Cruise Line Spotlight- Adventure Ocean Youth, Royal Caribbean International
Photo Credit: RoyalCaribbean.com
In the past decade or so family cruising has become a standard vacation for many American families. Cruising used to be known as vacation for singles or couples, but over the years more and more couples are choosing a cruise for their vacation and taking their children with them. Cruising is a great choice for families. Families are able to see many different ports of call around the world while having a base room and meal each night that doesn't change. Seeing the world is much easier with children if you don't have pack up each night and move to a new hotel.
With some many families sailing with young children cruise lines have stepped up their kids clubs and are now offering more options than ever for entertaining activities for youngsters on board. this allows their parents to have some adult only time during the cruise while their kids are safely taken care of by youth counselors.
Royal Caribbean has partnered with Dreamworks Entertainment on certain cruises that bring popular movie and tv show characters to the ships. Kids delight in seeing their favorite characters around the boat and interacting with them throughout the cruise. Dreamwork's sailings are available on the following ships:
Anthem of the Seas
Quantum of the Seas
Allure of the Seas
Oasis of the Seas
Freedom of the Seas
Liberty of the Seas
Voyager of the Seas
Mariner of the Seas
Harmony of the Seas
Ovation of the Seas
Here is a sneak peak of a Dreamworks Cruise on RCI from RoyalCaribbean.com:
Adventure Ocean Clubs on RCI are by divided by age. every meme of the Adventure Ocean staff has a college degree in education, recreation or related field, so you can rest assured that your child in in good hands during your cruise. Here is a rundown of the catagories:
Royal Babies Ages 6-18 Months
Photo Credit: RoyalCaribbean.com
Interactive play group sessions led and developed by early childhood experts. The play session will include activities that promote playtime and learning. A parent or caregiver must accompany children to the playgroup session and a session is 45 minutes long.
Activities Included:
Fisher Price Toy Lending Program
Crayola Beginnings Workshop
Fun On the Farm
Terrific Trips
Out & About in The Neighborhood
Pirates and Princesses
Learning Fundamentals
Aquanauts Ages 3-5 years
All children attending the Aquanauts program must be fully potty train and be 3 years of age on the first day of the cruise.
Hours
Sea Days
9 am - 12 noon
2 pm - 5 pm
7 pm - 10 pm
Port Days
30 minutes prior to the first shore excursion to 5 pm (or return of last shore excursion)
7 pm - 10 pm
Included Activities:
Adventure Science
Adventure Art by Crayola
Sail Into Storytime
Adventure Theater by Camp Broadway
Fisher Price Programming
Games and Theme Activities- (Nutty nicknames, Un-Birthday Party, Camp Aquanauts, Ice-Cream Party, Super Hero afternoon, Face Painting, Pirate Night, Talent Show, Under The Sea Night, and Pajama Rama Movie Night)
Out Island Activities on CocoCay and Labadee
Photo Credit: RoyalCaribbean.com
Explorers Ages 6-8
Ton's of hands on activities await your explorer on RCI. One thing you will never have to worry about is a bored explorer.
Hours
Sea Days
9 am - 12 noon
2 pm - 5 pm
7 pm - 10 pm
Port Days
30 minutes prior to the first shore excursion to 5 pm (or return of last shore excursion)
7 pm - 10 pm
Included Activities:
Adventure Science by High Touch High Tech
Adventure Art by Crayola
Adventure Theater by Camp Broadway
Explorer Games and Theme Activities- (Wide World of Extremes Party, Name That Tune, Dancing Through The Decades, Pirate Night, Ice Cream Party, Scavenger Hunts, Bingo and Movie Mania)
Out Island Activities on CocoCay and Labadee
Voyagers Ages 9-11
Once again no boredom allowed in the Voyagers Adventure Ocean. There are so many different activities to choose from.
Hours
Sea Days
9 am - 12 noon
2 pm - 5 pm
7 pm - 10 pm
Port Days
30 minutes prior to the first shore excursion to 5 pm (or return of last shore excursion)
7 pm - 10 pm
Included Activities
Adventure Science by High Touch High Tech
Adventure Art by Crayola
Adventure Theater by Camp Broadway
Explorer Games and Theme Activities- (The X Games, Rockin' Through the Decases, Reggae Beach Party, Savenger Hunts,List O Rama, Backstage Tour, The Art Walk, Win, Cruise or Draw, Talent Show and Sports Tournaments.)
Out Island Activities on CocoCay and Labadee
Navigators Ages 12-14
This Teen Program is designed for teens to participate in the activities that they want and also provides them a teen lounge (Teen Center) for them to hang out in and make new friends from all over the world.
Hours
Activities are scheduled throughout the day and early evening
The Teen Center is open 10:30 pm - 2 am every night
Included Activities:
Theme Nights
Improv Games
FlowRider (select ships)
Scratch DJ Academy
Mocktail Competition
Dodgeball
Open Mic and Talent Show
Ice-Skating (Voyager and Freedom Class Ships)
Teen BBQ
Dive In Movie and Pool Party
Meet the Stars Backstage
Dance Dance Revolution
Teen Casino
Unplugged jam Sessions
Snowball Fight in the Caribbean
Climbing Competition
Guest Ages 15-17
Older teen guests will have the freedom of joining into events or just hanging out in the teen center.
Included Activities:
Theme Nights
Battle of the Sexes
FlowRider (select ships)
Scratch DJ Academy
Dodgeball
Teen Casino
Open Mic
Ice-Skating (Voyager and Freedom Class Ships)
Dive In Movie and Pool Party
Sneak Peek Backstage
Unplugged jam Sessions
Climbing Competition
Karaoke
Teen Dinners
Paid Sitting Services
Royal Babies and Tots Nursery
Ages 6 months to 36 months
9 am- 5 pm $6 per hour
5 pm - 12 midnight $8 per hour
In room sitters
1 year old minimum
$19 per hour for up to 4 children from the same family
(2 hour minimum)
Late Night Party Zone
Ages 3-11
(must be potty trained)
10 pm - 2 am $7 per hour per child
Royal Caribbean International is dedicated to creating a safe and fun environment for kids of all ages whether it is a dance party with their favorite characters from the movie Shrek or performing a science experiment. The fun never stops for the kids while sailing on RCI.
