#4: Princess Cruises MinimumAge: Six months or twelve months, depending on destination. The minimum age for escorted cruise tours is 5 years. Children’s Programs: Extensive
Babysitting: In-cabin babysitting is not available on any ship. Tickets: http://www.cruisecompete.com/lines/princess_cruises.html
New for 2019 • Princess has added a minimum age for escorted cruise tours. The minimum age is 5.
• Princess has totally revamped their children’s programs in partnership with Discovery. The rollout of the new program began in October 2018. This program is scheduled to be ship wide by April 2019. Here is their schedule: They are now available on board Grand Princess, Caribbean Princess, Majestic Princess, Regal Princess, Sea Princess, Island Princess, Star Princess, Crown Princess and Sun Princess. And will debut on Ruby Princess (Oct 2018), Royal Princess (Dec 2018), Coral Princess (Jan 2019), and Emerald Princess (Apr 2019). Please note this schedule is subject to change. Overview A good slogan for Princess might be: “Have It Your Way,” for the line has a fleet of different ship styles, sails itineraries all over the world, and successfully blends traditional cruise elements with more modern amenities. For example, the line has set seating, and also offers “Anytime Dining.” The entertainment mix includes traditional Vegas-style revues, talent shows, and comedians, not to mention “Movies Under the Stars.” The dining mix (which varies by ship) might include a New Orleans–style café or an Italian restaurant. The three-deck Piazza, a relatively new feature that’s being expanded to older ships, includes a 24-hour café, a wine bar, and Alfredo’s pizza, as well as shops and a performance venue. Princess ships have casinos, nightclubs, discos, and kids’ clubs. All have Lotus spas and fitness centers that offer yoga and other classes. Some spas feature alternative therapies like acupuncture; the newer ones have such medi-spa options as Botox and other fillers. Depending on the ship, activities might include art auctions and all kinds of classes, some of which carry a fee: computer technology, photography, ceramics, or cooking. The newest (Royal Class) ships have expanded piazzas, SeaWalks (glass-enclosed walkways), and Princess Live! (an interactive TV studio). Princess cruises include both formal nights (one for 7-to-13-night trips) and smart casual nights. Formal means a tuxedo or dark suit for men and gowns, cocktail dresses, or fancy-pants suits for women. “Smart casual” means pants and open-neck shirts for men and dresses, skirts, or slacks and sweaters or blouses for women. T-shirts, shorts, and halter tops are not allowed in the dining room, and shoes are required. Back in “the old days” of cruising, friends and family were allowed to come aboard with passengers, perhaps to share some champagne and small treats before sailing. That sweet custom ended, but Princess revived it with the “Bon Voyage” experience, which allows guests to come aboard for a tour and lunch with wine. The package, which runs about four hours, costs $39 and is a nice way to share the cruise experience. (And if any guests decide to take a cruise after sampling the experience, that $39 can be applied to the price.) Depending on the ship, fellow passengers can include family groups, couples, singles, or mature travelers. On the big or mid- size ships, you’ll find the broadest mix. Princess Cruises’ smaller ship, Pacific Princess—has fewer features that appeal to
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2019 Sea Tales Family Cruise Travel Planner
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