Discovery at Sea

Princess Cruises will remaking the youth centers on its ships in partnership with Discovery Communications, starting with the Grand Princess.  There are three themes based on age. Ages 3 to 7 becomes The Treehouse, a bright whimsical forest and animal-themed center. Ages 8 to 12 becomes The Lodge, which is inspired by the outdoors and filled with sports activities and places to explore, hang out and lounge. Teens 13 to 17 will convert into The Beach House, with a surf theme. The two younger groups will also get regional programs focused on the Caribbean, Alaska and Europe that will immerse your children in the culture, nature and customs of those areas. New youth and teen center programming includes “MythBusters” science activities with three hands-on challenges, featuring the show’s star, Tory Belleci. Princess first partnered with Discovery in 2015 for Discovery at Sea,, which included various tie-ins to Discovery’s nature and science programs. Princess and Discovery will also create a family fair in the Piazza featuring carnival-like booths and activities, family trivia, Stargazing with Discovery at Sea, family game night and new family-themed programs. After the Grand Princess, the new youth centers will be rolled out during drydocks of Caribbean Princess (March)m Regal Princess (April), Sea Princess (October) and Island Princess (November). Princess last overhauled its youth centers in 2012 with the introduction of the Royal Princess.

Alaska Small Ship Sailing

Alaskan Dream Cruises is expanding its seven-night True Alaskan Family Cruises in 2017 with an overnight stay and second day in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. The extra time in Glacier Bay allows your family to spend more time enjoying the scenery and wildlife around the Marble Islands, Gloomy Knob, and Margerie Glacier. It will disembark in Bartlett Cove near the park’s visitor center, as well as in Reid Inlet, a more remote wilderness area that cruise travelers typically only sail past.  In Bartlett Cove, the only inhabited area of the park, adults and children can visit Snow, the largest humpback whale skeleton exhibit in the United States. The newly opened Huna Tribal House, also nearby, is a gathering place for tribal members and a learning place for visitors interested in Tlingit history and culture. A National Park Service ranger and a Native Huna Tlingit interpretive guide will be aboard to spend time with families and to share the park’s natural wonders and history as an Alaska Native ancestral home. Children can also become a Junior Range. Family cruises are also staffed with a designated Youth Expedition Leader, who leads activities and educational programs specific for young cruisers. The 74-passenger Chichagof Dream departs on July 9 and July 23 for this unique 7-night family sailing. Children ages 15 and under receive a 30 percent discount. These family cruises are designed and recommended for multi-generational groups and families with children age seven and up, although all ages are welcomed.

Harmony Delivered

Harmony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s newest ship — and the largest cruise ship in the world — departed Port Everglades, its long-term U.S. homeport this month. The ship joins joins Allureof the Seas in sailing from Port Everglades. Sister ship Oasis of the Seas moved from Port Everglades to Port Canaveral to make room for its bigger fleetmate.  The 16-deck Harmony of the Seas took the title of largest cruise ship in the world from Allure of the Seas. It is one foot longer and 1,700 tons bigger than Allure. Like its sister ships, it features a neighborhood concept that includes indoor, outdoor, sports, kids, entertainment and relaxation spaces. Among the many attractions on board are: the high-speed VOOM Wi-Fi, the 10-story tall Ultimate Abyss slide, a zipline, high dive acrobatics in the AquaTheater, and a full-length performance of Grease in the main theater.

New Partnership for Gauguin

Starting next year, Paul Gauguin Cruises — which has a history of creative, nature-based family programs — will debut a new partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society. The resulting
Stewards of Nature program, offered in French Polynesia and the South Seas for children ages 7 to 17 and their families, will provide two interactive enrichment opportunities during the summer months and holidays, while the Wildlife Discovery Series is an onboard lecture program that will focus on the environment and wildlife of our planet.  WCS has been committed to saving wildlife and wild places worldwide for over 120 years. The organization aims to protect half of the planet’s biodiversity, while ensuring a positive impact on millions of people.

Marvel Day at Sea

Disney Cruise Line recently announced that seven cruises on the Disney Magic departing from New York City on select sailings next fall will hold the day-long Marvel Day at Sea celebration featuring all-day entertainment including interactions with super heroes and villains like Spider-Man, Captain America and Thor; a Marvel-themed deck party complete with pyrotechnics and sound effects; youth activities including Marvel-themed trivia sessions and arts and crafts; and special merchandise and food and beverage offerings. Also part of the Marvel Day at Sea fun are screenings of popular Marvel films, as well as the newest theatrical releases. Your children will enjoy viewings of the Disney XD shows Marvel’s Avengers Assemble, Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. The event will be held on seven- and eight-night Bahamas cruises departing October 6, 14 and 28, 2017 and November 4, 11 and 18, 2017. It also will be available on the seven-night Canadian Coast cruise departing New York City on October 21, 2017.

