For Immediate Release

Cruise Line Perks Grandparents Love to Share With Young Cruisers

10 Complimentary Cruise Line Amenities are a Perfect Fit for Traveling Families

DETROIT (Oct. 30, 2012) – Many world travelers have discovered a new pleasure in cruising: sharing the experience with their grandchildren. It’s like living life all over again through the eyes of another person. It’s an opportunity to provide a unique type of education to loved ones, one that cannot be gained through books or in classrooms … a chance to open a young mind to the beauty and vastness of our world. A chance to expose your grandchildren to new people, new cultures, the history of the world dating back to mid-evil castles, and new skills like swimming with dolphins which could lead to a career in marine biology.

Most cruise lines encourage youthful exploration and boast a wealth of amenities for families. (Some lines, however, are geared toward adults, so be sure to confirm minimum age requirements before booking. CruiseCompete has information on minimum sailing ages here.)

What even the most seasoned of travelers may not realize, however, is that some of the cruise lines’ best offerings are hidden treasures … unique perks that are offered complimentary by the lines.

Following are secret perks that you’ll love on your next cruise:

1. Avalon Waterways

Grandparents will be pleasantly surprised by – and love – Avalon’s complimentary Lavazza coffee, cappuccino and espresso that's available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the back lounge. And what grandchild could refuse the complimentary cookies and cakes that are also available? (Avalon does not recommend their cruises for passengers under 8 years of age, so this is not a line for the little ones. But children who are older and can appreciate culture will love it.)

2. Crystal Cruises

Do your grandchildren have a sophisticated palate? If so, help them discover the joys of world cuisine on Crystal Cruises. The sushi and Japanese delicacies from master chef Nobu Matsuhisa are offered complimentary to all Crystal Cruises guests in Silk Road and at the Sushi Bar. Penthouse guests can also order this cuisine free via room service.

3. Cunard

Experience the best kind of family drama. Cunard provides complimentary acting workshops for all guests aboard Queen Mary 2, conducted by members of London's renowned Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Cunard also offers complimentary fencing classes for all guests aboard Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.

4. European Waterways

On a bicycle built for two… On some of European Waterways’ hotel barges in France there is a tandem bicycle for grandparent and child to use together as they explore the towpaths alongside the delightful inland waterways. (European Waterways’ minimum age for sailing is 12 years, so this line is best for grandparents traveling with teen or college-aged grandchildren.)

5. Disney Cruise Line

A must for staying in touch, Disney offers portable Wave Phones to families. The phones have unique phone numbers and work both on board the ship and on Castaway Cay. There are two complimentary phones per stateroom (extra phones incur an additional fee) that can call any other onboard phone and send text messages.

6. Holland America

Writing home about travels is easier with the complimentary customized stationery Holland America provides its guests. (This amenity is available to passengers booked in “suite” categories.)

7. Lindblad Expeditions

Snow and cocoa. On Lindblad’s National Geographic Explorer (when sailing in the polar regions of Arctic and Antarctica), guests can stop by the Chart Room for a complimentary hot cocoa and step out to the Bridge. This is a wonderful opportunity to share the fierceness and beauty of nature with the grandchildren (guests are welcomed there any time of day or night) by watching the captain and his staff go about the calm business of ice navigation. Families can pick up a pair of binoculars or look through the telescopes and help the expedition team spot wildlife on the pack ice and in polar waters.

8. Princess Cruises

Sweet treats. Princess offers complimentary soft serve ice cream to their guests from Sundaes Ice Cream Bar. They provide approximately 1000 servings per day and typically run the machine from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

9. Regent Seven Seas Cruises

All your favorites. RSSC provides a stocked bar in your cabin, filled with all your personal favorites when you embark. This perk includes soft drinks and bottled water for the children.

10. Scenic Tours

Technology rules. Family members of any age will enjoy Scenic Tours’ “TailorMade” shore excursion option, which features a series of self-guided tour enhanced by GPS-activated directions and commentary. Once aboard the ship, a free Scenic TailorMade app can be downloaded to your Apple iPhone or iPad, or you can choose to take one of the lines’ pre-loaded devices. (Scenic Tours has a minimum sailing age of 12, so this line is best suited to a voyage with a teen or college-aged grandchild.)

For more information on the cruise lines and the various amenities they offer, please visit CruiseCompete.

# # #

Note to Editors:

CruiseCompete has been the premier online cruise marketplace since 2003 (see media praises). Consumers compare competing offers from trusted travel agents, are able to see consumer reviews of agents and agencies responding, and then contact travel agents directly for more information and to book a cruise.

CruiseCompete CruiseTrends™ offers monthly stats for an inside look at consumer trends and what consumers want in cruise vacations.

CruiseCompete takes top honors in Travel + Leisure Magazine's “Top 60 Best Apps and Websites for Travelers” (September 2012) with an honorable mention. The Wall Street Journal praised CruiseCompete as “Best Cruise Travel Site,” The New York Times says, “… independent travel agents compete to offer you the best deal," and follows similar praise from Travel + Leisure, Kiplinger’s and The Washington Post. The Street says, “Score luxury cruises at bargain prices.”
For more information, please visit CruiseCompete.com or Cruise Compete Groups.

CruiseCompete is an Iowa limited liability company and is not a travel agency nor owned by a travel agency.

CruiseCompete – Find us on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter!

Media Contact:
Heidi M. Allison
Allison and Taylor, Inc.
+1-248-651-4491 office
+1-248-935-3224 mobile