Royal Caribbean Introduces More Family Cruising Ammenities

It's no surprise that I talk alot about Royal Caribbean. For a family cruiser, this cruise line has been making more and more child friendly innovations.

Starting with Oasis of the Seas - A nursery for children 6 mos up to 36 mos

Open daily, the nursery will offer parents childcare drop-off options in the daytime and evening, carefully maintaining an optimum staff to child ratio. Free-time play also will be offered daily, creating an interactive environment where parents and children can bond while playing with a variety of Fisher Price developmental toys in specially-designed programs offered exclusively for guests sailing with Royal Caribbean. The Crayola Beginnings line of toddler art tools will be featured in unique developmentally-appropriate art activities designed for parents and children to enjoy precious creative moments together.

New Family Play Areas on Oasis/Allure

Oasis of the Seas will introduce exciting new common play areas, including the Kid’s Arcade for video games; the Workshop, where families can learn scrapbooking skills or create personalized jewelry; Imagination Studio where children can explore the world of color and imagination through Adventure Art by Crayola; a fully-equipped lab for Adventure Science Lab, where Einsteins-in-the-making can expand their knowledge; Play, a circular area where children can rollick and participate in a variety of sports and games; and Adventure Ocean Theater, the first-ever children’s theater at sea - complete with a stage and curtains, audience seating and state-of-the-art production equipment - where children of all ages can learn about theatrical productions, take part in talent shows, or sign up for hip hop dance classes.

Children's Library Fleetwide

The Adventure Family Library with a range of books for the entire family, a journey within a journey is just around the corner from your stateroom. They've designed the libraries in such a way that books for young readers are easily accessible. From books about animals to toddlers to bedtime stories, there is something to keep your little ones entertained. Books can be found in different languages, depending on your itinerary. Choose your child's favorite story, or try out a different one each night with the Royal Caribbean Adventure Family Library.

Atlantis - Paradise Island, Bahamas

If you love water mixed with a little adventure, then treat your family to a trip to Atlantis, Paradise Island. I see alot of families torn on what to do when they get to Nassau. Some want to stay on the ship. Some just want to walk around the markets. If you have kids, the more pre-planning you do before the cruise, the better experience you will have.

Atlantis Paradise Island takes some advanced planning, but it is a resort with WOW.

So let's start with the pre-planning and booking Atlantis.

-Most cruise lines offer an excursion to Atlantis that includes transportation to the resort, use of the beach, pools/slides and access to the Dig/Aquarium. This would be a simple option if it wasn't so expensive.

-Atlantis Resort does offer day passes, but they have been known to have "limited availability". Once you get more than 2 people in your group, the day pass price is higher than the next option....

-Reserve a room and be a guest of Atlantis OR the adjacent property Comfort Suites Paradise Island. Guests of the Comfort Suites enjoy full use of the Atlantis facilities including the dig, pools/slides and beach. It sounds absurd, booking a room you will never use. But once you look at the prices of the room and compare the amount of money that you will save by doing this, it is the best way to "do Atlantis".

You can use a booking site like Expedia to search the prices of a room at Atlantis. Then compare those with the prices from Comfort Suites for the day you will be there....
http://www.comfortsuites.com/hotel-paradise_island-bahamas-BS003

You will be able to travel to Atlantis and "check in" to receive your water park passes upon arrival. You do not need to wait until the 2pm check in time. You can get your bracelets immediately.

Each room comes with up to 4 bracelets which includes access to everything on the Atlantis grounds, excluding some of the specialty excursions like swimming with the dolphins.

Even if you have young children, there are many different places to explore at Atlantis. There is so much to do, odds are you won't be able to see it all in one day trip. Note - some of the water slides and the rapids river at Aquaventure does have a 48" height minimum on it. That doesn't mean that young children have nothing to do. There are many children pools, some smaller slides and a Lazy River for the under 48" crowd to ride with their parents.

Getting to Atlantis
There are two ways to get to Atlantis from your cruise ship. Walk into the Nassau port building and up to the Transportation/Tour desk. Tell them you want to go to Atlantis. For $3pp you can take the water taxi (bring your courage cause they like to pack em in on these boats). For $4/pp you can take a regular taxi (my preferred method because I like the door to door service).

So don't stay on the ship in Nassau. Atlantis is one experience you won't want to miss.

