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  • The Best Cruises for Kids in 2023

    The Best Cruises for Kids in 2023

    Here is our unbiased round-up of the best cruises for kids in 2023. Cruising with kids can be a fun and exciting way to introduce your children to new places while keeping them entertained. There are so many options for cruising with kids that it can actually be daunting to find the right child-friendly cruises for your family, so here are some of the best cruises for kids in 2023.

    In addition to figuring out the best cruises for your kids (and of course your whole family), it’s important to know some basic facts about cruising with children, and even some of the downsides that may come up with taking cruises with kids (there aren’t many, but there are a few). So we recommend that you also check out our How to: Cruises with Kids and our Some of the Ups and Downs of Cruising with Kids. Ok, here we go!

    Best Cruises for Kids Made Specifically for Kids: Disney Cruises

    Of course, Disney Cruise Line is a no-brainer if you’re looking specifically for cruises aimed squarely at kids. And they have something for kids of all ages. So if you’re looking for a cruise line that’s specifically designed for families with kids, then Disney Cruise Line is definitely the way to go. With character meet-and-greets, themed restaurants, and entertainment that’s not just kid-friendly, but made specifically for kids, so your children will be in a world of magic and wonder. Of course there are also plenty of activities for the parents, so everyone is assured of having a good time!

    But you didn’t need us to tell you that, did you? So here are some cruise lines that you may not have realized have great offerings for the whole family as well.

    Best Cruises for Kids – General Cruise Lines

    Royal Caribbean International

    Royal Caribbean has an extensive range of onboard activities and amenities that will keep your kids entertained for hours on end. From rock climbing walls to water parks, video arcades to ice skating rinks, there’s something for every age and interest. Plus, Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean program offers age-specific programs for children starting from the wee little ones and going all the way up to older teenagers!

    Norwegian Cruise Line

    Norwegian Cruise Line is another great option for families with kids. Their ships feature water parks, rope courses, mini-golf, and sports courts, and they offer a wide variety of family-friendly excursions at each port of call. Plus Norwegian’s Splash Academy program provides supervised activities and entertainment for kids from ages 3 to 12!

    Carnival Cruise Line

    Carnival Cruise Line offers a relaxed and casual atmosphere that’s perfect for families with young children. The ships feature water slides, mini-golf courses, and splash zones, as well as their day camp program called Camp Ocean for kids ages 2 to 11. And of course there are plenty of family-friendly dining options and entertainment venues on each Carnival ship.

    MSC Cruises

    MSC, which stands for Mediterranean Shipping Company, offers a Mediterranean-style cruising experience that’s perfect for families with older kids. The ships feature a wide range of activities, including a water park, sports courts, and a 4D cinema. The Teen’s Club offers age-appropriate programs for teens, and the Mini Club and Juniors Club provide supervised activities for younger children.

    The Best Cruises for Kids are the Ones that Work for You!

    At the end of the day, no matter which cruise line you choose it’s essential to look for itineraries that include ports of call in which you will be interested, which also offer kid-friendly activities and attractions. Keep in mind that each cruise line has age restrictions for certain activities, so be sure to read the fine print before booking.

    Cruising can be a great way to spend quality time with your kids while exploring new destinations. The above cruise lines offer a range of amenities and activities to keep everyone entertained, and each one offers a unique experience. So pack your bags, and get ready for a family adventure on the high seas!

    You can check these cruise lines out here: Disney   Norwegian   Carnival   Royal Caribbean   MSC Cruises

  • Here are Some Great Disney Cruises for 2023

    Here are Some Great Disney Cruises for 2023

    Disney cruises are so much fun, and so well done! Are you ready to experience the magic of a Disney cruise on the high seas? Look no further than a Disney Cruise in 2023! With new attractions and experiences, there’s never been a better time to set sail with Mickey and his pals. These Disney cruises have something for everyone in the family!

    MARVELous Disney Cruises with the Avengers

    First up, the highly anticipated Disney cruise “Marvel Day at Sea” is happening in 2023! Mix and mingle with some of your favorite Avengers superheros and anti-heros, such as Captain America, Mighty Thor, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Black Panther, Thor, Loki and Black Widow during what Disney calls “a heroic day at sea filled with thrilling activities and one-of-a-kind entertainment.”

    Frozen on the Ocean

    The Disney Fantasy and Disney Wonder ships have a brand new “Frozen” show for 2023, ‘Frozen: A Musical Spectacular’ (wasn’t Frozen already a musical?) which features all of your favorite characters in real flesh and blood, and songs from the movie!

    Get Pampered at the Senses Spa on These Disney Cruises

    For those who want to relax and unwind, Disney is debuting a brand new luxury spa experience for 2023! The “Senses Spa” features luxurious treatments and services, including a special “Disney at Sea” massage that incorporates the scents of the ocean and a customized blend of essential oils. The Disney Senses Spa is available on the Disney Magic, the Disney Wonder, the Disney Dream, and the Disney Fantasy.

    What Else is Happening on Disney Cruises in 2023?

