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Cruising with Toddlers
By Mary
Margaret Keaton
Vacationing with
little ones can present a combination of pleasures and challenges.
Parents need time to relax and rejuvenate at the same time they need
to spend
quality time with their
GoBabies®.
 Finding
a way to strike
that delicate balance may
require a sea change.
Ahoy, maties! Think about
taking a cruise.
Cruises offer full service
dining, entertainment,
spa treatments, surf, sun…and, on some cruise lines, quality
childcare for toddlers. The operative word here is some,
because not all cruises are toddler-friendly. But for those that
are, the
family value is worth investigating.
The fabulously luxurious
Queen Mary 2 offers packages for families with infants and
toddlers on their Dreamer’s Caribbean cruises departing from Fort
Lauderdale,
Florida. The QM2
is posh beyond belief with a full-service spa run by world-famous
Canyon Ranch, elegant dining, and a
wide array of
activities for all ages. While the QM2 offers no in-cabin
babysitting on this Caribbean cruse, the wonderful Kid Zone provides
two well-trained British
nannies plus two
activities leaders for each childcare session. Evening sessions
offer a baby disco!
Another company that’s GoBabies-friendly is
Disney Cruise Lines, featuring
Flounder's Reef
nursery, designed for babies and toddlers.  The
facility on each ship offers lots of cribs and 'soft' play areas to
make the experience comfortable for children under three while
parents play and relax. Since Flounder’s Reef is only open during
specified times during cruises and space is limited, it is essential
to make childcare arrangements a top priority when arriving aboard
ship to ensure that everyone has a satisfying vacation.
Carnival Cruise Lines
offers childcare aboard their popular Fun Ships for kids four
months to 11 years of age. Babysitting is available every night in
the children’s playroom from
10 p.m.
to 3
a.m., with a slumber party atmosphere, in addition to daytime
sessions during port excursions so parents can go ashore. For kids
two and older, Carnival offers a terrific selection of fun
activities.j Toddlers can enoy bingo, sponge painting, sing-alongs,
face painting, arts and crafts, drawing contests, Nintendo, and
video time.
 Norwegian
Cruise Lines
also offers activities for GoBabies® who are at least two years old
in their Junior Sailors program. Toddlers can enjoy storytelling,
arts and crafts, face painting, magic shows, pizza making, and
endless opportunities for games. 
One practical
tip
to keep in mind when booking a cabin on board any cruise ship—unless
your GoBabies® are skilled shower-takers, you should
request a room with a bathtub!
For more
information on cruises, visit these websites:
Cunard
Cruise Lines
http://www.cunard.com/OnOffer_Details.asp?ID=47
Disney Cruise Lines
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/disneycruiseline/?bhcp=1
Carnival Cruise Lines
http://www.carnival.com/CMS/Onboard_Activities/Generic-Camp_Carnival.aspx
Norwegian Cruise Lines
http://www.ncl.com/more/kidscrew_mini.htm#junior
The Cruise Critic Website
http://www.cruisecritic.com/styles/familycruising.cfm
Family Travel Guide’s Cruise Roundup
http://www.familytravelguides.com/articles/cruises/kidcruis.html
Candyce
Stapen’s guidebook
Cruise
Vacations with Kids
What Do You
Want At GoBabies.com
Ask the GoBabies Custom Travel Info
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