Celebrity Cruises Wi-Fi explained: Compare packages, pricing, speeds, streaming options, and what’s included so you can choose the right plan for your cruise.
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Camp at Sea – Celebrity Cruises
Cruising is a great family vacation, but what is available for young cruisers to do onboard? Camp At Sea is a great option. With fun games, outdoor activities, video game tournaments, and slumber parties all on the agenda, your kids will have the time of their life during their family vacation on board. Camp at Sea is the only fully customizable kids cruise program in the industry. With over 500 activities to participate in, the schedule changes every sailing depending on the interests of the young cruisers. From arts and recreation to science and technology, all types of subjects and hobbies are available, making sure every kid (no matter their interests), feels entertained and engaged during their family cruise. Shipmates Ages 3-5 Young cruisers that are fully potty trained can enroll as Shipmates at Camp at Sea program, where they’ll work on their art skills at the Creation Station, learn new camp songs, and interact with other kids under the supervision of our experienced youth staff. Cadets Ages 6-9 Adventure awaits on board for Cadets. They can enroll in a one-of-a-kind nautical program, where they’ll learn the basics of sailing including navigation, time, weather patterns, and more. Cadets can also participate in activities spread throughout various venues, including Lawn Club games, campouts, and movie nights. Captains Ages 10-12 Older kids are known as Captains in Camp at Sea program. Here they enjoy more freedom while on board. You can spot Captain cruisers on scavenger hunts, STEM, and competing in various sports and gaming tournaments. Teens Ages 13-17 Teens can hang out at the Teen Club, a space designed exclusively for young adults, where they can socialize with other cruisers in their same age group. Teen-focused activities and events at the Teen Club include sports competitions, silent disco parties, and video game tournaments. Activites S.T.E.M Celebrity understands the importance of exposing young minds to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), and that’s why we’ve teamed up with The Frost Science Museum* to create a one-of-a-kind educational experience onboard. Celebrity’s STEM at Sea program offers exclusive activities and events that will engage, entertain, and inform kids on many topics such as marine wildlife, ecological conservation, and nautical exploration. *Available on Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Edge Art Budding artists will love the Creation Station, a program that uses materials and tools for junior cruisers to express themselves through painting, collaging, and more. During the unique art activities, kids will create precious souvenirs and a number of masterpieces they will cherish long after their cruise has ended. Recreation For more active kids, there is a wide range of games and challenges onboard to sharpen their skills and teach them the importance of teamwork. From modern twists on popular camp games to the Challenge Series that engages mind, body, and silliness—there’s something for everyone. Culinary Young foodies will want to try out the variety of culinary experiences geared towards developing the tastes of up-and-coming gourmets. Enjoy a mouthwatering set of fun family cruise activities sure to please everyone—taste buds and all. Holidays on Celebrity Cruises Kids will love celebrating the holidays onboard Celebrity cruise ships. With festive decorations and themed events, it easy to get into the holiday spirit. Children will love building gingerbread houses, singing along with carolers, and enjoying a visit from Santa, who always makes a special appearance bearing gifts. Learn more here. Autism-Friendly Cruises Celebrity offers a welcoming, autism-friendly environment on all of their cruise ships. Onboard, kids with special needs can enjoy sensory-friendly films, toys, and dietary menu options. Additionally, a number of autism-friendly services are offered including priority check-in and boarding. FAQ What is the minimum age for infants on board? Infants must be at least 6 months old as of the first day of the cruise/Cruisetour. On some cruises/Cruisetours, infants must be 12 months old. For transatlantic cruises, transpacific cruises, and some cruises to South America, as well as cruises with three ormore consecutive days at sea, children must be at least 12 months old. Is there a special children’s menu? Yes, in the main dining room. What are the hours of the children’s facilities? The Camp at Sea is open from 9:00am – 10:00pm daily. A