Last week I profiled the Children’s Programs aboard Disney Cruise Line’s ships. This week, let’s look at Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean’s children’s programs!
PRINCESS CRUISES
Princess has activities for children of every age group, from 3-17 years old. Children need to be potty-trained and out of diapers. Children under three and/or not toilet trained may participate if accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Children are welcome on all Princess cruise ships, but facilities vary. Ocean Princess and Pacific Princess do not have dedicated Youth Centers or Teen Lounges. Programs are available on these vessels only when 20 or more children ages 3 to 17 are sailing. Group kidsitting is not available on Ocean Princess and Pacific Princess.
Princess has teamed up with California Science Center, and their counselors are specially trained to deliver exciting, interactive science activities for kids age 3-12. Whale watching, chemistry experiments, rollercoaster building and squid dissection are just some of the activities that may be offered.
On Alaska cruises, the National Park Service Junior Ranger Program teaches kids about endangered wildlife, glaciers and other animals native to the region. The Park Rangers provide special presentations and activities for kids, giving them an opportunity to earn a Jr. Ranger badge.
Hours of Operation:
Sea Days:
- 9:00am – 12:00pm
- 1:00pm – 5:00pm
- 6:00pm - 10:00pm
- 10:00pm – 1:00am (group kidsitting for ages 3-12**, Teen program is complimentary
Port Days:
- 8:00am-5:00pm^
- 6:00pm – 10:00pm
- 10:00pm – 1:00am (group kidsitting for ages 3-12**, Teen program is complimentary
**A $5 per child, per hour group kidsitting charge is applicable from 10:00pm – 1:00am for passengers ages 3-12.
^ A supervised, complimentary lunch service is available with parent’s consent on port days.
Youth staff does not provide lunch service on sea days or dinner service on sea days/port days. However, there are special kids dining events scheduled throughout the voyage.
Kids get the chance to eat with their new friends and Youth Staff while parents enjoy dinner on their own.
There is a teens-only dinner on a formal night, with a section of the dining room reserved just for teens. It’s a chance for them to eat a formal dinner with their new friends.
There are also fun ice cream and pizza parties throughout the voyage.
Please be sure to alert Youth Staff if your child has any food allergies,and check the schedule of events when you board your ship.
Princess Pelicans
Ages 3-7 years
Princess has a dedicated room for these special cruisers. Counselors are usually teachers or student teachers, and have a special affinity for these little ones. Some activities include:
- Kindermusik at Sea
- Kids-only dance parties
- Movies and cartoons
- Ice Cream and pizza parties
- T-shirt coloring
- Pajama parties
- Theme nights
- Fun Fairs
- Art Projects
Shockwaves
Ages 8-12
Tweens also have a dedicated program just for their age group. There are so many wonderful things to do, you may never see your child except for sleeping and meals! Some activities include:
- Kids only dinners
- Dance parties
- Movies
- PS2/PS3, Wii and the latest games
- Video games
- Scavenger hunts
- Karaoke and talent shows
- Sports tournaments
- California Science Center workshops
- Jr. CHEF@Sea
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- Klutz projects
- Theme nights
Teen Lounges
Ages 13-17
Teens just want to hang out, play the latest video games, watch movies and meet new friends. Princess’ Teen-only lounges provide the perfect place to do just that…just like Tweens, you may never see your teenager while the lounge is open! Some activities include:
- PS2/PS3, Wii and the latest games
- Movies
- Foosball tables
- Teens-only dance parties
- Late night movies
- Sport tournaments
- Casino Night
- Talent Shows
- Formal dinners
- Mocktail competitions
- DJ workshops
- Teen makeovers
- Hip Hop Dance Classes
ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
If you ask my 17-year old son, he will say Royal Caribbean has the BEST children’s programs at sea! He loves their ships, and aspires to sail on a Royal Caribbean (RCCL) ship at least twice a year!
Let’s take a look at their children’s programs:
First and foremost, RCCL has some of the most innovative attractions at sea. Some ships have the rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rinks, mini-golf, and their onboard surfing simulator, the Flow Rider.
All of their staff are college educated, and have developed age-appropriate curriculums to engage and entertain kids of all ages.
RCCL has partnered with:
- Crayola
- Fisher Price
- DreamWorks
To create a wonderful experience for all ages.
The youth program is complimentary, and there are several programs, dependent on age:
Royal Babies and Royal Tots
Ages 0-3
These babies will enjoy activities designed to foster parent/child bonding and development. Parents will accompany their children during these 45-minute sessions.
