Children’s programs on ships used to be just a place for parents to park their kids while mom and dad went off to do some important adult relaxing. Today, the best family ships devote a huge amount of resources, acreage, and innovation to making sure kids are having as good a time as their parents — or even better. For families traveling with kids, here are some of our favorite ships.

Disney’s Disney Dream: Arguably the best ship at sea for families with young kids, Disney Dream offers the biggest and best children’s facilities, a nursery for kids 3 months to 3 years, separate teen and tween centers, a kids’ pool with waterslide, a toddler-friendly splash zone, and a 765-foot water flume called the AquaDuck (if you can’t view the video above click here) — and those are just the highlights. There are also the best standard family cabins at sea, fantastic family oriented shows and movies, and lots of high-tech magic to make kids go “Oooh!,” plus some secluded adults-only areas to make parents go “Aaah.” You can even pre-order diapers and other baby supplies that’ll be in your cabin when you arrive. A near-identical sister ship, Disney Fantasy, will launch in 2012.

On Disney Cruise Line, the fun is not limited to the ship. Disney owns its own private island, Castaway Cay.

Disney’s Disney Magic & Disney Wonder: Though not quite as amazing as the newer Dream, Disney’s two original ships aren’t far behind, offering an almost identical experience at an only slightly scaled down level. There’s no AquaDuck, but there is different scenery outside, with Magic scheduled to sail from New York and Galveston next year, and Wonder doing Alaska and Mexican Riviera voyages.

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas & Allure of the Seas: The biggest cruise ships in the world, these two sisters are also the only ones that give Disney’s ships a run for their money in the family category. Each offers a huge open-air family area styled like an old-time boardwalk (there’s even a carousel), 28,700 square feet of kids’ playrooms, a nursery for kids 6 months to 3 years, extensive teen centers with their own outdoor deck, a pool deck with three different pools and a fun water park, a sports deck with surfing simulators and rock-climbing walls, an ice-skating rink, 3-D movies, fun dining options, and more. Courtesy of a deal with DreamWorks Animation, there are also costumed characters like Shrek and the Madagascar penguins, who participate in a parade and other activities throughout each cruise. As with Disney, you can order diapers and other baby supplies and have them ready in your cabin when you arrive. To view the video “A Teen’s View of Allure of the Seas” click here.

Also see Family Cruise Advisor’s Top Ten Family Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Epic: NCL’s biggest ship, Epic is also its best for kids, with one of the cruise world’s best waterslides, a splash pool for younger kids, a rock-climbing wall, a trampoline, a 24-foot “spider web”–style climbing cage, a basketball court, a batting cage, a two-story video screen in the atrium that’s great for watching sports; and meet-and-greets by costumed characters from Nickelodeon. The kids’ center offers Wii and Playstation II games, a dance floor, a big-screen TV room full of beanbag chairs; a great play structure with a crawling maze and ball jump. Teens get their own club/hangout, located up a “secret” hideaway staircase. Bonus: Kids under 2 sail free when sharing a cabin with two paying guests.

Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas & Liberty of the Seas: Once the world’s biggest cruise ships but now also-rans after fleetmates Oasis and Allure, these sister ships offer tons for families, including a huge playroom and video arcade, a teen club, a nursery for kids 6 months to 3 years, puppet shows created by Emmy and Tony Award nominee John Tartaglia, a water park, a surfing simulator, an ice-skating rink, a rock-climbing wall, 3-D movies, a basketball court, and a miniature golf course. For fun enrichment, there are educational programs offered in collaboration with Fisher-Price and Crayola; for kiddie celebrity sightings, there are character parades and photo ops with DreamWorks movie characters; and for sugar highs there are Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream parlors and fresh-baked cupcake shops.

On Carnival Magic, kids and adults alike enjoy the SkyCourse, the first-ever ropes course at sea. Photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival’s Carnival Dream & Carnival Magic: These two sister-ships — one already in service (Dream) and the other debuting next month — are Carnival’s best for families with kids, especially kids who love water slides, since they come armed with twin 80-foot racing slides; a 104-foot enclosed spiral slide; and a 303-foot-long, four-deck-high enclosed corkscrew waterslide. There are also kids’, teens’, and tweens’ centers, a basketball court, and a miniature golf course, and Carnival Magic will add a “ropes” course, in which kids (and adults) can strap into a safety harness and work their way along 230 feet of beams, rope bridges, and swinging steps suspended above the top deck.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Pearl & Norwegian Gem: These ships were the most recent generation from NCL before its new Epic, and are just all-around fun vessels. For kids, they offer huge, brightly colored play and crafts area; a big-screen TV room full of beanbag chairs; a huge play structure with a ball jump and crawling maze; a computer room; a video arcade; a teen center; and a small outdoor play area. The buffet restaurant includes an adorable “Kid’s Cafe” section with chairs, tables, and serving stations scaled down to pint size, and with kid-friendly food to match.

