performances, meals with your child’s favorite character, or 3D movies, there are fun activities and characters in your child’s future if you try the DreamWorks Experience onboard one of the Royal Caribbean cruise ships. In the summer of 2013, this will include cruise activities based around Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, and even How to Train Your Dragon (ice show).

    Available on the following ships: Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, and Mariner of the Seas.

    If you’re interested in checking out the popular sailings for these ships, visit this
    Royal Caribbean cruise deals
    page.

    Nickelodeon at Sea

    Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line

    Exclusive to Norwegian Cruise Line, ‘Nickelodeon on Norwegian’, is an engaging and exciting onboard cruise experience for children and family cruisers. This super cool experience may include a Dora’s Dance Party (singing, silliness, and dancing) or Nickelodeon Arts & Crafts. Or, children may have an extra special breakfast (Nickelodeon’s Pajama Jam Breakfast) filled with a high-energy dance team, popular songs, and even a free photo with your child’s favorite character.

    As you can see, there are some very unique onboard experiences/programs for children and the entire family. More and more often, cruise lines are trying to reach out to families with extraordinary programs and set themselves apart for the competition. If you and your family are thinking about taking a family cruise, talk to your travel agent about the newest and most popular children’s cruise experiences. Have you tried a unique onboard program for children? Tell us about it below!

    Source: CruiseWeb.com

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    crazy4disney
    No one can entertain kids like Disney. While I haven't experienced a Disney cruise, I have done the "World" several times, and the non-Disney cruise lines just didn't do it for my kids like the resort kids' programs did.

    It's funny -- When you say the words "Disney" and "cruise line" to people who maybe aren't that familiar with DCL, they picture primary colors and non-stop Disney in your face 24/7, but it's SO not like that. The ships, the Magic and Wonder specifically, are so elegant and just gorgeous. The Magic is decorated in an art deco style and the Wonder in art nouveau, and both are classic and stunning with their polished hardwoods, marble floors, and brushed nickel fixtures. Okay, that really did sound like a travel brochure... lol... but all I'm trying to say is they are not what you might expect.

    I hope you get to go someday -- with kids or not! I can honestly say that after the 3 lines I've sailed, Disney does the best job hands-down of keeping the adult-only areas truly adult only, and (oddly enough) has a better turnout and better cruise staff support for singles/single parents. I always have the absolute time of my life! And so does my son. :-)

    -gina-

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    coloradocruisers

    The Magic is decorated in an art deco style and the Wonder in art nouveau, and both are classic and stunning with their polished hardwoods, marble floors, and brushed nickel fixtures. Okay, that really did sound like a travel brochure... lol... but all I'm trying to say is they are not what you might expect.

    -gina-

    Gina, we loved our suite onboard the Magic. The woods, etched glass, fixtures were the highest quality and most nautical feel of any ship we've been on. The rotating dining room schedule was unique, and their kids program was the best.

    Unfortunately, Disney's prices are higher than some of the other lines, which is why we now prefer Royal Caribbean. But I think Disney should give you a permanent discount, because I think you've probably sold a few cruises on this thread alone. :biggrin:

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    crazy4disney

    Gina, we loved our suite onboard the Magic. The woods, etched glass, fixtures were the highest quality and most nautical feel of any ship we've been on. The rotating dining room schedule was unique, and their kids program was the best.

    Unfortunately, Disney's prices are higher than some of the other lines, which is why we now prefer Royal Caribbean. But I think Disney should give you a permanent discount, because I think you've probably sold a few cruises on this thread alone. :biggrin:

    Yeah, DCL pricing can definitely be sticker-shock-inducing... The best thing with Disney is to never, ever sail when kids are out of school. I have seen costs double. Going in the off season brings them closer to other lines cost-wise. Still expensive, but not nearly as bad.

    Unfortunately, with them pulling back out of Galveston this Fall, this past cruise will probably be our last on our beloved Magic for quite some time. But that's okay, because we love Royal too! :smile:

    But for any of you with kids (or without!), they are running some really great specials on the final sailings of the Magic out of Galveston... Worth a look if you live close by, or are willing to drive a bit.

    　

    　

    　

    　

    　

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    Jan115

    No one can entertain kids like Disney. While I haven't experienced a Disney cruise, I have done the "World" several times, and the non-Disney cruise lines just didn't do it for my kids like the resort kids' programs did.

    It's funny -- When you say the words "Disney" and "cruise line" to people who maybe aren't that familiar with DCL, they picture primary colors and non-stop Disney in your face 24/7, but it's SO not like that. The ships, the Magic and Wonder specifically, are so elegant and just gorgeous. The Magic is decorated in an art deco style and the Wonder in art nouveau, and both are classic and stunning with their polished hardwoods, marble floors, and brushed nickel fixtures. Okay, that really did sound like a travel brochure... lol... but all I'm trying to say is they are not what you might expect.

    I hope you get to go someday -- with kids or not! I can honestly say that after the 3 lines I've sailed, Disney does the best job hands-down of keeping the adult-only areas truly adult only, and (oddly enough) has a better turnout and better cruise staff support for singles/single parents. I always have the absolute time of my life! And so does my son. :-)

    -gina-

    Now that I have a new grandson to spoil, you're giving me an idea!

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