    No Disney Cruise would be complete without plenty of opportunities to meet your favorite characters. In 2023, guests can expect to see some new faces, including the characters from the upcoming movie “Encanto”. You’ll also have the chance to participate in character dining experiences, where you can enjoy a meal while interacting with beloved Disney characters.

    And for the little ones, the “Oceaneer Club” and “Oceaneer Lab” will also be receiving updates in 2023. These areas provide supervised activities and play areas for kids, with themes ranging from Marvel superheroes to the world of Toy Story. There’s even a “Star Wars” area where kids can train to become Jedi!

    And let’s not forget about the food. Disney Cruise Line is known for its delicious dining options for 2023. The Disney Wonder is debuting a new restaurant called “Tiana’s Place”, which will serve up classic New Orleans cuisine inspired by the movie “The Princess and the Frog”. You can also enjoy a meal at the “Remy” restaurant on the Disney Dream, which features French-inspired cuisine along with stunning ocean views.

    With all these new experiences and attractions, a Disney Cruise in 2023 is sure to be a magical vacation for the whole family. So pack your bags, grab your Mickey ears, and get ready to set sail on the adventure of a lifetime!

    It all starts here at the Disney cruises website. With all that said, of course, you still need to be aware that Covid is still around, and so be sure to read our tips for keeping yourself safe from Covid while on a cruise.

  • Three Underrated Cruise Lines

    Three Underrated Cruise Lines

    What are the most underrated cruise lines? We all know of the big names like Royal Caribbean and Princess, but there are plenty of great companies out there that no one really talks about. We are firm believers in the idea that you can’t get a sense of the cruise industry by just cruising with your favorite company. With that in mind, here are three cruise lines that we believe are incredibly underrated. You may or may not have heard of them, but they are all worth booking with!

    Windstar

    We’ve covered Windstar once before, and a quick look at our previous article should give you a sense of how we feel about them. Windstar has a small fleet and serves a niche market, but they have a unique appeal that any cruise traveler can appreciate. They’re regularly regarded as one of the best small cruise lines in the world! The main appeal of Windstar is pretty obvious from taking a glance at their fleet. Their ships are absolutely beautiful, and they have sails! Yes, real sails! But don’t let the old school look fool you. Windstar ships are known for offering true comfort and luxury. You can check out their website here if you’re interested.

    Azamara

    Ranked as the fourth best cruise line for couples by US News, Azamara is definitely underrated. Their ships are much smaller than the giant vessels sailed by Royal Caribbean and the like, but they offer a high quality and very intimate experience that you just can’t really find elsewhere. They sail to basically anywhere you might want to go, and they regularly have deals if you sail with a second guest (your beau, perhaps?). Their prices are actually quite reasonable for a luxury line, too, making them an excellent cruise line to book with if you want to get someone a gift.

    Hapag-Lloyd

    Most Americans haven’t heard of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. That’s okay; plenty of Europeans haven’t either. The German-based cruise line is actually owned by a shipping company, but that doesn’t mean that their cruises are utilitarian. They actually are quite luxurious, sailing all around the world (seriously… some itineraries even go to Antarctica). Their website is over here, and you can check out all of their itineraries online.

    There are a lot of cruise lines out there, and it can be hard to choose one. If you want to book with one that is different from the norm, check out one of these options!

  • A New President for Disney Cruise Line

    A New President for Disney Cruise Line

    Just when you thought there wasn’t much news in the cruise industry aside from coronavirus, Disney is here to prove you wrong! On May 18, they announced some pretty big shifts in their leadership, and it includes a brand new president for the Disney Cruise Line. Here’s all you need to know about the changes!

    Who is the new president?

    The new president for the cruise line will be Thomas Mazloum. His former title was Senior Vice President of Resort and Transportation Operations at Walt Disney World Resort, making this a pretty significant change for him. His connection with the company’s cruise line goes back quite a bit, however. In 1998, he served as a hotel director for them, and even helped out with the launch of Disney Wonder, a ship that is beloved to this day. After a stint with Disney, he worked as the CEO of Crystal, proving that he knows his stuff when it comes to cruises.

    What are his responsibilities?

    While he will be overseeing all that goes on with Disney Cruise Line, this actually won’t be Mazloum’s only job. His full title is actually President of Disney Signature Experiences, which is a division of Disney that includes the cruise line, Disney Vacation Club and Adventures by Disney. So, if you’re on a Disney vacation, this is the guy in charge.

    How does he feel?

    Well, probably pretty excited! But you probably want it in his words, so here you go. Mazloum said, “I am thrilled to continue my Disney career by joining the businesses renowned for providing personalized and uniquely Disney experiences and delivering world-class guest service. I cannot wait to bring even more magic to guests on the seas and at our remarkable destinations around the world.” It’s nice to see that he specifically mentions Disney cruises, even though his job involves much more than that.

    What about the old president?

    Don’t worry, he’s still around. Jeff Vahle will be moving on from his role as President of Disney Signature Experiences to another presidential role, this time as President of Walt Disney World Resort. He was the guy in charge of the cruise line for the last three ships that were added to Disney’s fleet, so he has a lot to be proud of during his time there. We’re sure he will serve equally well at Disney World!