Princess’s Caribbean Princess, Crown Princess, Emerald Princess & Ruby Princess: Kid-wise, the best thing about these ships is the fact that their kids’ center includes a large, attached, fenced-in outdoor play area with a splash pool, lots of plastic trikes, a kids’ basketball setup, and kid-size tables and chairs. It’s a great place for energetic kids to work off steam while their parents relax nearby. Inside, the bright, cheerful kids’ centers have toys, games, computer stations, and organized activities. The teen centers have computers, video games, and a dance floor. The line’s “Movies Under the Stars” outdoor movie experience is great for families, with lounge chair seating and free popcorn.

MSC Cruises’ MSC Fantasia & MSC Splendida: Though the children’s programs at Italian line MSC aren’t in the same league as those offered by Disney, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival, it still makes this list for one primary reason: because kids 11 and under sail fare-free when sharing a cabin with two paying guests (though government fees and taxes still apply). The line’s recent ships all have smallish children’s centers with games, arts and crafts supplies, PlayStations, and activities, plus an enclosed outdoor area with a wading pool, play structure, and tube slide. The new Fantasia and Splendida add a 4-D movie theater (with moving seats) and a Formula One racing car simulator.

Click the links below to read full ship reviews of the vessels featured in this article.

Disney Cruise Line

• Disney Magic
• Disney Wonder
• Disney Dream

Add some spice to your family cruise by taking a cooking class

A smile from a happy cruiser having fun at cooking school

Parents of tweens/teens are always looking for opportunities to engage with their children and to find “cool” activities for the family to enjoy. While a cruise vacation offers plenty of choices when it comes to entertainment, in some cases once onboard it is hard to hang with the kids. New friends, kids clubs, arcades, and endless eating sessions of pizza and soft-serve might leave mom and dad in the dust.

But my 12-year old daughter and I found a good way to spend time together: We participated in a cooking class offered by Chefmakers at Sea, and it was one of the highlights of our cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas.

The reason I enjoyed it so much is because I could tell that my daughter was learning and having fun. Plus, I got to spend quality time with her.

Chefmakers at Sea is a cooking school offered on Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas. The concept was developed for people who want to take cooking classes but do not have time. The owners of Chefmakers at Sea contract space on Freedom and Liberty to meet the needs of cruisers that want to spend some of their vacation time learning cooking techniques.

Making Beef Wellington

Chefmakers at Sea takes over the front of the Windjammer Cafe in a space called Jade. During our event, we prepared food on stainless steel workstations and cooked on the grill station.

There are a wide variety of programs available. Popular classes include: Knife Skills, All About Chicken, Wine and Dine, Surf and Turf, and Asian Cuisine.

Chefmakers At Sea will accommodate families, and in addition to age-appropriate kids classes, older children, when accompanied by an adult, may attend many of the classes.

When we attended, we had a private group, and the chef helped us create a four-course menu, with wine.

A suggestion for making sure you don’t miss the boat for the cooking class: Stop by the Chefmakers At Sea information desk on the first day of the cruise. The desk is located at the front of Jade in the Windjammer Cafe. Review the class schedule and sign up. The most popular classes sell out, so don’t delay if you see a class that intrigues your inner chef.

Bon Appétit

Tips For Finding A Family Friendly Cruise

Making memories

There is no better remedy for combating the short, cold days of winter than planning a family cruise vacation. For some reason, just looking at itineraries and ship diagrams is enough to lift the spirits. But before long what started as a fun search for your next family vacation quickly becomes a nightmare as data-overload sends you over the edge.

To help keep things in balance, Family Cruise Advisor has put together a few tips to help make the cruise buying process a little more user friendly.

Think Value, Not Price

Although price is a good motivator, value is a better indicator that a cruise will be a success.

Consider what is included in the cruise price.

• Does the ship have adequate care for infants? Some ships charge for babysitting infants because they do not have facilities for babies.
• Does the ship offer kids programming for the ages you need?
• Are soft drinks and juice included in the price? Disney Cruise Line has generous soda fountains and juice available around the clock. Other cruise lines do not.

Consider A Slightly Older Ship, But Watch The Size

When looking at price make sure you are comparing apples-to-apples. New ships typically have a higher price tag than slightly older ships.

Although Royal Caribbean International’s new Oasis-class ship Allure of the Seas has a lot of great features, pricing is significantly lower on Liberty of the Seas and her sisters in the Freedom-class. The cruise experience is almost the same: great kids programs, specialty restaurants, surf simulator, rock climbing wall, ice-skating rink, arcade, etc.

Royal Caribbean

Speaking of Royal Caribbean, watch the size of the vessel you select. For example, there are many features that are not available on Monarch of the Seas due to her smaller size. This is an example of too much of a good thing. Savvy shoppers will notice some great cruise fares on Monarch of the Seas, but this ship does not have the bells and whistles found on the larger ships in the fleet.

