Taking the Kids: A river cruise designed for families

St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, usually teeming with visitors, is dark and silent as we file in, one recent evening drenched from the rain.

Slowly, the lights are turned on, revealing 46,000 square feet of golden mosaic, some dating from 1270, some made with 24-carat gold leaf to represent divine light. The marble floors are composed of more than 100 kinds of marble in different patterns.

Wow! Even the most jaded teens couldn't help being impressed, especially by the story of how St. Mark's remains were smuggled out of Egypt in the 9th century under a load of pork that so repelled the Muslim border guards that they waved them through.

Susan Steer, a Ph.D. art historian originally from Britain and a first rate storyteller, has the crowd spellbound -- not easy in a church when people are cold and wet.

Welcome to sightseeing-- Uniworld River Cruises style. We are sailing this week around the Venice Lagoons and for many onboard the 100-passenger River Countess, this isn't their first trip to Italy, or even to Venice. They want to dive deeper; they like getting on and off the boat at will and going for a stroll or a cappuccino or to the shops. They liked the two days spent first in Milan with even a visit to the Last Supper included. (You can dive deeper by reading my trip diaries about our adventure, and starting this week until the end of the year, save up to 30 percent by booking Uniworld's "Our Best Deal" on select itineraries next spring and summer.)

River cruising is a top travel trend and Italy a top destination for the coming year, according to the latest survey from Virtuoso, a leading international travel agency network.

That all of the excursions, top-shelf alcoholic beverages, meals and tips are included is another plus. "You aren't opening your purse all the time," said Maria Ramirez, traveling with her sister, Elviria Labarre.

Nor does anyone feel the staff, who come from more than a dozen countries, is trying to ingratiate themselves for better tips. "They seem to genuinely like their jobs," said Mae Blanchard, traveling with her father and sister.

If you thought river cruises were only for seniors, think again. As the cruise industry reports rising interest in such trips, different lines are seeking ways to broaden their audience with more active excursions, an emphasis on food and wine and yoga and bikes onboard. There are partnerships with Backroads and Adventures by Disney. Uniworld is capitalizing on the trend with their own special "Generations" offerings for families, as well as U by Uniworld cruises aimed at travelers in their 20s and 30s. Next year, because of demand, Uniworld will add three additional "Generations" departures with special family excursions and counselors onboard, said Ellen Bettridge, Uniworld president and CEO. These include two in the Venice Lagoons where, notes cruise director Damiano Olivieri, teens often prefer the adult excursions, seeing the churches and museums.

(Kids and teens are 25 percent off. See what I wrote about one of the special family excursionson one of the first Generations river cruises -- in Germany for the Christmas markets.)

...continued

swipe to next page