A FAMILY AFFAIR For Inflatable Water Games
Recent years have seen cruiselines beef up their facilities for kids. The move has paid off as now increasing numbers of families are realising the benefits of a holiday at sea Back in the 1990s, cruising was still very much a pastime for people aged 50 and over who wanted a quiet holiday being waited on hand and foot. Fast forward a decade or more to 2010, and while older people still make up the majority of cruise passengers, increasing numbers of families with kids aged anywhere from six months to 17 years old are discovering the benefits of a holiday at sea. Carnival Cruise Line carried 625,000 kids and teens last year, twice as many as a decade ago while 40% of Disney Cruise Line’s passengers are under 18 years old. In the UK, the number of cruisers under 17 has increased more than sevenfold in 10 years, according to the Passenger Shipping Association (PSA), rising from 2% in 1998 to 7% in 2008. A key reason why families are finding favour with holidays at sea is that the big cruiselines have provided evermore childfriendly facilities — not just kids and teens clubs, but also water slides, water parks and trampolines — to lure young people on board. Many also have more familyfriendly accommodation, with extra berths or connecting doors between cabins to cater for big families. Carnival Dream has new cabins with two bathrooms that sleep up to five people. Cruiselines are also offering great deals to woo families. MSC Cruises and Costa Cruises don’t charge under 18s provided they share a cabin with two adults, although they will have pay port taxes and flights, where applicable. This year, Crystal Cruises has two kidsgofree voyages for the under18s for the first time, while Royal Caribbean has been offering selected cruises from £79 for the under12s as part of its startofyear Wave campaign. Families like the fact so much is included in the cost of the cruise it covers accommodation, all meals, entertainment and the kids’ clubs — and also that it is a very safe holiday for children. Young ones have to be signed in and out of the kids’ clubs Disney Cruise Line provides parents with a bleeper so they can be summoned to the kids’ club if necessary — while mum and dad can give older ones the freedom to hang out with friends knowing they can’t just wander too far. Carnival Cruise Lines head of sales and marketing Wendy Lahmich says parents like cruising because they can relax knowing the children are well looked after in the kids’ clubs, while kids love the activities and making new friends. She says: “Over the past three years or so value has also become important. The fact that so much is included in the price means families can budget upfront.” Norwegian Cruise Line UK general manager Stephen Park estimates 15%20% of passengers on NCL’s Med cruises are under 18, and says the itineraries are a big attraction for families. The cruiseline has sevennight cruises from Venice on Norwegian Gem and from Barcelona on Norwegian Jade this summer, and new for 2010, passengers on NorwegianJade can choose an alternative embarkation in Palma. He says: “The length of the cruises and embarkation points are designed to attract families. Palma is a big holiday destination for the British with plenty of flights and we are seeing huge numbers of bookings from families combining a cruise with a stay on the island.” PSA director Bill Gibbons says the number of families cruising will increase as cruiselines continue expanding their facilities for youngsters. Park adds: “New ships and facilities will continue to open up cruising to more families.” Lahmich says the UK is still behind the US in seeing cruising as a family holiday but attitudes are changing as people realise it is good value. She says some agents sell family cruising well, showing a total price for two adults and two children and explaining what is included, but many need to get back to basics. She says: “They need to show clients what good value it is by asking them what they spent on food on their last holiday and comparing that with the cost of a cruise, including all the food and entertainment.” She adds: “Carnival is putting more thought into entertainment and activities for kids. It’s a longterm prospect. We hope they will continue to cruise with us as they get older and have families of their own. “Value has become important. The fact so much is included in the price means families can budget upfront”