When to spend money for a cruise on a new ship

Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship Disney Dream is fetching top dollar for a product that is completely different than Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. The updated technology and innovations on Disney Dream are well worth the additional investment in vacation dollars.

Destination

Disney Cruise Line

In most cases when cruising as a family, the ship is the destination. However, families must also consider where the ship sails. Popular family cruise destinations for 2011 are: Europe, Alaska, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Depending on the age of your children and their tolerance for long flights, a realistic destination will become obvious. I say go for gold and head to Europe. But I am also the same person that took a three-month old baby on an six-hour flight to Hawaii.

Show Me The Money!

A lot of people think that if they wait long enough, cruise lines will offer deep discounts. Although this could be the case, when traveling with a family it is better to plan ahead to avoid disappointment.

Remember that there is little risk to putting down a deposit in advance. In most cases (Disney concierge class suites exempt) deposits are refundable. Final payment is due 90 days before the cruise. Some travel agencies and cruise lines will guarantee the price, which means that if the cruise fare goes down before final payment, you are entitled to getting the lower price.

Family Cruise Basics

• Planning your family cruise
• Age Minimums: The ABCs
• Top Tested Tips for Cruising with Babies and Toddlers
• Family Affair: Cruising with the Whole Crew, Grandpa, Grandma & The Kids
• Choosing A Family Stateroom
• Cruise Ship Kid Programs
• Cruise Ship Safety and Security For Families

To Flow or Not to Flow? That is always my question when I go on a Royal Caribbean ship.

Mother-daughter cruise on Liberty of the Seas -- pictured in Labadee, Haiti

My 12-year old daughter and I took a mother-daughter cruise last month on Royal Caribbean International’s Liberty of the Seas. Although the cruise was more work than pleasure for me, my daughter came along to keep me company and to make sure I would not have to pay the single supplement.

There are many diversions, entertainment options, and activities available on a family cruise. While onboard Liberty of the Seas, we set off to discover the 5 most popular activities for tweens and teens between the ages of 12 – 14.

Top 5 teen activities on Liberty of the Seas:

• Adventure Ocean youth program for ages 12-14

Teens participating in Adventure Ocean programming experience freedom, opportunities to make new friends, and a chance to participate in a variety of non-stop activities.

Although the Adventure Ocean program is supervised, youth are permitted to check in and out of programs on their own. Try to establish a meeting point and a time to reconnect with your child. Since participants in Adventure Ocean are able to come and go as they please, this age group tends to migrate around the ship on their own between scheduled activities like: teen dodgeball, Scratch DJ Academy, teen soccer, Karaoke, and theme parties.

• FlowRider surf simulator

Adrenaline junkies get ready for fun. The FlowRider, on select Royal Caribbean cruise ships, is ready to give teens (and moms) the ride of their life. Teens have their own private time on the FlowRider or they can stop by with their parents during scheduled hours. The FlowRider simulates a real surfing or body boarding experience. 30,000 gallons of water per minute rush underneath the rider at 30 mph creating a five-foot ocean-like wave.

I really wanted to try the FlowRider, but I was not prepared with the right outfit. My advice here is to invest in some board shorts and a sunscreen shirt or rash-guard to wear on top. As a mother, you might not want to try the FlowRider in your bathing suit. Enough said.

• Ice Skating on Center Ice – a real ice rink at sea

Ice skating rink at sea

The most challenging thing about ice skating at sea is finding the ice rink. There is really only one entrance to Center Ice, ask for directions and plan to get lost. Once there, enjoy some  recreational skating or take in an ice show performance.

Make sure to pack long pants and socks because they are required to skate on the ice.  Besides “Encore!” the ice show on Liberty of the Seas, family cruisers can take advantage of open skate times. There is a maximum of 50 guests per session allowed at any one time.

• Challenger’s Video Arcade (located adjacent to the Adventure Ocean rooms)

State-of-the-art gaming center on Liberty of the Seas

For some reason, the arcade on Liberty of the Seas is quite a hot-spot. The games are not cheap, but for some lucky youth the sky is the limit.

Unsuspecting parents should realize that activating your child’s SeaPass card with a credit card to cover purchases onboard will allow access to the recharging station that issues gaming credits. Parents are responsible for all charges. My daughter, who does not have permission to charge, reported that one of her friends spent about $150 to “win” an electronic device.

Games take credits that are pre-purchased at the Recharge Station tied to your SeaPass account

• Strolling through the Royal Promenade finding pizza

The best pizza at sea?

A fun teen activity on Liberty of the Seas is walking through the indoor mall-like space called the Royal Promenade. A popular destination while window shopping is stopping for food or ice cream. Pizza in Sorrento’s Pizzeria is complimentary, while treats at Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Shop are available for a fee.

