Pixar Inspired Cruises
The Disney Wonder will have even more magic in store for guests beginning in September. The 2,700-passenger ship will sail four Pixar-inspired seven-day cruises along the coast of California. The cast of cruise characters will include Buzz Lightyear, Woody and Jessie of the Toy Story series; Remy from Ratatouille; Mr. Incredible from The Incredibles; and Carl Fredricksen from Up. Your family will interact with the characters throughout the cruise and during themed dance parties. Pixar artists and filmmakers will give you a behind-the-scenes look at animated features and short films. Explore the making of Brave, a Pixar film to be released June 22. Sneak peeks of footage from future Pixar movies will also be shown. To gain a better understanding of the conceptualization behind the films, storyboards, character sketches, scale models and environment paintings will be on display. The entire collection of Pixar films, including short animations, will be available for viewing during the cruise, with special screenings taking place in the two theaters onboard. The Pixar-themed voyages will take place between September 16 and October14, 2012. They will sail from Los Angeles and call in San Francisco, San Diego and Ensenada, Mexico.
MSC Enhances Kids Club
MSC Cruises has enhanced its Kids’ Club programs for ages 3-17 with the addition of docking stations in the teen club, new video games in the kids club, a broader choice of family events from parades to scavenger hunts, theater program and extended hours from 9:00 am-11:00 pm. 
Pagers and beepers will be available for rent for the parents/supervising adults of children who are 3 to 5 years old, children with special medical conditions and children with special needs. MSC Cruises is introducing a daily Nanny’s Hour from 9:00-10:00 am., with games and activities for youngsters age 10 to 36 months and their parents. The cruise line has also added spa treatments for teen-agers to its menu at the MSC Aurea Spa. Among the available treatments are facials, manicures, pedicures, non-permanent tattoos and more. The ships will also offer body massages for girls and their mothers and boys and their fathers. Prices for the new teen treatments range from $26 to $66 per person. For teens 14 and older, a personal trainer in the gym can plan workouts with the parent. On this budget friendly cruise line, children age 11 and younger sail free and ages 12 to 17 sail at a reduced rate when sharing a stateroom with two full-fare-paying adults; government fees and taxes are additional and certain restrictions may apply.
BVI Family Sailing
Festiva Sailing Vacations is offering a seven-day, all-inclusive sailboat package for a family of four in the beautiful British Virgin Islands. The rate for two adults and two children under the age of 16 is $5,995. 
Two families of four can share an eight-passenger sailing catamaran for seven days or families booking two cabins on the catamaran will be paired as closely as possible with a family with similar interests and children of comparable ages. The fare includes all meals, unlimited soft drinks for the kids and the standard open bar for the adults. Food and beverage options are customized for each family. Festiva operates a fleet of 44-foot and 42-foot luxury sailing catamarans on all-inclusive vacations in the Caribbean and Greece. Their 14 vessels have accommodations for six to eight passengers and are manned by a two-person professional crew. The seven-day itineraries emphasize dining, beach and water-sports activities. The British Virgin Islands are known for their beauty and calm waters. A multitude of excellent anchorages and idyllic islands make these islands one of the best locations for Caribbean sailing vacations.
MSC Enchances Kids Club
MSC Cruises has enhanced its Kids’ Club programs for ages 3-17, offering Microsoft Xbox Kinetic, Nintendo Wii and a variety of games. The teen corner now includes a docking station for iPods, iPhones, iPads and USB readers, and a social corner connected to Net TV and with Bluetooth keyboards. 
The moderately priced Italian line also is offering a broader choice of family events ranging from parades to scavenger hunts and extended Kids’ Club hours from 9:00am to 11:00pm. Pagers and beepers will be available for rent for the parents/supervising adults of children who are 3 to 5 years old, children with special medical conditions and children with special needs. MSC Cruises also is introducing a daily Nanny’s Hour from 9:00 to 10:00am, with games and activities for youngsters age 10 to 36 months and their parents. And on each cruise, a performance will be held in the theater for children under 12 and their parents. Kids will also be able to perform in a show they create and stage in the theater. Children age 11 and younger sail free and kids ages 12 to 17 sail at a reduced rate on every MSC Cruises sailing when sharing a stateroom with two full-fare-paying adults! The cruise line has also added spa treatments for teen-agers from $26 to $66 and for teens 14 and older, a personal trainer can plan workouts with the parent.
Breakaway with NCL
Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, the 4,000-passenger Norwegian Breakaway launching in April 2013, will feature the fleet’s largest facilities for children and teens.
