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Take the Family on a European Cruise | Take the Family on a European Cruise |
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Would you like to visit Europe with the kids and without the hassles
associated with overseas travel? European cruises are the perfect
answer for families who are looking for enriching cultural experiences
they can share together. A cruise makes it easy to explore new places
and then return to the comfort and convenience of a cruise
ship—complete with child-friendly activities and familiar food. And you
don’t have to worry about squeezing your family together in a tiny
hotel room. Several cruise lines feature family suites. Royal
Caribbean, for example, has suites that will comfortably accommodate up
to eight people, depending on the ship. These spaces have a separate
living area plus two bathrooms and a refrigerator, which makes
traveling with toddlers a breeze. Carnival Cruise Lines’ new Carnival
Freedom features interconnecting accommodations, along with special
discounts for third and fourth guests staying in the same stateroom.
Another advantage to exploring Europe on a ship is you can see many cities and sites efficiently, and you only have to unpack once. Also, knowing the native language of the countries you visit is not as important when you are cruising as it is when traveling independently. In addition, because of the unfavorable exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Euro or British pound, a European cruise is more economical for Americans visiting Europe.
One of the biggest challenges of traveling with kids is trying to keep everyone happy. On cruise ships, there really is something for every age and energy level. When you’re not exploring exciting ports of call, there’s plenty to do onboard. Both Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Lines, for instance, offer kids’ programs, with activities for children of all ages. Carnival’s new 110,000-ton Carnival Freedom, which is offering two different European itineraries this year, boasts a 4,200-square-foot play area. The facility is divided into five areas; a movie room featuring kids’ films and cartoons; an arts-and-crafts center, a “soft play area” for toddlers, a gaming area with Play Station 2 consoles; and a library of children’s books. Teens ages15-17 have a place to call their own in the 1,800-square-foot Club 02. They can also take advantage of Carnival’s youth spa program, teen shore excursions, a 214-foot-long “twister waterslide,” and the Seaside Theatre with its 270-square-foot poolside movie screen.
We suggest you skip the traditional road trip this year and let us help you plan a memorable European cruise that all family members are sure to enjoy. Trackback(0)
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