Is a Nickelodeon Family Cruise Right for My Family?

Recent ads on Nickelodeon have a lot of kids asking their parents to go on a CRUISE with them! And what kid wouldn't want to join their favorite characters - animated and not - on a 7-day getaway on an inflatable city of fun?

The Nick Family Cruise takes place aboard the biggest ship setting sail, Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas®. Onboard, you'll find a waterpark, an ice skating rink, a theater, and minigolf course, a spa, and more! You also have special activities set up for parents, children and families playing together, and opportunities to meet characters, much like the set-up on Disney cruises, and in Disney theme parks.

In fact, Nick's taking a lot of tips from the mouse, but they're offering their cruise at a BIG price that might cause some parents to head back to the source.

All-Inclusive Pricing

As with Disney cruises, almost everything is included in the price of the cruise. Your room, most meals and entertainment are bundled together. Specialty meals, childcare, and activities at four ports of call, along with tax and gratuities, are not part of the deal.

Nickelodeon has an interesting pricing scheme set up on the website. They have an array of rooms available, most having wait lists. Those that don't are for very small families, or are extremely expensive (like the Interior Room for a family of 2 for $2,699, or the connecting Junior Suite for 4, priced at $10,999).

Where are you Headed?

There are four destinations Nick has in store. After starting out from Miami, FL, families will take a Caribbean tour with a first stop in Cozumel, Mexico, followed by dates in Ocho Rios, Jamiaca, George Town, Grand Cayman, and a private island getaway owned by Royal Caribbean.

Activities range from snorkeling and zip lining, to horseback riding, dog sledding, and safari adventures.
Curiously, there is ONE cruise slated for the end of summer in 2008. The Freedom of the Seas® Nickelodeon Family Cruise sets sail from Miami on August 10, and returns August 17th.

Is the Expense Worth the Price?

This is a rather hard question to answer without knowing your family intimately well. Cruises are a good match for some, because they love the outdoors, swimming, and traveling to (and shopping in) exotic locations. Your children will never be without something to do, you'll have access to competent childcare, and there will be options for adults, too.

Probably the most important distinction to this trip - character and actor interaction - is still up in the air. There will be character meals, but it sounds like they will be at an additional expense. There's no set schedule as of yet, aside from Dora and Spongebob children's activities. That makes it hard to say whether the experience will be worth the cost.

In any event, being on the first ship to sail under Nickelodeon's gaze will be an experience unlike any other, and a memory your family will never forget.