Carnival Cruise Lines has added a new teen shore excursion program, providing 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 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, which caters to the 400,000 children who are expected to sail aboard the "Fun Ships" this year. Reservations must be made in advance with the "Camp Carnival" staff once on board.
The first of these, the 110,000-ton Carnival Glory, is set to launch year-round seven-day Caribbean service from Port Canaveral, Fla., July 19, 2003. (Source: Carnival Cruise Lines)
