Golden Princess Family
Although the Fun Zone, the activity area for ages 3 to 12, isn't as large as on later Grand-class ships, the program is the same and is well-thought-out. For most of the day, except for ice cream socials at the Horizon Court and a few other activities, 3- to 7-year-olds spend much of their time in the bright red, blue and yellow room face-painting, coloring, making puppets, decorating masks and playing games.
The adjacent area for 8- to 12-year-olds has craft tables, games and a plasma television, and it leads into an alcove with computers. These kids also create lanyards, play bingo and other games in the Fun Zone, and use the ceramics studio and other shipboard spaces. Children, ages 8 to 12, may sign themselves in and out of the program with their parents' permission, a freedom cherished by cruise-savvy kids. One deck up, The Fun Zone has its own outdoor deck with a whale-shaped kiddie pool, play houses and tricycles.
When at sea, the free children's program operates from 9 a.m. until noon, 2 until 5 p.m., and 7 until 10 p.m. On port days, the children's program operates from 8 a.m. (or half an hour before the ship arrives in port) until 5 p.m. and from 7 until 10 p.m., also complimentary. Reserve ahead for group baby-sitting, available from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m. for $5 per child, per hour.
At Off Limits, the teen center located on the other side of the Fun Zone's computer alcove, 13- to 17-year-olds mingle and play Ping-Pong, foosball and cards. They also get to know each other during hip-hop dance classes, obstacle races and pizza parties. Teens can hang out, sun and soak in their own hot tub on the teens-only deck area, which is accessed by a set of stairs just outside the youth lounges. Older kids can come and go from youth activities as they please.
In Alaska, kids, ages 3 -to 17, can opt to participate in Junior Ranger and Teen Explorer programs in Glacier Bay. Interactive projects teach young travelers about the natural and cultural history of the region.
