Program for Families with Toddlers?

[Sun and Fun]

I read somewhere (can't remember where) that RCCL was going to/has already put in place activities for families with toddlers. Has anyone heard/experienced this?

[Sun and Fun]

Just checking again to see if anyone knows about this (and if it is available on the Radiance).

[Tromler]

Yeah, Adventure Ocean is the program name, check out the link below. Our son, 3.5 at the time used it when we are on EOS.

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/experiencetypes/experiencetype/home.do;jsessionid=0000sJ5LmXXpFgtpfXRwa1l_G9o:vnkcfplh?exTypeCode=8

 

Tromler:)

[Dotsie]

Press Release Source: Royal Caribbean International

 

Royal Caribbean International and Fisher-Price, Inc. Announce Unprecedented Partnership

Wednesday October 27, 3:28 pm ET

Companies to Offer New Programming for Youngest Cruisers and Their Parents

 

 

MIAMI, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Royal Caribbean International and Fisher-Price, Inc. have big plans for small cruisers. Royal Caribbean, an innovator in family cruise vacations, and Fisher-Price, a leading brand of infant and preschool toys worldwide, today announced a new partnership to develop a series of programs and services for the line's youngest cruisers and their parents.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041027/FLW027 )

"Since 2000, we have seen more than a 50-percent increase in the number of children under three cruising with their parents aboard our ships," said Dan Hanrahan, senior vice president, Marketing and Sales, for Royal Caribbean International. "We already have the outstanding Adventure Ocean Youth Program for children ages three and up, and are pleased to partner with the early- childhood experts at Fisher-Price to now offer families with younger children enriching experiences of their own, designed to further enhance their cruise vacation."

 

"Our research reveals an increase in family travel and, with that trend, a strong desire among today's parents to use vacation time to strengthen family bonds and create lasting memories," said Chuck Scothon, senior vice president, Marketing and Brand Development, for Fisher-Price. "These innovative programs beautifully underscore our mission to help families play, laugh and grow together. Royal Caribbean is recognized as the leader in family cruise vacations and together, we believe we can help families with young children truly experience the ultimate family vacation."

 

The first programs to head to sea will be a series of fun and interactive educational sessions for children six months to three years old and their parents, developed by the specialists at Fisher-Price's famous Play Laboratory. These daily, 45-minute playgroups offer age-appropriate activities that expose children to new experiences and teach parents tools for incorporating skill-building into playtime through storytelling, creative arts, music, and a variety of Fisher-Price learning toys and games.

 

Aqua Babies targets parents with children ages six months to 18 months with six themed sessions, each designed to introduce babies to different types of skills and activities to enhance development in a particular area. For example, "Get Up & Go" utilizes activities and Fisher-Price toys such as the Stride-to-Ride Walker and the Stand-Up Ball Blast to help promote physical development and problem-solving skills through active and imaginative play.

 

Other Aqua Babies sessions focus on promoting self-confidence by experiencing cause and effect, exploring rhythm and movement through music, encouraging baby's sense of accomplishment, reinforcing early learning, and making new discoveries about the world around them.

 

The six Aqua Tots sessions encourage toddlers ages 18 months to 3 years old to explore their expanding world, develop their imaginations and build self-confidence. Playful activities are incorporated into familiar themes that create enriching, educational interactive play experiences.

 

"Fun on the Farm" uses the Little People® characters and the Animal SoundsTM Farm to help kids make the connection between farm animals, the sounds they make and the ways they move. "Learning Fundamentals" gets kids -- and their parents -- moving and singing as they learn their ABCs and 123s, as well as shapes, colors and phonics. Additional Aqua Tots themes tap into toddler favorites, including creative play with cars and trucks; constructing cities and farms with building blocks and toys; learning about the people in their neighborhoods; and discovering more about what they'll see and do on their family cruise vacation.

 

Parents who participate in either program will receive a special newsletter and daily Cruise Compass onboard that explain the theme and objectives of each session and include "Playtips to Go" -- related ideas for continuing to strengthen their child's newly found skills through themed play activity back at home. The Aqua Babies and Aqua Tots programs debut on Explorer of the Seas this month and will be available on all Royal Caribbean ships by the end of March 2005. The sessions are free of charge and are hosted by Royal Caribbean's specially trained youth staff. Each child must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

 

The companies also will extend the Aqua Babies and Aqua Tots programs into guest staterooms with "Fisher-Price TV," age-appropriate programming for Royal Caribbean's in-room televisions fleetwide.

 

"Fisher-Price TV" will include popular Fisher-Price programs such as the company's award-winning "Baby Development" and Little People® video series. In addition, Fisher-Price's director of Child Research, Dr. Kathleen Alfano, provides parents with valuable tips for traveling with children and on-the-go play.

 

Aqua Babies, Aqua Tots and FPTV are just the first wave in programs to come out of the Royal Caribbean and Fisher-Price partnership. Additional programs and services are in development and will be announced in 2005.

 

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 19 ships now in service and two more under construction. The company also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Canada and Europe. For additional information about the cruise line, please visit the company's Web site at http://www.royalcaribbean.com or call 800-327-6700.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: Royal Caribbean International

 

Dotsie

[Sun and Fun]

Thanks - I knew I saw it somewhere regarding the under 3 year old age group. Probably won't see it on our January Radiance cruise. Oh, well.