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Family Fun

Round up the troops and start packing for a cruise!

A cruise is the ideal family-based vacation because it provides customized entertainment for both the parents and their kids.

Children of all ages can participate in planned, supervised activities; giving parents the freedom to have their own fun. Most cruises even provide babysitters.

Samples of activities on cruises for kids ages 3-12 include:

• Watching magic shows and theater productions
  
  
• Drinking Shirley Temples at "mocktail" parties
  
  
• Taking a behind-the-scenes look at the ship
  
  
• Participating in pool Olympics
  
  
• Partaking in a simulated archaeological dig
  
  
• Learning how to make pizza
  

Examples of teenagers' activities include:

• Singing karaoke and dancing at teen clubs
  
  
• Relaxing in teen hot tubs
  
  
• Taking Tae-Bo classes
  
  
• Surfing the Internet and emailing
  
  
• Playing video games
  
  
• Producing, directing and performing plays
  
  
• Meanwhile, adults can kick back and relax, have an intimate dinner at a fine restaurant, or seek their own adventures.
  

Celebrity Cruises' Family Cruising Program for four age groups is available during summer and seasonal sailing periods. Celebrity Science Journeys is a hands-on age-appropriate program that encourages children to learn about science and nature.

Costa Cruises' Costa Kids Club has scavenger hunts, Italian language lessons, "coketail" parties and karaoke. Costa Teens Club has activities for ages 15-17. Caribbean cruises offer "Parents Night(s) Out," where children are in supervised evening activities.

On Crystal Cruises' Crystal Harmony's 12-day Alaska cruises, children under 12 sail free when sharing the stateroom with two adults. The Junior Activities program on holiday and summer cruises offers a playroom, teen video arcade, games and activities. The line's Cotillion program teaches social skills.

Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2 has facilities in three age groups. Children's Tea is served in the Kings Court. There is a children-only Minnows Splash Pool, Children's Disco, ball pool and Xboxes in the Zone and Play Zone.

On Disney Cruise Line, adults can enjoy an adults-only pool, nighttime entertainment district, a secluded beach with massage cabanas, and a specialty Italian restaurant. Children's programs in five age groups include a kids-only pool, teen club, and activities on Disney's private island.

Holland America Line is expanding Club HAL facilities on its entire fleet to match those on Vista ships; the project is set to be completed by 2006. Half Moon Cay, the line's private island, has new features including a waterpark area for kids and adults.

MSC Cruises caters to kids with its Mini-Club recreation facility and video arcade on MSC Lirica and MSC Opera. Babysitting service is available.

Norwegian Cruise Line's "Kid's Crew" program has expanded hours and a year-round program for children ages 2-5. Kids 2-17 enjoy a four-tiered lineup of supervised parties, scavenger hunts, wacky cooking classes, T-shirt painting and on-shore activities.

Princess Cruises offers interactive placemats with children's menu choices as well as interactive games and facts about the ship or destination. California Science Center and National Wildlife Federation programming are part of the kids' program.

Radisson Seven Seas Cruises' Club Mariner (6-17) is offered on more voyages, including summer cruises on Seven Seas Voyager in the Baltic, Seven Seas Mariner in Alaska and Seven Seas Navigator in Bermuda, and Caribbean holiday sailings on these ships and Radisson Diamond.

On Royal Caribbean International's Mariner of the Seas, youngsters have more options, including Challenger's Arcade, scavenger hunts, sport tournaments and art/science workshops. Teens have The Fuel nightclub; The Living Room hangout; and The Back Deck private deck.