Combine a trip to see familiar Walt Disney cartoon characters with a tour of the Western Caribbean and take your family on a seven-night trip aboard the Disney Cruise Line's Disney Magic Ship. Stateroom options include an inside (no window) room, ocean view and balcony cabin, which may offer a little more room for your family to spread out. The trip leaves from Port Canaveral, Florida and stops in Key West, Florida; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico and Disney's private Island, Castaway Cay. While in port, visit Ernest Hemingway's home, where your children will find 60 polydactyl cats in residence, stand on the southernmost tip of the United States, take a Segway tour, ride a guided shopping bus tour and bargain for crafts.
The Disney Magic offers activities for kids of all ages. An onboard nursery, activity center, laboratory and club offer young cruisers ways to pass the two included days at sea. Families will find a range of dining options, including the Animator's Palate, where cartoons play on the walls and change colors throughout the meal. Nightly Disney-themed entertainment is also offered, from movies to original, live-action musicals.
Disney Cruise Line
800-951-3532
disneycruise.disney.go.com
Families in Charleston, South Carolina, can board a Carnival Cruise Lines ship (the only cruise line to service the Charleston port as of September 2010) and sail for five days into the Bahamas aboard the Carnival Fantasy. The cruise line dubs itself "The Fun Ships" and offers kid-friendly options on board the Fantasy such as a water park, nine-hole mini golf course, pool, arcade and age-related kids' clubs. Parents can escape to the adults-only pool area or one of the many bars, lounges and dance clubs on board. Dining options are available to suit just about any taste, from burgers and pizza to two upscale restaurants, plus 24-hour room service, sushi bar and three daily buffets.
Explore the Bahamas as a family with stops in the ports of Freeport and Nassau, plus two days at sea. Try excursions in the Bahamas such as a glass-bottom boat tour, dolphin encounter, kayaking, Grand Bahama shopping tour, Captain Morgan beach party and riding a Harley Davidson. The Carnival Fantasy offers four cabin styles, including suites which may give families more room to spread out.
Carnival Cruise Lines
888-227-6482
carnival.com
Bundle up the family and sail into Alaska from Seattle, Washington aboard Royal Caribbean International's seven night trip. Four accommodation options are available on the Rhapsody of the Seas ship, including inside (no window), ocean view, balcony and suites. Let kids burn off steam in between ports with a rock-climbing wall, pool, six hot tubs and the Adventure Ocean clubs for different age ranges. Parents will also find activities such as a casino, spa, fitness center and eight different lounges.
The Rhapsody leaves Washington and sails for a day before cruising the Alaska Inside Passage, then making stops in Junea, Skagway and Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska. After another day of cruising, tour Victoria, British Columbia before returning to Seattle. Excursion options include taking a Juneau trolley tour, ghost walking tour, horse-drawn trolley, Gold Creek salmon bake, Mendenhall Glacier, Klondike Summit, panning for gold and zip lining.
Royal Caribbean International
866-562-7625
royalcaribbean.com
