Trips With Kids: Cruises

Written by Rebecca Meekma

The old saying, “Getting there is half the fun,” isn’t always the case when you are traveling with young children. 

There is one type of family vacation, however, that allows mom and dad to relax and enjoy themselves. You still have to pack your bags, but other than that, all the work is done for you. What am I getting at?  A cruise, of course. A vacay on the water allows your family to recharge and, most importantly, reconnect.

 

Disney
One of the first cruise lines to enter the family market is a company that is synonymous with family fun—Disney. Disney Cruises offers every member of the family the over-the-top experience that people expect.

Disney aims to make traveling with the youngest family members as easy as possible, offering cribs, Pack ‘n Plays, bottle warmers and strollers on board and available for setup in your cabin. Their chefs will even puree and make fresh baby food to your specification for you!

Once on board, Disney offers Flounder’s Reef Nursery for children 12 weeks to 3 years old. This allows mom and dad to drop off their littlest ones without trepidation and enjoy themselves deux for a bit.

Older children can participate in Disney’s on board kids club, Oceaneer.  This isn’t a room where you drop off your kids and feel guilty that they’ll be inside all day watching TV and playing old board games.  The Oceaneer Club offers exciting activities like Learn to be a Pirate with Captain Hook and Dance Lessons from Snow White.

Capping off your Disney Cruise is their Deck Party, “Pirates in the Caribbean.” The party is capped off by a spectacular fireworks show; Disney being the only cruise line in the world to offer such a spectacular finale to a vacation.

Disney is repositioning the Disney Wonder in San Pedro in January  2011 and will offer seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises for the winter/spring season, so you don’t have to fly to get to Mexico. 

Disney Cruises:  800-951-3532. www.DisneyCruise.Disney.go.com. 

SEA Cruises

If you are looking to book a family vacation that celebrates an important milestone or one that simply brings the branches of the family tree together in one place, look to SEA Cruises of Cerritos for guidance.  A travel agency that specializes in booking group cruises, SEA (Special Event About) Cruises does all planning for you, as long as you are a group that needs at least eight cabins.

Jeff Abels, executive director of SEA Cruises, recommends cruising for a multi-generational family vacations or reunions. “… [Cruises] are all inclusive and end up being less expensive than other types of vacations.  Plus, there is something for all ages on board all of today’s ships.”

SEA Cruises will also make sure your cabins are together, your dining times and tables are as you request and even arrange on shore excursions for you.

SEA Cruises works with all the major cruise lines and can book a cruise that takes you anywhere in the world.  See the sites of the Mediterranean, the Caribbean or Alaska while only unpacking once!

A special service SEA Cruises offers is that they will create a website for you so that all members of your group can get info about their vacation in one place.  Plus, it’s a great place to post your pictures, post-cruise.

SEA Cruises: 800-795-1008. www.SEACruises.com.

Hornblower Cruises & Events

Keeping it closer to home, Hornblower Cruises and Events offers afternoon and evening cruises out of Newport Beach. These cruises are a fun and easy way to get out on the water and whet or appease your appetite for cruising.

“Hornblower Cruises and Events is a great way for families to getaway without actually going away,” says Sara Copping, director of marketing. “Mom and Dad can relax while the kids are entertained by scenic harbor views, marine life and a visit from the captain!”

Especially popular with families is Hornblowers’ Champagne Brunch Cruise, which is offered every Sunday.  Cruise around beautiful Newport Harbor while enjoying a sumptuous brunch buffet that includes unlimited champagne (or sparkling cider). This is a great way to get out and enjoy OC’s maritime flavor.  If you are celebrating a birthday, and have at least four people in your party, the birthday girl or boy cruises for free.

Another fun option is to take a private dockside tour of the legendary Wild Goose, John Wayne’s infamous yacht. Additionally, you can rent a ship for your private party and create the event of your dreams.  Nothing is more glamorous than sailing around Newport harbor on your private yacht.

Hornblower Cruises and Events: 888-467-6256. www.Hornblower.com.—Rebecca Meekma