Plenty of cruise lines discount kids’ fares about 50% off the regular adult rates when families are sharing the same cabin. MSC Cruises ups the ante a lot more by inviting kids 17 and under to sail free of charge on all MSC Cruises itineraries when sharing a cabin with two full-paying adults.
The MSC ships are very family friendly, with each offering a colorful “Mini Club” play room. Counselors are known as “animators” and are on hand to organize fun activities from arts and crafts to puppet shows, games, treasure hunts, mini-Olympics, dance parties, balloon-tying, painting classes, pizza parties, and more.
Activities are tailored for several age groups: ages 3 to 6, 7 to 12, and teens. Kids under 3 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. On days in port, with advance notice parents can leave their kids at the Mini Club while they go on shore excursions.
For teens, there’s a special “teen card,” a personalized debit card for ages 12 to 17 that can be used for sodas, video games and other onboard purchases. Each card comes with a bonus amount (for example, buy a $30 card and get $35 worth of credit; buy a $50 card and get an extra $10 for free). Kids of all ages will appreciate meal time, with children’s menus offering favorites like pizza, pasta, hamburgers, hot dogs and ice-cream.
The best part for families? The price. Cruise-only rates begin at $349 per person, double occupancy for a 7-night Caribbean cruise and $549 per person, double occupancy for a 7-night cruise in Europe.
