Kids Sail Free on Nine Crystal Cruises Itineraries to Alaska
Comprehensive Junior Activities Program Compliments Family Vacation Experience
Children 12 and under will sail free all summer long to Alaska and be treated to an ambitious Crystal Cruises Junior Activities Program aboard the 940-guest Crystal Harmony.
From just $1,995, Crystal's Alaska season commences May 23 with a 10-day Vancouver-San Francisco sailing. The remaining eight voyages, all 12-day roundtrip sailings from San Francisco, depart June 2 & 14, July 8 & 20, August 1, 13 & 25 and September 6. Kids 12 and under sail free when sharing the same stateroom with two adults. Crystal Harmony is the only Six-Star rated ship cruising roundtrip from San Francisco to Alaska.
"Because we are so well known for our service, fine dining and sophisticated entertainment, it may come as a surprise to some that we offer a Junior Activities Program," says Adam Leavitt, Crystal's senior vice president, marketing. "As family and extended family travel continues to rise, it's important for us to provide not only the most stimulating programs for the savviest of travelers, but to also provide the most enriching travel experiences for our youngest guests." [Crystal witnessed a 12 per cent increase in its youngest cruisers, ages 17 and under, during its 2002 summer Alaska season.]
In 2003 the Last Frontier will serve as an enormous environmental classroom -- naturalists will add a special dimension to kids' understanding of indigenous wildlife, glaciers, and other natural attractions -- while a host of child-pleasing amenities await young guests aboard Crystal Harmony.
A qualified staff of Junior Activities Directors, featuring grade school, high school, and physical education teachers and seasoned camp counselors will oversee a variety of age-appropriate activities tiered for toddlers through teens, ranging from arts and crafts, backstage tours, dancing, Sony PlayStation(R) games, and storytelling. There will be at least one counselor for each 12 participants.
Fantasia, the main venue for children's supervised activities, was refurbished in 2002 and outfitted with new furniture, carpet, and custom designed built-in kiosks for Sony PlayStation(R) video games, and personal computers complete with entertainment and educational software.
In addition, the ship's Library offers more than 1,500 titles, including a selection of children's books and children's videos for the televisions/VCRs that are standard in all staterooms, and the Trident Grill serves hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, sandwiches and frozen yogurt and ice cream throughout the afternoon. Young athletes can take advantage of the ship's paddle tennis court, golf-driving nets, and putting greens, and can even compete in their own mini-Olympics.
Younger children will be afforded the opportunity to display their handcrafted creations, such as frosted sugar cube igloos, in an Alaska Art Expo open for viewing by all guests. For older siblings, another trip high point is a 'teens only' disco night for which they get their own personal invitations.
Three-bed staterooms are available in a range of categories, as well as suites and connecting staterooms. Cribs are available when requested in advance. Babysitting service is available.
Families may plan their days and nights according to "Surf Runner," the children's newsletter which details scheduled activities and is delivered to each child's stateroom the preceding evening.
Ashore, there are several opportunities for multiple generations. In each port, Crystal Harmony offers optional excursions such as wilderness safaris, bear-watching expeditions, dog-sledding, seaplane explorations, hiking, mountain biking, whitewater river rafting, horseback riding, and panning for gold.
For the seventh consecutive year, Crystal Cruises was named best large cruise line in the 2002 readers' surveys conducted by Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler magazines.
Crystal Cruises is booked exclusively through professional travel agents. For a complimentary brochure on the 2003 Alaska season, or any of Crystal's worldwide sailings, call 800.820.6663. For more on Crystal's Junior Activities Program, visit the luxury line's website at www.crystalcruises.com .