Slumber Party from 10:00pm – 1:00am is offered nightly on a sign-up basis. Are kids’ programs offered while the ship is in port? Yes, services are complimentary during the hours of 9:00am – noon, 2:00 -5:00pm, and 7:00 – 10:00pm. Other times the fee is $6 per hour per child. Are there any age restrictions for kids’ programs? Activities are provided for children and teens 3-17. Children must be fully potty trained (no diapers or pull-ups) to participate. Celebrity is strict about the age groups noted above. Are there any restrictions governing when children can come and go on their own? Children ages 3-9 must be signed in and out of the Celebrity Youth Program. Children ages 10-12 are free to come and go as they please but are required to sign themselves in and out. Children ages 13-17 may come and go as they please. Are changing tables provided in public bathrooms? Yes, restrooms in the youth facility or in the public restrooms nearest the youth facility offer lavatory based changing tables and baby wipes in accordance with U.S. Public Health policies and standards. Final Thoughts Sailing with Celebrity will provide a great family vacation filled with wonderful memories and experiences. Your young cruisers will make friends from around the world and learn new skills. Your kids will never be bored on board! Here are some other posts to help you prepare for your family cruise: Cruising with Kids: Family-Friendly Activities & Preparations Must-Have Baby Travel Items for Your Cruise Trip You booked a cruise – now what? What NOT to Bring on a Cruise Sail Smoothly: Must-Have Cruise Documents and Boarding Advice Smooth Sailing: Tips for Easy Embarkation Day Preparation Smooth Exits: Tips for Cruise Disembarkation Preparation Let’s connect: Join me and other cruisers on Facebook at Zest4Cruising, A Celebrity Cruises Forum, A Celebrity Solstice Cruise Forum, AContinueContinue reading “Camp at Sea – Celebrity Cruises”
It’s a Port Day – What You Need to Know
Let’s take a look at everything you need….and how to save money. There may be a few things included that you haven’t thought of. This post contains affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details. First, let’s go over the basics. You will need your sea pass card and a photo ID. There are some who say to take your passport with you, but unless the country you are visiting requires it, LEAVE IT IN THE SAFE! Theft does occur and you DO NOT want your passport stolen. If something happens and you miss the ship, the ship’s security will retrieve your passport from your cabin and leave it with the port authority who will assist you in making further travel arrangements. Money and/or credit cards. Many countries are becoming cashless societies, especially in Europe. Credit cards such as Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted.. American Express is harder to use outside the USA. If you really feel the need to have some cash with you, use an ATM onshore to obtain a small amount. Be sure to let your bank or card issuer know you will be traveling and where. It is smart to carry all ID and credit cards in an RFID protected case. This will prevent scanners from stealing your information. Or, use an RFID blocking card in your wallet. Disembarking the ship The ship will either be docked at a pier or there will be a tender service from the ship. Tendering is very easy. If you have book an excursion through the ship, you will be given tender tickets indicating time and location to meet. You will then be escorted to the tender. If you are going ashore on your own, meet in the designated area (this will be noted on the daily planner or on an information sheet left in your cabin). Some cabin types and cruise line loyalty levels will have different meeting locales. You will be issued a tender ticket at that point. Wait until your number is called and then proceed to the tender. If you have arranged a private excursion early in the day, be sure to arrive to your designated area early….tender lines can be long. If you are not in a rush to get off the ship, the tendering process will become quicker later in the day, as fewer people will be trying to leave the ship. Be sure to not take any fresh food (fruit, sandwiches, etc) with you off the ship. Bottled water, drinks and prepackaged snacks are fine. When exiting the ship, take note of the required return time. This is usually 30 minutes prior to sail away. Lines to return to the ship may be long, but you will not be left behind if you arrive to the departure area prior to the last scheduled tender back to the ship. If the ship is docked at the pier, join the cue to depart the ship. Again…make note of the required return time. The ship WILL LEAVE without