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The royal treatment Cruise Royal Caribbean for fantastic family fun. By Susan BelknappPublished: July, 2009

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Few West Coasters realize that when it comes to top-of-the-line cruise ships, Los Angeles has been left out of the loop. The biggest, most well-appointed ships traditionally sail out of Florida in winter then transfer to Alaska for summer. Why haven’t the premium ships sailed out of Southern California?     According to Royal Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera is the primary cruise destination for ships sailing out of Los Angeles, and there hasn’t been a tremendous demand for the larger ships. However, as cruise ships continue to evolve, the new, larger vessels have substantially more amenities, and more are being added as Royal Caribbean’s next tier, the Oasis Class, is launched. It became clear that a void had been left in the Southwest United States.     To address this need, Royal Caribbean decided to make Los Angeles/San Pedro the new homeport of its Voyager Class vessel, the Mariner of the Seas. The relocation of the ship required a three-week cruise from Florida, around South America’s Cape Horn, (it’s too big to get through the Panama Canal), up the Mexican Riviera and, finally, to the Port of Los Angeles, where it has sailed from since February.     What is the advantage of having a large ship in Los Angeles?     “First and foremost, it makes it far more affordable for the passengers, who don’t have to pay airfare to Texas or Florida,” says Jeff Gauthier, travel consultant at Huntington Beach-based Go With Jo Travel (gowithjo.net). “San Pedro draws cruisers from Southern California, Arizona and Nevada; airfare is either minimized or eliminated altogether.”     Gauthier is very excited to have the opportunity to offer his local clientele a less expensive, but comprehensive, cruising option.         “It’s a great option for us to have the Mariner of the Seas sailing from Los Angeles,” he says. “With the full sports court, the rock-climbing wall and miniature golf, it is a virtual playground for families.”     Additionally, the Mariner of the Seas has an ice-skating rink, golf simulators, in-line skating, full-service spa and fitness facilities and the Royal Promenade – an indoor mall that’s open 24 hours.     There are several themed bars and restaurants, including three premium restaurants such as Portofino and the Chops Grille steakhouse, where you pay a little more to dine there but receive gourmet cuisine with stellar service in an intimate setting.     The pool deck has two pools and four whirlpools with an adults-only solarium to provide a little respite for Mom and Dad.     The best thing about a Royal Caribbean vacation is that kids are treated like VIPs, particularly at the award-winning Adventure Ocean program. Adventure Ocean is complimentary for all young sailors, and kids are separated by age. The only requirement: Children must be at least 3 years old and potty trained.     Children 3 to 11 are broken up by age, and each sub-group has its own spacious, fully equipped play room loaded with age-appropriate computers, games, wide-screen TVs, video game consoles and organized activities.     The teen groups (for 12- to 14-year-olds and 15- to 17-year-olds) are encouraged to expand their horizons as they come and go as they please and participate in sports, themed parties, games and movie nights. The Living Room lounge and Fuel, the teen-only disco, usually become the hip hot spots for everyone in these age groups.     Parents can relax and revel in their own fun with the peace of mind that comes with knowing that their children are in good hands. Every Adventure Ocean staff member holds a college degree in education, recreation, child development or a comparable course of study, and has experience working with children 3 to 17. All are certified in CPR.     “For a full week of nonstop activities and entertainment, meals and beverages, a family can easily book a seven-day Mexican Riviera vacation for less than $75 per person,” says Gauthier. “There are some requirements for Junior and Family Suites, such as five-person occupancy, but the interior Promenade rooms, which offer an atrium setting, average about $670 per person. For everything you get, you just cannot beat that value.”     Additions such as shore excursions, premium restaurants, alcoholic beverages, a variety of spa treatments and gambling at Casino Royale are extra, but after you calculate room, board and entertainment for less than $100, you’re way ahead.     The Mexican Riviera’s cruise has ports of call at Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan. It may not be too late to have the family adventure of a lifetime. Susan Belknapp is associate editor of OC Family magazine.

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