Kid-Friendly Features as Family Market being Enhanced by Cruise Lines
Published Monday, January 21st 2013
Categories
Getting "slimed," whipping on a zipline, thrilling to a watercoaster, getting drenched under a giant water bucket – kids are having a blast on cruise ships these days.
The family cruise market is growing. Not only in the ever-popular Caribbean, but also in Alaska and Europe.
Numbers tell some of the story
"Carnival Cruise Lines hosted 710,000 youngsters on its 24 ships in 2012 and expects 725,000 kid passengers in 2013. Those numbers represent records both for the cruise line and the industry, according to spokesman Vance Gulliksen.
Royal Caribbean had about 450,000 kids under age 18 on its 22 ships last year.
At Norwegian Cruise Line, about 200,000 kids sailed on its 11 ships last year, and that number has grown nearly 30% over the past few years."
Families are now the second largest cruising segment, behind only the 55-plus age group.
One way that cruise lines are attracting families is by offering young passengers a chance to mingle with cartoon characters – Mickey on Disney, DreamWorks characters (including Shrek and Kung Fu Panda) on select Royal Caribbean ships and Nickelodeon TV characters including SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer on Norwegian ships.
Include kids in the discussion
For best results for all, include your kids in the discussion about your cruise.
Family-friendly ship features
For the family crowd, cruise lines are touting a plethora of family-friendly attractions, especially on their newest ships.
These include the AquaDuck watercoaster on Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream; big WaterWorks waterparks and ropes courses on Carnival Breeze and Magic; bowling and an Aqua Park on Norwegian Epic; ziplines and merry-go-rounds on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas – and more are coming.
When the Norwegian Breakaway debuts in May, the ship will bring Norwegian's first mini golf course, a huge ropes course and what is being billed as the largest waterpark at sea – with five multistory slides – plus a separate splashy area for little kids.
So make it a family affair and have a great time.
The family cruise market is growing. Not only in the ever-popular Caribbean, but also in Alaska and Europe.
Numbers tell some of the story
"Carnival Cruise Lines hosted 710,000 youngsters on its 24 ships in 2012 and expects 725,000 kid passengers in 2013. Those numbers represent records both for the cruise line and the industry, according to spokesman Vance Gulliksen.
Royal Caribbean had about 450,000 kids under age 18 on its 22 ships last year.
At Norwegian Cruise Line, about 200,000 kids sailed on its 11 ships last year, and that number has grown nearly 30% over the past few years."
Families are now the second largest cruising segment, behind only the 55-plus age group.
One way that cruise lines are attracting families is by offering young passengers a chance to mingle with cartoon characters – Mickey on Disney, DreamWorks characters (including Shrek and Kung Fu Panda) on select Royal Caribbean ships and Nickelodeon TV characters including SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer on Norwegian ships.
Include kids in the discussion
For best results for all, include your kids in the discussion about your cruise.
Family-friendly ship features
For the family crowd, cruise lines are touting a plethora of family-friendly attractions, especially on their newest ships.
These include the AquaDuck watercoaster on Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream; big WaterWorks waterparks and ropes courses on Carnival Breeze and Magic; bowling and an Aqua Park on Norwegian Epic; ziplines and merry-go-rounds on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas – and more are coming.
When the Norwegian Breakaway debuts in May, the ship will bring Norwegian's first mini golf course, a huge ropes course and what is being billed as the largest waterpark at sea – with five multistory slides – plus a separate splashy area for little kids.
So make it a family affair and have a great time.
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