im gonna be going to the bahamas durring christmas and will be riding the norwegian sky cruise ship, and i want to know what activities there are for teens

I’ll be 16 years old when I go on the Disney Wonder cruise. I’ve been on Carnival, and two Royal Caribbean cruises. I felt Carnival had a lot more activities to do for children, Royal Caribbean was more an adult-setting. And, I have a preconceived notion that the Disney cruise will be for little kids, but I kind of have to go, so I really don’t have a choice. What types of things do they have for teens my age? Any other info on the Disney Wonder will be greatly appreciated. Thank You.

I am currious to know is there a Gym? Are there bars? do they have a casino? My husband, mom, dad, and our three kids are going on this cruise at the end of this month and I am currious if there are fun things for my husband and I to do that are adult while my mom and dad have the kids on a few of the nights? If anyone has been on this ship and knows the details I would appreciate any info and advise. Thanks.

It seems that Christmas is often all about they money. With the hubbub of Christmas shopping and lists of things to get done, we sometimes forget that Christmas is a chance to spend time with those we love the most. This is a list of ideas to help make the season a magical, not financial, celebration.

Spend an evening touring the classic Christmas lights: Go for a drive with the family and go see Christmas light. You can take a simple drive around town, cruising neighborhoods of friends and family. Many towns have areas that are more decorated, like a closed neighborhood or a downtown area. Park and bundle everyone up. Take a walk around; letting the kids pause at the places they love the most. Don’t forget to bring some thermoses of hot chocolate!

If you live in a snowy winter wonderland, get outside and enjoy it! Spend an afternoon sledding. If you don’t have sleds, cardboard works surprisingly well. Build snowmen in your front yard, dig snow caves in the hills, and roll around to make snow angels. If you rolling in the snow is too much for you, fill up spray bottles with water and food coloring. Take the kids outside to “paint” the snow. Snow graffiti is fun and cleans up by itself!

Another great activity is to play dress up with your girls by pulling out those Cinderella costumes, and dressing their dolls up to look like them. There are a lot of 18” doll clothes out there, and there are a lot of them that will match children’s Christmas dresses. And of course there are 18” doll clothes that will match a Cinderella costume! Take pictures of your little girl with her doll, and let her bring her matching doll with her when you go out for holiday celebrations. She will enjoy her matching companion, especially if she’s spending the evening with a lot of adults!

Baking sugar cookies with your kids is one of the most traditional ways to celebrate the holidays. Turn on some holiday music and help your kids cut out the cookies. Let them decorate. Even little ones can put sprinkles and treats on the frosting. Baking together gives a lot of time for conversation, and it gives your kids a sense of accomplishment to be able to make something they love to eat. To continue with the spirit of giving, put plates together with a few cookies on each plate. Put the children’s Christmas dresses on and go caroling with cookies to neighbors.

Help your children remember the meaning of Christmas by reading the story to them. Recently a Charles Dickens story, The Life of our Lord, was published and provides a simplified story version for younger kids. Often people act out the nativity story with their children. Try recording the nativity story; you children will love watching their acting, especially in the future years.

For a simple family evening, pop some popcorn and watch a Christmas movie together at home. The Charlie Brown Christmas movie is a classic for younger kids, and The Christmas Story is a hit with older generations. Each year, there are new Christmas movies released and it would be impossible to mention them all. Whatever the movie your family likes (maybe it’s a Bob the Builder Christmas!) take the time to have movie night together.

Whatever you do, take the time to give the best present to your children—the time with them that it takes to make a magical holiday.

You won’t be hard pressed these days to find a cruise line that caters to kids. In the last 10 years or so, a growing number of cruise companies have included the little ones on their activity agendas. Some cruise companies have even integrated the concept of babysitting services so that mom and dad can enjoy a moment to themselves while onboard.

Taking a cruise with the whole family is an excellent idea, and lest you think cruise vacations are expensive and are not for kids, think again. In fact, families can benefit from substantial discounts and yes, kids are most welcome. Your ship captain will be delighted to have them onboard.

A cruise vacation for the kids can be considered an “off-the-beaten path” activity, an exciting alternative to riding in the car for long hours while the children’s patience is tested. On a ship, the distractions and activities are endless. You’ll never hear them ask, “when are we going to see land, dad?”

Wonderful Whales



Kids — no matter what age — love animals. And they don’t get to see whales everyday. So Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, is a big treat for the kids, and mom and dad too. Castaway Cay is in the Bahamas, and all Disney cruises make a stop here. It’s called the “giant whale-dig site. ” While kids stand in awe of the whales, mom and dad can relax with a massage in one of the cabanas.



Biking



While in Castaway Cay, Disney offers bike rentals so the whole family can explore the island. This is a great way to tame the kids’ soaring energy levels.   By exercising, they can release some of that pent up cabin fever and get to bed early.



Rock Climbing



Royal Caribbean International offers onboard rock climbing activities for the whole family. Ask about their Freedom of the Seas cruise vacation and their rock climbing activity in particular. This is another great way for the kids to release their energy and let loose.



A Bit of Classroom Education

Known for their Alaska cruise destinations, Prince Cruises have different ways of entertaining families. On their Grand, Diamond and Coral class ships, the crew offers  a fun, supervised program for kids. If you want to give your kids the opportunity to learn some exciting facts about oceans and marine life, Princess Cruise offers captivating educational programs that the kids will love. While in Alaska, they can also listen to nature experts and rangers talk about the history of Alaska, the development of glaciers, native culture and dog sled races.



Treasure Hunts

On your way to Hawaii? You may want to catch a flight to Honolulu and then take the Norwegian Cruise Line. Book the whole family on their Pride of Hawaii cruise vacation. This particular cruise is known for being family oriented.

On the agenda: sports competitions, magicians and treasure hunts. There are also playrooms and teen hangouts. On this cruise, your children will also have the option to work out in the gym, sign up for dance lessons, or play basketball. Here’s a bonus: if your children are under two years old, they travel free.



Spa Treatments

Many believe that the only way mom and daughter can bond is to have a manicure together. Carnival Cruise Lines offers manicures and several other programs that bring families together. The cruise ship offers spa and beauty treatments for kids aged 12-14  called the youth spa program.



Talent Shows

For parents who have artistically inclined children or kids who love to dance and sing, Carnival Cruise Lines offers karaoke and talent shows. What better way to encourage your budding star? Imagine his or her thrill of competing live with other kids onboard?



Cruising with Kids on the Mediterranean

Take advantage of Carnival’s family fun tours, which have just been recently included in some of their Mediterranean destinations. A few examples of these fun tours include a cultural expedition on a private yacht headed for Turkey’s Bosphorus, where children and parents can enjoy magnificent views of palatial buildings and ancient temples. Another tour goes to Ephesus in Izmir (supposedly one of the seven wonders of the world).

If your kids are into steam engines, one tour has a museum stop for those who want to have a look at one of Europe’s largest collection of steam engines.



Snorkeling

If you or your kids admire the work of Jacques Cousteau, you must take the Paul Gauguin, Ambassadors of the Environment cruise, hosted by Regent Seven Seas Cruise Line. The company has joined hands with Ocean Futures Society of Jean-Michel Cousteau (son of Jacques Cousteau) to offer ecological tours that include day and night snorkelling and a journey to Moorea with an anthropologist. Your budding little oceanographers are sure to get a thrill out of this underwater exploration.