For some time, cruises were meant solely for the enjoyment of grown-ups, and kids did not fit into the equation. The amenities of the floating havens have usually been keen on keeping adult guests feeling like celebrities – specialty restaurants, clubs, casinos, spas and theatres featuring Broadway-style shows. Having the highest customer satisfaction ratings among vacation categories, cruise liners are expected to increase customers by millions more by the next year. Recently however, the cruising industry developed itself further by targeting a slightly different market, and now making the younger members of the family, stars of the ship.

Making Wonderland at sea

A cruise ship is by itself a wonder for most children. It is easy for kids to imagine it to be a gigantic funhouse filled with adventures at each deck – an advantage especially for big ocean liners. At the same time, children, especially toddlers, require very less fuss. Enough room to run about, other kids to play with, food on demand and warm beds to tuck into, are the basics to keep young ones amused. Cruise liners only have to play up their existing facilities and turn it into a floating playground that it essentially is.

Amongst are the few things famous cruise lines have concocted in order to better accommodate children:

• Kids’ Outdoor Play Areas – Kids need lots of exercise and plenty of sunshine. Liners have acknowledged this need by furnishing full decks of padded floors with jungle gyms, see-saws and swing sets.

• Children’s Pools – Swimming pools on kids’ cruise ships have a maximum depth of 2 feet, fun slides and cartoons at the pool bottom, all under the watching eye of a nearby lifeguard.

• Musicals, cartoons and 3D movies on show

• Organized Age-Specific Activities – meet and greet sessions with cartoon characters, magic shows, birthday parties, games, teen-oriented parties and disco, and other fun activities.

• Kid-friendly Staff – staff who love children and are especially trained to interact with them.

• Group Babysitting Services – Allows parents to enjoy some time alone to relax and enjoy the cruise, while kids enjoy the company of other toddlers and at the same time develop their social skills.

(Disney Cruise Line was the first cruise line to offer a dedicated space just for teens and almost an entire deck dedicated to children’s area and activities.)

 

Top Destinations aboard Kid-Oriented Cruises

While most of the cruise liners in the industry have basic amenities to provide for the needs of youngsters, the Disney Cruise Line certainly have taken kids’ entertainment to an extraordinary level, while keeping mom and dad amused themselves by embarking on its exotic expeditions to

• Alaska & the Pacific Coast – a voyage along the Pacific Coast towards the State of Alaska, where a breathtaking view of glaciers, rugged terrain and the amazing beauty of nature inspire both the young and old.

• The Bahamas – a replica of a famous sunken Spanish galleon lie in wait at a children’s camp for kids to explore, and horseback riding trails, beach volley and sandcastle building to keep young teens occupied.

• The Caribbean – the sun, the golden sands and the clear blue waters draw families to this group of more than 7,000 islands of the West Indies. A hike into the tropical rainforest will be an exciting adventure for the whole family.

• Disney’s Castaway Cay – snorkeling, sunbathing, boating and other leisurely tropical activities reserved exclusively for guests of the Bahamian and Caribbean cruises.

• Canada & New England – a journey that will take you back through time, along the coasts lined with historical sights, beautiful seaside cities and fishing villages, from New York to New Brunswick.

• Hawaii – set off on a once in a lifetime island hopping experience through the four major islands of Hawaii – Big Island, Maui, Oahu and Kauai. Add the final magical touch by visiting Aulani, Disney’s latest addition to its enchanted line of resorts and spas.

• The Mexican Riviera – local treasure hunting and bargain shopping will keep moms and daughters busy, while dads and sons take on sailing trips along the Baja California peninsula.

Helpful Tips for Parents on cruising with the kids

Kids’ cruises should be focusing on… kids! Utmost care must be taken to make young ones remember the journey as a wonderful time, and get them to enthuse about possible trips in the future. Fully packed diaper bags, comfortable clothing and footwear, toiletries and emergency kits for unavoidable mishaps should always be on the checklist. Small snacks such as cookies and candies keep the kids’ energies up, at the same time saving the parents some extra money.

Kids would also better cope with change of environment when familiar objects are present on a cruise. It could be his blanket or favorite stuffed animal, or it could be the mere reading to him a storybook before bedtime. These objects or routines should be taken care of, as cruises take from six to a maximum of ten days before coming back to its original port. Overlooking practices a child is accustomed to might make the child homesick and uncomfortable on his trip.

Parents should keep track of the services provided by cruise liners. By maximizing babysitting services and children’s workshops onboard, parents can enjoy the cruise as much as the child, and engage in leisurely activities themselves. Child psychologists and youth counselors are at all times present in these cruise liners so parents can worry less about leaving their children to the care of others. It is also good to travel in a big family group so relatives could take over when moms and dads want to spend some time alone.

Safety and security is also crucial when travelling with the children. Parents should anticipate accidents and should always know where to go and who to call for help. While cruise ships provide security through their own personnel, it is fairly difficult for them to keep an eye on everyone especially on ports of call. Getting the contact numbers of local police headquarters, hospital and ambulance services, as well as that of a country’s embassy, could get the immediate and proper assistance required whenever an emergency arises.