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Kid's Programs - Crystal Cruises


Keith1010

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Recently, there have been a couple of threads about children's program on the Luxury Cruise Lines. I came across this press release issued today about Summer 2009 Programs on-board Crystal Cruises and thought I would post this.

 

In general, there are Children's Programs on Crystal Ships in the summer and during the Holiday Season.

 

Keith

 

Expanded Destination Programming for Children

LOS ANGELES, July 7, 2009 – Crystal’s youngest luxury travelers have more options this summer. Given the surge of multi-generational travel, Crystal is expanding the hours and programming of its Junior Activities Programs. From designing their own “Sistine Chapels” while cruising Italy, to photo sessions in traditional Russian costumes en route to St. Petersburg, kids on board the award-winning Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony this summer will enjoy creative, sophisticated programming that highlights the ships’ destinations.

Crystal’s purpose-built Fantasia and Waves children’s and teens’ facilities – rare in luxury cruising – have long featured numerous organized events and top video games and toys. Up to 10 Junior Activities Directors on each sailing supervise the programming during summer months and holidays. Expanded junior programming includes:

Longer Hours – With Crystal’s port-intensive itineraries, the Junior Activities program now features even more organized games and events on port days, in addition to sea days and evenings packed with fun and educational choices.

Destination-related Enrichment – As with Crystal’s Crystal Visions Enrichment Program lectures and exclusive Creative Learning Institute, children’s activities include options relevant to the voyage. On a cruise visiting Monaco, kids can learn key French phrases from the Berlitz language instructor. On a Baltic cruise, scavenger hunts promote fun facts about Stockholm. Kids also create memory books with maps and photos of the countries they visit as a souvenir of their travels. For teens, there are destination-themed dance parties hosted by a special guest DJ.

“We have so many ‘behind-the-scenes’ events in out of the way locations that junior cruisers are kept occupied and supervised away from Crystal’s mainstream adult activities,” says Bret Bullock, vice president, entertainment. “In their own private sessions, kids can experience some of the expert lecturers and music, language and dance classes on board that help the destinations come alive for adult guests.”

Kids’ menus, complimentary ice cream bars and babysitting services are available.

With Crystal’s Celebration Savings Fares, summer European cruises start at $3,240 per person, double occupancy, plus “All Inclusive – As You Wish” spending credits of $500-$1,000 per person. Crystal’s Family Memories offers groups one free berth for every 10 full-fare guests, plus other perks.

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It sounds like Crystal is handling the children's programs better than Regent. Not sure if you read about last week's sailing -- 738 people on a ship that holds 700 (138 were children). They simply could not accommodate that many. As a result, there were a few very unfortunate incidents on board.

 

When a ship overbooks, it doesn't really matter if the adults/children somehow fit into the suites/cabins if they do not have room for them in the restaurants. They had to put extra tables in their dining venues making the areas quite crowded.

 

Thank you for sharing the information:)

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Travelcat, you are very welcome. Yes, I read about the recent Regent sailing with the high occupancy rate.

 

My experience is that because Crystal also attracts a fairly good number of solo cruisers who occupy cabins by themselves that we have found that even on summer sailings when there are more children than other times of the year that the occupancy levels are below the maximum occupancy rate. Sometimes they are considerably below this level depending on the number of solo passengers on board the ship.

 

Keith

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Jackie, I was so stunned by what I read about the recent Alaska cruise! I'm feel bad for some first time Regent cruisers and hope they will try Regent on another voyage. That cruise wasn't typical from everything I've read and heard first hand over the years. In regards to Crystal and kids, I've never been aware that the ship have sailed with more than the published capacity. I haven't been on Crystal when there have been more than 20 to 25 kids but they were all great. It seems like Crystal does and will have this under control. One big problem stems from the parents when you hear how out of control some of those kids were on the recent Mariner cruise.

 

Nancy

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Regent did a very aggressive advertising campaign and ended up putting itself in competition with some premium and deluxe cruise lines (do not think this was their intention). A few people have posted that they switched to Regent because it was relatively inexpensive (when you take included airfare, excursions and free fares for children into consideration). Unfortunately, some of the "new" Regent cruisers may have believed that they could leave their children unattended on the ship (as they can do on larger ships with a lot of staff watching out for them and working on projects with them). It was sad to hear that one boy broke both arms -- and his mother was there.

 

Another concern of mine is the allegation on the Regent board that the short 7 night "local" cruises are not up to par in terms of food and service as longer cruises. Based on our two "local" cruises -- that does seem to be the case.

