 Family Travel Files Ezine Family Vacations Resource |
Cruises: Carnival and Coca-Cola Create ‘Club 02’ Teen Centers. Carnival Cruise Lines, the world’s largest cruise operator, and The Coca-Cola Company, the world’s largest soft drink manufacturer, have teamed up to create “Club O2,” a teen program aboard the line’s 21 “Fun Ships” featuring spacious, high-tech teen centers as well as expanded activities.
“Club O2,” which is targeted at teens in the 15-17 age group, encompasses a variety of new and expanded programming fleet wide, as well as new teen directors aboard each ship and spacious teen clubs offering a memorable setting for activities or just hanging out. The teen centers are currently featured on 12 of 21 Carnival ships with the majority of the other ships scheduled to be retrofitted by the end of the year.
The 1,000- to 1,800-square-foot teen clubs include a dance floor with a DJ, a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system and large-screen plasma TVs displaying the latest movies and music videos. There’s also a “Coke-tail” lounge where guests can enjoy Coca-Cola products and various non-alcoholic specialty drinks. The rooms are enhanced by a distinctive décor along with plush sofas and comfortable seating.
Select teen clubs also feature a library with popular teen-oriented books and magazines, video game units, 16-monitor “video walls,” and “listening stations” where teens can plug in and hear the latest tunes.
“We’ve conducted extensive market research on the unique vacation desires of today’s teens and have developed a carefully thought out program that combines modern, inviting facilities and interesting activities, all in an unstructured environment preferred by older kids,” said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO. “Teens comprise a significant portion of the 500,000 kids who are expected to sail aboard the ‘Fun Ships’ this year and Carnival is pleased to partner with industry leader Coca-Cola to create this exciting program for teens to call their own,” he added.
“What a fantastic way for both Carnival and Coca-Cola to reach this vital segment of their businesses. ‘Club O2’ is destined be a great success,” said John Byrne, senior national sales executive of The Coca-Cola Company.
The “Club O2” activities begin shortly after teens arrive on board as they attend a “Welcome Aboard” party where they receive a complete listing of the voyage’s activities, as well as a variety of promotional materials, including a mesh “Club O2” bag. Then throughout the voyage, teens can enjoy a wide range of activities such as karaoke sessions, nightly themed parties, late-night movies, video game contests, basketball, ping-pong and other sporting events.
Following the latest “reality TV” craze, games based on “The Bachelor/Bachelorette,” “Fear Factor” and “Survivor” are played daily. Activities start in the early afternoon and run well into the evening. Activities are coordinated by a “Club O2” teen director aboard each ship. “These energetic directors are really the catalyst for ‘Club O2’ and create an exciting atmosphere for getting teens involved,” Dickinson said.  The new fleet wide teen program continues Carnival’s efforts at catering to this burgeoning market. Recent enhancements include the fleetwide Y-Spa program aimed exclusively at older kids and their parents who can enjoy a variety of soothing, luxurious body and facial treatments. Teens-only shore excursions are also available, providing older kids an opportunity to experience Carnival’s exciting destinations together as a group. Outings are accompanied by a member of the teen staff and include such options as cave tubing in Belize, horseback riding in Cozumel, and swimming with stingrays in Grand Cayman.
Other fleet wide amenities popular with teens include 24-hour pizza and ice cream in the poolside restaurants and high-tech arcades featuring the latest video games. Teens can also enjoy a nine-hole miniature golf course on the Imagination, as well as a 270-square-foot outdoor television screen on the new Carnival Liberty. Bonus points: Each Carnival ship offers at least three swimming pools as well as a twisting, turning water slide.
Carnival Offers Teen Connections. The teen shore excursion program, provides teenagers an opportunity to enjoy a variety of fun and exciting on-shore activities - everything from cave tubing and mountain biking to swimming with dolphins and stingrays - with other teens sailing aboard the "Fun Ships."
Currently available aboard 15 of the line's 18 ships with fleetwide implementation is expected by the end of the summer. The new program provides children ages 12-15 an opportunity to select from three different age-appropriate shore excursions per port - all at special discounts of up to 20 percent off the regular price. Teens sailing on a particular voyage, vote on the tour of their choice; the excursion with the highest number of votes is then selected as the group's chosen activity for that port. A member of the ship's youth staff accompanies teens on all excursions.
Sample teen excursions include:
Coral Reef and Stingray Safari (Grand Cayman) - On this three-hour excursion, guests have an opportunity to view colorful tropical fish while snorkeling in crystal-clear Caribbean waters, as well as swim with docile stingrays at Grand Cayman's legendary "stingray sandbar."
Mayan Horseback Riding (Cozumel) - Following a scenic ride through the Mexican jungle, guests are taken to the Buena Vista Ranch, located at the heart of the "tropical savannah," where guests enjoy a leisurely horseback ride through these low-lying lands.
Atlantis Submarine (St. Thomas) - This 48-passenger submarine will take guests 90 feet below the ocean's surface to Turtle Cove Bay, where they can view the beautiful "sea garden" of coral and plant life. From there, the craft repositions to Snapper Valley, home to countless species of fish, dolphins, sharks and other marine life.
America's Cup Regatta (St. Maarten) - On this excursion, guests experience the thrill of America's Cup yacht racing as they pilot authentic 12-meter masted sailing vessels Stars & Stripes, Canada II and True North, which previously competed in the world famous event.
Key West Bike Tour (Key West) - This two-and-a-half-hour tour provides guests an "up close and personal" look at Key West's colorful and exciting history, providing an opportunity to view stately mansions and small cottages while learning about the island's legacy of pirates, sponging and treasure salvaging.
Cave Tubing & Rainforest Tour (Belize) - Following a motorcoach transfer through the Belizean countryside, guests will enjoy a relaxing 45-minute tubing excursion meandering down the Sibun River where they can observe craggy cave and rock formations, as well as the lush foliage and vegetation of the Belizean rain forest. Lunch is included.
Mountain Bike & Snorkel Adventure (Cozumel) - This excursion combines the best that Cozumel has to offer - a bike ride through Chankanaab, one of the Caribbean's premier parks, with an opportunity to snorkel in the island's crystal-clear waters and view rugged coral formations and schools of brightly hued fish.
Dolphin Encounter (Honduras) - Interaction with curious and friendly dolphins highlights this two-and-a-half hour excursion, which takes place at awe-inspiring Anthony's Key. Following a brief orientation, guests enter waist-deep water and play, feed, touch and even give hand signals to these gentle marine mammals.
The new teen shore excursions are available to guests between the ages of 12-15 through Carnival's popular "Camp Carnival" program. Reservations must be made in advance with the "Camp Carnival" staff once on board.
Carnival is the largest and most popular cruise line in the world, with 22 “Fun Ships” operating voyages of three to 16 days in length to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England and Europe. For additional information and reservations, contact your travel agent, or call toll-free 1-800-CARNIVAL or www.Carnival.com Content and images provided by Carinival Cruise lIne. Copyright 2007.
|
