Every parent knows kids aren't "free." Every cruise passenger has heard of a variety of "kids sail free" promotions.
Royal Caribbean has a novel one.
It's called "Kids Tour Free" and it's just what is implied. Shore excursions for kids 12 years and under — try and tell teenagers that they're "kids" — go on shore excursions with their parents (who pay) at no charge.
This is for 2014 cruises in Europe. Cruises have to be booked by the end of September and shore excursions by the middle of December.
Obviously, North American parents who can afford to fly their kids to Europe to go on a cruise have some disposable income set aside for travel. But it's a nice touch to get some relief from what is already going to be an expensive vacation.
And it gets a little better.
Book your airfare through Royal Caribbean's ChoiceAir program and you get $1,000 off the cost of your stateroom, if it's at least at the balcony level.
So while it won't make your kids "free" it will make them less expensive.
Carnival Liberty
7 nights
November 16, 2013
Miami (return): Cozumel, Belize, Roatan, Grand Cayman
Inside: $309
Cost per day: $44
www.carnival.com