Read more about Royal Caribbean International’s family cruise ships:

• Family Cruising: Royal Caribbean’s Freedom Class Ships
• Family Cruise Insight: Getting The Most From Allure Of The Seas
• Oasis of the Seas: Big Thrills for Kids!
• Royal Caribbean Beefs Up Family and Youth Offerings

Allure of the Seas is one step closer to her arrival in Fort Lauderdale, Florida as she passes Denmark’s Storebaelt Bridge with little clearance to spare. Learn about the physics behind what helps the cruise ship make it under the landmark with such a tight fit.

Allure of the Seas left STX Europe in Turku, Finland on October 29, 2010 to make her way to Florida.

Allure of the Seas departs the STX shipyard in Turku, Finland. Photo from Royal Caribbean International

Allure of the Seas  is scheduled to arrive in her new U.S. homeport of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on November 11, 2010.

Captain Hernan Zini  is at the helm of Allure of the Seas, which is 16 decks high and measures 225,282 gross registered tons. Allure of the Seas carries 5,400 guests at double occupancy in 2,700 staterooms.

Allure of the Seas will sail alternating seven-night Western Caribbean and Eastern Caribbean itineraries

Allure of the Seas 7-night Western Caribbean ports of call includes Labadee, Haiti; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.  On March 13th, 2011 the Costa Maya port of call is replaced with a call on Falmouth, Jamaica. Three sea days complete the itinerary.

Eastern Caribbean cruises will call on Nassau, Bahamas; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten. There are also three days of cruising to complete the cruise.

Innovative features

Allure of the Seas will feature Royal Caribbean’s unique neighborhood concept, which debuted on sister ship Oasis of the Seas last year.

Allure of the Seas will also offer a new entertainment program that includes a DreamWorks experience complete with parades, ice shows and a “Madagascar” themed AquaTheater show, in addition to the Broadway hit “Chicago: The Musical.”

Other highlights on Allure of the Seas include: the first Starbucks at sea, a two-level shopping mall, an expansive park with foliage, 17 bars, 20 restaurants and cafes, two rock climbing walls, two FlowRider surf simulators, and a zip-line.

For more details about Allure of the Seas follow the links below:

• On Schedule: Allure Of The Seas Sets Sail; Ahead, A Tight Squeeze Under A Danish Bridge
• Allure Of The Seas Accommodations
• Allure of the Seas Dining Options For Families
• Allure Of The Seas Luxury Stateroom Options For Family Cruisers

For better or worse, food is an integral part of a family cruise experience. Tasting one’s way through a cruise vacation is one of the delights family cruisers can look forward to.  On Allure of the Seas, family cruisers can choose to dine in more than 24 venues.

Allure of the Seas main dining room Adagio

Family Cruise Advisor has put together a list of the top eateries on Allure of the Seas. Click here for a full review of Allure of the Seas.

Top family-friendly dining venues

Adagio Dining Room: Designed in the 1920s Art Deco period, Allure of the Seas’ three-tier main dining venue offers breakfast, lunch and dinner service. Families with children ages 3 – 11 years old should take advantage of My Family Time Dining, which offers the early dinner seating with the option of checking your child into Adventure Ocean Club within the restaurant at a pre-arranged time. Other dining times are the flexible My Time Dining and Traditional dining (either early or late seating.)

Rita’s Cantina: This restaurant is truly unique to Allure of the Seas. Rita’s Cantina offers classic Mexican food. The design is inspired from beach bars and Southern California taqueria shops. Families can expect high energy food service in a kid friendly venue. Cost: $7.95 per person open lunch and dinner.

The Boardwalk Dog House: Also unique to Allure of the Seas, The Boardwalk Dog House offers gourmet hot-dogs. At this outdoor venue, look for a lunch counter located in the Boardwalk neighborhood. The location next to the Ice Cream Parlor will ensure a family friendly lunch. Cost: complimentary.

Johnny Rockets A standby on all Royal Caribbean ships, this 1950′s-style diner serves great fish & ships, grilled foods and breakfast items. Cost: $4.95 per person for lunch or dinner. Breakfast is complimentary.

Giovanni’s Table: An Italian trattoria with both indoor and alfresco seating, featuring Italian classics served family-style. Cost: $10 per person for lunch; $15 per person for dinner.

The Wipe Out Café: A casual self-service buffet with pizza, hamburgers, sandwiches and fresh salads. Cost: complimentary.

Sorrento’s Pizzeria: Featuring New York style pizza, made-to-order pies and by-the-slice. Cost: complimentary.

Dessert anyone?

The Cupcake Cupboard: Featuring fresh-baked gourmet cupcakes as well as cupcake parties. Cost: A nominal fee applies and will depend on what is ordered.

Boardwalk Donut Shop: Homemade donuts will please the kids. Cost: complimentary.

