Just remember to get your teen s input before you book. There are a lot of reasonably priced choices this year, including many trips lasting three or four days. During school breaks and summer vacations, many ships will become Kid Central, with hundreds of kids aboard for each sailing, and plenty of organized activities to please the younger set. Disney has an entire deck for kids and a separate teen coffeehouse. Royal Caribbean s private island and teen centers are always big hits.
Princess even has separate teen hot tubs on some ships.
Younger kids line up for Carnival s water slides, and kids of all ages enjoy the chance to order everything they like from the menu, since meals are included. To maximize beach time, opt for a western Caribbean itinerary. Another good resource is World Wide Cruises, a large Florida-based agency that offers substantial discounts. Some generous grandparents write that they want to show their children and grandchildren their Italian heritage and are looking for hotel alternatives to make such a trip to Italy meaningful and special for the grandchildren. The most reasonably priced alternatives to hotels, McCarthy suggests, will be farmhouses or small guesthouses outside the major tourist centers.