Carnival Brings the Sea to New Kid’s Program

Kids on Carnival ships will soon be making penguins out of Oreos, playing marine animal trivia, crafting their own sailboats, and designing their own aquariums in Camp Ocean, the line’s new marine-themed kids’ program.

Launching in May on Carnival Freedom, Camp Ocean will replace Camp Carnival on all of the line’s 24 “Fun Ships” by 2016. Carnival Magic, Carnival Breeze, and Carnival Triumph will also get the program this year.

Carnival already draws some 700,000 kids a year, but is looking to raise the stakes in the family market.

“While our current children’s program consistently gets very high marks, we’ve challenged ourselves to exceed expectations with a truly dynamic and diverse program for our youngest guests,” said Mark Tamis, Carnival’s senior vice president of guest operations.

Designed for kids from 2 to 11 years old, Carnival’s Camp Ocean will feature more than 200 activities in the realms of science, active play, role playing, music, and food.

The age-appropriate activities will take place in distinctive underwater-themed play areas for “Penguins” ages 2 to 5; “Sting Rays” ages 6 to 8; and “Sharks” ages 9 to 11.

While the youngest kids get to do things such as climb in miniature igloos, older kids will be able to play at interactive gaming stations.

On Carnival Freedom, currently undergoing a multimillion-dollar refurbishment, and Carnival Vista, debuting in 2016, new Camp Ocean play areas will include a shared “party” area and arts and crafts space.

Kids will be able to earn badges for completing shipboard tasks such as trying a new food or making a towel animal.

Carnival sought help from pros in child development/education, media, and interactive games in developing the program.

The kids’ program redo follows Carnival’s announcement of a family-focused partnership with Dr. Seuss, which is bringing The Cat in the Hat and pals on board.