Ice Cream Parlor: A variety of ice cream flavors and toppings available.  Cost: A nominal fee applies and will depend on what is ordered.

Date-Night on Allure of the Seas

150 Central Park: Enjoy a glass of wine while dining in this upscale and intimate restaurant. Molly Brandt, winner of the Allure of the Seas Culinary Challenge co-hosted with The Culinary Institute of America, as well as Food and Wine’s 2006 best student chef, will create some fun and innovative cuisine. Cost: $35 per person.

Samba Grille: Unique to Allure of the Seas, this Brazilian steakhouse located in the Solarium features authentic Brazilian-style meats and seafood dishes. The theme of this restaurant is inspired from the Brazilian steakhouses known as churrascaria. Churrasco is the cooking style, which means barbecue in Portuguese. Cost: $25 per person.

Chops Grille: Royal Caribbean’s signature steakhouse with views of Central Park and premium cuts of quality meats. Cost: $25 per person.

Izumi Asian Cuisine: Asian food venue offering a Sushi bar and the hot-rock cooking experience. Guests can cook their own chicken, steak or mixed seafood on the hot rocks (heated 575 degrees Fahrenheit.) Cost: depends on each item selected.

Vintages: A wine bar with pre-dinner tapas and cheeses along with a robust selection of fine wines. Cost: varies by item from menu.

Park Café: Located in Central Park and famous for the Roast Beef sandwiches. This indoor/outdoor gourmet market is an easy option for families. Salads, sandwiches, soups and pastries available. Cost: complimentary.

Healthy Choice

The Vitality Café: Looking to stay in shape and find some great low calorie, healthy spa food? The Vitality Café serves up healthy snacks, sandwiches, wraps, fruit and smoothies. Also available are energy bars, vitamin-packed smoothies or Tazo teas. Cost: varies on what is selected.

The Best Coffee

Starbucks: The first ever Starbucks at sea is located on deck 5 in the Royal Promenade.  The Starbucks outlet on Allure of the Seas offers signature drinks like Frappuccinos, lattes, and seasonal specialties.

This is the best place on Allure of the Seas for hard-core coffee drinkers. In addition to specialty coffees, cruisers can find a selection of snacks. Look for this venue on the Royal Promenade between Boleros and On Air Karaoke Club. Cost: Fees for specialty drinks and upgraded snacks.

Café Promenade: The café offers Seattle’s Best coffee drinks. Food to enjoy here includes fruit shakes, pastries and sandwiches. Cost: complimentary.

Want to learn more about Allure of the Seas?

• Allure Of The Seas Accommodations
• Allure of the Seas review on Avid Cruiser
• Allure Of The Seas Luxury Stateroom Options For Family Cruisers

Avid Cruiser posts featuring Allure of the Seas:

• Allure Of The Seas Nearing Completion: Sea Trials Are Next, Will Allure List A Mere Three Degrees?
• Allure of the Seas Video Walkthrough From The STX Shipyard In Turku Finland
• Off To Allure Of The Seas
• Cruising Europe 2010

Suites and balcony staterooms on Allure of the Seas

There are many stateroom accommodations available on Allure of the Seas suitable for family cruise vacations. Suites will give your family the most space. But how do you choose the right suite? Family Cruise Advisor is here to help.

New suite categories launched by Royal Caribbean International on Oasis class ships (Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas) are:

• Royal Loft Suite
• Sky Loft Suite
• AquaTheater Suite
• Crown Loft Suite

Read more about luxury upgrades at Allure Of The Seas Luxury Stateroom Options For Family Cruisers

Loft Suites on Allure of the Seas offer plenty of space for families

Royal Loft Suite

Plan to be treated like Royalty. The Royal Loft Suite spans two floors with separate bedrooms, private balcony with Jacuzzi, flat screen TVs, wet bar, two dining areas (indoors and outdoors), and Baby Grand piano.

The largest of all lofts on Allure of the Seas, the Royal Loft Suite can connect to a Crown Loft Suite for additional room to accommodate a total of ten guests.

The master bedroom and bath are on the second level. The bath features a tub, shower, two sinks and bidet.

On the main level, there are four twin beds that can be converted to Queens as well as a bath with shower. The Living room sofa converts to double bed.

The private balcony features a whirlpool and dining area.

1,524 square feet, balcony 843 square feet.

Sky Loft Suite

Contemporary, urban lofts that can connect for larger groups. Featuring two floors, private balconies, indoor and outdoor dining areas as well as floor-to-ceiling, double-height windows.

The master bedroom and bath are on the second level. The bedroom features two twin beds that can be converted to a queen. The bath has a shower for two. On the main level is a bath with shower and a sofa that converts to a double bed.

722 square feet, balcony 410 square feet

AquaTheater Suite – Deck 8, 9, or 10

There are six AquaTheater Suites on Allure of the Seas that overlook the Boardwalk and AquaTheater.

