Getting
ready to book your first cruise? One of
the first questions you’ll have to answer is whether or not you’ll be bringing
your kids along! There are many factors
to consider when making this determination, but don’t let fears that your
children are too young to enjoy the experience, be one of them. Carnival has engineered the most extensive
and highly acclaimed youth program in the cruising industry. Carnival has worked hard to ensure that
guests of all ages will have an unforgettable experience on board their ships. Here’s a run-down of what Carnival has to
offer its youngest cruisers…
Let’s start with an overview of their
programs and policies. Carnival offers
complimentary programs for children, ages 2 to 11. A program is available, for a nominal charge,
for children under the age of 2. It’s
important to remember that these programs are not a daycare service. They are designed to maximize the cruise
experience for children by encouraging interaction with peers on board the ship
and to offer activities the whole family will enjoy.
·
You
may pre-register your child for a youth program online after you complete your FunPass.
Online pre-registration is available up to 72 hours prior to departure.
·
Your
child doesn’t have to be potty trained in order to participate. You will be responsible for providing all necessary
diapering items for your child.
·
Your
first night aboard features orientation for both you and your child. This gives you both an opportunity to meet
program directors and fellow program participants, look over itineraries, and
become familiar with the facilities your child will be taking advantage of
during the program.
·
Safety
is the number one priority of the program.
Children under 9 must be signed in/out from the program with no
exceptions. The program directors will
require you to show your Sign & Sail
card to check your child in or out of the program area.
o
Children
over 9, with your consent, may be able to sign themselves out. This will allow them to participate in the activities
that take place ship-wide.
·
For
your added peace of mind, program directors will be happy to provide you access
to a phone or beeper that works throughout the ship. You’ll simply check the device in and out
with your child. This allows for emergency
contact to be expedited in the event it is needed.
·
You
may check your child into the program even when you’re not on board. The program director will ask for your tour
ticket and will record the tour information.
In the event of an emergency, they will notify the tour management. This ensures that you are quickly notified if
your child is in need.
·
Your
child will take advantage of Kids Only
Dining each evening. This is the
only meal that is regularly provided to your child (although lots of snacks and
yummy activities usually occur throughout the day). You are expected to check your child out
during lunch time each day. The only
exception occurs if you’re onshore for an excursion or tour. During these occasions lunch will be provided
to your child.
Now let’s focus on the different age groups and their
activities.
We begin with Camp
Carnival! This program is
specifically designed for children ages 2 to 11.
The fun continues for children 6 to 8. Children in this age group will enjoy all of
the activities listed above, plus a few additional features. They’ll love fast-paced activities like
spelling races, the Fun Till One
party, and sport and fun-fitness programs.
This program features beloved characters like Shrek, Sponge Bob, and
Carnival’s own, Funship Freddy. They’ll also enjoy uniquely themed nights
like Magic/Harry Potter and Camp Out. Our
favorite feature here... the towel animal classes. You and your child will be enchanted by the
towel animals that are left in your cabin each night. Here, your kids will learn how to make them
on their own! It’ll make the perfect
show and tell topic when they get back home or to school!
Children 9 to11 will enjoy more versatility and freedom than
younger cruisers. Like we mentioned
before, with your approval, your 9 to11-year-old will have the option of being
allowed to enter and exit Camp Carnival. Though for your child’s safety, you will have
to check your child out any time after 10 p.m.
While at Camp Carnival your
child will take part in water color arts, kid discos, make your own pizza
parties, Swimming Under the Stars (One
of our favorite features! Kids are given
unlimited access to one of the ships pools and/or water slides. Splashing and belly flopping is encouraged!),
spin and sand art, 9 to 11 Hang Time,
and Fun at Sea till 3 a.m. We feel certain this party will be one of
your child’s favorite cruise memories with freaky food challenges, Capture the
Flag games, and a dizzying assortment of arcade and video games!
The fun isn’t limited to the younger children. Your pre-teen or teenager will find exhilarating
entertainment in Circle C. This program is for tweens 12 to 14. It is designed to allow supervised fun and
activities without the strict schedule and structure of Camp Carnival programs. It
offers a huge variety of activities in the ultra-hip and modern Circle C lounge, dedicated exclusively
to tweens ages 12 to14. Here they will
find video games, themed dance parties, and late-night teen hang outs. Other activities located throughout the ship
include scavenger hunts, karaoke, sports including volleyball, basketball,
dodge ball, and mini golf. Our favorite
feature for Circle C… the dedicated
onshore excursion that is offered exclusively for participants. Your child can go ashore and enjoy a wide
variety of activities with his program directors and peers. They’ll love that no parents are allowed!
Club 02 is for teens 15 to 17. The most popular feature of Club 02 is their exclusive club found
onboard. This smoke free, alcohol free
lounge is the place to enjoy all things teen!
This group will take part in more mature themed nights including glow in
the dark, punk rocker, wacky outfits, and formal nights corresponding with the
ship’s formal dining evenings. Your teen
will also enjoy gaming tournaments, dance contests and classes, and late night
movies. Once again, our favorite feature…
the exclusive shore excursions that Club
02 offers! Perfect for the independence-demanding
teen!
The Carnival youth programs are not the only features on
board that are designed for children. With
menus designed for a child’s discriminating pallet, even the pickiest kids will
find something yummy at the dining venues onboard. Throughout the cruise, kids can play board
games in the ship library. Every ship
features a wide selection of kid friendly pools or water slides, and sporting
facilities (like mini golf, volleyball, ping pong, shuffle board, etc). Teens also have the option of checking out Z Spa.
This spa is designed for teens and offers services that they’ll love
like special acne treating facials and mother/daughter or father/ son
massages. Here they’ll also find
stylists who will help them express their individual style! Ashore, each port of call offers a wide
variety of excursions. You won’t have
any problem finding one that will fit your families’ needs!
With all of these special features and amenities it is easy
to see why Carnival is an award-winning, family-focused cruise line! We have found they really mean it when they
say, Fun for All, All for Fun!
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