you! What Type of Bag is Best? As you prepare for your cruise and are starting to pack, it’s a good idea to think about your shore excursion bag. What you put in it will depend on the type of activity you’re planning to do while in port. If you’re going to the beach or a boating excursion, you will want a few different things than if you’re zip-lining through the jungle, sightseeing or shopping. Packing a Beach Excursion Bag If you are heading to the beach, you want to make sure to bring everything you will need to enjoy the day. You don’t want to be on the beach or on a snorkeling excursion and realize you forgot the sunscreen! Of course, you can borrow (hopefully) from a stranger, but best to be prepared with your essentials. I recently found this great beach bag. The main compartment is spacious enough to fit swimsuits, a change of clothes, beach toys and other essentials. The long zipper closure helps to prevent items from falling out and there are holders on the outside for beach towels. You can also unzip the bottom to remove any sand that gets inside! And there are more pockets than I know what to do with. These are the essential items to pack in your beach bag: beach towels…..the ship will provide beach towels to use while onshore. A good beach blanket water-proof and reef safe sunscreen lip balm water or reusable water bottles bathing suit cover up wide brimmed sun hat or baseball cap sunglasses towels bands water shoes (many beaches are rocky or are covered in shells) sand removal tool Daily planner from your cruise ship (with all aboard time!) or take a photo *Remember, many beaches around the world are asking snorkelers and swimmers to use reef safe sunscreen Optional items for your beach bag: book or other reading material snorkeling mask snorkeling fins anti-theft vault (popular with cruisers and beach goers) children’s sand toys if you have kids or just like playing in the sand Going swimming and want to keep your ID, phone and money safe? A waterproof holder is an excellent choice. Bring a Backpack for Active Shore Excursions If you’re going to be active on your port day, bring a bag that keeps your hand free. This crossbody bag is extremely popular with cruisers and travlers. Slash proof and RFID protected, it is slim enough to fit under jackets or coats. Available in several colors. comfortable walking shoes or sandals hat to keep the sun off your face good quality water bottle sunscreen bug repellent If you’re sightseeing on your own or on an organized tour, you can skip all the beach stuff and just bring some basics to keep comfortable during your day onshore. If you are planning to go shopping while in port, a bag (with a zipper) is very convenient. IContinueContinue reading “It’s a Port Day – What You Need to Know”
Cruise Packing Mistakes: What Not to Pack Before You Sail
Not sure what you can bring on a cruise? Before you start packing, check out this guide to items you can’t bring onboard, from prohibited items to common packing mistakes. Save time, avoid delays, and make sure your cruise starts smoothly.
You Booked a Cruise – Now What?
Travels with Mickey Cruises Disney Planning & Packing About Cruises Disney Planning & Packing About More than 2 results are available in the PRO version (This notice is only visible to admin users) You Booked a Cruise—Now What? 15 Things to Do After Booking Your Cruise This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. I only share products I personally use, genuinely recommend, or believe will help make your cruise travel easier and more enjoyable. Thank you for supporting Travels With Mickey! You booked the cruise! 🎉 The countdown is officially on, and now comes the fun part—planning everything that will make your cruise vacation even better.But if this is your first cruise, you may be wondering, “What am I supposed to do now?”Booking your cruise is just the beginning. From checking your travel documents and completing online check-in to researching your ports, making dining and excursion reservations, and figuring out what to pack, there are several things you’ll want to take care of before embarkation day.And trust me, you don’t want to wait until the last minute. Some of the most popular shore excursions, specialty restaurants, spa appointments, and onboard activities can fill up quickly.Whether this is your first cruise or you’re a seasoned cruiser, having a plan after you book can make the entire experience smoother—and a lot less stressful.So grab your calendar, start that cruise countdown, and let’s go through 15 things you should do after booking your cruise so you can spend less time worrying about the details and more time looking forward to setting sail! 