Amenities include private wrap-around balconies, outdoor oceanfront dining areas for six, and an outdoor bar for entertaining.

There are two bedrooms that can convert to a queen, with two Pullman beds.

There is also a vanity with a chair in each bedroom, living area with double convertible sofa, dining room, marble entry, entertainment center, two bathrooms – master bath with tub.

823 square feet, balcony 772 square feet

Crown Loft Suite

The Crown Loft Suite is a two-level urban loft with contemporary décor with private balconies, guest bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, and panoramic views of the ocean.

The master bedroom and bath are located on the second level. The bedroom has two twin beds that can be converted to a queen. The bath has a shower for two.

On the main level is a bath with shower and a living room sofa that converts to a double bed.

545 square feet, balcony 114 square feet.

Other Popular Royal Caribbean suite categories include:

• Royal Suite
• Royal Family Suite
• Presidential Family Suite
• Owner’s Suite
• Grand Suite

Royal Suite on Allure of the Seas sleeps 4 and has one bedroom and two baths

Royal Suite

Allure of the Seas’ Royal Suites offer separate bedrooms, balconies, whirlpool bathtubs, and some even offer baby grand pianos.

The suite features a a master bedroom with queen bed and sitting area and a bath with tub, shower, two sinks and bidet.

The living room sofa converts to a double bed. Guest bathroom with shower, entertainment center, dining room with dry bar, piano. Private balcony with Jacuzzi and dining area.

1,275 square feet, balcony 335 square feet

Royal Family Suite

These large suites offer two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a living area with a sofa bed. In order to book the Family Suite, you need a minimum of 5 guests in your party. There are two bedrooms that  can convert to a queen, and two Pullman beds.

There is a vanity with chair in each bedroom, living area with double convertible sofa, marble entry, entertainment center, two bathrooms – master bath with tub. Private balcony with table and chairs.

Can accommodate up to 6 guests.

580 square feet,  balcony 238 square feet

Presidential Family Suite

The Presidential Family Suite on Allure of the Seas has room enough for 14. There must be a minimum of 8 guests on the booking to book the Presidential Family Suite.

The Presidential Family Suite offers four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a private balcony and a living area with a sofa bed. Dual Master bedrooms with twin beds that can convert to a queen. There are two Master baths with tubs.

Also featured are two bedrooms with convertible twin beds/Pullman beds. One bedroom features a bathroom with shower. The guest bathroom is with shower only.

The Presidential Family Suite features floor-to-ceiling glass windows that face the ocean. The spacious balcony provides enough room for the entire group to enjoy the outdoor dining area, with private whirlpool tub.

1,142 square feet, balcony 476 square feet

Owner’s Suite

These luxurious suites offer separate living areas, private balconies and a mini bar. Two twin beds that can convert to a queen. Bathroom with tub, shower and two sinks, marble entry, large closets, living area with table and sofa. Private balcony with table and chairs. The Owner’s Suite on Allure of the Seas can sleep up to four and can accommodate a rollaway bed and/or Pack ’n Play.

556 square feet, balcony 243 square feet

Grand Suite

The Grand Suite offers a comfortable bedroom, a living area and a private balcony. Two twin beds that can convert to a queen. Private bathroom with tub and  two sinks, marble entry, large closets, sitting area with table and sofa.

371 square feet, balcony 105 square feet

Grand Suites and above will have access to the Concierge Club

For the cost-conscious, consider a Junior Suite. Junior suites on Allure of the Seas offer more space than the balcony staterooms. These suites feature a comfortable bedroom, small sitting area and a private balcony.

Note, however, that the Junior Suites on Allure of the Seas does not  include the services of the Concierge Club as a suite amenity.

Junior suites feature two twin beds that can convert to a Queen, with a bathroom with tub, and sitting area with table and sofa.

287 square feet, balcony 80 square feet

Balcony Staterooms on Allure (and Oasis) of the Seas

• Boardwalk View Balcony - These staterooms offer inward facing accommodations overlooking the two open-air neighborhoods. All of the Balcony Boardwalk staterooms offer a sitting area (some with sofa bed), minibar and private balcony overlooking the amusements and entertainment down on the Boardwalk.  The staterooms feature two twin beds that can convert into a queen, boardwalk view balcony, sitting area, and a private bathroom. 182 square feet, balcony 52 square feet
• Central Park View Balcony – The Balcony Central Park staterooms offer a sitting area (some with sofa bed), minibar and private balcony overlooking the restaurants and gardens of the Central Park neighborhood. Two twin beds that can convert to a queen), Central Park view balcony, sitting area, and a private bathroom. 182 square feet, balcony 52 square feet
• Family Balcony Oceanview - The Family Balcony Oceanview staterooms can accommodate up to six people. There must be a minimum of 5 people in the group to make a reservation in the Family Balcony Oceanview category. There are two twin beds, sofa and/or Pullman beds, and private balcony. Other amenities include a minibar and spacious sitting area. Verify if the cabin you select has a sofa or the Pullman layout. 271 square feet, balcony 82 square feet
• Superior Oceanview Stateroom with Large Balcony – These staterooms offer a sitting area, vanity area and two twin beds. Private balcony and mini bar available in some configurations. Two twin beds that can convert to a queen), private balcony, sitting area, and bathroom. 182 square feet, balcony 80 square feet
• Superior Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony – These staterooms offer a sitting area, vanity area, two twin beds, private balcony and mini bar. Two twin beds that can convert into a queen, private balcony, sitting area, and bathroom. 182 square feet, balcony 50 square feet

