MSNBC.com article recommends Ft. Lauderdale cruise...
This article was posted on msnbc.com today. It lists a few cruises that are best for families. Ft. Lauderdale and Royal Caribbean was the first on the list:
Lauren Goldenberg of The Family Traveler suggests:
The cruise line: “Royal Caribbean is my favorite cruise line for families because of the broad range of family-friendly amenities, dining and recreation on their larger ships. Families will love the rock climbing wall, ice skating, pools, mini golf, full-size basketball court, spa, gym, fitness classes, shopping promenade and in-line skating. The fun evening entertainment includes shows, a casino for mom and dad, and movies for the whole family. The children’s programs are well-organized and well-staffed, so each child can enjoy an array of age-appropriate programming, including hands-on science, crafts, theater, games and more. As for dining, there are enough options to keep everyone happy. The main dining room serves up special meals that even the foodie parents will enjoy. There’s also a steakhouse-and-seafood grill onboard, plus a Johnny Rockets and a Ben and Jerry’s. And there’s always 24-hour room service, which all children think is the coolest!”
The ship: “The Navigator of the Seas is the first megaship from Royal Caribbean to start sailing shorter cruises. This is an ideal scenario for first-time cruisers who may be shy about sailing a full week. It’s a great opportunity to fully experience Royal Caribbean.”
The itinerary: “I’d recommend the five-night Western Caribbean sailing to Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios out of Fort Lauderdale.”
The cabin: “For a quiet cabin, choose between other passenger decks, midship, but not too close to an elevator. For families of five, there are a few different cabin configurations. Large family cabins can be inside, outside, or balcony cabins depending on the cruise line and ship. If you get connecting inside, outside or balcony cabins, you pay four full rates and one discounted rate. A very popular option for families with older kids is to have the parents in a balcony cabin with the children across the hall in an inside cabin—although this family’s children are a bit young for that option.”
The damage: “I can get a Grand Suite on the Navigator, sailing February 2-7, 2008, for $3,150 total for five people. This includes taxes, port charges and the new fuel surcharge. This family will travel in style! This 390-square-foot cabin has a queen bed, two day beds, and a rollaway, plus an 89-square-foot balcony and a larger private bathroom with bathtub and double sink.”
The excursion: “The entire family will really enjoy swimming with stingrays in Grand Cayman and then visiting the turtle farm. These are great adventures for the entire family based on the Butler kids’ ages and interests! ShoreTrips offers a four-hour tour ($82/adult, $71/child) that includes interacting with the stingrays in waist-high water at Stingray City, a short snorkel at Coral Gardens (with a life vest, even a 4 year old can explore the sea life, including nurse sharks and moray eels), and finally a land tour that includes the Governor’s House and the turtle farm.
Planning tips: “Flying into the port of embarkation the night before is a good idea, especially in the winter. Some hotels in Fort Lauderdale provide a shuttle from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the port, and their rates even include free breakfast. At the end of the cruise, it’s a 5-minute taxi ride back to the airport from Port Everglades. If you’re going on the stingray excursion, bring some snacks along in case the kids get hungry. Try snorkeling in the bathtub before the cruise so the little one can see what it’s like!”
Lauren Goldenberg of The Family Traveler suggests:
The cruise line: “Royal Caribbean is my favorite cruise line for families because of the broad range of family-friendly amenities, dining and recreation on their larger ships. Families will love the rock climbing wall, ice skating, pools, mini golf, full-size basketball court, spa, gym, fitness classes, shopping promenade and in-line skating. The fun evening entertainment includes shows, a casino for mom and dad, and movies for the whole family. The children’s programs are well-organized and well-staffed, so each child can enjoy an array of age-appropriate programming, including hands-on science, crafts, theater, games and more. As for dining, there are enough options to keep everyone happy. The main dining room serves up special meals that even the foodie parents will enjoy. There’s also a steakhouse-and-seafood grill onboard, plus a Johnny Rockets and a Ben and Jerry’s. And there’s always 24-hour room service, which all children think is the coolest!”
The ship: “The Navigator of the Seas is the first megaship from Royal Caribbean to start sailing shorter cruises. This is an ideal scenario for first-time cruisers who may be shy about sailing a full week. It’s a great opportunity to fully experience Royal Caribbean.”
The itinerary: “I’d recommend the five-night Western Caribbean sailing to Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios out of Fort Lauderdale.”
The cabin: “For a quiet cabin, choose between other passenger decks, midship, but not too close to an elevator. For families of five, there are a few different cabin configurations. Large family cabins can be inside, outside, or balcony cabins depending on the cruise line and ship. If you get connecting inside, outside or balcony cabins, you pay four full rates and one discounted rate. A very popular option for families with older kids is to have the parents in a balcony cabin with the children across the hall in an inside cabin—although this family’s children are a bit young for that option.”
The damage: “I can get a Grand Suite on the Navigator, sailing February 2-7, 2008, for $3,150 total for five people. This includes taxes, port charges and the new fuel surcharge. This family will travel in style! This 390-square-foot cabin has a queen bed, two day beds, and a rollaway, plus an 89-square-foot balcony and a larger private bathroom with bathtub and double sink.”
The excursion: “The entire family will really enjoy swimming with stingrays in Grand Cayman and then visiting the turtle farm. These are great adventures for the entire family based on the Butler kids’ ages and interests! ShoreTrips offers a four-hour tour ($82/adult, $71/child) that includes interacting with the stingrays in waist-high water at Stingray City, a short snorkel at Coral Gardens (with a life vest, even a 4 year old can explore the sea life, including nurse sharks and moray eels), and finally a land tour that includes the Governor’s House and the turtle farm.
Planning tips: “Flying into the port of embarkation the night before is a good idea, especially in the winter. Some hotels in Fort Lauderdale provide a shuttle from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the port, and their rates even include free breakfast. At the end of the cruise, it’s a 5-minute taxi ride back to the airport from Port Everglades. If you’re going on the stingray excursion, bring some snacks along in case the kids get hungry. Try snorkeling in the bathtub before the cruise so the little one can see what it’s like!”
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