RCCL Updates Drink Packages

Thank you Royal Caribbean for reducing your beverage package options from seven to four.  New packages went into effect September 6 and all pricing is exclusive of gratuities. The only package that has not changed is the Classic Soda Package with souvenir cup and unlimited soda refills.  Prices for this package vary by length of cruise. The Evian Bottled Water package has been adjusted to two options: 12- ($39) or 24-bottle ($69) varieties. The remaining two new packages are the Refreshment and Deluxe Beverage packages. The Refreshment package ($26/day) includes premium coffees and teas, bottled still and sparkling water, juice, non-alcoholic cocktails, and all sodas. The Deluxe Beverage package ($55/day) is the most inclusive option and features everything in the Refreshment packages, as well as all cocktails, spirits, wines and beers priced at up to $12 (for drinks over $12, a $12 credit will be applied to the price of the drink.) Also included are a 40 percent discount on bottled wines prices up to $100 and a 20 percent discount on wines priced over $100. Previously, the least expensive beverage package to include alcohol cost $39 per day. Passengers who have purchased one of the older drink packages will either have their purchased honored (the Select package) or upgraded to the new Deluxe Beverage package for no additional cost (the Premium and Ultimate packages). All purchased Replenish packages will be converted to Refreshment packages.

Cruise Antarctica with A&K

Abercrombie & Kent is offering a family travel deal on their Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands expedition cruise departing December 13. With a purchase of cabin in Categories 4 or 5, adults can save 25 percent each. Additionally, your first child saves 50 percent, while the second child sails completely free! The 15-night itinerary offers an adventure across the Southern Ocean with shore excursions conducted by experts in local culture, history, and ecology included. A&K’s Young Explorers Program, designed for ages 7-18, includes dedicated Young Explorer’s Guides, who will lead groups of children and teens in engaging activities like squid dissection, Japanese fish printing, and deep sea presentations.  The itinerary takes your family deep into the polar latitudes, led by a knowledgeable Expedition Team to experience this truly amazing destination.

Mexican Wildlife Cruise

Lindblad Expeditions is now offering a $750 air credit PLUS children 18 and under travel at half off on their Wild Islands & Treasure of Baja, California cruises.  This awesome promotion is available over the winter holidays on the December 17, December 24 and December 31, 2016 departures.  On this 7-night sailing your family will see an amazing array of wildlife:

• Search for humpback whales, active off the southern coast of the peninsula.
• Snorkel at Cabo Pulmo, a vibrant reef and model for ocean conservation.
• Kayak, swim, and hike the pristine desert islands of the Sea of Cortez, a UNESCO World Heritage site
• Search for whale sharks in the Bay of La Paz, and possibly swim alongside them

Your home for the week is the 62-passenger Seabird with newly redesigned cabins.  Her open bow and sundeck have ample space for all guests to stand together and share in the wildlife viewing experience.

Celebrity Updates

Beginning this November, Celebrity Cruises will introduce a partnership with Dine Aware, a company that facilitates food allergy and intolerance communication and experiences, which will help elevate standards overall for the food and beverage industry at sea. More details are set to be announced, but the integration is intended to make a difference in the dining experiences of cruisers with special dietary needs.  Activities for teens has also been enhanced with film making and DJ experiences.   iTake is a unique four-hour program that allows aspiring film directors to create storyboards, shoot videos with GoPro cameras, and then edit their films in the Celebrity iLounge. After the screening, your teens are honored for their efforts at the weekly XClub Film Festival & Award Ceremony.  The DJ Scratch Academy classes are taught by seasoned DJ personalities.  Your teens will learn how to DJ on cutting edge equipment through a series of hands-on sessions. All this excitement leads up to a rocking graduation celebration where your newly taught DJs impress the celebrity DJ by creating their own mixes.

Disney’s Holiday Line-Up

Disney Cruise Line sailings over the holiday season are getting even more festive with additional holiday-themed parties on select cruises, plus enhanced decor and added live entertainment. From September 2 through October 31, Halloween on the High Seas programming will take place on most sailings onboard Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Magic. There will be The Pumpkin Tree, which will magically transform throughout each cruise; Mickey’s Mouse-querade Party, a costume bash for cruisers and characters; and a Nightmare Before Christmas Sing and Scream event, featuring an interactive screening of the film and character meet-and-greets. Mask-making and themed drinks and treats in various dining rooms will add to the haunted vibe of the itineraries.  Starting in early November, the Mickey’s Tree-Lighting Magic event will take place on the first night of each cruise. A three-deck-tall tree will shine brightly while bedazzled characters sing holiday carols in the atrium. Even Santa and Mrs. Claus are invited to the party. Other themed additions to these itineraries include gingerbread-house-making sessions; holiday craft- and card-making; stocking decorating; festive deck parties and Charles Dickens-inspired carolers wandering the ship. If your family sails the exact day of each holiday you will be privy to one-time special events. On Thanksgiving, expect a celebratory feast, as well as visits from Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse adorned in traditional Thanksgiving attire. Live broadcasts of NFL football games will be on televisions around the ship, including the jumbo FunnelVision screen above the family pool. On Christmas morning, your family will want to head to the atrium lobby tree to see what Santa Claus and his elves have left for you. There will also be a special musical performance and traditional holiday dinner in the dining rooms that evening. A midnight mass will be held onboard on Christmas Eve, and additional services on Christmas day. Hanukkah services will be held daily from December 24, 2016, to January 1, 2017. Voyages that extend over the New Year holiday will offer a deck party with music, a countdown and toasts and treats at midnight.