Caribbean cruises has become fun with adding elaborate water parks, upgrading camp like activities, and making shows more kid-friendly.
Why the sea change?
Here is the number that has caught the cruise lines' collective attention: more than 1.5 million children (ages 18 and younger) are now cruising each year, according to the Cruise Lines International Association.
Carnival Cruise Lines alone hosted 710,000 kids onboard its 24 ships in 2012, and expects 725,000 kid passengers in 2013. The numbers, says spokesman Vance Gulliksen, represent records both for the cruise line and the industry.
The Carnival Breeze, its newest ship, puts the focus on family with its waterslides, a SkyCourse ropes course that dangles kids 150 feet above sea level, and a lively game show in which families compete at larger-than-life versions of Sorry! and Yahtzee.
Activity rosters for toddlers to teens are so full of age-appropriate programming that some big ships give kids their own daily newsletter. And as a result, there can be less time together than you might expect out of a family vacation.
“Within half an hour they meet their 'new best friends' and we have to make an appointment to see them,” quips Mary Beth Casey, owner of an Expedia CruiseShipCenters franchise in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and parent of two.
To make the time back in the cabins more comfortable, ships like the 4,000-passenger Norwegian Breakaway, which debuts in May 2013, have designated family cabins that sleep five, conveniently located near youth playrooms. And most Disney Cruise cabins come with 1.5 baths.
For 12-year-old Sasha Wenograd of West Hartford, CT, who has taken cruises on Norwegian and Disney, friendly youth counselors and free time to hang out between activities are key to a good time at sea. Facilities, she says, aren’t everything.
Some ships without any whiz-bang features find other ways to appeal to kids. On a recent Galápagos cruise on Lindblad Expeditions' 96-passenger National Geographic Endeavour, six-year-old Jamie Koplow of Wilmette, IL, was thrilled by the wildlife sightings.
“You know, there are actually three species of boobies in the Galáapagos, red-footed, blue-footed and Nazca,” he eagerly recounts.
For more vacation moments that your kids won’t stop talking about, set sail on one of the best cruise ships for families.
Ref: http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/best-cruises-for-families
Choosing the Right Caribbean Cruise
1.
Look for a cruise line that offers family-friendly accommodations and activities geared towards children.
o Research cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Carnival. These lines have ships that include waterslides, rock climbing walls, miniature golf and arcades.
o Reserve a cabin that is large enough to accommodate your family. Cabins are notoriously small on most cruise ships, so you may need to ask for an upgrade. You can also reserve adjoining cabins.
2.
Ask about whether babysitting is available. Some cruise lines offer babysitting services on board. This can be helpful if you want to enjoy some nightlife or do things without the kids during the day.
3.
Look for destinations and ports of call that will interest the entire family.
o Choose Caribbean destinations that offer private beaches, hiking, snorkeling, and other activities that you and your children will enjoy.
4.
Ask about dining options. If you want to eat with your kids, choose the early dining time, which is usually around 6:00 p.m.
o Look into other options if you would prefer a leisurely dinner without the kids. Royal Caribbean has a program that allows you to sit down to dinner with your kids but finish up alone. Staff members collect your kids for a special program after they have eaten.
Cruising with Children
1.
Decide what you will do with the children and without them.
o Have a talk with your spouse, partner or travel companions about which activities you want to do with the kids. These activities might include swimming in the pool, taking part in excursions at your ports of call and attending evening shows.
o Allow yourself some non-child time too. Decide when you will take advantage of babysitting services and kids programs so that you can have some adult time.
2.
Prepare your kids for when you will be apart. Small children might be a little nervous, so talk to them about what they will be doing and get them excited.
3.
Take advantage of adults-only opportunities such as spa treatments, nightclubs and workout rooms.
4.
Enjoy activities that can only be enjoyed in the Caribbean. Whether you want to feed stingrays or swim with dolphins, give your kids an experience they will never forget.
5.
Take lots of pictures, and let your kids be the photographers. Putting your children in charge of the camera will give them a project, and help you preserve some of the best memories of your trip.
