Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International
A cruise vacation gives families a chance to spend time together and say “why not” to an almost unlimited number of activities and adventures, both onshore and onboard. Where else can you and your kids enjoy a water park on a private island or see a Broadway-style show in the middle of the ocean? Royal Caribbean’s Explorations! Shore excursions will turn every destination into an adventure and their innovative ships will provide entertainment the whole family can enjoy.
Onboard Features and Activities
With the most innovative ships at sea, Royal Caribbean offers plenty of ways to keep kids entertained. Kids and their parents together can participate in fun onboard activities like ice-skating, karaoke, and talent shows. Or parents can rest easy while kids hang out with their peers in various kids and teen only lounges. Royal Caribbean’s ships are also ideal for some friendly family competition with a race to the top on their famous rock wall or a round of mini-golf, then try inline skating or book a private surfing session on the FlowRider®–an amazing wave simulator.
Their newest ships, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, take family cruising to a whole new level. Their BoardwalkSM neighborhood is a tribute to old-fashioned seaside amusement parks and features an arcade, an exhilarating Zip Line, and the world’s first at-sea Carousel. Oasis and Allure of the Seas are also host to the AquaTheater, a specialty venue featuring world-class high-dive acrobatics, synchronized swimming, and dazzling fountain & light shows.
Family Destinations and Shore & Land Excursions
Royal Caribbean’s private destinations, CocoCay® and Labadee®, have all the makings of a perfect family adventure. Both islands offer pristine beaches and spectacular scenery and Family Beach Activities, but kids will be most fascinated by state-of-the-art Aqua Parks and Labadee Luc’s Splash Bash. Older kids can try parasailing, snorkeling–or, for a truly wild adventure, they can soar along Labadee’s new Mile Long Zip Line. Younger children (ages 3 to 8), accompanied by their parents, can experience a special driving adventure on the Fisher-Price Power Wheels® Track, featured on CocoCay.
With the huge variety of shore & land excursions offered at all Royal Caribbean destinations, you’re sure to find many that are suitable for the entire family. Sightsee, snorkel, explore ancient ruins or investigate a city museum- there is an excursion to match any taste or activity level.
Royal Babies & Royal Tots
Join your 6- to 36-month-old in the fun of Royal Babies and Royal Tots, interactive playgroup sessions developed by early childhood experts at Fisher-Price®. Each 45-minute session* offers age-appropriate activities that expose children to new experiences while seamlessly combining playtime with learning time. On Royal Caribbean’s newest ships, Oasis and Allure of the Seas, they offer a full-staffed Nursery, with childcare drop-off options day and night.
*A parent or caregiver MUST accompany children during all playgroup sessions.
Kids & Teens
Adventure Ocean is a complimentary program of fun and educational activities open to all our junior cruisers, ages 3-11 Children are separated by age, and will have an opportunity to learn about local customs, perform cool science experiments, and make great new friends. Royal Caribbean’s 12-14 and 15-17 Teen groups give them the freedom to come and go as they please for sports, themed parties, movie nights and more. Teens can also meet up and chill out in the laid-back Living Room lounge, or cut loose at Fuel, our teen-only nightclub.
To participate in Adventure Ocean, children must be three years of age and potty-trained (no pull-ups or diapers). Parents can feel confident leaving their children with us because every staff member of our Adventure Ocean and Teen programs holds a college degree in education, recreation, or related field and has experience working with children ages 3-17. All are certified in CPR.
Eat, Drink and Be Merry
In addition to our Fisher Price Activities Menu and Juice and Unlimited Soda Packages for families, we’ve enhanced our family dining experience so parents and kids can have a more enjoyable vacation. My Family Time DiningSM offers Expedited Dining and Adventure Ocean Pickup Service, so kids can receive their meals within 40 minutes then join in on some onboard activities, while parents dine at their leisure. The Children’s Vitality Food menu offers options to help families promote and maintain healthier eating practices. Plus, on select nights, the youth staff hosts dinners in the casual restaurants where kids get to eat with other kids while parents enjoy the evening alone.
Time for Mom and Dad
Even on a vacation for the whole family, Royal Caribbean understands that Mom and Dad sometimes need their own time together. Through Adventure Ocean, Royal Caribbean will stimulate your kids by day and further entertain them by night with the Late Night Party Zone. And now parents can relax during lunchtime with our new Lunch and Play program providing Adventure Ocean kids with lunch, movies, cartoons and free-play time between noon and 2 p.m. In addition our Sitters at Sea program offers professional individualized childcare in your stateroom.
Read more about “Stress-free family vacation options aboard Royal Caribbean”