Taking the Kids™
Taking the Kids and the Grandkids on a Cruise
Carmen and Lloyd Nelson have traveled all over the world but never wanted to cruise.
“ Too many people, too many decks!” the spry, 78-year-old Mrs. Nelson explained.
Yet there she was one sunny day this past summer far from her Allenhurst, New Jersey, home on the deck of Holland America’s Zaandam sporting a fleece jacket that said “Alaska Adventure Mum” keeping one eye on the spectacular calving glaciers in Glacier Bay National Park and another on her two-year-old great grandson Clayton Johnston.
“I really didn’t know if I’d like this,” admitted Carmen Nelson, whose granddaughter organized their shipboard reunion. “But I have nothing but good feelings about this trip.”
“Everyone is taken care of,” agreed Jill Mitwell, who was also cruising with her extended family. “I can’t think of another trip that would work this well for all of us.”
No wonder so many families now are turning to cruises when they want to gather the generations, turning some ships into veritable floating reunions during holidays and school break times in the Caribbean as well as Alaska.
Whether they’re in diapers or in high school, kids seem to be everywhere on cruise ships these days – a million kids a year, according to the Cruise Lines International Association, and trends mean that grandma and grandpa likely are on board, too, along with assorted cousins and aunts and uncles.
“The whole industry is paying attention to this. Everybody is talking about it,” says Andrew Stuart, executive vice president of Norwegian Cruise Line and the chairman of the Cruise Lines International Association. Norwegian’s newest ship, The Jewel, has 600 interconnecting cabins – more than half of those onboard – to accommodate these family groups.
While many cruises can be booked for $1,000 a week per person (less if you’re lucky and less for kids sharing your cabin), Stuart adds that families are increasingly snapping up the villa cabins with their own private courtyard, cappuccino makers, and concierge service – even the spacious three-bedroom villa complete with its own pool and hot tub that goes for $25,000 a week. (See www.ncl.com) “It’s rare we don’t have someone in them,” he said.
Half of those sailing Disney Cruise Line (See www.disneycruise.com) typically are part of a multi-family group, a spokesman said. Carnival Cruise Lines, meanwhile, is busy developing new activities that multigenerational families can do together. (See www.carnival.com)
Holland America has initiated new packages and programs just for these groups, (See www.hollandamerica.com) and revamped its children’s and teen programs to encourage and accommodate their presence.
It’s easy to see the appeal – even for those who never could have seen themselves on a big cruise ship. No one has to argue over where to eat or who is paying for dinner. The different generations can choose activities that best suit them, and, at the same time, get as much adult time as they like.
The Zaandam, like other Holland America ships, is now outfitted with a hip teen lounge complete with internet and giant TV and counselors who orchestrate activities past midnight: Next door are computer stations with the latest games. There’s plenty for younger kids too, even an educational component that parents and grandparents like.
With the kids ensconced in organized activities, the adults steal away to the gym, the Internet café, to take a cooking lesson, enjoy a leisurely adult dinner, or relax over a drink listening to music. They can even leave the preschoolers on board at the kids’ club while they go off scuba diving or shopping.
Of course it isn’t perfect – no family vacation is – especially when you mix generations and vacation styles. Cousins and grown siblings may bicker. Preschoolers may balk at being left in the kids club while preteens want to spend all of their time there. Long-planned excursions get rained out and the onboard activities may not satisfy everyone.
Still, these families seem to get what they came for. “While everyone is still healthy,” says Shelly Mitwell, “we got to have the trip of a life time, together.”
If you’re considering an Alaska cruise, check out my new book for kids: The Kid’s Guide: Cruising Alaska from Globe Pequot.
© Copyright Eileen Ogintz 2005
