Carnival Announces New Kids-Focused Program

Now is a good to be between the ages of 12 and 14, particularly if you are going to be sailing with Carnival Cruise Lines.



The cruise line has introduced "Circle C," a new onboard program children's program designed explicitly for the 12- to 14-year-old age group.

Circle C is the third such kid-centric program, joining Camp Carnival for younger kids and Club O2, which targets the 15- to 17-year-old age group.

Circle C will include dedicated facilities and activities, such as custom clubs with video-gaming pods and sports programs. Its taking on the motto: "cruise.chill.connect."

Circle C facilities already exist on Carnival Legend, Carnival Pride, Carnival Victory and Carnival Valor.

Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Paradise and Carnival Glory are scheduled to be retrofitted by the end of this year. The rest of the Carnival fleet will have facilities in place by 2010.

The focal point of "Circle C" activities is custom-designed clubs with a dance floor with high-tech sound and lighting systems, 42-inch plasma-screen TVs displaying movies and music videos, and a touch-screen jukebox stocked with the latest hits.

Also featured are gaming pods with video games and consoles, with 20-inch plasma-screens positioned throughout the room and used exclusively for video gaming. The facilities offer a sleek modern design with oversized picture windows, and plush seating.

The "Circle C" program also offers a schedule of activities, which include sports such as basketball, volleyball, ping-pong and water games to late-night movies and pool parties.

"Circle C" activities are listed in a special edition of Carnival Capers printed daily. A new logo and branding campaign incorporating the "Circle C" theme of "cruise.chill.connect" has also been created.

Also new is Carnival WaterWorks, an aqua park featuring a 300-foot-long twister water slide, dual-lane racing slides and water spray apparatus, currently rolled out as part of the "Evolutions of Fun" refurbishment program on select ships.

Carnival Splendor, set to debut in July, will boast Carnival's largest play area to date and a water spray park. Other fleetwide features include babysitting services, stroller rentals, children's menus, and dozens of inter-connecting cabins.