Ocean cruising is vacation heaven for kids

BY EILEEN OGINTZ | Tribune Media Services

April 20, 2008

What's not to like - from a kid's perspective anyway.

The way they see it, a cruise ship is vacation heaven, better than a theme park. There's all the food - and free room service.

"You'll be stuffed when you leave," says 11-year-old Matthew Moris.

There are all the other kids onboard and organized kids' and teen activities from morning until night. "You'll find a friend on the first day," promises Brooke Abzug, 10, who likes the shipboard scavenger hunts staged by the kids' clubs.

There's all the freedom to roam as they please, sun by the pool, hit the arcade, watch a movie, grab a slice of pizza or an ice cream cone. Alyssa Baron, 15, says she would never be permitted to be on her own as much at home or at a resort. "When I come into our cabin, my parents are already asleep!" "You don't have to be with your parents, except maybe at dinner," said Allison Clayton, 12.

For their part, cruise lines are doing all they can to keep young cruisers happy. They know - just as any adult who has ever traveled with a child knows - that if the kids are happy, the adults will have a good time, too, especially if they don't have to pay every time a child wants a snack. That's why this year you'll see more kid- and teen-friendly shore excursions, shipboard water playgrounds and theatrical productions.

Royal Caribbean (rccl.com) just announced Nickelodeon-themed cruises starting this summer on Freedom of the Seas, which kids love because of the FlowRider surf simulator and H20 Zone water playground.

Carnival (carnival.com), which expects to carry 600,000 kids this year, is adding WaterWorks aqua parks (complete with 300-foot corkscrew water slides, water spray park and double-lane racing slides) as part of its $250-million "Evolution of Fun." Look for them first on the Carnival Inspiration and Imagination "fun ships," while a new "Circle C" program is unveiled on the line for 12- to 14-year-olds. (Look for deals that start at $199 for the third person in a stateroom.)

Norwegian Cruise Line (ncl.com) has more connecting staterooms than any other cruise line. Families also like the Freestyle Dining option offered in every NCL onboard restaurant. Now there's no need to get dressed up or eat with others if you don't want to.

Disney (disneycruise.com), which provides day care (at an extra fee) for infants and toddlers too young for the organized kids' clubs, debuts the stage adaptation of "Toy Story" aboard the Disney Magic this spring, as the Magic sails from the West Coast to Mexican ports of call.

A record number of ships will sail Europe and the Mediterranean this year. Despite the weak dollar, there's no easier way to show kids the great sites than from the deck of a cruise ship.

SUREFIRE WAYS TO KEEP YOUNGSTERS HAPPY

Choose the right ship for your family. (Hear that, grandparents? Visit cruising.org.) Make sure there are programs for your kid's age group. You don't want to get onboard with a 2-year-old and discover all the kids' programs are for kids 3 and older. Nor do you want to see that your tween is too old for one group, too young for the teen club. A cruise line's Web site is a good resource.)

Splurge on a second stateroom for older kids, if you can. You'll all appreciate the extra bathroom and you can book a cheaper inside cabin.

Book shore excursions ahead, especially in Alaska and Europe. The best ones (trekking on a glacier, touring the Sistine Chapel) often get full before the ship sails. Remember, you don't have to book a pricey excursion at every port.

ADVICE FOR FIRST-TIME JUNIOR CRUISERS

Here are some tips for kids cruising for the first time from some veteran cruisers:

Know what you are getting into. "Look on the Internet," says Matthew Moris, "so that you can learn a little about the ship and plan what you want to do onboard, as well as what you want to do in the different ports."

Opt for adventure - on the ship and off. "You only get to do this once," said Brooke Abzug. "You'll be sorry if you missed it."

Stow your stuff. It will help to make the cabin seem bigger. And ask for extra pillows - "good for pillow fights," said Allison Clayton.

Go to the teen club the first night, suggests Alyssa Baron, a high school freshman. "If you wait, everyone will already have made friends." Ditto for the kids' club.

Head to an elevator if you get lost onboard - "easy to do on these humongous ships," said Serena Clayton, 8. There are always maps posted at the elevators, the kids explained.

Be open to new experiences. "Try everything once," advises Brooke Abzug. "It's not every day that you can go rock climbing on a cruise ship!"

Opt for adventurous shore excursions. "You can always go to the beach or shopping," said Alyssa Baron. "Adventures don't get boring!"

Don't overpack! You won't need nearly as much clothes as you think you will.

If you are prone to seasickness, bring along remedies, though if you are lucky, you won't need them.

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