Always an industry trendsetter, Royal Caribbean is the first cruise line to offer a Tracking Program for parents to track their children onboard a cruise ship.

When Royal Caribbean's new Oasis of the Seas begins regular cruises next month, the muster station wristbands that all young children on cruise ships must wear will be enhanced with a passive electronic device that will allow their parents to track them in real time as they wander the ship -- an industry first.

The wristbands are being rolled out in conjunction with the debut of an onboard smart phone system called Royal Connect that's designed to make it easier for passengers to keep in touch with eachother.

Passengers will be able to rent Royal Connect phones for $17.50 a voyage that they can use to track their children, call and text other passengers who have Royal Connect phones and call cabins.

The phones also can be used to call onboard areas such as the spa and restaurants to make reservations, and they also display the latest shipboard activities.  The phones are Apple iPhones configured to only work on the ship.  They plan to offer 800 phones on the Oasis of the Seas on a  first-come, first-serve basis to passengers.

Parents who don't want to spend the $17.50 to rent a phone but still want to track down their child's location on Oasis will be able to go the guest services desk to do it. 

Read along on my Crystal Serenity Cruise blog as I sail through the Mediterranean on a fantastic, luxury cruise ship, the Crystal Serenity.

Royal Caribbean International unveiled the seventh and final neighborhood onboard Oasis of the Seas, debuting in Nov. 2009. The Youth Zone introduces a wealth of kid- and teen-friendly adventures including Kids Avenue, a central boulevard connecting children with dedicated Adventure Ocean spaces and various themed play areas; the cruise line's first nursery for infants and toddlers (six months or older); and state-of-the-art teen areas.

The Norwegian Epic is set to debut in the Summer of 2010 and she represents an entire new class of ship for Norwegian Cruise Line.  With over 17 Dining Venues, the first true Ice Bar at sea, the Bliss Bowling Alley, an Amazing Aqua Park and unique stateroom categories that can accommodate up to 6 people, this is going to be a ship to experience. 

 The Aqua Park

Also a first at sea, The Blue Man Group will provide exclusive entertainment to a whole new audience! Blue Man Group

This is an exciting new option for families with young children who wish to enjoy dinner both with their children AND have some adult time as well. 

The main dining room now offers My Family Time Dining SM with expedited dining and Adventure Ocean pick-up service (see details below), to keep the whole family happy and satisfied during your meals. With this expedited dining service your kids (ages 3 to 11) will be served their meals within 40 minutes, and their appetizers get served right away.

When they've finished dinner, take your children to meet the Adventure Ocean Youth staff at the dining room entrance doors. The staff will escort your children directly to the Adventure Ocean facilities for scheduled evening activities. Then you can quickly return to your dining experience and enjoy a relaxing meal. Details: Must be registered in our complimentary Adventure Ocean Youth program.   Must have signed up for My Family Time Dining option in advance through our online booking & reservation service or once onboard, you can sign up for this service in the Adventure Ocean area.   The service starts on the second evening onboard. From then on you can enjoy My Family Time Dining for the remainder of your cruise vacation or choose to use this service whenever you wish.   Available for guests who select the Traditional Dining service the first available seating.   More specific details are provided onboard in the Adventure Ocean area. You can take advantage of the expedited dining service for children at any time. Simply sign up your children in the Adventure Ocean area onboard.