RCCL Enhancements
In exciting Royal Caribbean news, the line is in the process of adding supervised nursery care for infants and toddlers on more of their ships as part of a $300 million investment dubbed the Royal Advantage. Other upgrades include more WiFi access; outdoor video screens on the pool decks, new cabin configurations for families and interactive, onboard maps that show you the fastest routes between points on the ship. In addition, more specialty restaurants will be added. The program began with upgrades to the Radiance of the Seas last spring and will be expanded to include the Splendour of the Seas in November, the Rhapsody of the Seas in May and the Serenade of the Seas in November 2012. Upgrades will continue through 2013 and 2014 to include the Legend of the Seas, Vision of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Adventures of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas. Less extensive enhancements are planned for the Independence of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas.
NCL Early Booking Offer
Book by August 14 and receive early-booking savings from Norwegian Cruise Line for nearly all 2012 or 2013 cruises. The offer is good on voyages of at least three days long to Alaska, Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean, Europe and Hawaii.
The promotion includes same-category upgrades, up to $100 per stateroom in onboard credit and reduced cruise deposits fleet-wide. Norwegian’s deployment for 2012 and 2013 includes several firsts for the line. Norwegian Pearl will sail from New York beginning in October 2012, offering 21 seven-day Bahamas and Florida cruises, along with three 12-day Southern Caribbean voyages. In April, Norwegian Star will start weeklong cruises to Bermuda from New York. In the company’s largest European deployment ever, Norwegian Spirit will join Norwegian Jade sailing year-round in Europe beginning in April. Norwegian Spirit will operate 12-day “Grand Mediterranean” voyages in the summer and fall, along with nine-day Canary Islands cruises in the winter and spring. In Alaska, Norwegian Jewel will replace Norwegian Star in May and cruise from Seattle on a seven-day Sawyer Glacier itinerary.
Smoking on Cruises
Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines and Holland America all announced major changes to their smoking policies. Smokers will soon be banned from lighting up in cabins on all the ships of all three lines. The Princess smoking ban, which also applies to cabin balconies, will become effective on all sailings departing after January 15. Holland America said its ban on smoking in cabins, but not on balconies, would also take effect on January 15. Carnival said its ban on smoking in all cabins would take effect December 1. The line will still allow both cigarette and cigar smoking on cabin balconies. Also, Carnival said it was limiting smoking on its ships to dance clubs, designated areas within the casino and casino bar and certain sections on the open decks. All three lines said they were notifying those passengers already booked on cruises of their new policies. Officials said the moves reflect changing customer preferences.
Carnival’s Night Owls
Carnival Cruise Lines now offers Camp Carnival Night Owls, which features late-night activities, giveaways and nightly baby-sitting services, on all 23 ships. Conducted in the children’s play rooms, three different Night Owls parties are held at least once each voyage. In addition to video game tournaments, arts and crafts, sporting events, movies and pizza parties, children participating in Night Owls receive giveaways that may include branded plush toys, flashlights, watches and other items. Late-night munchies and refreshments are also provided. There are three age groups available and the service is an additional charge depending on age. Participants are escorted to their staterooms after the party. The Night Owls program also includes a revamped baby-sitting program. Designed as a slumber party at sea, baby-sitting is available nightly from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. at a cost of $6.75 per child per hour plus gratuity. Kids can enjoy a variety of activities, with complimentary pillows and blankets provided, along with light snacks and refreshments.
Father-Daughter Rafting
Rogue Wilderness Adventures, a tour company specializing in hiking and whitewater rafting trips, just introduced a Father-Daughter rafting trip, which will launch August 13. On this rafting adventure, fathers and their daughters will spend three days experiencing the whitewater rapids of Oregon’s Rogue River and taking in the views of the stunning scenery of the Rogue River corridor. You will spend one night sleeping in a tent under the Oregon night sky, while the second night is spent in one of the remote, historic lodges located along the Rogue River. Rates run $869 per person and children must be at least 10 years old to participate.
