About Catalina Margulis
Baby Abroad is a collection of travel tips and tricks for jet-setters with kids, compiled by travel writer Catalina Margulis and based on her adventures with hubby Gord and baby Zach.
Just Cruising: Part 2
baby abroad canada
(Dec.12.09)
Last week I covered some of the best cruise lines for families travelling with babies, based on a survey by cruise travel specialists at Cruise Complete. Here are the rest of the lines that made the list:
Disney Cruise Line: Already well-known for being a family-friendly line, Disney Cruises is also among the best for infant programs. Flounder’s Reef Nursery accepts children from 12 weeks to 36 months; the counsellor ratio is 1:4 for infants and 1:6 for toddlers. Amenities include: baby swings, walkers, books, toys, games, a television and DVD area. There is also a soft play area and separate nursery with cribs. Parents should expect to carry a pager (attendants do not change diapers) and pay $6.00 per hour for the first child, and $5.00 per hour for each additional child. The minimum age to sail on Disney is 12 weeks old.
Holland America: Holland America does not provide children’s programs or babysitting for children under three, but a limited number of high chairs, booster seats and cribs are available to cruisers at no charge. Parents should expect to reserve these items in advance, at the time of booking. The minimum age to sail on Holland America is 12 months.
Norwegian Caribbean Line: NCL offers youth programs and group babysitting for children ages 2-12, including a FreeStyle Play period where all age groups play together. Group babysitting outside of the complimentary Kid’s Crew program runs $6 per child per hour, and $4 per hour for additional siblings. NCL does not have programs in place for children under age two, and no private babysitting is available. The minimum age to sail on NCL is 6 months.
P&O Cruises: P&O offers a children’s program- The Reef- starting at age two. Splashers, for 2 to 4 year olds, is a day program filled with activities and designed for young children. In the evening, parents can take advantage of the cruise line’s supervised night nursery. Parents should be aware that this service is operated on a first-come, first-serve basis, and infants must be settled and sleeping before they leave. Minimum age to sail on P&O Cruises is 12 months.
Royal Caribbean: Designed for babies 6-18 months, all Royal Caribbean’s ships have incorporated a Royal Babies program into their cruises. These playgroups are 45-minute sessions (parents must accompany the child) that include activities like baby gymnastics and musical inspiration. On the newest ship, Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean also provides a nursery, with child watch options day and night. Children are divided into two age groups within the nursery: Babies (6-17 months) up to and including 1 day less than 18 months, and Tots (18-36 months). Parents should expect to carry a phone, and the charge is $8 per hour, per child. Each session must be a minimum of 1 hour and a maximum of 6 hours. The minimum age to sail is 6 months on most itineraries, but is 12 months on all Transatlantic, Transpacific and Hawaii cruises. Some South American and other cruises are also 12 months, so be sure to check age requirements for your specific cruise.
RSSC: Regent Seven Seas Cruises does not provide formal activities for young children on their sailings, but the line does provide in-suite babysitting services (expect to pay $25 per hour!). The minimum age to sail on Regent Seven Seas Cruises is 6 months.