This article
originally appeared in the July issue of AGENTatHOME magazine. Subscribe
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I’m all for kids
programming on family vacations — after all, adult-only time is important — but
I was never overjoyed about clubs that just put my sons in front of a movie.
Don’t get me wrong, pajama parties, movie nights and movie-themed activities
are great, but I wanted my children engaged — and if there were educational
components related to the destination we were visiting, all the better.
As young ones
become more sophisticated in how they spend time at home, cruise lines have
been challenged to offer more engaging kids programming, including cool onboard
attractions such as rock walls, go-karts, waterslides and roller coasters.
Norwegian Cruise
Line may be the only brand with electric-powered go-karts, but don’t feel too
sad for children cruising with other companies, because Royal Caribbean
features surfing and skydiving simulators, Carnival Cruise Line offers the
pedal-powered SkyRide, Disney Cruise Line has "water coasters" with
animated show scenes, and MSC Cruises’ Robotron flips, spins and swings riders
nearly 175 feet above the ocean.
If that’s not
enough, Carnival also offers IMAX Theatres showing first-run blockbusters and
cool IMAX documentaries. On Disney ships, kids can see the latest and greatest
Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars films (often on the same day they’re
released in theaters) — and if that doesn’t earn them bragging rights, I don’t
know what will.
But as a mother,
it warms my heart that cruise lines are also embracing educational programming,
such as hands-on science experiments at Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean and
lessons about marine life at Carnival’s Camp Ocean. Disney’s Wish Class ships even
feature the Walt Disney Imagineering Lab, where aspiring theme-park designers
can create their dream roller coaster and then ride it in a specially designed
simulator.
Cruising is a
perennially popular family vacation because there’s something for every member
of the family, but these days, younger cruisers certainly have some of the
coolest options. For advisors, helping clients choose the right family cruise
may not only be about recommending a ship or destination, but also about
learning whether kids or grandkids in the family are thrill-seekers, aspiring
scientists, future Imagineers — or maybe all of the above.
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