Taking the kids

Chart new waters on a European cruise

In this story: Programs for kids Organized flotillas 'Hassle-free' RELATED STORIES, SITES

Eileen Ogintz
Tribune Media Services

(Tribune Media Services) -- So much culture. All that history. Sure, you'd like to take the kids (or maybe the grandkids) to Europe, especially with the U.S. dollar so strong. But so much packing and unpacking, and all that time in the car and on trains, with the kids bickering because they're bored...

Before you throw up your hands and book that same beach condo, think again. There's a different, far easier way to see international sights with the kids -- a way that is growing more popular by the season. Take them on a European cruise.

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Cruise the Mediterranean on a megaship, or the French countryside on a drive-your-own barge, or sail your own charter yacht. These trips are not only more affordable than you might think, but a lot easier than dragging the gang from city to city -- especially for grandparents who are treating their grandkids to the trip.

"People thought we were nuts, but it worked out so well, we're doing it again this year," said Kathy Deckler, a Miami lawyer who cruised on a Royal Caribbean ship in Europe last summer with her husband, two young kids and extended family.

"The ports were great for the adults, and the ship was great for the kids," especially for the picky eaters in the bunch who much preferred familiar food, said Deckler. "Maybe we gave up some of the local flavor, but the convenience more than made up for it."

Programs for kids

Major cruise lines such as Norwegian, Princess and Royal Caribbean offer full child and teen programs, just as they do in the Caribbean and Alaska. Parents can leave the youngest kids on board in capable hands while they sightsee or enjoy the nightlife.

Royal Caribbean is especially popular with American families because there are four different seven-day itineraries, not just longer, more expensive trips. Prices this summer start at $999 a person, with the cost for kids sharing their parents' cabin just $299 on some cruises. (Call Royal Caribbean at 800-327-6700, or visit www.royalcarribean.com.)

But a lot of families like those 12- and 13-day itineraries, too. Princess spokesman Denise Seomin notes that some 3,200 kids ages 2 to 17 cruised Europe on Princess last year. "We are seeing a steady increase, more families every year," she said. (Call Princess at 800-774-6237, or visit www.princess.com.)

Crown Blue Line, the leading barge broker (more than 500 boats in 25 bases), reports that the company's fastest-growing group of renters are now families with kids (25 percent of those renting barges to tour Europe via canal). Barging can even be a bargain, with rates starting at about $1,000 a week for a family of four. (Call Crown Blue Line at 888-355-9491, or visit www.crownblueline.com.)

Retired Michigan grandparents Marilyn and John Van der Velde had so much fun barging through the French countryside, they did it twice. "The kids liked being on the barge the best," Marilyn Van der Velde said with a laugh.

Organized flotillas

Yacht broker Sunsail has seen a 20 percent increase in family travel in the Mediterranean, with more parents and kids opting for organized flotillas that enable them to sail a boat around Greece and Turkey, led by an experienced captain and a hostess who plans activities.

"For a flotilla, all you need is minimal sailing experience," said Sunsail spokeswoman Amy Carris (Costs average $1,800 a week, including fuel and water. Call 800-327-2276, or visit www.sunsail.com)

Windstar Cruises is also drawing plenty of teens these days, even though there are no special activities for teens on the company's small, elegant ships, and the tab can top $2,500 per person for a week. (Call 800-258-SAIL or visit www.windstarcruises.com)

"Definitely, we got our money's worth," said Oregon resident Nancy Bryan, who sailed Windstar in Greece and Turkey last summer with her two teens and a niece. "The kids rebel if there's too much culture. On this trip, they were more willing to sightsee and be adventurous because they could go back to the comfort zone of the ship."

'Hassle-free'

Bryan's daughter, Kristin, a Stanford University student, enjoyed the hassle-free nature of a cruise. "It was a fun way to see different places, not having to unpack over and over," said Bryant, who still had one regret. "I did miss getting to stay overnight in some of the places, and the local experience, since you're only there for a little while."

Parents (especially those with younger children) and grandparents say that's a small price to pay for the convenience cruising affords those who want to introduce the kids to different countries without the inevitable hassles of international travel. The good news is that even though the cultural lessons are doled out in small doses, cruise make the kids more amiable travelers, and children seem to better absorb what they've seen.

"You're not spinning your wheels trying to find hotels or the right road into town," said David Fowler, a Denver real estate developer who has cruised aboard Princess ships in the Baltic and Mediterranean with his wife and children.

Fowler and others feel they can get plenty of bang for their vacation buck -- despite paying high airfares -- because meals and shipboard activities are included.

"The kids' attention span is limited anyway," Fowler said. "They're happy to see a little, move on, come back to the ship, hang out with the friends they've made and eat American food for dinner."

(C) 2001 Eileen Ogintz. Distributed by Tribune Media Services Inc.

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