Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii

Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii

It’s only a half mile but a steep 40 per cent grade makes it seem much longer. After all the eating aboard the Disney Magic (www.disneycruise.com) as we cruise the Med, we’re glad for the exercise as we head to one of the most famous volcano craters in the world. Mt. Vesuvius.

Exploring Malta and its rich history

Exploring Malta and its rich history

DAY FIVE – We’re in Malta, so where are the Knights? The city of Valetta, Malta’s capitol, was built by the Knights of St. John who came here in 1530 to protect the pilgrims.

Families explain why they explore with the Mouse

Families explain why they explore with the Mouse

DAY FOUR – Little kids are everywhere–splashing in Mickey’s Ears in the Mickey Mouse head-shaped pool, getting chicken fingers and Pizza poolside, lining up to meet princesses.

On a tour of the Med with Adventures by Disney

On a tour of the Med with Adventures by Disney

My mission: To see if the Disney Cruise Line can do as good a job for teens as they do for younger kids. Can they make cities like Florence and Rome interesting to kids who prefer malls to museums?

Who says Disney cruises are for little kids?

Who says Disney cruises are for little kids?

It is 10:30 p.m. on the first night of a Mediterranean cruise and The teen club, appropriately named “The Stack” on deck 10 of the Disney Magic is packed with 100 teens and their three energetic counselors.

Aboard the Megaship Norwegian Epic

Aboard the Megaship Norwegian Epic

SPLAT! The water balloons pop on cue. The music is loud and energetic, with Nickelodeon dancers dressed in orange and green — down to their plastic orange-and-green Crocs — spurring on the crowd, some of whom came dripping wet from the waterslides, including the Epic Plunge, the biggest waterslide at sea, just for the chance

On Norwegian’s new megaship Epic

On Norwegian’s new megaship Epic

The kids can’t wait. We’re aboard Norwegians new megaship Epic (153,000 tons!) that has forged a partnership with Nickelodeon that means kids—and their parents-have the chance to get slimed, get up close and personal with SpongeBob, Patrick Star, Dora the Explorer, Diego and Jimmy Neutron at breakfast or “meet and greets.”.