Children Sail Free On Disney
Children 17 and under sail free on Disney Cruise Line’s 2012 sailings to the Mexican Riviera when booking two full fare guests in the same stateroom (available in categories 4A-10C). The offer is valid on most Mexican Riviera sailings from January 8-March 4. The Disney Wonder sails from Los Angeles to Puerto Vallarta and two stops in Cabo San Lucas. This fun ship sails with about 1,800 passengers and features magical deck parties with your children’s favorite Disney characters, separate pools for children, families and adults and a rotational dining plan where you eat in a different venues, but keep your wait staff. Plus great baby, kids and teen clubs, fantastic entertainment, spa, gym and more.
Luxury Sailing
Want to experience luxury on the high seas with your children in tow? Regent Seven Seas, a family-friendly luxury cruise line, is offering 2-for-1 fares, free air, excursions and hotel packages along with additional bonus savings if you book your 2012 or 2013 cruise by December 30. 
Not all sailings apply. In addition, Windstar Cruises, a wonderful option for families with older children, gives you 15 percent off for bookings made at least 180 days before departure and you can also save up to $600/person on select Caribbean, Costa Rica and Panama Canal voyages if you book by November 15. Other lines with excellent incentives for 2012 include Azamara, Oceania, Seabourn and Silverseas.
New NCL Ships
Norwegian Cruise Line has announced the names of its upcoming 144,017-ton, 4,000-passenger Project Breakaway new-builds: Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway. The two ships will launch in April 2013 and 2014, respectively. 
The Norwegian Breakaway, now open for bookings, will homeport year-round in New York, sailing weeklong cruises to Bermuda. Pop artist Peter Max, whose omnipresent work has appeared on everything from postage stamps to Grammy Award posters, will design the ship’s hull. He called the assignment his “largest canvas ever.” Max is creating four designs, from which NCL will make the final selection. Breakaway will become the largest ship sailing out of New York and feature 20 two bedroom family suites that sleep up to 6 people. These cabins will have access to the secluded Haven Courtyard Area with poolside valet service, hot tub and fitness center; private dining and lounge as well as ’round the clock butler and concierge service.
Disney Fantasy Features
Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Fantasy, will introduce a new water park and an adults-only pool area when it debuts in March. AquaLab is the new water play area, near the entrance to the AquaDuck water coaster. The area will feature pop jets, geysers and bubblers. The area tells the story that AquaLab was created by Donald Duck’s nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie, and features a water experiments designed to drench the whole family. Children entering AquaLab will see that the nephews are away, leaving the young cruise guests in charge. Through hand-painted notes left by the nephews, kids are put in charge of the AquaDuck water coaster. By turning wheels and moving levers at three wacky aqua stations, kids “control” the speed and temperature of AquaDuck. The ship will feature a variety of pools and wet areas including a wading pool with a water fountain and lounge chairs under a canopy; the Quiet Cove Pool and Cove Bar for guests 18 and older; Satellite Falls with a circular splash pool with benches and a gently falling rain curtain; Donald’s Pool for families with a giant screen that will show Disney films, television shows and live broadcast events; Mickey’s Pool for children with winding slide and Nemo’s Reef, a water-play area, featuring colorful, interactive figures that move and spray water, including Nemo, Dory, Marlin and a pint-sized water slide shaped like Mr. Ray.
RCCL Dining Deal
Royal Caribbean is offering a free specialty restaurant dinner for two plus half off your cruise deposit when you book a balcony or higher cabin. 
Just book by October 5 for the reduced deposit and October 22 for the free specialty dinner on 7-night or longer sailings through March 2012. This exclusive promotion can be combined with other current promotions; so let us help you find the best ship, cabin, sailing dates and itinerary that meet your family’s vacation needs. Ships that feature specialty dining include Oasis-class, Freedom-class, Radiance-Class, Voyager-class as well as the Enchantment of the Seas.