Grand Cayman for a Day
Enjoy a fun beach day along with access to a hotel room while cruising to Grand Cayman with GrandCaymanForaDay.com’s arrangement with the beautiful Westin Casaurina’s Resort & Spa. 
For $149.00 for up to four people, you can relax on gorgeous Seven Mile Beach and take advantage of the resort’s pool with swim-up bar, lounges, towels, spa, sports, restaurants and recreation. And have your own room to relax and shower before heading back to the ship. Availability is limited and on a first come, first serve basis with notification in 24 hours. Other islands with resort day passes (some are all-inclusive) include Cozumel, Barbados. Jamaica and the Bahamas. Enjoy a great island daycation while cruising through the Caribbean.
Ferry Fun
Exploring the Pacific Northwest by ferry is a great way to experience a variety of destinations including Seattle, the San Juan Islands, Victoria and Vancouver. 
Your family can save with Clipper Vacations where children sail free (one child 12 and under per paying adult) on the Victoria Clipper service from Seattle to Victoria, go free on overnight packages to Victoria and Vancouver and sail free on a variety of whale watching tours including Orca viewing in the San Juan Islands and gray whale watching around Whidbey Island. College students also save with a 25 percent discount on select fares. Clipper Vacations is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year with a variety of specials and sweepstakes. Call us for more details and to plan an amazing adventure in a region filled with great outdoor adventures, chic urban experiences, majestic mountain ranges and unique national parks.
Spread Out on MSC
Half off a second cabin for children on a holiday sailing? That’s what MSC Cruises is offering with their Family Plan! Enjoy the extra space and 2nd bathroom while cruising the beautiful Caribbean. 
The promotion is valid on the MSC Poesia sailing from Ft. Lauderdale on November 19 (to Key West, Cozumel, Roatan and Montego Bay), December 23 (to Nassau, St. Thomas and San Juan) and December 30 (Key West, Cozumel, Roatan and Montego Bay). MSC is an Italian based and budget oriented cruise line with a variety of family-friendly activities. The ship features a designated children’s pool and outdoor play area and children’s and teen programs for ages 3 to 17. Rates for four begin at $549 per person for the first stateroom and $274.50 per person for the second stateroom plus government fees and taxes of $61.85 per person. Children also sail free on MSC at other times of the year when sharing a cabin with parents.
Crystal’s Alaska Jr. Rangers
Crystal Cruises focuses on family-friendly activities this summer in Alaska with a variety of family-friendly excursions, an extended Junior Activities program, and an alliance with the National Park Service for an on-board Junior Rangers program. When Crystal Symphony sails through Glacier Bay this May through August, park rangers will come aboard to lead kid-friendly activities and presentations about the area’s natural history. 
Through interactive projects and activity books, children and teens can become park Junior Rangers, earning official badges and certificates. Complementing this program will be extended hours of supervised activities for children aged 3 to 17. Families can also take advantage of movies, library DVD and book check-outs, piano lessons and baby-sitting services. Nine 12-day San Francisco roundtrip cruises visit Victoria, Vancouver, Sitka, Juneau, Skagway/Haines, Ketchikan and either Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay. Also ask us about the Crystal’s Family Memories Program that offers additional credits, family photos, and complimentary third-berth children’s accommodation.
New Homeports for Disney
Disney Cruise Line wants more families to enjoy its terrific cruises with the addition of its fourth ship, the Fantasy, in April 2012. The line is now able to add more homeports. Disney will sail from New York, Seattle and Galveston in 2012. The Disney Wonder will also be making the line’s first call to Hawaii with one 15-day voyage to Hawaii round-trip from Los Angeles. Beginning May 25, 2012, the Magic will sail a total of 20 cruises from New York including eight-day cruises to the Bahamas and five-day Canada/New England cruises. On the Bahamas cruise, your family will also get one-day Walt Disney World Park Hopper tickets and transportation to the park when you port in Port Canaveral, FL. Disney is giving Seattle a try for its week long Alaska cruises in the summer while Galveston will offer a seven-day Western Caribbean itinerary come fall.