Parents just want to have fun - one way to have an excursion without the kids

When cruising with Royal Caribbean or Disney cruise line - look for a day at Labadee/CocoCay (for Royal Caribbean) or Castaway Cay (for Disney) when choosing your cruise. When the ships dock at these private beach areas - the kids clubs are moved to the beach. So if you want to remember what it's like to be adults again and do an adult activity without the kids, choose an excursion during one of these port days.

The kids will stay safe and very happily entertained by the kids club on the beach (the clubs are positioned away from the water and are enclosed by fences to ensure security).

You can choose to go on a waverunner tour, go snorkeling, kayaking, sailing or just soak up the sun on the Adult only beach areas.

So for our last cruise, we decided to try an excursion without the kids. We have always been nervous about leaving them on the ships while we were in port...so we thought this would be the best way to calm our fears. So we got to Castaway Cay and checked the kids into the Disney Oceaneer Club (and Lab). No problems. Off to our tour.

Waverunner Tour

One Hour - Castaway Cay

We meet at Boat Beach at 10am. We sign our lives away, saying we won't sue Disney or the tour operator if we are eaten by a shark...lol. We are given a brief safety speech - no sharp turns, no going off on your own, no donuts, if you are pregnant you can't go on this tour. Then we are given the technical speech - on button - check. Off button - check. If you turn sharply and the waverunner flips you off, try to climb back on or wait for the tour operator to help you (at this point I am thinking I am SHARK BAIT).

Have I mentioned that the Bahamas are the most SHARK FILLED waters in the world? They suit us up with yellow life vests - I am thinking I am just going to look like a big floating Twinkie in the water. The shark will take a bite and think "Heyyyy where's the cream filling????"

So we get on the waverunners...my hubby is in his glory...smiling from ear to ear. We pull out with the group....the objective is to stay in ONE line. The leaders of the group (including the hubby) rev it up and race top speed past the Pirates of the Caribbean ghost ship The Flying Dutchman...and continue to race (for what seems to me to be hours but was about 4 minutes.)

Holding onto these wave runners, getting sprayed in the face full blast with salt water while you hold onto the handles of the bucking bronco...thinking of the scene from Jaws when the great white comes up out of the water...yeah by this point it is safe to say I was freaking out...lol. Open throttle, full speed out in open water. I am still smiling...but secretly hating my hubby for wanting to do this...Did you know waverunners have no brakes? lol Yes I knew this but it becomes a little more real when you are suppose to pull in closely with the others. (bump, bump...as I wonder if I have money to pay for damage)

The tour leader takes us out to a deserted island which he says is a "bird sanctuary". He tells us to jump off our waverunners into the water and walk onto shore. There he asks us to pick up a handful of sand, then proceeds to tell us that it is actually fish poop (ewwww) cause one fish poops up to a ton of sand/year (little known facts I didn't EVER need nor WANT to know)At this point the salt water is making the bug bites I got in Florida itchy. So I scratch my leg...which starts bleeding. Oh great, now I am my own CHUM BUCKET. Pieces of shark knowledge start filling my head, sharks can smell a drop of blood miles away. It will send them into a feeding frenzy trying to find the dying fish. I can't shake the images from the movie "Open Water".

Ohhh happy day we get BACK onto the waverunners. Back out into open water full speed, I am certain I will have bruises on my legs from jumping the waves. I couldn't stay IN the line and kept going off into the waverunners wake. I fought and fought to bring myself back in line. I became the last one in line, lagging behind everyone else....the boat waiting for ME. By the time I arrive at the next stopping point, I am no longer smiling. Now I am contemplating divorce. Happy Anniversary, now sign these divorce papers.

We listen to a little more info about the area from the tour guide. Then I brace myself for the trek back to the beach. I am determined not to be the last in line. I don't care if it kills me. I am going to point my waverunner in the direction of the leaders watercraft. I am going to go full throttle, get sprayed in the face, hang on for dear life, forget the pain in my arms and legs and be in the head of the pack. So I gun it and get in line...pushing any thoughts of bodily harm behind me, we race out in the open ocean, full speed past the cruise ship, wave at everyone onboard like we are in some waverunner parade. And we get back to the beach ahead of everyone else!!!! I take a deep breath and kiss the sand, thankful I am not dead. I have muscles hurting in my body that I didn't know I had. Hubby is happy...totally in his glory. I decide that maybe I can keep him around for another 11 years. The tour operator walks over to us and says "How was your ride?". I say "Um, exhilarating" And he says "Great, how many sharks did you see? Usually we see alot" EEEK!