Learn more about Allure of the Seas

Luxury Starts With A Suite On Allure Of The Seas

 Family cruisers sailing on Allure of the Seas will have many luxury cruise upgrades available when selecting a stateroom for a future cruise vacation. When considering all the choices, be sure to ask about upgrading to a suite to get access to numerous amenities and options.

To bypass the lines and to truly discover luxury on Royal Caribbean’s newest ship Allure of the Seas, family cruisers would be wise to book a suite to unlock the hidden luxury amenities.

Families of four will enjoy life in a Grand Suite. Choose a Grand Suite on either deck 11 or 12 for proximity to included amenities located in the Concierge Club. Families that have at least five members might try the Royal Family Suite.  

Royal Caribbean designed the suite program to offer a distinctive and personalized program available to guests from arrival through departure. Suite guests (excluding Junior Suites) will enjoy special privileges and upgraded amenities for their cruises.

Enhanced Program For Suite Guests

Royal Suite, Royal Family Suite, Presidential Family Suite, Owner’s Suite, Grand Suite
Royal Loft Suite, Sky Loft Suite, AquaTheater Suite & Crown Loft Suite

• Priority check-in
• Personalized attention throughout the cruise with complimentary Concierge Club service on select ships
• Reserved prime seating in the main theater for entertainment shows, where available
• Priority tender tickets on select cruises. (Tender service is provided when smaller vessels are necessary to reach shore in locations without docking ports large enough for cruise ships.)
• VIP pool deck seating, where available
• Full breakfast, lunch and dinner dining room menus available for in-room dining
• Private seating in specialty restaurants
• Mattel® board games available to order for in-room entertainment for the kids
• Complimentary luggage valet service
• Luxury spa bathrobes for use onboard
• Complimentary pressing service on formal night
• Priority departure with exclusive suite departure lounge featuring continental breakfast

Concierge Club Lounge Amenities

Guests reserved in Suites and/or Diamond Plus members of the Crown & Anchor Society, may take advantage of the Concierge Lounge. Concierge Club guests receive complimentary service that provides assistance with any special requests they may have while sailing. As a Concierge Club guest, cruisers are offered amenities and services not available to other guests including:

• A dedicated Concierge who is available to assist with anything you require
• 24/7 use of the Concierge Club Lounge
• Continental breakfast every morning and open bar & hors d’oeuvres every evening available in the Concierge Club Lounge
• Assistance with specialty restaurant reservations
• Assistance with Explorations! Bookings
• Assistance booking appointments for Salon or Spa treatments
• Priority tickets for the ice skating show
• Assistance with the arrangement of private parties
• Personalized Discover Shopping advice
• DVDs and CDs available to borrow during the Concierge’s hours
• Pre-ordering of dinner wine
• Business services (faxing, copying, etc.)

Avid Cruiser posts featuring Allure of the Seas:

• Allure of the Seas Video Walkthrough From The STX Shipyard In Turku Finland
• Off To Allure Of The Seas

The Carousel, in the neighborhood known as the Boardwalk, on Oasis (and soon, Allure) of the Seas

When she launches, Royal Caribbean International’s newest Oasis class ship, the Allure of the Seas, will be the largest purpose-built cruise ship in the world.  Dedicated family features and amenities are available to maximize your family cruise vacation.  To navigate through the many options, Family Cruise Advisor has put together this primer to help you get the most of a cruise on Allure of the Seas.

Meet Allure of the Seas

Allure of the Seas is sister to Oasis of the Seas. An architectural marvel at sea, she will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tons (GRT), carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms.

Allure of the Seas will embark on her maiden voyage in December when she will sail alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean 7-night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  Although the Caribbean ports-of-call are impressive, the ship is truly the destination.

Families Welcome!

Families will feel welcome onboard, and the shipboard experience has been designed to keep all members of the family engaged, entertained, fed, safe, active and happy. The trick for maximizing a successful family cruise vacation on Allure of the Seas is all in pre-planning.

Family cruisers are assaulted with a plethora of options when it comes to Allure of the Seas.

Accommodations

The first step in designing your family cruise vacation is to choose your stateroom wisely. As we have mentioned before in Family Cruising: Choosing The Right Stateroom, your choice of accommodations will play a significant role in your overall cruise experience.

