On any family cruise line, various kids' clubs are offered. Some are better than others with newer Royal Caribbean and Carnival ships setting a high standard.
Disney Cruise Line, of course, may be the clear winner as the company leverages its many well-known characters to deliver an experience that other cruise lines can't match. On these cruise lines, these are not just a glorified daycare to drop your kids off at.
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For younger children especially, Carnival and Royal Caribbean's kids clubs, which are split up by age, operate more like a summer camp. There are planned activities, dedicated times at ship venues like the waterslides or sports court, as well as some meals (to give mom and dad a chance to perhaps spend extra in a specialty dining venue).
Older kids and teens get more freedom as their onboard space is more like a clubhouse. Teenagers can generally come and go as they please in these spaces while younger kids need to be signed in and out.
Costa Cruise Lines, however, has begun a new take on activities for families with children that will bring some of the fun off the ship.
Image source: Royal Caribbean
Costa has two new kids' programs
Costa, a Carnival-owned brand that does not sail from the United States, has added a new feature to its Mediterranean cruises. The cruise line is matching onboard and onshore experiences for two different groups of younger cruisers.
"The land-based experiences are available, only with Costa Cruises, in the main Western Mediterranean destinations — Savona, Genoa, Civitavecchia, Naples, Palermo, Cagliari, Barcelona, Valencia, and Marseille — and will create an experiential 'ship-shore' bridge with pre-and post-excursion activities, curated by the team of animators of the 'Squok Club' and the 'Teens Club.'"
The program includes two main options, the first is designed for boys and girls aged 3 to 13 accompanied by family members, while the second is reserved for boys and girls aged 14 to 17.
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"Thanks to the presence of [ship personnel] in both options, these land-based experiences will be greatly appreciated by the whole family, ensuring that parents can relax and enjoy the most beautiful destinations in each port of call, safe in the knowledge that their children and kids are enjoying engaging experiences, independently and in complete safety," the cruise line shared.
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Only the teenage portion of the program will separate the children from their families.
"For young guests aged 14 to 17, the program includes experiences to satisfy their desire for adventure and fun but also autonomy, as they will be able to participate on their own, together with their peers, under the supervision of Costa [crew],it added.
These onshore experiences will also include various entertainment activities on board, designed to create continuity with the tours in the different destinations.
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