Grandest Cruises

Spotting the 880-foot-long Majesty of the Seas docked at the Port of Miami, we breathed a collective sigh of relief. She was big, but not such a behemoth that we’d never learn our way around.

Holding about 2,700 passengers, the Royal Caribbean’s Majesty sails year-round to the Bahamas. Her three- or four-night cruises are great for first-time cruisers, or local people who just want to get away for short vacations. They’re also ideal for grandparents who want to try cruising with grandchildren.

My husband, Bob, and I did just that with our 10-year-old granddaughter, Marti, last July. Although she’s sailed on longer cruises, she absolutely loved it.

"It’s different when you travel with your grandparents," she said. "They might let you do things your parents wouldn’t, such as staying up a little later. Or having very chocolaty desserts. And it’s nice to spend time alone with them."

Her favorite thing about the ship, surprisingly, was A Chorus Line, the gorgeous, two-tiered, red and gold/beige theater that now holds fewer guests than before the ship’s recent $36 million refurbishing. "The production show, Boogie Wonderland, was very colorful and fun," Marti said. "I really liked the music."

The renovations made everything aboard the ship lighter and more spacious looking. The cabins are less roomy than on some other lines; however, mattresses and linens are top-notch. Ours held a queen-size bed, a sofa that converted into a bed for Marti, plus a flat-screen TV. The bathroom boasted new granite counters, and the balcony was delightful for breakfasts.

Cruise Camp

Marti loved Adventure Ocean, the children’s complimentary camp program where every staff member has a college degree and experience working with kids. You can’t just drop off the littlest ones for Aqua Babies and Aqua Tots activities: Adults must accompany children, ages 6 months to 36 months. Teens have their own areas to hang out — the Fuel Nightclub for dancing and The Living Room for lounging. "There were more fun activities than on other ships I’ve been on," said our pro.

A reassuring feature — adults have to sign youngsters out of the camp. On some ships, kids are allowed to leave by themselves and could wander around.

One hoot of a camp activity was the Pirate Parade. The youngsters learned a pirate parody song, donned costumes, and splashed on pirate makeup. Then they sang and marched through the two main dining rooms, the theater, and the Windjammer Marketplace for the adults. It was hilarious.

Hate long cafeteria lines? This ship has separate serving islands at the revamped Windjammer Marketplace buffet. Those in hamburger heaven can go directly there; those with pasta palates have their own spots; vegans are lured to salads in another area, and so on. Even sugar-free desserts for grandmas and grandpas. Choices include American, Asian, Latin, and Mediterranean cuisines.

Nostalgia for some grands means eating at the new Johnny Rockets. The 1950s-style diner features chrome, formica, red upholstery, and tableside jukeboxes for selecting golden oldies. Cooks dish up burgers, BLTs, milkshakes, and sundaes.

Marti joined us for dinner in the dining room, ordering Caesar salad and cooked shrimp, rather than selecting from the buffet. We encourage her to try new dishes, and she’s really a good sport.

Outdoor activities aboard ship center on two pools — one with a shallow end for little ones — and a rock-climbing wall.

While Marti was at camp, Bob and I worked out at the fitness center. We considered taking spa treatments, but then we were just as happy taking our books to a quiet spot on the deck or in the Viking Crown Lounge.

Island Hops

Our day at the private island, CocoCay, proved disappointing because the weather was cloudy and drizzly. Normally, youngsters might play in the placid water, build sand castles, or rent water toys. A 40-foot-high water slide lures the intrepid, and an Aqua Park boasts in-water activities. However, guests have to wade out to reach it. It was raining by then, so we skipped it.

Along with fun, the former teacher in me always tries to inject a bit of learning. Our day at the huge Atlantis resort on Paradise Island provided a great opportunity.

The property, which added a dolphin interaction and education center, has regained its title as the world’s largest open-air marine habitat. Twenty million gallons of water harbor 50,000 marine animals.

Besides seeing giant sharks and schools of colorful fish behind huge-windowed tanks, we walked through a large acrylic tube where they swam over and around us. "My favorite animal that I saw," Marti said, "was a manta ray named Zeus. He weighed over 500 pounds and looked bigger than five sting rays put together."

She also saw some creepy creatures. "The scariest fish I saw was the sawfish," she said. "His nose was the size [the width] of his body." She added, "And I got to hold a starfish. It was slimy and soft. I thought it would be prickly."

We love sharing her delight at these discoveries. Her parents can’t have all the fun!

But I know her, and our travels together also give us an opportunity to share a common interest. Before we left the property, we popped into the casino, where I showed her the stunning glass sculptures. "I love those enormous [Dale] Chihuly glass sculptures," she said, beaming. "They’re so pretty and bright. I remember when you took me to an exhibit of his work last year in Miami."

Isn’t she the smartest thing on earth or at sea? Cruising allows us the joy of sharing those experiences with our grandchilden when their busy working parents don’t have time.