Blackbeards Cay Stingray Excursion - Nassau Bahamas

Activity Level: Moderate
Duration: 4.5-5 hours
Price (through cruise line): Adult: $49 (ages 10 and up)
Child: $39 (ages 3-9)
Ages: 3 And Up

First let me start by saying that this place is the MOST beautiful place ever, better than Castaway Cay {ducking...lol}...better than any beach anywhere. And we've been to alot of beaches.

At 9:45 we were to meet in Diversions (on Wonder) to meet with the Crew Member to take us to Nassau.

By 10am, we got off the ship as a group and met up with Tyrone from the Stingray Tour. A short walk through the port building and out the other side to the boat. We boarded the boat for a 20 minute ride to Blackbeards Cay (had to turn around for a family who missed the boat but still arrived in about 25-30minutes.

There are two sides for swimming....

the swimming area WITHOUT the stingrays....

And the stingray enclosure area.

They provide the mask, goggles and vest - no charge

And they provide the squid....

to feed these guys (who are debarbed)

You can leave the water as much as you want. The area is shallow. My 4 year old felt safer on dry land. (funny cause SHE was the one who wanted to swim with the rays)

You can come and go as you please during the stingray feeding times. They are every hour. They also serve lunch (included with the excursion) - the choices were hamburger/cheeseburger/pizza, bag of chip and a soft drink.

For $10 you can hold the stingray and get a professional picture taken with it. For $10 you can get your arrival photo of you and your family at the dock. For $17, you can do a combo package and get both.

There are restroom facilities here - very clean. You can get the kids hair braided and buy some local items set up on a table. My kids were a little freaked out by the rays. Some other kids had NO problems. They were all happy on the regular beach side. The one with no rays. That is until a Wild ray - complete with barb swam into the area and freaked them ALL out of the water....lol.
We would NO DOUBT book this excursion again. The beach was better than Castaway Cay. It truly had a "deserted island" feel to it. We loved it!

Do we really need to arrive a day early for the cruise?

YES, if you want to make sure you are ON the ship when it sails, then fly in the day before and spend at least one day pre-cruise in a hotel.

In this climate of delayed and cancelled flights, there is just no guarantee that the flight arrangements you make will get you there on time.

I have had flights cancelled for everything from mechanical problems to fog. For this next cruise alone, my flights have been changed four times since I booked the tickets 3 months ago.

So don’t miss the ship. Go at least one day early and make sure you are standing on the ship when it sails.

What can the kids eat on a cruise?

The answer is easy…anything they like (or anything you will allow them to have).

Most mainstream cruiselines have a kids’ menu that will list the normal kids fare – pizza, chicken tenders, hamburgers, pasta, fruit, salads and desserts.

Can your child order off of the adult menu? Of course! If your adventurous eater wants to try escargot…no problem! Any selection on the main menu is also available for the kids.

The beauty of cruising is that most requests will be granted. Does your child want to eat buttered pasta for 7 nights straight? No problem. Do you have a child with allergies? No problem – contact the cruiseline’s “Special Needs Department” and fill out the forms before you board (do it at least 2 weeks prior).

Even babies have lots of choices. With all of the fresh fruit and steamed veggies onboard, there is always a great selection of items to be pureed or mashed.

Rest assured, with all of the great dining choices available on most ships, you will have no problem keeping even the pickiest eater satisfied.

Transfers and Car Seats

How do we get to the ship? Will we need car seats when we get off the ship?

Let's try to break it down into Pre/During/Post cruise

Pre/Post Cruise

Many first time cruisers will book "transfers" with the cruise line. Transfers will take you from the airport to the port, usually on a bus. Using the cruise line transfer is not always the best option. First look at the price. Transfers vary from $70 - $99 per person. If you are a family of 3, your total cost for transfers can start at $210 and up. Make that a family of 4 (or more) and your minimum cost skyrockets to $280 and up.

Also, those transfers aren't the most stress free option. You need to find the cruise line agent at the baggage claim. You follow that person and about 50 of your closest friends as you are herded to the bus. Meanwhile the kids are yelling they need to go potty. They want a drink. But you are afraid of losing the cruise line rep and you realize, this is not a good way to start a vacation.

