Out to sea
with the
family
By T. Foster Jones
IN THE PAST, when booking a cruise, it often
seemed that one’s choices were either a refined
voyage geared exclusively toward adults or a
circus-like atmosphere teeming with kids.
As the industry evolved, however, the
cruise lines learned that mature, sophisticated,
well-traveled passengers often want to share a
cruise experience with their adult children
and grandchildren.
The challenge, then, was to create a multi-generational experience for families who
wanted something that catered to all generations, suiting guests from the ages of 5 to 95.
Holland America Line, which for decades
has focused on elegant, adult cruises, has met
this challenge and, many would say, perfected
the multi-generational experience, by creating fun and educational youth programs that
complement the workshops, culinary arts
demonstrations, art activities and spa treatments that adult cruisers expect.
Activities, programs and even menus are
designed to bridge the generation gap at sea by
appealing to the tastes and interests of everyone from kids to grandparents, so that the
entire family has the opportunity for individual
pursuits as well as making memories together.
Younger kids can enjoy a fanciful area with
art tables, a big-screen TV, plus pirate treasure
hunts and hands-on pizza making. And
there’s a separate hangout for ’tweens, with
karaoke, relay races and foosball, as well as
Xbox and Wii tournaments.
On select ships, the secluded teen deck,
called The Oasis, provides teens with plenty of
space to mingle with other teens in mocktail
mixology, teen yoga and hip-hop classes and
cool off in a one-of-a-kind waterfall and cave.
The Costco Connection
Holland America Line offers exceptional
cruises around the globe. To see the complete product line, visit the Travel section of
Costco.com or call Costco Travel toll-free at
1-877-849-2730.
IMAGES: HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
Adults can enjoy lavish swimming pools
and picturesque views, share a succulent
five-star meal, then catch a live show or
an evening movie. The Greenhouse Spa &
Salon is the place to completely relax with a
massage. Renowned chefs in the Culinary
Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine magazine, offer separate cooking classes. And for a
parents’ night out, convenient after-hours
child care is available from 10 p.m. to midnight in Club HAL.
All this speaks to individual entertainment. The experience really comes to life
when the family comes together. Little Artist,
Luau at the Oasis, Campin’ Under the Stars,
Wacky Olympics, Teen Superstar and Dance
Dance Revolution contests, as well as Family
Olympics and Karaoke Time, get everyone
in the act.
“Nothing gets a family together like a
cruise,” says Lauren Anderson, Costco Travel
cruise buyer. “And no one does family-reunion cruising like Holland America Line.”
In fact, she explains, Holland America has the
only Family Reunion Program of its kind in
the cruise industry.
“For family groups of eight or more staterooms, with a minimum of 16 guests, Holland
America has a Head of the Family Reward,
which includes one complimentary stateroom
upgrade from Ocean-View to Verandah, a $50
fountain soda card per stateroom, Pinnacle
Grill lunch for all family members and a $50
beverage card per stateroom,” she says.
Elegant ships, award-winning service and
extensive multi-generational activities and enrichment programs add up to a family experience unlike any other. C
SEVEN-DAY WESTERN
CARIBBEAN CRUISE
Sail round-trip from Fort Lauderdale (Florida) aboard
ms Nieuw Amsterdam calling at Half Moon Cay
(Bahamas), Grand Turk (Turks and Caicos), Georgetown
(Grand Cayman) and Costa Maya (Mexico).
• $50 shipboard credit (per stateroom)†
INSIDE STATEROOM
from $799 per person*
Valid on 3/13/11 sailing.
Sail round-trip from Seattle ( Washington) aboard
ms Oosterdam, cruise Glacier Bay and call at Juneau,
Sitka, Ketchikan (Alaska) and Victoria (British Columbia).
• $75 shipboard credit (perstateroom)†
SEVEN-DAY ALASKAN
EXPLORER CRUISE
INSIDE STATEROOM
from $799 per person*
Valid on 5/8/11 sailing.
Call for Costco member prices
or book online in the Travel section
of Costco.com.
*Price shown is per person based on double occupancy, is valid for select
stateroom categories only, is true and accurate at time of printing, and does
not include government taxes/fees and gratuities. Restrictions and blackout
dates might apply. All offers and inclusions are subject to availability,
may change or be terminated without notice, and are available to Costco
members residing in the United States. Any unused portion(s) of inclusions
are nontransferable, nonrefundable and not redeemable for cash. Unless
other wise noted, offers are not combinable with select rate codes, coupons
or other offers. Holland America Line reserves the right to re-instate the fuel
supplement for all guests at up to $9 USD per person per day if the N YMEX
oil price exceeds $70 USD per barrel. Travel purchases are not included in
the Executive Membership 2% Reward program. Offer shown is cruise-only
and is valid on select dates. Cancellation and change fees may apply. Costco
Travel disclaims liability for any inaccuracies or typographical errors. Ships’
registry: The Netherlands. †Shipboard credit is per stateroom based on
double occupancy. For bookings made within three weeks of departure,
shipboard credit is not guaranteed. Costco Travel is registered as a
seller of travel in each of the states listed: California registration
number: CST 2054248-50 • Florida registration number: ST 32555
• Hawaii registration number: TAR 5595 • Iowa registration
number: TA 620 • Nevada Seller of Travel registration number:
2007-0060 • Washington registration number: WST 602042600.
Registration as a California Seller of Travel does not constitute
approval by the state.
11TR0202 10/10
