Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/84021
Family friendly Cruising family with the Families of all ages and sizes will find activities galore onboard & on shore to keep everyone satisfied. Remember how much fun you had on your last family cruise? We review some new features onboard our ships that will recreate that holiday of a lifetime. As parents know, kids have a big say in discussions about the next family holiday, and keeping everyone happy can be demanding. The answer to a stress-free family holiday? Take them on another cruise! P&O Cruises has been taking care of families for 80 years and we understand the need to ensure all members have a fantastic time together while also giving everyone their own space. People of all ages, from tots and teens, to grandma and grandpa, can enjoy the holiday. Ship to shore New shore experiences are constantly being created in exotic destinations such as Noumea, Vanuatu, New Zealand and the Great Barrier Reef. Almost half of P&O Cruises' Shore Tours^ and itineraries have been designed just for families and include cultural activities and hands-on learning experiences that are both educational and tons of fun. The best sights, wonders, adventures, shopping and entertainment at each destination have been carefully researched so you can make the most of your family's time ashore. There are Shore Tours suitable for children under eight through to 19 years, such as cruising around the clear warm waters of the Whitsundays, where those of any physical ability can learn about and enjoy the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. Let the teenagers loose in an off-road buggy or on a jetboat adventure in Vila or visit the chief of a Melanesian village. It's sure to make for the best family holiday ever. For Brenton Jones, his first family holiday with his wife and two daughters was with P&O Cruises and he says that having since taken the family on a land-based holiday, there is no comparison—cruising wins hands down. "The cruise offered a lot of freedom for us. There is more choice and variety in destinations and onboard experiences, as well as strong cultural experiences," he said. Brenton pointed out that, while the kids' club was a great place for his daughters to make friends, it was also a good starting point for him and his wife to socialise with others onboard. "It was a convenient connection to others and we were able to socialise quite freely with other parents when our kids made friends. When the ship was in port this meant we could tour the islands together." For him, the final decision on cruising came down to what the kids thought : "Lots of people, lots of great food and things to do—they were in heaven from day one. There was never an issue because if they were happy, we were happy." Taste temptations Satisfying everyone's dietary preferences can be a dilemma when planning a family holiday. On a cruise, you don't have to think twice about it, with specially created kids menus to cater for even the fussiest eaters. There are a variety of restaurants serving everything from sushi and pizza to mouth- watering chocolate cakes, as well as a host of healthy choices. And we recently made family cruising even sweeter with the addition of New Zealand Natural ice cream parlours on Pacific Pearl and Pacific Dawn, and launched our own flavour, P&O Cruises Choc Hokey Pokey. Pacific Jewel will receive her own New Zealand Natural next year. With meals, entertainment, transport and accommodation taken care of, the only thing left to do is decide where and when you want to go. ˆCharges apply. Sail Away. Spring 2012 9