- Families with children comprise 31 % of future cruisers.
- Most ships offer baby-sitting and children's programs.
Cruise lines are catering to family travel with expanded children's services, accommodations and youth counselor staffs. In this chapter, we profile several outstanding youth programs and their corresponding job opportunities.
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
The cruise industry is holding its collective breath, as Disney, the master of family programs, prepares for the maiden voyage of the Disney Magic. An entire deck will be dedicated to children's activities: 15,000 square feet of fun, entertainment and educational activities.
"Professional youth counselors will be Disney trained," says Public Relations coordinator, Kirsten Wilkinson. "Parents will each receive a beeper to keep them in touch with their children, allowing them more freedom to enjoy the spa or a night of dancing under the stars. Programming will be age specific, for example our 11-13 year old cruisers will enjoy activities in the Oceaneer Lab; younger children can romp and play in the Oceaneer's Adventure areas. We will also offer activities which the whole family can enjoy together."
The familiar Disney brand will introduce the fun and value of cruise vacations to an entire new generation of cruisers. As Disney prepares to launch, other leading lines are rapidly expanding and enriching their children's programs.
The opportunities for getting a job aboard a cruise ship as a member of the youth staff have never been greater. Begin now by gaining as much experience with well-known theme parks, child-care centers and schools. Enroll now in child care courses, elementary education, life-saving and first aid certification, recreation and psychology
HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
Welcome to Club Hal; An on-board daily activity program designed specifically for three age groups: Ages 5-8, 9-12 and Teens. Club Hal employs fulltime youth coordinators and offers a children's version of the daily activity/news bulletin, customized dining menus, baby-sitting and comprehensive daily programs. Activities include swimming pool games and contest, special fitness programs, tournaments, T-shirt painting, karaoke, pizza and movie nights.
Holland America is breaking new ground by offering shore excursions designed specifically for kids and teens aboard Alaskan Glacier Bay Inside Passage and Glacier Discovery cruises. Teen cruisers teens can learn about the gold rush on 3 1/2 hour hikes along Juneau's mountain trails. Youngster's age 6 to 12 will enjoy a native Alaskan treasure hunt at Mendenhall Glacier, University of Alaska's Auke Bay Laboratory, and along nature trails and beaches.
Holland America ships also offers 'family size' staterooms, complimentary diapers, baby formula and baby food.
PREMIER CRUISE LINES
Youth counselors supervise on-board programming and amenities for five separate age groups, from early morning until 10pm: First Mates for ages 2-4, Kids call for ages 5-7, Star Cruiser for ages 8-11, Navigator for ages 11- 13, and Teen Cruiser for ages 13 to 17.
The Big Red Boat's® "Voyages of Discovery" program is an opportunity for all passengers to explore nautical history, marine science, ship operations and Bahamian island culture. Premier is now affiliated with the friendly cartoon characters of Loony Toons. Bugs Bunny and pals make celebrity appearances, guaranteed to make the children smile.
CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES
Carnival has expanded its year-round children's program, Camp Carnival, with the addition of a Toddlers' Program for ages two to four-years. The Toddlers' Program is presently being implemented aboard Carnival's Super Liners. Carnival's youth counselor staff will increase by 30% to accommodate the 70,000 children who cruise with Carnival annually. Thirty-six permanent counselors will be employed to conduct the program and a number of temporary employees will be hired for peak summer and holiday periods.
Camp Carnival features activities from morning through 9:30pm for four different age groups: Teens (age 14-19); Intermediate (age 9-130; juniors (age 5-80); and Toddlers (age 2-4). Activities include; "charades" Bingo, Twister®, scavenger quests, creating the "Fun Club Newspaper," teen singles party, disco, lip sync and star search contests, limbo and hula hoop contests, finger painting, puppet making, ice cream parties. After 9:30pm, baby-sitting, in the form of slumber parties, is available in the children's playrooms.
MAJESTY & DOLPHIN CRUISE LINE
Yabba Dabba Doo! Sail away with Dolphin and Majesty, the official cruise lines of Yogi Bear, George Jetson, Fred Flintstone, Scooby Doo and other Hanna Barbera characters. The above cruise line children's' programs are offered as an example of the cruise industry's commitment to young cruisers.