🚢 Double-Check Your Cruise Booking Information One of the first things you should do after booking your cruise is carefully review all of your reservation details. Make sure your name, date of birth, cruise dates, ship, itinerary, cabin category, and stateroom number are correct.Pay close attention to your name and date of birth, especially if you’re traveling internationally. Your cruise reservation should match your passport or other required travel documents exactly. It’s much easier to correct an error now than when you arrive at the cruise terminal.Also check your departure port, number of guests, dining preferences, and any special requests included with your reservation.If you notice a mistake, contact your cruise line or travel advisor as soon as possible. Don’t assume that an incorrect detail can simply be fixed when you arrive.A few minutes spent reviewing your cruise booking now can save you a lot of stress later! Check Your Passport and Cruise Travel Documents Make sure your passport and other required cruise boarding documents are current and valid for your upcoming cruise. Passport requirements can vary depending on your itinerary and cruise line, so don’t wait until the last minute to check.Pay particular attention to your passport’s expiration date. Some international destinations require your passport to be valid for several months beyond your travel dates, and some cruises may have additional documentation requirements.It’s also a good idea to review your cruise line’s specific documentation requirements and make copies or secure digital backups of important travel documents.For a complete guide to the documents you may need, check out What Cruise Documents Do You Need to Board?before you set sail. Mark Your Calendar With Important Cruise Planning Reminders Once your cruise is booked, add important cruise planning deadlines and reminders to your calendar. This is one of the easiest ways to stay organized and make sure you don’t miss anything important before embarkation day.”Mark your calendar with your online check-in date, final payment deadline, shore excursion booking window, specialty dining reservations, spa appointments, and any cruise line-specific deadlines.It’s also helpful to set reminders for things like booking flights and hotels, arranging transportation to the cruise port, checking passport expiration dates, and completing any required travel forms.Don’t rely on trying to remember everything as your cruise gets closer. A few calendar reminders now can save you from scrambling at the last minute—and help make your cruise vacation much more stress-free! Download the Cruise Line’s App and Join the Loyalty Program One of the first things you should do after booking a cruise is download your cruise line’s mobile app. The app will often become your go-to resource before and during your cruise, giving you access to important booking information, online check-in, daily schedules, dining options, shore excursions, onboard activities, and more.Once you’ve downloaded the app, take a few minutes to explore it and make sure your cruise reservation is linked correctly. Some cruise lines also allow you to make dining, excursion, entertainment, and other reservations directly through the app.While you’re at it, join the cruise line’s loyalty program if you haven’t already. Most cruise lines offer free loyalty programs that allow you to earn points or cruise credits and receive benefits as you sail more often. Even if this is your first cruise, joining before you sail can ensure your account is set up and ready to track your cruise.It’s never too early to start earning those cruise loyalty perks! Read more: Celebrity Cruises Captain’s Club Consider Purchasing Cruise Travel Insurance Once your cruise is booked, it’s a good idea to consider purchasing travel insurance for your cruise. While no one wants to think about something going wrong before or during their vacation, unexpected situations can happen—and a cruise is often a significant investment.Depending on the policy you choose, cruise travel insurance may provide coverage for things such as trip cancellation or interruption, travel delays, lost or delayed luggage, medical emergencies, and other unexpected expenses.If you’re considering travel insurance, don’t wait until the week before your cruise to look into it. Some policies have time-sensitive benefits or coverage requirements, so purchasing a policy soon after making your initial trip payment may give you more options.Be sure to read the policy carefully and understand what is—and isn’t—covered before you purchase. Your cruise line may offer travel insurance, but it’s also worth comparing it withContinueContinue reading “You Booked a Cruise – Now What?”
