Family Reunion Cruises

Imagine a family vacation where everything is taken care of. You don’t have to worry about meals or entertainment, just relax and enjoy the time together. Cruising provides this freedom. What an excellent way for families to reunite at any time of the year!

As soon as cruise lines noticed their loyal, repeat passengers were bringing children and grandchildren along, they responded by increasing the amenities and entertainment suitable for multi-generational groups. Family-friendly cruise lines are meeting the needs of kids, parents and grandparents like never before:

• Accommodation – Aboard the latest cruise ships, the wide range of accommodation includes spacious staterooms for four; more connecting staterooms and suites sleeping up to 16 people.
• Dining – There’s a range of dining options from casual buffets to specialty restaurants; 24 hour room service; flexible dining times in the main dining rooms; kids menus plus supervised dinners for kids and teens where they dine as a group with their new friends from the activities program.
• Entertainment - A broad range of entertainment suitable for the whole family, from sports activities to movies on a big screen, is yours to enjoy aboard ship. It is quite surprising what’s available: Ice shows, water parks, bowling alleys, golf simulators, croquet, mini golf, a planetarium and some very entertaining production shows are found on various cruise ships.
• Kids & Teens Programs – Complimentary supervised programs engage kids and teens in a range of activities for those times when they don’t want to join in with the family. Activities are organized for specific age groups and run by experienced Youth Staff trained in education and recreation.
• Group and Private Babysitting – Group babysitting in the kids centers is available once programs end. Some lines also offer private babysitting in your stateroom for a fee. This lets parents and grandparents enjoy the late evening activities together without having to worry about the younger generation.
• Special  Family Programming – These are some good examples of specially arranged programs and partnerships for family fun and education:
  • Royal Caribbean’s family activities in conjunction with Crayola® and Fisher-Price® are a part of the Adventure Ocean youth program. Note:  Allure of the Seas now features DreamWorks characters in onboard parades, shows, character breakfasts and more.  DreamWorks will be added to the Oasis of the Seas by March 2011, and several other Royal Caribbean ships as well so ask your agent for details.
  • Princess Cruises’  ”Edutainment” activities and National Park Service Junior Ranger Program in Glacier Bay, Alaska.
  • Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ special events for family reunions and the Club Mariner Youth Program on summer and Holiday sailings.
  • Paul Gauguin Cruises’ The Ambassadors of the Environment program,  originally created by Jacques Cousteau, on select sailings in Tahiti. Parents join their kids aged nine to 17 for eco-adventures and activities which introduce the natural wonders of French Polynesia. 
• Family Portraits – Don’t miss out on the opportunity to have a professional family portrait taken. Photographers take these on several evenings during the cruise or you can book a private seating if you have a special place or time in mind. A lasting reminder of your wonderful family cruise.

Call a cruise group specialist 866-475-7023 to learn more about the benefits and discounts available when you book a family reunion cruise.