 

Thankfully, we'll be on my favorite ship (the Voyager) 2 months from today and will not have to put up with any of these problems.

 

It sounds as it Crystal may inherit some passengers from Regent that have experienced their Alaska cruise this summer:confused:

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I was interested in going to Alaska this year since Crystal doesn't sail there currently. I had a Silversea cruise on hold for September and had ruled out Regent because I prefer longer than 7 day cruises, Regent would have been my first choice since I like the size of the Mariner. We also had a Crystal British Isles cruise on hold and that was our first choice and it is what we're doing next month. It was interesting to see how much the pricing had gone down on Regent since I starting looking into this last fall, the deals were and are terrific! I think the kids free promo is a big issue and hopefully the future sailing on the Mariner will go better! The Silversea pricing also got readjusted and had special incentives. Alot of this has to do with the economy and oversaturation in the Alaska market. I have some friends that did the May 20th sailing, first time Regent cruisers....they loved it so much that they booked the Voyager for next year.

 

Nancy

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TravelCat I can see how many times seven day cruises are not as good as the longer cruises in terms of sevice, and the overall cruise experience. I do think that it is a challenge for many of the luxury cruise lines when they do seven day cruisers. I think SeaDream does seven because of the size ships, but most of the others don't do too many of them. I understand the reason behind them. Some people just can't get away for seven days. Seven days makes it more affordable for some and allows the cruise line to show those passengers what their line is all about. But seven days doesn't allow the cruise line to show passengers what they normally can do on 11, 12 or longer cruises plus you have the first and last days which are always a busy time for the cruise. It is really a challenge for the cruise line to show passengers in seven days what it can do in 11 or 12 days from the entertainment and other programs to even the fine dining.

 

Keith

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;)

I was interested in going to Alaska this year since Crystal doesn't sail there currently. I had a Silversea cruise on hold for September and had ruled out Regent because I prefer longer than 7 day cruises, Regent would have been my first choice since I like the size of the Mariner. We also had a Crystal British Isles cruise on hold and that was our first choice and it is what we're doing next month. It was interesting to see how much the pricing had gone down on Regent since I starting looking into this last fall, the deals were and are terrific! I think the kids free promo is a big issue and hopefully the future sailing on the Mariner will go better! The Silversea pricing also got readjusted and had special incentives. Alot of this has to do with the economy and oversaturation in the Alaska market. I have some friends that did the May 20th sailing, first time Regent cruisers....they loved it so much that they booked the Voyager for next year.

 

We are doing the San Francisco/Alaska/Vancouver cruise next year on the newly renovated Navigator (starts end of May -- before school lets out -- when the weather in Alaska is typically great). The cruise is particularly interesting because it's 14 nights and goes up as far as Valdez in Alaska -- not typical for Alaska cruises. It also has included excursions. We did a simililar cruise in 2008 from San Francisco and know how expensive those excursions can be. It's also an escorted cruise from our TA and we do not need airfare since we live on the West Coast. It turns out to be one of the least expensive cruises we have taken in a long time.

Nancy

 

We are doing the San Francisco/Alaska/Vancouver cruise next year on the newly renovated Navigator (starts end of May -- before school lets out -- when the weather in Alaska is typically great). The cruise is particularly interesting because it's 14 nights and goes up as far as Valdez in Alaska -- not typical for Alaska cruises. It also has included excursions. We did a simililar cruise in 2008 from San Francisco and know how expensive those excursions can be. It's also an escorted cruise from our TA and we do not need airfare since we live on the West Coast. It turns out to be one of the least expensive cruises we have taken in a long time.

 

Since you're not doing the Alaska cruise this year (if I understand your post correctly), this may be somethuing to look into next year (if you could tolerate being on the same cruise as we're on:confused:)

 

Keith, thanks again. You gave me another way of looking at 7 night cruises. BTW, a new friend of mine, Caroldoll, who has done Crystal cruises adores you -- just wanted to let you know

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Jackie, your Alaska cruise for next year is a real winner and an excellent deal. I also post on the other board and I'm friends with many of those folks so I'm aware that your TA is escorting the great itinerary. I'd love to do it but the timing doesn't work for me or my husband. We both are very busy with work and other things and only can justify one big vacation per year. We've already booked another Crystal cruise in 2010! We did an Alaskan cruise in 2005 on Crystal, 12 day roundtrip SF. I'm sure hoping that Crystal will come back to Alaska in the next few years.

 

nancy

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