Nickelodeon, the kid-focused TV folks, have joined with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines to create the Nickoldeon Family Cruise, a one-time-only event from Aug. 10-17 this summer.
Nick will bring its characters aboard so the kids can commune with SpongeBob et al and the ship will have all the great cruise-type things I love for families. My kids are big on cruises. They took their first one when they were 7 and 10 and loved the relative freedom of being able to belly up to the snack bar any time they felt the need for pizza, ice cream, hot dogs, ice cream, soda, ice cream, french fries, ice cream.... You get the picture.
It's not Disney Cruise Lines, but Royal Caribbean does a fine job with the kids. The kids programming is fun enough to keep the kids happy and plentiful enough to give parents some alone time. And, as always on cruises, there's no need to worry that your picky eater won't find enough food to stave off hunger. There's always the ice cream...
Prices for the seven-day all-inclusive cruise start at $2,699 for a family of two in an inside room and go all the way up to $15,999 for an ocean view suite for a family of nine according to the Web site. The price does not include airfare to get you and the kids down to Miami, taxes, fees and gratuities of $200 per person, drinks, spa services or shore excursions. (The cruise stops in Mexico for a visit to the Mayan ruins at Tulum and in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, to climb the waterfall--both stops well worth seeing.) And, remember, you need passports for everyone now.
Since it's the first time they've teamed up, I can't tell you whether it's worth the money. But I will say the Nick Suites Hotel in Orlando--the first time Nick lent its name to a resort property--is one of my (and my kids') favorites.
Happy cruising. And if you go, let us know how it was.