Carnival Cruise Fun Ships can handle a three-generation family cruise with its Camp Carnival, Circle C and Club 02 activities. While kids are involved in their activities, parents can relax and rejuvenate in Spa Carnival or have a drink in Serenity Retreat, an adults-only area. Camp Carnival, two to 11 years of age, has three groups: toddlers, two to five years; juniors, six to eight years, and intermediates, nine to 11 years. Camp Carnival has age appropriate activities, their own menus, and an experienced counselor. Circle "C" (12-14 years) has shore excursions specifically designed for this age group with a cruise director in attendance. In the evening at the dance club, this group can "mix and mingle" and enjoy pop music. The Club 02 group has its own shore excursions as well as dance and pool parties and karaoke sessions.
Carnival's eight-day eastern Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is round trip and includes stops in San Juan, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Antigua, Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Nassau. The 952 feet-long Carnival Freedom Fun Ship has 1,487 staterooms with 2,974 passenger capacity. It offers a nine-hole golf course outdoor movies on deck at night.
Carnival Cruise Lines
3655 NW 87th Avenue
Miami, FL 33178
888-227-6482
carnival.com
Disney Magic, 964 feet long, can hold 2,400 passengers to the Caribbean, stopping at Disney Cruise Line's private island, Castaway Cay. It leaves Port Canaveral, Fla., and spends two days at sea, with stops in St. Maarten, Netherland Antilles; St. Thomas and St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands; then returns to Port Canaveral.
Disney Cruise Line tailors its staterooms with more space and storage for families. Family dining choices range from casual to main room, a choice of three themed restaurants. Disney Magic has separate kids, families and adults-only pools. All family members together can dance, sing and be entertained in the D-Lounge and Studio Sea. Each age group has clubs and lounges with activities designed for their interests, such as the 11 to 13 years of age group. In this group, kids can surf the Internet, watch TV, listen to music, and steer a virtual ship.
Disney Cruise Line
P.O. Box 10238
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
800-951-3532
disneycruise.disney.go.com/
Royal Caribbean Cruises' Liberty of the Seas is 1,112 feet long and is equipped with a surf park, climbing wall, ice-skating rink, water park with geysers, and a promenade including upscale bar, library and access to four-story stairway. Embark in Miami on Liberty of the Seas for a seven-night western Caribbean cruise calling on Labadee, Haiti; Ocho Rios, Jamica; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico. Royal Caribbean Cruises offers 'My Family Time Dining' with a prioritized dining service for kids, ages three to 11, to be served within 40 minutes, and an appetizer is served right after seating. Parents can then take kids to the Adventure Ocean facilities for activities and then return for a relaxing meal.
Accommodations for families include a stateroom for a family of four to 16, with some connecting staterooms, if needed. Kids are offered themed parties, face painting, kite making, Gagaball or backstage tour, and additional age-appropriate activities in separate age groups. These age groups include Royal Tots (0-3 years), Aquanauts (3-5 years), Explorers (6-8 years), Voyagers (9-11 years), and two groups of teens (12-14 years & 15-17 years).
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd
1050 Caribbean Way
Miami, FL 33132
866-562-7625
royalcaribbean.com