Essential Packing Tips for Cruising with Young Children
Taking a cruise with your baby or toddler? Are you wondering what to pack? Packing for a cruise with a baby is a challenge for sure! You will want to pack light, but not too light! If you are lucky enough to get to your cruise ship without flying, you will not have any restrictions on the number of bags you can bring. But do you really want to deal with a lot of extra luggage? Of course, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t bring the items you need! Remember though, cruise cabins are typically smaller than hotel rooms. If you bring too much, your stateroom will feel very cramped and crowded. Be selective and only bring what you will absolutely use. Below are our recommendations for the top essential travel baby supplies for your next family vacation at sea. This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details. Protect littles one’s ears while traveling. Some venues onboard can be load. There are sizes for children, babies and toddlers. Heading to a beach destination? A good beach blanket is essential. This one comes with sand anchors and storage pockets too! A good carry on bag is essential. We love to use this one, it has spinner wheels and is easy to maneuver. When boarding the ship, be sure to pack swimsuits, sunscreen, all medicines, valuables and your boarding document including passports in it! If your are flying to the port, it also fits under the seat! Water shoes are an absolute must have item for the entire! Protect everyones feet from rocks, shells, coral, hot sand, etc. Many cruise lines do not have self-service laundry. Kids are messy! Be prepared to do some laundry in your cabin. You can hang a shower curtain from the ceiling using these hooks to create a privacy curtain or use them to hang hats, jackets, blankets extra. Walls and ceilings in ship cabins are magnetic! They are available in lots of fun colors too. This is genius! A refillable roll-on container for sun screen…..why didn’t I think of that? When it comes to strollers, the smaller and lighter the better. If your usual stroller is bulky, you might want to invest in a smaller, more maneuverable umbrella stroller. These take up much less room in your cabin and can also fit under the bed when not in use. Cabin corridors are also narrow and some areas can be crowded. This lightweight stroller weighs just 13 pounds, has four reclining positions, a large seat area and a large storage basket plus anti-shock front wheels and lockable rear wheels Air tags are a must these days. Luggage gets delayed or lost…know where your belongs are! They are also a very good way to find your stroller if it gets moved while traveling….very useful in places like Disney, other amusement parks, malls, etc.! We use a detachable air tag case on the inside of all our luggage. That way we know it won’t get removed or lost. Set your kids up for success on your travel to the ship with this awesome travel tray. It pops up and sits right across their lap, giving them plenty of storage space, a place to draw that won’t damage anything and a handy place to store their tablet for easy viewing. Believe me…you want to use a luggage tag holder on your luggage. After many sailings with torn off or destroyed tags and bags going missing, we finally invested on these and use them every cruise. These are for Celebrity and Royal Caribbean: These are for Carnival: And these work with Princess luggage tags: Excursions are easier when you don’t have to worry about a stroller. This wrap keeps baby close and comfy. Cruise lines have a limited number of pack & plays onboard for passenger use. Ships do not provide padding or sheets. We recommend adding a travel one to your packing list. This way, you know your child has a safe and comfortable place to sleep. A portable white noise sound machine creates a soothing environment for your little one. Your little one is going to need changing at some point! Be prepared with this portable changing pad. It comes with handy storage pockets and is waterproof. Diaper bags have come a long way! Dad won’t mind carrying this leather baby diaper bag backpack and it comes with stroller straps too! Diaper bags can be smelly. These odor eliminators work great….smell really good too. There are several different scents to choose from. Most cruise cabins do not have a bath tub and the sinks are very small. An inflatable tub can be very useful! Can be used pool side for some splash time too! A first aid kit is a 100% necessity! Visits to the ships doctor can be expensive and time consuming. Best to be prepared for the bumps and scrapes that are bound to happen. Of course you will want to buy things in port for your friends, family, little one. Many stores are not providing free bags with purchase in an effort to reduce waste. We take reusable grocery bags. Feeding time can be an adventure. Sippy cups, travel bottles, snack cups and baby spoons are very helpful! Lightweight bottles Portable bottle warmer Insulated water bottles for babies and toddlers. Baby spoons Of course, you will need diapers and clothes! Bring at least two clothing changes per day plus sleeping wear. Baby swimsuits and hats to protect those eyes are also important! For the dress up nights onboard, bring something fun for your little one to wear! Diapers onboard are expensive. If not driving to the port, stop at a store and stock up prior to boarding! Get some swim diapers too but be sure to check with your cruise line to see if they are allowed in the pool. If not, ask if they haveContinueContinue reading “Essential Packing Tips for Cruising with Young Children”
Ultimate Guide: What to Bring on Your Caribbean Cruise