Ref-http://www.wikihow.com/Enjoy-a-Caribbean-Cruise-With-Children
Spend your dream time with your kids at Caribbean island. Click here for more detail.
You may also like:Best Caribbean Cruises
Why the sea change?
Here is the number that has caught the cruise lines' collective attention: more than 1.5 million children (ages 18 and younger) are now cruising each year, according to the Cruise Lines International Association.
 |
| Photo Source:cntraveler.com |
The Carnival Breeze, its newest ship, puts the focus on family with its waterslides, a SkyCourse ropes course that dangles kids 150 feet above sea level, and a lively game show in which families compete at larger-than-life versions of Sorry! and Yahtzee.
Activity rosters for toddlers to teens are so full of age-appropriate programming that some big ships give kids their own daily newsletter. And as a result, there can be less time together than you might expect out of a family vacation.
“Within half an hour they meet their 'new best friends' and we have to make an appointment to see them,” quips Mary Beth Casey, owner of an Expedia CruiseShipCenters franchise in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and parent of two.
To make the time back in the cabins more comfortable, ships like the 4,000-passenger Norwegian Breakaway, which debuts in May 2013, have designated family cabins that sleep five, conveniently located near youth playrooms. And most Disney Cruise cabins come with 1.5 baths.
For 12-year-old Sasha Wenograd of West Hartford, CT, who has taken cruises on Norwegian and Disney, friendly youth counselors and free time to hang out between activities are key to a good time at sea. Facilities, she says, aren’t everything.
Some ships without any whiz-bang features find other ways to appeal to kids. On a recent Galápagos cruise on Lindblad Expeditions' 96-passenger National Geographic Endeavour, six-year-old Jamie Koplow of Wilmette, IL, was thrilled by the wildlife sightings.
“You know, there are actually three species of boobies in the Galáapagos, red-footed, blue-footed and Nazca,” he eagerly recounts.
For more vacation moments that your kids won’t stop talking about, set sail on one of the best cruise ships for families.
Ref: http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/best-cruises-for-families
Choosing the Right Caribbean Cruise
1.
Look for a cruise line that offers family-friendly accommodations and activities geared towards children.
o Research cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Carnival. These lines have ships that include waterslides, rock climbing walls, miniature golf and arcades.
o Reserve a cabin that is large enough to accommodate your family. Cabins are notoriously small on most cruise ships, so you may need to ask for an upgrade. You can also reserve adjoining cabins.
2.
Ask about whether babysitting is available. Some cruise lines offer babysitting services on board. This can be helpful if you want to enjoy some nightlife or do things without the kids during the day.
3.
Look for destinations and ports of call that will interest the entire family.
o Choose Caribbean destinations that offer private beaches, hiking, snorkeling, and other activities that you and your children will enjoy.
4.
Ask about dining options. If you want to eat with your kids, choose the early dining time, which is usually around 6:00 p.m.
o Look into other options if you would prefer a leisurely dinner without the kids. Royal Caribbean has a program that allows you to sit down to dinner with your kids but finish up alone. Staff members collect your kids for a special program after they have eaten.
Cruising with Children
1.
Decide what you will do with the children and without them.
o Have a talk with your spouse, partner or travel companions about which activities you want to do with the kids. These activities might include swimming in the pool, taking part in excursions at your ports of call and attending evening shows.
o Allow yourself some non-child time too. Decide when you will take advantage of babysitting services and kids programs so that you can have some adult time.
2.
Prepare your kids for when you will be apart. Small children might be a little nervous, so talk to them about what they will be doing and get them excited.
3.
Take advantage of adults-only opportunities such as spa treatments, nightclubs and workout rooms.
4.
Enjoy activities that can only be enjoyed in the Caribbean. Whether you want to feed stingrays or swim with dolphins, give your kids an experience they will never forget.
5.
Take lots of pictures, and let your kids be the photographers. Putting your children in charge of the camera will give them a project, and help you preserve some of the best memories of your trip.
Ref-http://www.wikihow.com/Enjoy-a-Caribbean-Cruise-With-Children
Spend your dream time with your kids at Caribbean island. Click here for more detail.
You may also like:Best Caribbean Cruises
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