On Allure of the Seas there are four types of accommodations that include 37 categories of rooms and suites. Families should think about booking one of the suites (see Allure Of The Seas Luxury Stateroom Options For Family Cruisers_. This touch of luxury on Allure of the Seas allows you to have more space and more importantly access to the Concierge Club.

When looking at the deck plan, make note of the available neighborhoods. Allure of the Seas is built around the concept of neighborhoods. Each neighborhood has a distinct theme: Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. You may want to choose your cabin with consideration to the age of your children.

For example, if you have a toddler who is easily distracted, then choosing a Boardwalk View Balcony stateroom or a Central Park View Balcony stateroom might be loud during nap time.

Adventure Ocean – Your Ticket To Freedom When Cruising With Children

Although we all love our children, it is our vacation too. That is why cruising with our kids is a great way for everyone to have fun. The supervised youth programs on the Oasis-class vessels offer us parents a chance to have a break while our kids are safely playing with others their own age (see Family Cruise Advisor article about Age Minimums: The ABCs.)

Adventure Ocean is broken down into the following groups.

• Aquanauts -Ages 3-5 Years
• Explorers – Ages 6-8 Years
• Voyagers – Ages 9-11 Years
• Navigators – Ages 12-14 Years
• Teens – Ages 15-17 Years

While Adventure Ocean is a complimentary program open to all junior cruisers, to participate children must be three years of age and potty-trained (no pull-ups or diapers). There’s also group babysitting for infants at $8 per hour. Space available.

In general the drop off program has the following hours of operation:

• 9:00 a.m. – Noon
• Closed for lunch
• Open 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m
• Evening session 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. for the younger kids
• On port days the hours may vary.

Take advantage of the Lunch & Play program on Sea Days. This program has a fee of $7.95, but it gives parents a chance to leave their children with a youth counselor for lunch and activities.

Keeping Track Of Your Children On A Mega Ship

On Allure of the Seas, parents can keep track of their children utilizing the geotracking bracelet system. This feature, offered by Royal Caribbean International’s Adventure Ocean program, is a free service for all children registered with the kids club. At any point during your cruise, you can ask the Adventure Ocean staff to inform you of your child’s whereabouts. On a ship the size of Allure of the Seas, this is a handy feature when trying to locate your child. Parents may elect to rent their own personal tracking device for $17.50 (and no it does not work for tracking spouses.) See related article on Avid Cruiser, Video: World’s Largest Ship, World’s Largest iPhone?

The optional tracking device allows parents to rent a modified iPhone, which will show the position of the target (your child) on the ship. This is a helpful way to easily know where your child is at any time.  Special note: Don’t damage the device (let it get wet at the pool), because you will be charged $150 in the event of damage or if the device is not returned.

Family Dining Tips On Allure Of The Seas

Allure of the Seas will have more than 24 dining venues. Most families will elect to dine in the Adagio Dining Room. This is Allure of the Seas’ three-tier main restaurant. Choices of dining times are: flexible My Time Dining, and traditional assigned seating (early or late.)

A new twist on the traditional dining time is the My Family Time Dining option that is available for guests at the early assigned dinner time.  This option allows you to check your child in with a counselor from Adventure Ocean in the main level of the dining room. Children signed up for this program will be served their meals within 45 minutes, and then they will be able to go directly to kids club from the dining room. My Family Time Dining is a real time saver for parents who are left to linger for the remainder of their meal.

Another dining feature on Allure of the Seas will be the Character Breakfast with a DreamWorks icon.  Ask about this unique program, free of charge, once on board.

The Allure Of Entertainment

Let’s face it, most of our kids are only going to be mildly impressed with the grand theater production shows or the melodic guitar playing in Rita’s Cantina. What kids want is the Rock Climbing Wall, FlowRider (see Avid Cruiser video, Fun FlowRider Falls On Oasis Of The Seas), Zip Line and Ice Skating. Tip: To beat the rush, plan to print out Onboard Activity Waivers before you sail.

All guests are required to have a signed waiver on file to participate on the Rock Climbing Wall, FlowRider, Zip Line or Ice Skating. If the waiver is completed ahead of time it will save time, because the information is preloaded on the SeaPass card. Cruisers can access waivers through the Cruise Personalizer on Royal Caribbean’s website.

Not so interested in all the active sports? No worries. Entertainment is second to none on Allure of the Seas. Exclusive to Allure of the Seas is the DreamWorks Experience. Guests will enjoy 3D movies, ice and aqua shows, and as mentioned, special Character breakfasts and more.

Remember one of the advantages of booking a suite? Preferred seating. Your personal concierge is more than happy to make arrangements for seats to all the shows.

Families sailing on Allure of the Seas will enjoy a host of industry firsts aimed at making a truly wonderful family cruise vacation.