Cruises going after kids market
Everyone associates Disney cruises with families, but enterprising lines are reaching down to the younger market by offering children’s Broadway-style shows, kids’ clubs, ice cream parties and poolside movies.
CLIA-member line ships carried more than a million children under the age of 18 in 2005, the latest data available, according to Cruise Line International Association.
“Family cruising is huge right now,” Charlie Funk, owner of Nashville-based Just Cruisin’ Plus, told The Tennessean. He added:
“Holland America, Princess, Celebrity, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney and Norwegian Cruise Line all have dedicated staff for kids’ programs and some have teens-only facilities.”
With all the major lines offer supervised, age–structured kids’ programs on board, “It’s not uncommon for parents to report that getting the kids away from their activities to go to dinner is a challenge.”
Programs include poolside games, storytelling, science experiments, sports tournaments, talent shows, arts and crafts, pizza-making parties, treasure hunts and time in the video arcade. But in addition to the fun and games, there are enrichment experiences like backstage tours, cooking classes, computer instruction and even scrapbooking are commonplace.
For structured programs, which are included in the cruise price and usually operate year-round, kids are assigned to a group based on their age. Staff members typically are CPR and First Aid certified, hold college degrees in education, recreation or a related field, and have experience working with children.
“The fact that cruise lines are putting the investment and time into these children’s activities and camps and children-specific pool areas is a testimony to how important the family cruise market is to them,” says CLIA executive vice president Bob Sharak.
Report by David Wilkening
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