Different Interpretation Of A Cabana
The pool deck also features several cabanas that can be reserved for a fee. And the fee includes a certain amount of premium food and drinks and cabana service. But these arent exactly like typical cabanas were used to seeing. Most notably, they are near the pool, but they dont actually open out into the pool area. You cant see or access the pool directly from the cabana. So, its more of a designated lounge space with perks that you could visit for breaks from the pool.
A cabana on Celebrity Edge.
Supposedly, the cabanas have access to stunning ocean views , but this was not apparent during the times that we walked through. The Magic Carpet docks on the side of the cabanas that would presumably face the ocean. So, when the Magic Carpet slides down to reside on Deck 14, it blocked any potential views from the cabanas.; The views from the Magic Carpet, however, were stunning.
Best Princess Cruise Ship For Kids: Caribbean Princess
Princess Cruises are a great choice for multi-generational family travel as they feature amenities and activities to please the smallest to the tallest members of your group. Discovery at SEA is super cool programming that Princess Cruises developed in partnership with Discovery Inc. to offer guests immersive adventures, such as Discovery and Animal Planet shore excursions, and onboard activities that bring the shows you love to life in unforgettable experiences. Camp Discovery Youth & Teen Centers also feature Animal Planet and Discovery programming, as well as separate themed areas for kids of different age groupings in The Treehouse, The Lodge and The Beach House.
Recently renovated, Caribbean Princess was the first Princess Cruises ship to deliver the MedallionClass experience. A quarter-sized, complimentary wearable device makes vacation even more relaxing by speeding up the boarding process and enabling you to order refreshments that find you. This ship typically departs Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for the Caribbean, but also offers Canada and New England sailings.
Stanley the Bear, Princess cuddly mascot, appears for storytime and a special breakfast that includes pancakes stacked in the shape of a bear. Jr. CHEF@Sea is a hands-on cooking workshop for kids ages 8 to 12. Junior chefs get to don and hats and decorate a cake with a member of the ships pastry team in the main galley.
Celebrity Cruises For Families
Celebrity Cruise LineCelebrity Cruises offers a range of kid-friendly amenities distinctive from other cruise lines. From flexible eating times to diverse youth programs to an expansive grass lawn on the highest deck, theres something for every family member. Celebrity also provides a personalized experience where staff members address you by name and personal concierges attend to your every need.
Ship SpecificsCelebrity was founded and marketed as a big-ship operator in 1989 by the Chandris Group in Greece. In 1997, the cruise line was acquired by Royal Caribbean and now operates as a sister company. With 10 ships in total, the former small-ship cruise line continues to offer personalized service on their new, larger ships. Since 2008, Celebrity has produced ships that weigh 122,000 tons larger than all of Carnivals fleet, except Carnival Dream. These ships carry 2,850 passengers, while others in the fleet offer less than 2,000 spaces. Due to its interior designing, even ships occupied to full capacity feel half empty. Passengers rarely experience lines or excessive crowding.
Celebrity spans the whole gamut of ships. Celebrity Xpedition is in class of itself. It is a smaller ship of 2,329 tons that holds only 98 passengers. Recently, Celebrity Century, one of the first ships, was rereleased from a major renovation that included the addition of 314 verandahs, 14 suits and 10 staterooms. Celebrity Silhouette is expected in fall 2011 and Celebrity Reflection in 2012.
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What You Need To Know About Family Cruising With Celebrity Cruises
Moms and dads, you know that your kids dont always want to do the same things as you . Its why Celebrity Cruises went to great lengths to create kid-approved activities and spaces at sea. Heres what you and your family can expect with family cruising from Celebrity Cruises.
Kids Programs
Children and teens have much to do on board a Celebrity cruise ship. Programs are supervised by experienced staff members and tailored for specific ages such as:
Toddler Time under 3 years old Ship MatesSM ages 3-5 Junior Teens ages 12-14 Senior Teens ages 15-17
For instance, Fun Factory is for ages 3-11. Activities and programs are from 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. every day. The entertainment center has one of the largest Xbox experiences and at seaJunior cruisers have the chance to participate in exciting games, sports, crafts, treasure hunts, music, and more.
Moms and dads, youll have access to babysitting services and pagers. Youll have peace of mind while your kids have their own cruise vacation experience. Its family cruising at its best!
Camp at Sea
On board, Celebrity offers family cruising activities that will excite, inspire, entertain, and engage you and your kids. When you take a Caribbean cruise vacation, theyll introduce you and your kids to the culture, history, and flavors of some of the most exciting islands in the Caribbean with Celebrity Shore Excursions. Heres a taste of what you can expect with Celebritys Camp at Sea:
Autism Friendly Ships
What Type Of Shore Excursions Can I Bring My Toddler On
When planning your day in port with a toddler, a family-friendly shore excursion makes for a fun, hassle-free day.
We offer plenty of kid-friendly shore excursions that can be enjoyed by all members of your party. If traveling with a toddler, make sure to choose a shore excursion that doesnt have an age restriction.
