Cunard Line – On Cunard’s ships, the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Elizabeth 2, parents will find well-equipped nurs- eries and children’s centers featuring toys, games, and activities. These children’s areas are supervised by nannies and youth staff, but children must be one year old to participate without parents (children under one are welcome with parental supervision). Both ships offer a family pool area, and there is complimentary group babysitting available in the evenings. Children at least six months of age are welcome on most Cunard voyages; however, on Icelandic sailings, transatlantic crossings, transpacific voyages (including voyages to Hawaii), and world voyages (including Segment Voyages), the mini- mum age is one year. Disney Cruise Line – Already well known for being a family-friendly line, this cruise line is also among the best for in- fant programs. It’s a Small World Nursery accepts children from six months to thirty-six months. Amenities include baby swings, walkers, books, toys, games, and a television and DVD area. There is also a soft play area and separate nursery with cribs. Parents should expect to carry a pager and pay $9.00 per hour for the first child, then $8.00 per hour for each additional child. The minimum age to sail on Disney is six months old. The minimum age for Transatlantic and Panama Canal itineraries is 1 year of age on the day of sailing. Holland America Line – Holland America Line does not provide children’s programs or babysitting for children under three, but a limited number of high chairs, booster seats, and cribs are available to cruisers at no charge. Parents should expect to reserve these items in advance, at the time of booking. The minimum age to sail on Holland America Line is six months, but 12 months for transocean voyages. Norwegian Cruise Line – NCL offers youth programs and group babysitting for children aged 3–12, including a “Free- Style Play” period where all age groups play together. Group babysitting outside of the complimentary Kid’s Crew program runs $8 per child per hour, then $5 per hour for additional siblings. NCL does not have programs in place for children under age three, and no private babysitting is available. The minimum age to sail on NCL is six months for most journeys, and 12 months for voyages with three or more consecu- tive days at sea. Oceania Cruises – Oceania’s cruises are designed for adults and do not provide care, entertainment, or supervision for children. Oceania’s minimum sailing age is one year as of the first day of the cruise. P & O Cruises – P & O Cruises has two adult-only ships—the Arcadia and Oriana—which have a minimum age of eighteen years. However, their remaining ships offer P & O’s children’s program—The Reef—starting at age two. Splashers, for ages 2–4, is a day program filled with activities designed for young children. In the evening, parents can take advantage of the cruise line’s supervised night nursery for children from six months to four years of age. Parents should be aware that this service is operated on a first-come, first-serve basis, and infants must be settled and sleeping before they leave. Minimum age to sail on P & O Cruises is six months; however, transatlantic cruises, world cruises, and remote itineraries have a minimum age of 12 months. Royal Caribbean – Designed for babies from six to thirty-six months old, many Royal Caribbean ships have incorporated a “Royal Babies” program into their cruises. These playgroups are forty-five minute sessions (parents must accompany the child) that include activities like baby gymnastics and musical inspiration. On many ships Royal Caribbean also provides a nursery, with child watch options day and night. Parents should expect to carry a phone, and the charge is $8 per hour per child.
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2017 Family-Friendly Cruise Travel Planner
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