RCCL’s Credit Extension
This month, Royal Caribbean International kindly announced that any unredeemed Royal Caribbean Cruise with Confidence future cruise credits (FCCs) will no longer expire. The change in this policy also applies to Celebrity Cruises. This extension pertains to credits you received during the pandemic between 2020 and early 2022. Note that if you received a voucher for 125% of your cruise fare, the new rule only applies to 100% of the fare. The rest of the value will still expire on the original date. We have been told that RCCL’s system will still show an expiration date, and it will be moving that date to one far in the future. All other FCC types from the cruise line remain unchanged and they will continue to enforce the expiration date noted on the credit. Many cruise lines continue to use full and partial Future Cruise Credits (FCCs) for other cruise-related issues as well, such as when a cruise is canceled due to a mechanical issue, or if an itinerary is significantly altered. Bon voyage!
Family River Cruising
Looking to explore Europe this summer with your family or extended family? River cruising is an easy and relaxing way to visit multiple cities and even multiple countries. This June and July, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises includes a slew of added amenities for families sailing on select cruises on the Danube, Rhine, and Po Rivers. Cruises last 7-9 nights:
- Two dedicated Family Hosts to oversee all activities for Junior Cruisers (ages 4 to 12 years) and Teen Cruisers (ages 13 to 17 years)
- Fun shore excursions tailor-made for families and hosted by local experts
- Child-friendly menus for each meal and unlimited beverages onboard
- Young Travelers’ Table, a special dining table reserved on certain nights supervised by Family Hosts
- Onboard activities just for children, such as cooking classes and dessert-making with the ship’s chef and pastry chef
- Hands-on craft workshops tailored to the destinations you visit
- Young travelers’ lounge and game room, complete with PlayStation, games, movies, and local treats
- Opportunities to “Live the Lingo” and learn words and phrases in other languages from the Family Hosts
- Child-only movie nights
- A special VIP ship tour with the Captain or Hotel Manager
- Complimentary bicycles, helmets, and Nordic walking sticks for use onshore
Star Clipper’s Family Special
Ahoy matie! If you’re planning a multigenerational family getaway, consider a voyage on one of Star Clipper’s tall ships. Currently, children between ages 3 and 17 can sail free with one or two adults in the same cabin on select five- to nine-night 2022 and 2023 sailings in the Caribbean, Costa Rica/Panama, the Mediterranean, and Southeast Asia. If two children are traveling with two adults (in specific room categories), the line accommodates the family in two individual cabins. What’s more, grandparents can join in the fun and receive a 10% discount on cruise fares. Onboard, your family can climb the mast to the crow’s nest 100 ft. in the air for spectacular panoramic views, relax in the bowsprit suspended over the ocean at the front of the ship, learn knot tying and navigation, help pull up the sails, and more for a very authentic sailing experience.
Alaska Family Savings
UnCruise’s small ship adventures have already begun in Juneau, Alaska, sooner than any other cruise line, with six vessels and 14 itineraries to choose from! The adventure vessels offer ocean views, all-inclusive multi-activity adventures, fresh cuisine, and onboard amenities such as workout equipment, hot tubs, yoga mats, and all the gear you need to explore the abundant nature. Cruise adventures begin and end in Juneau, Sitka, or Ketchikan if you want more time to explore these interesting ports. Their Kids Double Adventure Deal is now available for a limited time for children ages 8-17. Receive $1,000 savings per child on select dates and itineraries. Also, the cruise line is continuing its no single supplement pricing policy…always a great saving. These offers can be combined with loyalty and refer-a-friend savings and are available to book through June 15 for new bookings.
Sail Tahiti
Paul Gauguin Cruises also extended their Sail with Confidence policy for stress-free booking and cancellation on your next French Polynesia voyage. Just book by June 30, 2022, on sailings through December 31, 2023, and final payment is due only 30 days prior to sailing. You also get penalty-free cancellation where you can postpone or cancel your sailing for any reason up to 30 days before your departure date and receive a voucher for a future cruise. Paul Gauguin is an upscale sailing experience that is also family friendly. On select summer and holiday sailings, children, and teens (ages 7-15) can take part in their Moana Explorer program. This unique program is a partnership with Te mana o te moana, a South Pacific marine education and conservation foundation. Children and teens will explore the local environment through a variety of hands-on activities onboard and ashore. Reservations for the program are required at the time of booking.
