Cheap western caribbean cruises

Whoever dreamed up the concept of family cruises ought to win a lifetime-achievement award from the travel industry. The very idea of turning a ship into a floating hotel in which kids are welcomed with open arms--and parents are given a much-needed break from the tedium of mapping out family fun--has got to be worth a major nod of recognition!

When selecting a cruise vacation, look for cruise lines that offer children access to their own game room, a deep and shallow swimming pool, and plenty of age-appropriate activities led by trained counselors. Roughly half of the 26 cruise companies that belong to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) try to attract the family market by offering children's programming--but out of that group, only a handful cater to children year-round. And such catering doesn't come cheap. The rates below include airfare and are "brochure prices"--meaning they're the most you'll have to pay for a seven-night cruise during the last full week of August in a modest lower-deck, inside stateroom that sleep four. But by booking as little as three months in advance (six to eight months recommended), by avoiding the "high season" (see "What's in a Season?" following page), and by using a savvy CLIA-affiliated travel agent who is a member of the National Association of Cruise Only Agencies (NACOA), a family of four can easily save from $300 to $1,300. For a list of certified and accredited NACOA members, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to NACOA, 7600 Red Rd., Ste. 128, Miami FL 33143.

Although Disney's cruise line doesn't launch until early 1998, it's already accepting reservations; call (800) 511-1333 for details. Meanwhile, here's a look at four other cruise lines you may want to set sail on:

CARNIVAL Carnival has 11 "Fun Ships" and 100 counselors. Basics: Kids' club starts at age 2; nighttime group baby-sitting for kids 2 and up from 10 P.M. to 2 A.M. ($4 per hour for the first child, $2 per hour for second and third children). Cabin size: 185 square feet. Destinations: Three- and four-day cruises to Baja and the Bahamas; seven-day cruises to the Mexican Riviera and the eastern, western and southern Caribbean. Cost: Base rates are $1,599 each for the first two passengers, $439 each for the third and fourth. Call (800) CARNIVAL.

NORWEGIAN "It's Different Out Here" is the slogan for this line, which has seven ships and 28 counselors. Basics: Kids' program for 3-to-5-year-olds only during school holidays; teen game rooms; some children's pools; in-port child care for ages 6 and up; in-cabin baby-sitting noon to 2 A.M. ($8 per hour first child, $1.50 per hour each additional sibling); group baby-sitting $4 per hour. Cabin size: 155 square feet. Destinations: Three-night cruises to a private island in the Bahamas; four-night cruises to Key West and Mexico; seven-night cruises to Canada, New England, Alaska or eastern, western and southern Caribbean. Cost: For eastern Caribbean, midseason, $1,149 each for first two passengers, $699 each, third and fourth. Call (800) 327-7030.

PREMIER The Big Red Boat cruise line won a National Parenting Center seal of approval last year and has two ships and 30 counselors. Basics: Kids' program starts at age 2; kids' pool; game room and teen nightclub; first-run and Disney classic films; Looney Tunes character tuck-ins (extra cost); inport supervised child care; all-night group baby-sitting after 1O P.M. for kids 2 and up ($4 first child, $2 each additional sibling). Cabin size: 127 square feet. Destinations: Three- or four-night cruises to the Bahamas; seven-night land-and-sea packages to the Bahamas and Walt Disney World Orlando theme-park area. Cost: For the Orlando package, $1,249 each for first two passengers and kids cruise free for all of 1997, subject to availability. Call (800) DREAM54.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN No nickname, no slogans, but plenty of industry awards; ten ships, 72 to 80 counselors. Basics: Kids' program starts at age 3; video arcade and teen disco; children's films; in-port group child care on some ships ($4 per hour per child) or in-cabin baby-sitting for infants 6 months and up ($8 to $10 per hour) from 8 A.M. to 2 A.M. Cabin size: 120 square feet. Destinations: Three- or four-night cruises to the Bahamas and southern Caribbean; seven-, ten- and 11-night cruises to eastern, western and southern Caribbean. Cost: For seven nights to western Caribbean, midseason, $1,399 each for first two passengers, $699 per third and fourth passengers. Call (800) 327-6700.

Freelance writer Stephanie Renfrow Hamilton embarked on a maiden-voyage cruise with her family last summer.

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Before boarding, make sure you bring along the following--just to be on the safe side.

* Seasickness remedies. Get a chewable antiemetic to prevent vomiting (Dramamine is the most recognizable brand) or a pair of acupressure motion-sickness wristbands. Consider Seabands ($9.85 a pair) or, for larger wrists, BioBands ($12.85 a pair). Both are available through Magellan's, a travel specialty outlet; call (800) 962-4943 for catalog.

* Your Sunday best. Everybody dresses to the nines on cruises, so pack light--but pack the best--even down to your casual clothes.

* Cash for tips. Expect to be pampered and expect to pay for it in generous gratuities. Set aside an envelope of twenties, tens and ones. On a seven-day cruise, a family of four might shell out as much as $210 in tips for their cabin steward, waiter and assistant waiter alone ($84, $84 and $42 respectively).

RELATED ARTICLE: What's in a Season?

Most of these lines set sail year-round and change their rates three times a year, depending on the travel season. But because children usually have only summers off, you probably won't be able to take advantage of the low-season rates, which typically occur during school months.

So the best window of opportunity for folks with kids seems to be when midseason rates have kicked in, often during the summertime. Oddly enough this overlaps with hurricane season, which spans from June through November. If you're willing to take your chances with high winds--and thousands of families are each year--you can get a pretty good rate.

For most cruises, the high season is in effect for holiday periods, including Easter and/or spring break, sometimes Thanksgiving and always Christmas. If a family of four puts to sea during the holidays, they may have to shell out an additional $400 to $700. So choose your cruise season carefully, a week or two here or there can translate into big savings.