Sail with the Stars

Calabasas, CA

This unique cruising program operates twice each year taking a chartered group of travelers to exotic locations with some of the hottest young stars in Hollywood. This is an opportunity to get up-close and personal with stars from television and movies while being together as a family on a top flight cruise. Our testing family cruised for one week from Vancouver to Alaska on board Holland America’s Westerdam. They found the program’s staff to be warm, sincere and dedicated to their appointed task of making everyone feel included and welcome. The celebrities were open and approachable and fit in comfortably with the regular folk. This is a program that is marketed to families of teens of all ages. Our testers felt that the ideal range would be 10 to 15, provided that the kids had a real interest in meeting and traveling with these celebrities since their inclusion is a contributing factor to a rather substantial price tag. Part of each cruises fee is donated to various charitable causes. The Starlight Foundation from this cruise received over \$30,000.

The cruise itself was an eye opening experience as the magnificent Alaskan coast provided the backdrop for seven days filled with exploration. On board the food was superb as was the entertainment including great music and dancing. This is a program that is clearly aimed at the kids meaning that the adults had to frequently find their own diversions. Depending on your point of view this can be a positive or a negative.

Additional Notes:
It is hard to lump the entire range of teenage years in one group. A split on teens 10-14 and then 15-18 would have created a better group interaction and increased participation.

Price for family of four, seven days: Alaskan Cruise, \$4,800 Outside cabin Caribbean Cruise, \$4,000 Outside cabin (both cruises include meals, port charges & taxes)