Celebrity Fit Club for Kids
Celebrity Cruises has partnered with The Nerdel Company to offer a new wellness program aimed at children featuring a puppet named Nerdel. The program is divided into two groups — Shipmates, for children from age 3 to 5, 
and Cadets for kids 6 to 8. Nerdel activities include a video by the chef puppet followed by a healthy pizza-making class, live puppet performances, puppet workshops, and lessons on the art of puppeteering. Developed by a team of doctors, nutritionists, chefs, fitness professionals, educators and entertainment experts, The Nerdel Company aims to address the issues of children’s obesity, hunger, fitness and health in an educational and entertaining way. Celebrity introduced the program on the new Celebrity Silhouette, which debuted in Europe this summer, and plans to launch the program on its other ships by October 15 (with the exception of Celebrity Xpedition which sails in the Galapagos Islands).
Holland America’s Early Advantage
The earlier you book the greater the savings with Holland America. Save up to 50 percent on select sailings, free or reduced cruise fares for the 3rd and 4th person in your cabin and new reduced fares to Europe for 2012. This Early Advantage promotion will help ensure you the best stateroom selection and fares. Holland America offers 14 ships in its fleet which popular sailings for families to Alaska, the Caribbean, Europe and more.
Kids in Nature
American Safari Cruises’ Kids in Nature program is now available for booking on select sailings in 2012. 
Don’t miss out on sailing these upscale, but small ship sailing yachts where children 12 and under also receive a savings of 25 percent off the published rate. Choose from weeklong sailings through the Hawaiian Islands on March 8 or 24; the beautiful Sea of Cortez, Mexico on March 3 or 24 or the Inside Passage in Alaska on June 22 or July 20. Activities abound for all ages including kayaking, rope-swinging, paddle boarding, hiking on glacier ice, whale watching, fishing and listening to marine life via hydrophone and underwater camera while onboard naturalists prepare interactive presentations. At the end of the week your family will receive a thumb drive containing several hundred images to share with family and friends while children 12 and under will receive other mementos of their explorations. Another promotion allows families with teens (age 12-19) to save $400 per person on December 24 or 31 holiday departures in the Sea of Cortez when booked by September 30. American Safari Cruises also specializes in private yacht charters for 12, 22 or 30 family members; a once in a lifetime family reunion experience. And everything is included: all meals, drinks, shore excursions, airport transfers and more.
Crystal Holidays in Hawaii
Crystal Cruises is sweetening its Family Memories program for winter holiday travel. Sail with five or more people on Crystal Symphony’s December 21 Hawaii cruise roundtrip from Los Angeles and the sixth guest goes free! 
A free third berth is also available for children 17 and under. You also receive pre-paid gratuities, $100 per person onboard credit, professional photos of the group and $500 credit toward a shared Private Adventure. The Pacific Coast Holiday sailing visits Lahaina, Maui; Honolulu, Oahu; Nawiliwili, Kauai; Hilo, Hawaii; and Enseñada, Mexico. Christmas and New Year’s holidays will be celebrated at sea with soirees with mixologist-made cocktails, premium wines and champagne, gourmet cuisine, and live entertainment and dancing. Christian and Jewish clergy will host Christmas and Hanukkah services, and junior activities directors will lead children and teens in activities daily. Groups of six must sail together in a minimum of three staterooms; other restrictions apply.
Children Sail Free
Sail the North Sea next summer in French style with Compagnie du Ponant’s Family Cruise with stops in Norway, Scotland and Belgium and your children age 4-17 sail free! 
Or get a second, connecting cabin for half off. The August 2-13, 2012 cruise on Le Diamont will also feature children’s and teen activities including painting, language lessons and special shore excursions. Le Diamont provides an intimate, yacht experience and sails with 226 passengers. The ship showcases a pool, gym and several dining options. This special sailing starts in Hamburg, Germany and ends in St. Malo, France. It includes visits to a unique variety of ports such as the gorgeous Norwegian fjords, the Shetland Islands, Loch Ness and the Isle of Wight.
