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Seafaring
Families 
| Cruise ships become floating resorts for family reunions | ||||
| From Travel agent magazine, By Susan J. Young | ||||
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Whether a small family of 10 or a large group of 100, a cruise ship may be the best place for reunion central. Family reunion clients seek accommodations they can use as a base for dining, sightseeing and socializing together. They want good children's programs, entertainment and activities. But they also want to make sure everyone in the group has personal time to pursue their own interests. Most cruise lines will help agents plan family reunion cruises including special events, sightseeing arrangements and dining reservations. Following is a sampling of options. JUST FOR US For the ultimate private family reunion, relatives might pool their resources and charter their own ship. Most lines, both big and small, will set up full ship charters, allowing for maximum flexibility without a rigid, fixed pace, plus amenities and itineraries can be customized. For example, SeaDream Yacht Club operates two mega-yachts, SeaDream I and II, perfect for chartering. |
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| Luxury lines
such as Crystal Cruises,
Seabourn Cruise Line,
Silversea Cruises, and
Windstar Cruises also offer full-ship charters and a range of
accommodations. For Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, interest remains high for family travel on Tahiti and Alaska journeys. The line recently introduced a new children's educational program aboard the Paul Gauguin featuring "Ambassadors of the Environment" from Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society. In addition, the Paul Gauguin now boasts 28 triples in categories C, D and E, to entice families aboard.
While small ships offer intimacy and a private ship
experience, large ships offer a wealth of amenities. Carnival Cruise Lines
estimates it welcomed somewhere between 5,000 and 7,000 family reunion
groups last year. Costa Cruises offers
promotions include special seniors discounts, kids travel for $199, kids
travel for free, and friends and families rates on multiple cabin purchases.
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Other Small Expedition Cruises
And dont forget about "learning expedition cruises" where there are no special kids activities onboard , but are family friendy, casual, informal and present naturalists onboard. These cruises have specially popular with families: Temptress Cruises with Costa Rica and Belize programs and Special Expeditions with range of destinations all over the world.
Read
Costa Rica Family Temptress Trip Report
Summary
| Cruise Line |
Age Limit |
Baby |
Escorted Shore Tours? |
Teen Disco or center? |
Youth center or playroom? |
Youth Councelors? |
| Cruise West | 11 |
no |
no |
no |
no |
|
| Bergen Line. | 11 |
no |
no |
no |
yes |
no |
| Carnival Cruise Line | 12 |
yes |
no |
some |
yes |
yes |
Celebrity Cruises |
12 |
yes |
no |
some |
yes |
yes |
Costa Cruise Line |
varies |
some |
no |
yes |
yes |
yes |
Crystal Cruises |
varies |
yes |
no |
some |
some |
no |
Cunard Line |
12 |
some |
no |
some |
some |
no |
Disney Cruise Line |
17 |
yes |
some |
yes |
yes |
yes |
First European Cruises |
17 |
yes |
no |
no |
yes |
yes |
Holland American Line |
varies |
some |
some |
some |
some |
yes |
Viking River Cruises of Europe |
13 |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
Mediterranean Shipping Cruises |
12 |
some |
no |
some |
some |
some |
Norwegian Cruise Line |
12 |
yes |
no |
yes |
yes |
yes |
Orient Lines |
12 |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
Princess Cruises |
no |
some |
no |
yes |
yes |
yes |
Radisson Seven Seas Cruises |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
Royal Caribbean Int. |
no |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
Royal Olympic Cruises |
12 |
some |
no |
some |
some |
some |
Seabourn Cruise Line |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
Silversea Cruises |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
Special Expeditions Cruises |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
Star Clippers |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
Swan Hellenic |
no |
no |
no |
yes |
no |
no |
| Windjammer Barefoot Cruises | 12 | some | some | no | no | some |
This page is continuously updated. Many more cruises/cruise lines are available. If you don't see cruise which interests you, email us
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