Holland American’s Extension
Holland America Line has extended its Worry-Free Promise cancellation policy to give you greater peace of mind when booking your spring or summer cruise. Just book a cruise by May 31, 2022, that departs through September 30, 2022, and you can cancel for ANY reason up to 30 days before departure and automatically receive a Future Cruise Credit. Additionally, you may cancel up to your sailing date if you test positive for COVID-19 and will also receive a Future Cruise Credit. Choose from fun sailings on a variety of family-friendly ships during the summer throughout Alaska (where children sail for as little as $75 on select cruises!), all over Europe as well as Canada/New England. Cruise packages that include reduced deposits, cabin upgrades, drink plans, shore excursions, WiFi, and specialty dining are also available for a more all-inclusive cruise experience.
Alaska Bound
Children age 17 and younger sail for as little as $999 on a variety of Regent Seven Seas Cruises in 2022 and 2023 including sailings throughout the summer in both Alaska and Europe. Their Kids Sail promotion is available when your child is the 3rd or 4th guest in your spacious cabin and includes free unlimited shore excursions. Pre- and post-cruise tours can also be added for extra land exploration. In Alaska, Regent’s smaller ships reach some more unique ports in the Inside Passage such as Dutch Harbor, Kodiak, Wrangell, and Homer while in Europe the opportunities to explore a variety of countries in one sailing are endless. Travel in style aboard Regent where all of your drink, tips, specialty restaurants, and wifi are also included.
Pixar Party
Disney Cruise Line recently announced an all-new Pixar Day at Sea that will be offered aboard special sailings on the Disney Fantasy in early 2023. Featuring one-of-a-kind experiences, this day-long celebration on select seven-night voyages will bring to life the Pixar tales of Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, and more. Themed dining, character encounters, dance parties, and a theatrical musical experience await your family on this fun-filled day at sea that culminates with a deck party of incredible proportions. A Pixar film festival, exclusive merchandise, and photo opportunities will also be available as part of the new celebration. Pixar Day at Sea will be celebrated on nine select Disney Fantasy cruises from January through March 2023. The ship will depart from Port Canaveral in Florida and sail to several destinations in both the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
Greek Island Exploration
The easiest way to explore the beautiful Greek Islands is on a boat. Your family can now save up to 30% off Celestyal Cruises on select 2022 sailings when you book by March 31. Their three-night Iconic Aegean itinerary sets sail from Athens and calls at Mykonos, Kusadasi (Turkey), Patmos, Heraklion (Crete), and Santorini. Their seven-night Idyllic Aegean itinerary also begins in Athens and visits Thessaloniki, Kusadasi, Rhodes, Heraklion, Santorini, Mykonos, and Milos. Celestyal’s All-Inclusive Experience provides unlimited classic drinks, select shore excursions, port, and service charges as well as gratuities. The line is not a fancy, floating resort like many other cruise lines… it is a more basic experience and all about your time exploring the islands. During this sale, children 12 years and younger sharing the same stateroom with their parents sail for free!
River Cruise Offer
If you have been dreaming of seeing the beautiful towns and landscapes of Europe this summer, a river cruise makes it simple and carefree. And you can now save $500 per person on select 2022 River Cruise with Adventures by Disney sailings when you book by February 28. Choose from a variety of Danube and Rhine River cruises with travel dates between June 26th and August 4. Countries visited on these sailings include France, Germany, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia. The $500 discount is also available on 2023 cruises on the Danube and Rhine plus The Seine. The eight-day, seven-night vacations are filled with active, immersive experiences developed by the family travel experts at Disney. Many departures are reserved exclusively for families traveling without children. Disney charters AmaWaterways river cruise vessels for these sailings…one of our favorite river cruise lines.