The new teen program, dubbed Entourage, will be located on Deck 16 and include foosball and air hockey tables, gaming stations and a video jukebox for late-night dance parties. Splash Academy, the new name for the line’s children’s program, will be divided into Guppies (infants to 2 years), Turtles (3-5), Seals (6-9) and Dolphins (10-12). The two-deck facilities will be located on Decks 12 and 13, adjacent to the ship’s family cabins. Babies and toddlers under age three, along with their parents, will also have their own dedicated play space with activities. The most notable offerings for children include circus workshops (think juggling, plate-spinning and stilt-walking) through a partnership with New York-based Hilario Productions Cirque du Jour and active pursuits like soccer workshops and physical challenges in collaboration with the King’s Foundation and Camps, a U.K.-based organization. Children younger than 3 can take part in art classes, storytelling and mini-workouts with their parents. There’s no charge for kids younger than 3, but they must be accompanied by a parent. The revamped youth programs, which also include family activities like cupcake-decorating, pizza-making and game shows, are set to roll out fleetwide by the end of August.
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Explore the Ocean with Paul Gaugin
Once again, Paul Gauguin Cruises features several summer voyages with oceanographer and environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment Youth Program. Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of the legendary Jacques Cousteau, and his Ocean Futures Society created the youth program, which introduces young travelers to the natural wonders of French Polynesia through hands-on learning. Under the guidance of Ocean Future Society naturalists, young people ages 9 to 17 will explore coral reefs, learn about volcanic islands and forest ecology, experience Polynesian culture, hike rainforest trails, visit ancient Polynesian temples, and more. Parents have an option to join their children on eco-excursions and other activities aboard and ashore. The Ambassadors of the Environment Youth Program is available on summer voyages of the Paul Gauguin in French Polynesia and is also available on select holiday cruises for $299 per child. Voyages with the program depart on June 2, June 9, June 16, June 23, June 30, July 11, July 21, July 28, August 4, August 11, Aug. 18, December 22 and December 29. Currently the cruise line is offering sailings for half off plus free airfare from Los Angeles on all 2012 sailings!
NCL Phone App
We are excited to announce that Norwegian Cruise Line created a smartphone application that enables iPhone, iPad, Android and Windows7 users to interact with Norwegian Epic’s onboard guest information and service systems during their cruise. The application also enables you to communicate with other passengers via voice and text messages. The application is available for passengers sailing on board the Norwegian Epic beginning March 24, and an expansion of the service to the remaining fleet is expected in the near future. Passengers who download the free app can make unlimited calls and send messages to each other while on board, at an introductory rate of $7.95 for the entire sailing. The application was created in partnership with Allin Interactive.
New Offerings from Disney
Disney Cruise Line announced that in 2013 it will offer Caribbean sailings from the Port of Miami for the first time as well as new European cruises from Barcelona.
The 2013 schedule is now available for booking. The Disney Wonder will operate its first cruise from Miami on December 23, 2012 with 4, 5, 6 and 7-night sailings from January 5-May 2, 2013. Ports of call can include Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Key West, Nassau and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Beginning June 1, 2013, the Disney Magic returns to Europe to operate 4, 7 and 12-night sailings from Barcelona, Spain. Families can enhance 7 and 12-night Mediterranean sailings with Adventures by Disney Onboard Experience packages. These packages offer exclusive activities and concierge service from dedicated Adventure Guides, who will lead travelers at each port. The Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream will continue to sail a variety of Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries departing from Port Canaveral. The Disney Fantasy will sail out of Port Canaveral on seven-night Caribbean itineraries, alternating eastern (St. Maarten and St. Thomas) and western (Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel). All Disney Fantasy itineraries include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Rates start at $1,085 per person.
Nickelodeon Expansion on NCL
Norwegian Cruise Line expanded its Nickelodeon programming to the Norwegian Gem. Each cruise will feature Nickelodeon’s new Pajama Jam Character Breakfast where you are encouraged to wear pajamas and your child receives a complimentary photograph. Additional elements include Dora’s Dance Party, where children ages 6 and younger have the chance to sing and dance with Dora the Explorer and Team Nick; Nickelodeon Character Meet-and-Greets; Nick Jr. Story Time; and Nickelodeon arts and crafts. The Norwegian Gem sails seven-day Bahamas and Florida voyages from New York City through September 1. Ports of call include Port Canaveral, Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau. From September 8 through October 10, the ship will sail 10-day Eastern Canada and Quebec cruises, followed by a series of nine-day Eastern Caribbean voyages. Nickelodeon programming also is on board Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Epic.
Norwegian Revamps Kids Club
Norwegian Cruise Line is revamping its children’s program with a new curriculum for up to age 17. The cruise line will also begin structured programming for infants and babies up to 2 years old. 
The new youth program is being created in partnership with the King’s Foundation and Camps, a U.K.-based organization that develops sports and activity programs for children. More focus will be placed on sporting activities, arts and crafts, theater and technology, the line said. The Norwegian Gem will be the first in the fleet to introduce the new activities, starting in mid-February. It subsequently will be rolled out across all Norwegian vessels. The line also has engaged Cirque Du Jour, a New York-based company that specializes in teaching children circus skills such as juggling, clowning and acrobatics. Circus workshops and shows will be offered for the entire family.
