Big Fun for Little Ones on Shore
As much fun as it is to take it easy on a cruise ship – snoozing in a deck chair, a cool drink and a good book beside you – part of the fun is getting off the ship to explore what’s on shore.
Shore excursions are an especially important part of a cruise vacation for families with children under 10. These little ones often need lots of activity and stimulation, and shore excursions are a perfect way to provide them with new, memorable experiences.
While you’re considering family-friendly cruise ships and itineraries, remember to consider the available shore excursions, too. Many shore excursions have minimum age requirements, and you don’t want to find yourself on a cruise with few shore-side options for your kids. While cruise lines that cater to adults tend to run more sophisticated shore excursions, others offer family-oriented excursions – some even have supervised shore excursions specifically for children. Your personal cruise expert can provide information and guidance based on the ages and interests of your kids.
When selecting a shore excursion, consider the kind of activities your kids enjoy, and how much activity they will tolerate. Some kids are perfectly content to watch the changing scenery on a four-hour bus tour; others squirm in their seats after the first 15 minutes.
For many kids, shore excursions that involve beaches, water parks, wildlife viewing or animal interaction are good choices. For example, Disney Cruise Line ships that call on Nassau in the Bahamas offer a high-speed catamaran ride to Blue Lagoon Island, where kids can play and swim with an Atlantic Bottlenose dolphin. In Costa Maya, Mexico, kids and parents on Royal Caribbean ships can ride through the jungle to a pristine beach for some free time on the sand, followed by a stop at the flea markets of Costa Maya town.
Whatever you decide to do with your kids on shore, be sure to stash some small snacks and water in your bag, as nothing can ruin an on-shore experience faster than an empty tummy.
If you really want to take an excursion that you know your kids won’t enjoy, your ship may offer a children’s program or baby-sitting services that will keep the kids busy, happy and safe during that time. Check with your personal cruise expert to learn more.
H1N1 Flu: What You Need to Know
Cruise vacations are a time for fun, relaxation and celebration, and are definitely not a time to be sick with the flu. Cruise lines have already taken a number of important steps to help keep their crews and guests healthy as the H1N1 flu continues to spread around the globe.
For example, in May 2009, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) announced new screening procedures to help protect the health of cruise passengers. Under the new policy, all passengers must complete and sign a written questionnaire prior to boarding a ship that belongs to a CLIA member cruise line. If a passenger reports any flu-like symptoms on the questionnaire, the crew conducts a secondary screening and medical personnel decide if the passenger will be permitted to board the ship. These policies are similar to those set in place during the SARS epidemic a few years ago.
Passengers who develop flu-like symptoms – such as fever, cough, runny nose or sore throat – while on a cruise are treated by the onboard medical staff. These passengers may be isolated in their staterooms to prevent the spread of the virus on the ship. If appropriate and practical, these passengers may also disembark at a scheduled port of call.
Cruise lines’ precautions and policies regarding H1N1 flu are in addition to the comprehensive sanitation and public health practices already in place on cruise ships. These include the use of disinfectants; surveillance and treatment of passengers with communicable illnesses; isolation of sick passengers; food safety protocols; and consultation with public health authorities.
Cruise lines will continue to closely monitor and appropriately respond to the continuing outbreak of H1N1 flu. If you are embarking soon and have any concerns about H1N1, talk with your travel professional.
There’s a Cruise for Any Season
Cruising offers a whole world of possible destinations – but, the time of year that you plan to cruise may narrow the possibilities just a bit.
Some cruise destinations, such as the Caribbean, are available all year long because the weather is almost always balmy. Others are available only in certain seasons. For example, watching an Alaskan glacier calve new icebergs into the ocean is thrilling in July, but would be much less pleasurable in the Arctic cold and darkness of January. However, January is the ideal time to cruise to South American and Antarctica (remember, it’s summer there).
Different cruise lines may have slightly different seasons for specific destinations, but the following is a general guide to when ships sail where:
Africa – October through March
Alaska – May through September
Antarctica – November through February
Asia – September through April
Australia – October through March
Bahamas – All year long (peak hurricane season is August to November) – keep in mind that cruise ships can easily navigate away from severe storms, including as hurricanes
Bermuda – April through October
Caribbean – All year long (peak hurricane season is August to November)
Hawaii – All year long
Indian Ocean – October through April
Mediterranean – All year long (peak season May through September)
Mexico – All year long
New England and Canada – April through October
Northern Europe – May through September
Panama – October through April (some itineraries available all year)
South America – October through April
South Pacific – All year long
For seasonal cruise destinations, the best pricing is usually available at the beginning and end of their seasons (one exception is New England and Canada, where late-season cruises offer spectacularly colorful leaf-peeping).
Some year-round cruise destinations don’t really have an off-peak time – still, your personal cruise expert can work with you to find the cruise that best matches your available time and budget.
Cruising the Southern Caribbean
Stretching south of Puerto Rico to the northern coast of South America, the islands of the Southern Caribbean offer a wonderful cruise experience. With tropical weather all year long, many of these small islands are covered with lush rainforests (Aruba, with its dry climate and landscape dotted with cacti, is a notable exception).
While each island has a distinct character, as a group they are known for clear, blue water; soft, white sand beaches; a love of cricket and soccer; up-tempo music; and flavorful cuisine. Many of the islands are heavily influenced by European and African cultures. In addition to English, the main language, you may hear French Creole, Portuguese Creole, Dutch and Spanish being spoken.
Ports of call on a Southern Caribbean cruise may include St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Barbados and Curacao, to name a few. All these ports offer some combination of beaches, water sports, shopping and activities like horseback riding and deep-sea fishing – but, each island offers something unique, too.
St. Lucia features a "drive-in volcano” (you can’t actually drive into it, just close to it) near the charming 18th century town of Soufriere. The southwestern coast of the mountainous island is marked by the famous Pitons, twin mountains that rise straight from the ocean for nearly half a mile.
St. Vincent offers an unspoiled tropical landscape of dense forest, stunning waterfalls, and colorful coral reefs. Downtown Kingstown is within walking distance of the cruise terminal and is the starting point for tours of the island’s historic sites, including Fort Charlotte, a 19th-century fortress that’s now a museum.
Barbados combines the cultural remains of 300 years of British colonial rule with a relaxed Caribbean attitude. You can stroll through beautiful botanical gardens, stretch out on a gorgeous beach or ride the electric tram through the stalactites and stalagmites of Harrison’s Cave.
Curacao was discovered by Spaniards but colonized by the Dutch. The capital city of Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is seemingly made for walking tours. There are fascinating museums and the Curacao Sea Aquarium, where you can view exotic marine life and even swim with dolphins. Of course, there are many beaches and water sports to enjoy.
Many cruises of the Southern Caribbean depart from San Juan, Puerto Rico. They usually sail for a week or longer, though some shorter itineraries are available. Southern Caribbean cruises also depart from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and other ports along the East Coast of the U.S. Talk with your personal cruise expert about visiting the Southern Caribbean via cruise ship.