Jim Henson’s Inspired Silliness on Princess
From the brilliant mind of legendary puppeteer Jim Henson, Jim Henson’s Inspired Silliness will 
entertain audiences of all ages onboard two Princess Cruise ships: the new Sky Princess in 2019 and Enchanted Princess in 2020. New and exclusive to the cruise line, the puppet show recreates and reimagines several of Henson’s hilarious, innovative and magical works during a 30-minute performance. The production show singers and dancers will bring to life the comedy, visuals, music and Henson style of puppetry that has redefined the art form. With a colorful cast of new puppets from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, including several newly designed characters, the show captures Henson’s spirit and legacy and includes a lighthearted video introduction by his son Brian Henson.
Families Save with Lindblad’s Alaska Offers
Looking for an up-close and personal view of Alaska’s nature and wildlife? Consider a cruise with 
Lindblad Expeditions and their 6- to 15-night sea and land expeditions available from May through September. Sail with just 62-100 guests including on their brand-new ship, the National Geographic Venture. Your family will experience a variety of outdoor adventures exploring both land and sea including under the sea! Also learn about the local heritage from a Huna Tlingit Cultural Interpreter. In addition, the Global Explorers program provides unique experiences for children ages 17 and under with special activities lead by certified field educators, storytelling activities, field notebook entries and more. Book your cruise by November 30 and receive free airfare on select 2020 Alaska departures! Families can also save on up to two children (ages 22 and under) when they travel with two full paying adults on select 2020 departures for all Alaska itineraries: save 50% departing in May and August and save 25% departing in June and July.
Lindblad’s Baja
Lindblad Expeditions is offering an amazing deal for select 2020 Baja, Mexico sailings: take $1,000 off for each child under the age of 22 when traveling with two full paying adults! Baja California and the Sea of Cortez is the best place in the world to see a wide variety of whales and other marine mammals. On this active cruise, your family will get up close with California gray whales (with exclusive access to the whale birthing lagoons) as well as sperm, blue and fin whales. You will also hike the islands of the Sea of Cortez, search for a variety of plant and bird species, learn photo techniques from National Geographic photographers, snorkel among playful sea lions and witness amazing sea gardens. Book early for the best availability!
Behind-the-Magic River Cruise
Adventures by Disney will host a special river cruise next August with a lineup of Disney icons, 
including Bret Iwan, the voice of Mickey Mouse, and Tony Baxter, one of its legendary “imagineers.” The seven-night Rhine cruise on AmaWaterways departs August 9 with stops in Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands. In addition to shore adventures that include ziplining above the Black Forest and exploring medieval wine caves, your family will be able to meet and mingle with Baxter, who developed many of Disney’s key rides and attractions; Becky Cline, director of the Walt Disney Archives; and film producer and historian Don Hahn. They will share behind-the-magic stories about insights into the imagination of Walt Disney, inspirations for Disney’s first European theme park and the real-life locations that inspired him.
More Cococay
Royal Caribbean has unveiled a series of new four-night itineraries on Navigator of the Seas and 
Mariner of the Seas, each featuring two separate days on Perfect Day at CocoCay, the cruise line’s upgraded private island experience in the Bahamas. Navigator of the Seas will also sail three special voyages with extended nighttime hours on the island. The nearly 40 new two-call itineraries, which begin September 30, see the ships departing Miami and Port Canaveral respectively, calling on CocoCay on Day 2, followed by a stop in Nassau on Day 3. Ships then return to CocoCay on Day 4 before heading back to their respective homeports. Special nighttime activities on Navigator’s three extended-hours voyages include a Bahamian-inspired Junkanoo Jam Up Party, an island barbecue, and performances by a calypso band and fire dancers. To cap off the night, a fireworks farewell will greet you before the ship sets sail.
New Teen Activities from MSC
Set to launch this November, the all-new MSC Grandiosa will feature several new and exciting teen experiences including drone racing, spy games and an epic dance competition! The all-new Drone Academy will train your teens to pilot drones before competing in teams for a relay race. The race will challenge teams to navigate their glowing drones through a 4,000 square foot obstacle course featuring 15 high-tech obstacles. The ship will also offer the cruise line’s first roaming spy experience called Spy Mission, where your teens will follow clues throughout the ship and solve a mystery of both reality and fiction. Teens will also be able to showcase their dance moves in the all-new MSC Dance Crew competition. A new teen-focused web series titled Cabin 12006 will debut next year as well. Beyond all these new attractions, some old favorites are still available for families. The LEGO Experience takes up an entire day culminating in your child receiving a Jr. LEGO Master Builder diploma. The Family Explorer Club offers tailor-made shore excursions to meet the needs of the whole family. Dorebro is a dedicated sports program for kids of all ages and MasterChef at Sea is rolling out across the entire MSC fleet with an interactive two-stage competition.
Moana Explorer on Tahiti
Paul Gauguin Cruises, which operates the longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South 
Pacific, is now offering the Moana Explorer program, a new way for families to explore Tahiti, French Polynesia and the South Pacific together during summer and holiday voyages. In partnership with Te mana o te moana, a South Pacific marine education and conservation foundation, children and teens ages 7-15 can discover and value the natural wonders of the South Pacific through hands-on, interactive learning on board and ashore. Every day of the voyage there is a combination of naturalist-led island and/or beach excursions, science activities, crafts, games, and other adventures. Depending on the itinerary, children and teens can explore underwater life, conduct water experiments, create natural jewelry, go on a treasure hunt, learn about Tahitian culture, discover island legends and geology and design a Polynesian tattoo.
Ecoventura’s Newest Ship
Looking to sail the Galapagos on an intimate, luxury yacht? Ecoventura recently debuted MV Theory, 
sister ship to MV Origin. Both ships are now part of Relais & Chateau. Ecoventura hosts special departures just for families with children ages 7-17 with with 10 more this year! The company even tries to arrange children of the same age to be on the same sailing. The ship has 10 premium cabins, each room offering large windows, private bathrooms and convertible twin beds. Similar to its sister ship, onboard amenities include a full-time concierge, fitness center, a sundeck, an open-bar policy and a Jacuzzi. Water sports include snorkeling, glass-bottom boats, kayaking and stand-up paddle board tours. The vessel will rotate between two seven-night itineraries and can be combined into a comprehensive two-week excursion.
More Family River Cruising
Speaking of river cruising, A-Rosa River Cruises has revealed plans for two new ships designed 
specifically for family and multi-generational cruises beginning in 2021. These 140-cabin ships will offer large family cabins — some sleeping up to five — a dedicated kid’s club, separate children’s pool and an area set aside in the restaurant if children want to eat together with their siblings and friends. For the parents, there will also be an enlarged spa and wellness area. The German-owned line, which offers English-speaking cruises, was one of the pioneers of family-friendly itineraries. The ships will sail primarily on the northern Rhine, departing from Cologne and calling at Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Bruges and Antwerp. On all cruises, children aged 15 and under travel free.
European Waterways for Families
Responding to what it says has been 60% growth in barge charters by families this year, European Waterways has added more excursion options for multigenerational groups. Families can now pick from a mix of activities and tours that include theme parks, water parks and laser tag for children, as well as wine tastings, golf and other sports for adults. There are also options designed to appeal to the whole family, including wildlife parks, archery lessons, swimming, tours of prehistoric caves and canoeing. Your family will be truly pampered with a hotel barging experience throughout the waterways of Europe!
