by - Kids’ clubs keep young guests entertained and give parents a break on cruises.
- Most children’s programs are included in the cruise price.
- Kids’ clubs on ships are more elaborate than at land-based resorts, one expert said.
Sarah Brumfield and her husband, TJ, took their two daughters on a Carnival Cruise Line sailing last spring, and while the family spent a lot of time together, the couple also did their own thing away from the children.
Brumfield, 39, could go to a comedy show and her eldest child, Zoe, could later belt out a Britney Spears song at the youth club with a friend she’d made on board.
“I love family vacations,” Brumfield, who is based in Omaha, Nebraska, told USA TODAY. “It’s just sometimes if you get into the longer family vacations, you’re kind of on top of each other a lot and it can get a little stressful and you really don’t get a break.”
Children and teens programming on cruises helps provide a respite so families can enjoy quality time on a ship and have their own space as needed.
“I think it makes me feel a bit more independent, especially as you get older,” said Zoe, 17.
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These programs even factor in about the family, which Brumfield said take “one big trip” a year,” going on a cruise versus another type of vacation. She is among a number of travelers who have found kids’ clubs an attractive incentive, give children space to play while knowing they can’t go too far.
“They do very well with that structure”
For other travellers, the programs offer the opportunity for a different type of quality time. Brendan Peoples and his husband, Edgar Castlow, take their five young children on a cruise once or twice a year. In addition to having alone time as a couple on an outing or at the spa, they make it a point to spend time with each child two-on-one while the other children are at the club.
“We get time for ourselves … but we get personal time for one child,” said the Houston-area tax advisor.
Peoples, who sails only with Carnival Cruise Line, said the line’s program is much more than “parking them in front of a video,” offering a mix of activities that serve his kids well.
“They do very well with that structure, so they don’t get bored easily … Every day it’s something different,” the 54-year-old said.
How old must children be to use the kids’ clubs?
Mainstream cruise lines typically have dedicated programming for young children, pre-teens and teens, and group children by age, although the exact age groupings can vary from line to line, according to Bianca Rios, owner of travel agency Ahoy Vacations.
“I think one of the best parts about cruising is that there’s a dedicated space for everyone, even from the smallest baby, (to) teenagers, college kids, there’s always a place where they can go and be entertained,” said Rio’s.
But in general, children are required to be at least 3 years old and potty trained to use the kids’ clubs, she said, and the lines were titled participation at 18. “It does matter if they turn 18 during the cruise,” she said.OMG
What activities do kids clubs offer for cruise lines?
When it comes to kids’ clubs, not all cruise lines are created equal. Kristi Marcelle, senior travel advisor at family-focused travel agency Ciao Bambino!, said some lines, like Disney Cruise Line, have more elaborate programs than others.
“It’s basically nirvana for kids because there (are) so many different things to do and it’s very engaging and hands-on,” she said.
The line offers a range of activities for different age groups. Disney’s Oceaneer Club for kids 3 to 12 features storytelling and play areas, while at the Edge, guests between 11 and 2 will find a dance floor and karaoke, among other onboard offerings, according to Disney Cruise Line’s website.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s youth programming includes Splash Academy for potty-trained 3-year-olds through 12-year-olds, which features crafts, scavenger hunts and more, and Entourage for teens 13 to 17″ where they can hang out, play video games, watch movies and have dance parties themed,” a spokesperson said in an email.
Marcelle said by looking at the kids’ club offerings — whether on the cruise line’s website or by consulting a travel advisor — guests can get a good idea of ”whether the cruise line is family-centric or family-friendly.”
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Rios said the lines provide a schedule that travelers can consult to see what’s on offer. But please note that some activities may require advanced registration.
Generally, parents can pre-register their children for the clubs or register them on board, though that’s generally only required for younger children 12 and under who are in “secured programming,” Rios said. She added that youth programs often do an icebreaker activity on the first day so the kids can get to know each other.
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How much do children’s clubs cost?
Kids’ clubs are usually included in the cruise fare during regular hours, Rios said, but childcare for children under 3 will likely cost a fee.
Passengers may also face other charges. For example, while Norwegian’s programs are free, the line charges a fee of $1 per minute for late pickup “if children are not picked up before the venue closes,” the spokesperson said.
“Splash Academy also offers the Late-Night Fun Zone, which allows parents to drop their children off between 11pm and 1am for an extra group session,” the spokesperson added. That fee is $6 an hour, and an additional $4 an hour for each sibling.
Land-based resorts may have similar programs, Marcelle said, but the offerings tend to be more extensive on cruises, where guests spend much of their time on board. “They are more extensive on a ship,” she said.