You’ve booked your dream cruise to the Caribbean. Now the big question…what to pack! While you might think all you need to throw into your suitcase is a couple of swimsuits and a pair of sandals, there are many other things to consider. A Caribbean cruise vacation offers so much more than just pristine beaches…though there are plenty of those too! Different islands offer different types of excursions…. relaxing beach days to zip-lining over treetops, hikes up mountains, diving/snorkeling and catamarans. Important Note: This post contains affiliate links, if you click and buy a product, I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details. This chart provides a general idea of what temperatures to expect each month. Don’t forget to factor in humidity also. Of course, things can change but this will give you a starting point. If you’re planning on participating in any of these activities during your cruise, you’ll want to make sure to bring along the appropriate activewear and shoes. Good walking shoes are a must. Also, beach footwear is essential. Water shoes are highly recommended….many beaches are rocky or have coral. I’ve been using these and find them very comfortable and easy to wear. Comfortable sandals are a must have item. I have found a pair by Dreampairs that are made for women. The fit is perfect and they have great support. They can also stand up to the occasional rain showers that are so common in the Caribbean. No matter how long your vacation, there are many accessories and items you might not consider important, but that actually go a long way in making your cruise as comfortable as possible. See my curated list in Cruise Packing 101 Here is a quick list of things to not forget: Swim suit! Nothing worse than arriving onboard and realizing you forgot to pack one! Beach cover up….sometimes it’s nice to have something more than your bathing suit if you want to get food or sit at the bar. This one comes in several colors too! Shorts and t-shirts are great for daytime. I wear skorts, as I don’t like shorts. Capris or leggings are also a good choice. Most important, be comfortable! For evenings onboard, dresses or skirts are a great option or nicer slacks. On formal nights, I love wearing something sparkly….it’s the only chance I get to really dress up! A light weight sweater or wrap is a good idea to pack. The ship can be cool at night. This evening wrap is well priced and comes in lots of colors. Don’t forget to add a good hat to your packing. This will protect your face from the sun. These are the ones I use: A cooling towel. The Caribbean can be HOT! A cooling towel will help you stay more comfortable. We live in Florida and visit DisneyWorld often….this is a MUST for us! Sunscreen. Please choose one that is Reef Safe. A waterproof case is useful if you are uncomfortable leaving your valuables on the beach while you are in the water. There is also a waterproof case if you want to snorkel with your phone. Want to snorkel? We always bring our own gear…that way we know it is well taken care of and clean. These are the snorkel masks and fins we use. Got a sunburn anyway? This sunburn relief spray will help calm and soothe your skin. If you like going to the pool or the beach, keeping your towel on the chair can be challenging. I found towel band or clips to be really useful and always have them packed and ready to add to the suitcase! We use this lock box at the beach or pool. It easily attaches to any beach chair and provides a secure place for your phone, id and money. Of course, a good beach bag to carry everything is super helpful. I like this one…lots of pockets to keep items organized and it is waterproof too! A good beach blanket is a necessity. We love this one…it comes with stakes to keep it in the sand, four attached zippered pockets and the carry pouch is attached, so it won’t fly away. Removing sand from your legs after being at the beach all day is always challenging. I love this sand removal tool. Just wipe it on and the sand disappears, leaving you skin feeling fresh and clean. Protect sensitive areas from the humidity. No one wants to talk about it, but chub rub happens and is very uncomfortable. This Chafing Relief Powder Gel is safe to use under arms, on inner thighs and other sensitive areas. Another good option is Gold Bond Stick Defense. . Cruise Approved Power Bar Ships have limited places to plug in your phone, computer, tablet etc Most cruise ship cabins have only a few electric plugs. You’re going to need additional outlets to charge electronic items like phones, computers, tablets, kindles, etc. USB ports are also useful. VERY IMPORTANT – Cruise lines don’t allow a regular surge-protected power bars from home (they will confiscate them). I recommend using one that plugs directly into the outlet without a cord. Many ports are confiscating those with cords, as they consider them extension cords. This is the one we travel with. If you need plugs, this is a good option too. Many cruise lines are really cracking down on any outlet extender that provides multiple plugs. This is a great option for charging multiple devices at once. Available in others colors. There is no need to pack beach towels, shampoo/conditioner, soap etc. Those will all be provided by the ship in your cabin. DO NOT pack irons or steamers…those are not allowed onboard. To learn what is not allowed to be brought onboard, read What NOT to bring onboard! Downey wrinkle release has worked very well for us in the past. Mosquitos can be a problem in the tropics. Use these patches to keep them away….just place on your clothing! The tropics are known for afternoonContinueContinue reading “Ultimate Guide: What to Bring on Your Caribbean Cruise”