Also keep in mind that an excursion that requires a lot of sitting wont necessarily be the best or easiest activity for your toddler Instead, look for excursions that involve short and easy hikes, or an activity theyll get a kick out of, such as panning for gold during Alaska cruises or a water park excursion in the Caribbean.
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Booking An Alaska Cruise
Alaska cruises are in high demand and often book up 12 to 15 months before the departure date. They are the perfect choice for adventure-loving and multigenerational families looking for a vacation with no cooking or planning. Cruises on the Celebrity Solstice begin at $1,049 per person for an inside cabin in low season.
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Celebrity Edge Review: Summary
The Celebrity Edge made me like cruises again! My daughter and I both wished that our cruise was a lot longer. We didnt stop at any ports, so I cant speak to the disembarkation/embarkation process, but Celebrity seems to have everything else down to a science so Im optimistic that there wont be issues in port. My kids arent super-social. They like reading and relaxing and appreciate luxury and really good food, and this is an absolutely perfect atmosphere for that basically, a wonderful upscale floating hotel where you can unpack once and see different destinations every day. Kind of perfect if youre not looking for an amusement park!
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On All Ships: Celebrity Cruises Fun Factory And X Club
| Picture Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises | If you are going as a family, attempt to see if the children’s supervised activities appeal to your children. They are complimentary and always run by terrific staff. Typically divided into four age groups starting at age three, each level has activities that are appropriate and fun for their age group. My boys never spent too long at the camps or clubs, but even for the short time they were there, I still have a nice collection of hand decorated pillow cases and tee shirts with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity logos.Click on the link below for a few samples of Celebrity Fun Factory and X Club programs we’ve saved along the way. |
Fun For Adults On Celebrity Ships
Celebrity has a reputation among cruisers for offering outstanding service and above average onboard fare, great for parents wanting a date night.
Celebrity offers a quite a few activities for adults including fitness activities such as spinning classes,;dance lessons, food and wine pairing workshops, chef-guided cooking competitions,; presentations by expert speakers, art exhibits and auctions, and language classes during the days.;Celebrity has a reputation among cruisers for offering outstanding service and above average onboard fare, great for parents wanting a date night, when they can enjoy the sea-going celebrities who perform in Broadway/West End tribute shows, aerial acrobatic performances, live musical performances and outdoor concerts, as well as performances by comedians, jugglers, and magicians.
With a focus on the culinary arts, the Michelin starred chefs create globally inspired meals with local ingredients. There ar two dining styles Main Dining, held in the main restaurant and scheduled at a set time every night, or Celebrity Select Dining giving passengers the option to eat at their leisure. There are specialty restarurants and casual dining is also offered on the Lido deck
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Celebrity Cruises For Kids And Family Travel
kids will most enthusiastically have a great time
| The Solarium pool is typically for guests 16 and older. However, on cold weather cruises they often open it up for families at a certain time of day. | After Celebrity Solstice was “solsticized”, she now includes an amazing movie theater on the top deck. | Celebrity Cruises offers a basketball court on many of their ships which is a popular spot. They offer tournaments or stop in for a pick up game. |
Cruises With Departure Ports Close To Your Home City
Taking a flight before boarding a cruise with a toddler can be taxing on both kids and parents. By picking a departure port close to home, youll be able to cut down on travel time before your cruise even begins, ensuring a smooth trip once you do take off on your actual vacation.
If you dont live near one of our departure ports, consider breaking up your travel time by spending a day or two in the city youll sail from. This will also give you the chance to stock up on some travel essentials like diapers, their favorite snacks, and sunscreen.
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Celebrity Edge Review: Dining
There are 29 restaurants, cafes, bars and lounges on the Celebrity Edge, from the Oceanview Café that serves all meals to Luminae and Blu which are reserved for certain suites/guests, to Fine Cut Steakhouse, Le Grand Bistro / Le Petit Chef, Raw on 5, the Magic Carpet, the Rooftop Garden Grill and Eden, with dining on a reserved basis. Plus there are the main four restaurants . We had breakfast each day at Oceanview Café, lunch both days at Cosmopolitan, a late afternoon snack at the Mast Grill, and dinner at Le Petit Chef and at Oceanview Café the second night. We could have been more adventurous, but when I travel with my kids they get to choose, and buffets are simply easier and more flexible than set seatings. Plus the food at the buffet is legitimately good, with a lot of meat and vegetarian choices and international selections . And there are a ridiculous number of desserts.
I mentioned Le Petit Chef. Do this. Make a reservation and go. Do not miss out. It costs an extra $55 and its worth it a truly unique dining experience where your table comes to life through animation. The basic story line is that four chefs are competing to make the best dish, but the fun is in watching each chef create your dish right before the real version comes out. It really was fun, and the animation is gorgeous and creative. Plus the food was great.
Best Celebrity Cruises For Kids
Celebrity Cruises might not be the cruise line to find giant onboard water parks or ziplines — nor does it have a reputation for being particularly kid-focused — but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t boast plenty of attractions and amenities for the family set.