    While this presidential shift is the main thing to note for Disney Cruise Line, there are a number of other important staff changes. Notably, Josh D’Amaro is the new Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, which is quite obviously a big job. Hopefully this all signals a bright future for not just the cruise line, but all Disney experiences!

  • Disney, Costa, Hurtigruten, and Windstar Among Cruise Lines Extending Suspensions and Cancellations of Sailings

    Disney, Costa, Hurtigruten, and Windstar Among Cruise Lines Extending Suspensions and Cancellations of Sailings

    It seems that nearly every day brings the news of more and more cruise lines stating that it will be even longer before they can resume operations. On one hand, this is obviously pretty bad. These companies will struggle to find any revenue, and they will have to sink a good amount of money into lay ups. On the other hand, cruise lines taking coronavirus seriously means that the virus will die off sooner, which in turn means that they can start up again sooner. It’s a give and take, in a way. Anyway, here are the cruise lines that have recently doubled down, as well as the dates that they plan to pick things back up again.

    Costa Cruises

    Costa, on April 9, has said that they will be extending their cancellations until May 30. While many major cruise lines like Carnival have most of their ships beginning operations again around May 15, Costa is opting for later in the month, citing “the continuation of containment measures such as closing ports and restrictions on the movement of people” as the main reason.

    Disney Cruise Line

    Disney isn’t one of the cruise lines that is looking to wait until May to get back into the action. Instead, they are currently aiming for April 28 for most of their ships. One vessel, however, will wait longer. Disney Wonder will not sail again until the end of June. Disney fans should also be aware that the Disney Magic will not sail to Europe again until the middle of May.

    Hurtigruten

    If you’re looking to take an exciting expedition with Hurtigruten, you’ll have to wait, as they have extended their suspensions until May 12. Additionally, Canadian restrictions have forced the company to move their Alaskan sailings to July. They asserted in a statement that “the setback is only temporary.” They also reminded the world that they have not had any health problems related to COVID-19 aboard any of their ships, and it seems they plan to keep it that way.

    Windstar

    Windstar will continue being out of the game until May 22, according to a statement from the company. The 2020 Alaskan sailings on the Star Breeze are also cancelled due to the seriousness of the situation in Italy, the country where it is docked.

    Of course, with current CDC restrictions, it’s unclear if these companies will be able to resume operations at those times. But, assuming that these restrictions are eased or lifted, they will definitely be ready to get things up and running on those dates.

  • Which Cruise Lines are Laying Off Employees Due to Coronavirus?

    Which Cruise Lines are Laying Off Employees Due to Coronavirus?

    One of the biggest effects of the coronavirus, aside from the obvious global health impact, has been on the economic side of things. Many non-essential industries are being forced to close down to prevent the spread of the disease. For some people, work closing down merely means learning how to work remotely. It can also mean hours are cut back, or new tasks have to be learned. For thousands of other workers, though, it means being laid off or sent away without knowing when they will be able to resume working. After all, those in the service industry can’t realistically work from home.

    So, what does this look like for the cruise industry? Are people being laid off in huge numbers as different cruise lines are shutting down indefinitely? Let’s take a look.

    Norwegian

    Norwegian recently announced new plans for their company. Starting March 30 and lasting until June 22, workers will be moved onto four day work weeks. Employees with salaries will also have their pay docked by 20%. In the memo detailing the decision, the company said that “part of adapting is making sacrifices and difficult decisions in order for us to stretch the liquidity that we have to make it through the voyage shutdown and beyond.” What this means is that this plan is designed to allow employees to continue getting paid despite the lack of revenue at this current time. It is unclear if the company has any plans to lay off employees or try to move towards remote work.

    Pullmantur

    Pullmantur, a Spanish company, closed its headquarters recently, leaving many employees to work from home. They quickly enacted a plan to help transition towards remote work, which included computers being sent to the homes of 320 of their workers. They said that they “are doing our best to keep everything running, to answer every question regarding the bookings, cancellations, reimbursements, guest services, etc.”

    Disney

    Disney recently announced that they would be suspending their cruise line’s operations through April 12, and it’s likely that this will continue on even longer. While there’s been no word of remote work being available for their employees, the company did say that crew members will continue to be paid.

    Other companies

    As of now, it looks like most other companies are trying to stay afloat as best they can. This leaves employees unsure of what will happen, and if they can feel secure in their jobs. An MSC employee on March 13 said that the company hasn’t yet divulged their plan if there was to be an outbreak aboard one of their ships. Princess and Viking have both suspended operations for the time being, but it’s unclear whether they are paying employees, moving to remote work, or finding some other solution.

    So, the short answer is no, cruise lines are not yet laying off employees. One positive thing for cruise workers during this time is that the companies are potentially large enough to offer some sort of compensation during the down time. Additionally, if ships are chartered to the government, it’s possible that some workers will be able to resume work under these new circumstances. Only time will what will ultimately happen, though.

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