There are better and less stressful options. Let's talk about a few...

MIAMI - If your cruise leaves out of Miami and you fly into MIA, take a taxi. When you get off the plane, get the kids settled (potty breaks and drinks if needed)...go down to the baggage claim, retrieve your bags, walk out the door at the baggage claim (ignore the people who are trying to grab you and coax you into a shuttle, just say "no") and find the transport sign that says "Taxi". There is a desk and a very nice person who will ask "How many are in your party?" and "Do you have car seats?" (more about that later). The person will then radio a taxi, who will arrive right away. You will be handed a ticket with the number of the taxi on it and a phone number to call if you had any issues with the ride. The flat taxi rate is $26. Just 8 miles later you will be pulling up to your ship.

PORT CANAVERAL - ORLANDO AIRPORT - Port Canaveral is too far from MCO to take a taxi (45 minute trip), so your best bet is to have a private town car or van (pending on the number in your family) If you are traveling with 5 or less people, go with the town car. More than that, you will need a shuttle van. The private town car/van service starts at about $180 round trip. When you compare that to the cruise line prices, you are still saving money. Nothing is better than getting off the plane, walking into the baggage area and seeing your own personal driver holding a sign up with your name on it. The driver will load up your baggage and you follow them out to the car. You move at your own pace because it is YOUR driver. Some have told me that they even have the driver stop at a store on the way to pick up some necessities that they couldn't pack (diapers/gallons of nursery water).

FORT LAUDERDALE - PORT EVERGLADES - This port is the same as Miami. You are only 3 miles from airport to port. Take a taxi.

CAR SEATS - Do we need them Pre/Post/During Cruise

The answer is a resounding YES! But let's try to make it easier on you instead of lugging the full sized car seats around. Some private transportation will bring car seats for a fee (usually $10). But this will not help you once you are out of the country and using taxis.

Your best option is to buy portable car seats.

If your child is under 20lbs, then use a infant carrier car seat. Chances are if you have an infant, then you already have a seat like this. These seats can also be a great place to put the baby during dinner. They can relax in the comfort of their own seat.

From 20-40lbs, there is a travel car seat that I personally use called Eddie Bauer Portable Car Seat Bryant Collection. The cost should be no more than $39. Some web sites (Amazon) are listing the price at $149, totally outrageous. Do not pay more than $39. This car seat folds flat in a suitcase. You can stow it on a stroller when walking around the ports. All you need is a seat belt in the taxi/car to hook this seat up. Some mention that in some Caribbean ports, it's tough to find seat belts in the taxis. Not necessarily true. If you happen to get a taxi with no seat belt, simply wave that cab on and go to the next one. You WILL find one.

UPDATED - I am adding in another option. I am sad to say that the Eddie Bauer seat is now up to $249 on Amazon. I wouldn't pay that price. I have found another option but I haven't personally used it. It is called the Joey Safe Freedom Ride - http://www.joey-safe.com/index.htm . If you have any info about this seat, feel free to comment about it.

If your child is at least 40lbs and 40" tall, then you can step up to a backless booster. The Graco Backless Turbo Booster is the best and most economical option. The turbo booster can be purchased anywhere from WalMart to Toys R Us. I have seen them as low as $17.98. They are a great portable option and very easy to hook up using the taxi's seat belt. This seat will accommodate a child that weighs up to 100lbs and 57" tall.

So do you really need to bring a car seat? YES, you do. Unless you plan on driving your own car to the port and then walking to all excursions once you get there. The only exception to the car seat rule is taking a ship sponsored excursion that uses a bus or open air van with side benches. The buses do not have seat belts and you will not be allowed to bring the car seat onboard. They will ask you to stow the seat underneath the bus in the storage compartment. The open air safari vans have no seat belts. So no seats belts means no car seats. You will just have to hold your child (not the safest). Some with younger children (infants) suggest bringing a front pack and wearing the baby.

Some of us wouldn't imagine driving around our hometowns without our children secured safely. So there is no reason to change that when your own vacation. Accidents can happen anywhere. Personally, I think the Caribbean taxi drivers make playing chicken with buses a national sport. Narrow one lane winding mountain roads with no guide rails, it's frightening even without kids.

Keep those kids safe. We want you to have only GOOD memories of your cruise vacation. :)