Just like Celebrity shines when it comes to onboard enrichment for grown-ups, the cruise line offers a slew of activities for children, as well. This is especially true on Celebrity Equinox; although it isn’t the cruise line’s newest or largest ship, Equinox features some unique offerings geared toward children.
Celebrity’s kids program is called Camp at Sea, and rather than a set menu of activities, the programming changes from sailing to sailing based on the preferences of the children onboard. Camp at Sea offers facilities and activities for children ages 3 to 11, as well as teens. In addition to age-appropriate play areas, camp-style games and contests, arts and crafts, and Xbox video gaming systems, partnerships with Anturus and Lonely Planet offer a Celebrity-exclusive S.T.E.M program that features experiments, demonstrations and other hands-on learning activities.
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Probably The Best Muster Drill Weve Ever Experienced
The mandatory safety drill on embarkation day can often be tedious. But, the Celebrity Edge muster drill was one of the most painless we have experienced to date.;
As an initial matter, ours took place in one of the main air-conditioned restaurants. So everyone had the opportunity to sit down on an actual chair and be comfortable. And, as for the actual safety presentation, it came in the form of an entertaining video that was built around a spy-theme storyline. Much more engaging than the typical video.;
Best Cruise Lines For Families
From kid-friendly ships and shows to family-favorite experiences and shore excursions, these are the best family cruises and cruise ships.
When Disney Cruise Line launched in 1998, it was a game changer for family cruises. Now in its third decade of operation, Disney Cruise Line consistently tops the list of best cruise lines for families. And with a new ship launching in 2022, parents and kids alike are already buzzing with anticipation for what will undoubtably be one of the best cruise ships for kids in years.;
Of course, the best family cruises arent limited to just Disney. Carnival Cruises, Princess, Norwegian, MSC, and a host of other cruise lines have helped usher in a new era of family vacations on cruise ships with amenities like kids clubs, waterslides, age-appropriate stage shows, dining experiences, reduced fares for young children, andperhaps best of allkids sail free deals.
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Physical Facilities Smaller Than Expected
The first thing we noticed when walking into the kids club was its size and location. The club resides on one of the lowest levels of the ship Deck 3, directly beneath the Theater . And, it has no access to natural light. The actual physical space for the kids club facilities is rather small. Particularly for the older age groups. When standing at the front reception desk, you can basically see the entire club. Or, at least, all of the areas open to children.
Celebrity Edge Kids Club Captains area for ages 10 12.
The Teens space was also somewhat on the smaller side, and it was not located near the main club. Rather, it was tucked away on Deck 2 and not obvious. Its aptly named The Basement. Although the interior itself was not particularly large, it was adjacent to a large open area that was available to be used for overflow activities at certain times of the day. Some daytime teen activities were also scheduled for The Club on decks 4 and 5.
Unique Venues: Eden & The Rooftop Garden
The Celebrity Edge offers two other unique public areas that warrant special mention: The Rooftop Garden and Eden. We had heard quite a bit about both spaces before boarding the ship.
Rooftop Garden
The Rooftop Garden is a large open-air park-like area at the top of the ship that features an array of metal sculptures, living plants, and comfortable seating. It features oversized games such as Jenga and chess, and other lawn games and puzzles. It plays host to a variety of activities throughout the day and evening. Including organized hosted tournaments, movies and music, and dancing.
Eden
An intensely stylized designed space that spans multiple decks with panoramic windows. It also includes a variety of living plants. The space features a variety of seating options, a bar, and a restaurant. And, it hosts various entertainment acts and performances, including aerialists, many of which are interactive.
Eden during the daytime.
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Best Carnival Cruise Ship For Kids: Carnival Panorama
Launched in December, 2019, the;Carnival Panorama;provides a good bang for your vacation buck, and is the first Carnival ship to depart from Long Beach, California, in 20 years. Stops on its Mexican Riviera itineraries include Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlan.
Theres fun for all onboard, including a water park with a tube slide, spiral slide, tipping bucket and splash park. Pedal your way around SkyRide, a new suspended cycling experience with panoramic views of the ocean. Bowling, mini-golf, basketball and Ping-Pong make for an amusing family time. You can catch a concert, movie or sporting event on the big screen at Carnivals Seaside Theater or try your hand at Hasbro, The Game Show, a live stage show in which participants can play adaptations of Hasbros popular games, such as Connect Four Shots basketball game, for prizes.
Carnivals Camp Ocean is like summer camp on a ship, with crafts, dancing and games all supervised by enthusiastic counselors. There are Dr. Seuss-themed activities, a reading area, and parade onboard. Teenagers can meet new friends and chill out in exclusive teen zones. Lip Synch Battle: Carnival,;one of the best shows at sea, is your crews chance to go on stage to showcase your singing chops and dance moves. Rockin new live shows and a comedy club that includes family-friendly performances ensure no one will be bored.