Aquanauts
Ages 3-5
Will have fun becoming certified Jr. Adventure Scientists. All children must be toilet-trained. No diapers or pull-ups allowed.
Explorers
Ages 6-8
Celebrate in themed parties just for them.
Voyagers
Ages 9-11
These children enjoy the tween-scene
Fuel Night Club and Living Room
Ages 12-17
Get to hang out and meet new friends!
Dining:
RCCL has a myriad of dining options, including Johnny Rockets ($), a pizzeria, room service, sandwiches, and many other choices. With My Time Family Dining, children can enjoy their meal in the Main Dining Room within 40 minutes of seating (first seating only) and then the Adventure Ocean counselors will pick your children up after they’ve finished, and take them up to the kid’s club while you enjoy the rest of your meal at leisure! The program starts the second evening of the cruise.
Beverages:
RCCL has two different drink packages available. These can be purchased within the first 24 hours of the cruise at the bar or any representative that is set up to sell the package, usually outside of the Windjammer café.
Fountain Soda Package – allows guests up to 18 years of age to enjoy as many soft drinks as they like for a fixed price for the duration of the cruise. (Prices vary with cruise length.)
Adventure Ocean Potion Card – allows guests up to 18 years of age to enjoy a variety of their favorite non-alcoholic drinks, including ‘Mocktails,’ (i.e. virgin Margaritas or Pina Coladas), smoothies, and soft drinks. (Prices vary with cruise length.)
Late Night Babysitting: Ages 3-12 years
Sometimes parents want some time to themselves, so RCCL has late night group babysitting. The rate is $6 per hour, per child in Adventure Ocean Center. Payment is in half-hour increments, and is charged to your shipboard account. The program starts at 10pm and goes to 1:00pm (or when the last child is picked up). All children must be at least three years old, and toilet-trained. No diapers or pull-ups.
In Stateroom Baby Sitting
RCCL offers in-stateroom baby-sitting. Availability is very limited, so please make sure to make your reservation at the Guest Relations Desk as early as possible, (and at least 24 hours in advance). Children must be at least 1 year old. The current rate* is $8 per hour in cash for two children from the same family, and $10 per hour for a maximum of three children in the same family. There is a two-hour minimum requirement.
*rates are subject to change and are payable in cash to the babysitter. Babysitters are cruise-staff, and not necessarily Adventure Ocean counselors.
DREAMWORKS
Children can meet and have a photo taken with their favorite DreamWorks characters, like Shrek and Fiona, Madagascar’s Alex and the Penguins, Kung-Fu Panda and others!
There will be tableside character meals, poolside screenings of the Shrek movies, Shrek trivia games and scavenger hunts, and a Shrek kid’s parade where kids of all ages can join in a parade with the ‘lovable’ Shrek.
On the Allure and Oasis of the Seas, there’s a new Madagascar Aqua Show showcasing their favorite characters from the movie Madagascar.
These are just some of the DreamWorks activities kids can look forward to! Click here to go to RCCL's microwebsite all about the DreamWorks experience onboard their ships.
(Currently, the DreamWorks Experience is found on the Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, and Mariner of the Seas).
Babies and Tot’s Programs
Aqua Babies (6 to 18 months)
Aqua Tots (18 months to 36 months)
RCCL has created interactive playgroup sessions developed by early childhood experts at Fisher-Price. Each 45-minute session, held on one of their onboard lounges, offers activities that make playtime learning time as well. Parents are required to stay with their child during this playtime session.
Fisher-Price toy lending program
You can borrow and exchange from an onboard treasure chest of Fisher-Price developmental toys, specifically created for infants and toddlers.
Crayola Beginnings Workshops
Just for ‘Royal Tots!’ Throughout these 45-minute workshops, parents and their children enjoy story time while creating works of art using Crayola Beginnings Products.
Aquanauts
Ages 3-5
There’s so much to do in the Aquanauts program! Some programs include:
- Adventure Science by High Touch High Tech
- Adventure Art by Crayola
- Sail Into Storytime
- Adventure Theatre
- Fisher-Price Programming
- Un-Birthday Party
- Camp Aquanauts
- Ice-Cream Party
- Super Hero Afternoon
- Face Painting
- Pirate Night
- Talent Show
- Under the Sea Night
- Pajama Rama Movie Night
Hours:
At Sea:
9am-noon
2pm-5pm
7pm-10pm
In port:
Thirty minutes prior to the first shore excursion to 5pm, or return of last shore excursion and 7pm-10pm
Explorers
Ages 6-8
There are all kinds of exciting activities for your 6-8 year olds, like hands-on science experiments, scavenger hunts, theatre games and more. Every member of the Adventure Ocean staff holds a college degree in education, recreation or a related field and has experience working with children ages 3-17.
Some activities include:
- Adventure Science by High Touch High Tech
- Adventure Art by Crayola
- Adventure Theatre
- Wide World of Extremes Party
- Dancing Through the Decades
- Pirate Night
- Ice-Cream Party
- Scavenger Hunts
- Bingo
- Movie Mania
- Many more Explorer Games and Theme Activities
Hours:
At Sea:
9am-noon
2pm-5pm
7pm-10pm
In port:
Thirty minutes prior to the first shore excursion to 5pm, or return of last shore excursion and 7pm-10pm
Voyagers
Ages 9-11 years
The Voyagers program is all about kids having a great time, learning new things and making new friends from all over the world. And parents can be confident that their children are in the most capable of hands. Kids absolutely LOVE the Voyagers program, and it’s easy to see why!
Some activities include:
- Adventure Science by High Touch High Tech
- Adventure Art by Crayola
- Adventure Theatre
- The X Games
- Rockin’ Through the Decades
- Reggae Beach Party
- Scavenger Hunts
- List-O-Rama
- Backstage Tour of the theatres
- The Art Walk
- Win, Cruise or Draw
- Talent Shows
- Sports Tournaments
- On
Labadee and Coco Cay
- Sand Castle Building
- Drip, Drip, Drop
- Adventure Family Water Balloon Toss
- Beach Relays
- Parachute Games
- Tug of War
- Adventure Challenge
- GaGa Ball
- Karaoke
- Sports Tournaments
Hours:
At Sea:
9am-noon
2pm-5pm
7pm-10pm
In port:
Thirty minutes prior to the first shore excursion to 5pm, or return of last shore excursion and 7pm-10pm
Navigators
Ages 12-14 years
The best thing about RCCL’s young teen’s program is that it’s totally unstructured. They can join in an activity, or just chill with their newfound friends. There’s plenty of activities to choose from, including:
- Sport’s tournaments
- Pool parties
- College Night
- Challenge series
- Scavenger hunts
- Karaoke
- Formal Night
- Disco dancing
- Video games
- Theme Nights
- Improv games
- Scratch DJ Academy
- Mocktail Competition
- Dodgeball
- Open Mic and talent show
- Ice-skating – special time for teens
- Teen BBQ
- Dive-In Movie and pool party
- Meet the Stars Backstage
- Dance Dance Revolution
- Teen Casino
- Snowball Fight in the Caribbean
- Climbing Competition
Daytime activities vary – please see schedule onboard your ship.
Nighttime activities – 9pm-2am
Teens
Ages 15-17 years
Teens have their own space onboard RCCL’s ships, including Living Room and Fuel to just hang out and get to know their new friends. If they want to participate in activities, RCCL has just the thing to motivate them, including:
- Theme nights
- Battle of the Sexes
- Scratch DJ Academy
- Dodgeball
- Teen Casino
- Open Mic Night
- Ice-skating – special time for teens
- Talent Show
- Formal Night
- Survivor Series
- Coffee Talk
- Dive-In Movie and Pool Party
- Sneak Peek Backstage
- Unplugged Jam sessions
- Climbing Competitions – for ships with rock wall
- Karaoke
Daytime activities vary – please see schedule onboard your ship.
Nighttime activities – 9pm-wee hours
BARBIE DREAM EXPERIENCE
WOW! What little girl wouldn’t love to set sail on a BARBIE DREAM CRUISE? By the end of May 2013, all ships will have the Barbie Dream Experience for you and your daughter to look forward to.
What is it?
Girls age 4 to 11 set sail on a Barbie dream cruise complete with fun, fashion and runway moments. This exclusive package will be available for $349* per child on sailings 5 nights or longer.
What does it include?
- Barbie
Stateroom Package
- Complete room décor in signature pink with great take-home gifts
- Tiaras & Teacups Party
- Mermaid Dance Class
- Fashion Designer Workshop – create your own unique designs for your Barbie
- Fashion Show-Each girl walks the runway and unveils her original Barbie fashion
*The Barbie Premium Experience is $75 on 3-4 night Majesty of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas sailings, and does not include the Tiaras & Teacups Party or the Fashion Designer Workshop.
As part of the Adventure Ocean Youth Program, girls can enjoy complimentary Barbie features such as Barbie Movie Night, Barbie Story Time and other themed activities, plus Barbie movies on their stateroom TV’s.
Next week I'll profile Carnival Cruise Lines.
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