Norwegian Spirit - first ever Multicultural Family Cruise 2008 released

**Ally** · 07-18-2007, 07:35 AM

(PRLEAP.COM) Summit, NJ: On DollsLikeMe.com’s first multicultural family cruise next July, children and adults can take part in a series of floating workshops and activities, learning how to navigate the waters of a multicultural ocean. “A very significant part of our philosophy is to boost the self-esteem of children of color. We do this by providing toys and books featuring characters they can identify with, and offering resources that provide parents with the information and tools needed to enhance their children’s sense of self-worth,” says Denise Gary Robinson of DollsLikeMe.com. “Our multicultural family cruise and self-esteem parenting seminar is designed to drive home positive messages for children while teaching parents how to help children of color develop into confident, self-aware adults – all in the fun, relaxing environment of a cruise,” Gary-Robinson added.

On the cruise, experts will host parent workshops on self-esteem, natural hair care (for black and biracial babies), transracial / transcultural adoption, teaching your children how to respond to bigotry and prejudice, raising bicultural / bilingual children, and other topics. There is also a special money management seminar for children. Kids will participate in one of the best children’s programs in the cruise industry along with a host of DollsLikeMe.com sponsoring games, prizes and contests throughout the voyage. Cruise prices start at $722 per person, for a family of four, including all port taxes and fees.

The cruise, which lasts for six days (July 6 - 12, 2008), runs from New York City to the Bahamas and Florida onboard the Norwegian “Spirit” ship. Every child receives an age-appropriate DollsLikeMe.com travel goody bag for the price of the ticket. Parents can hold a cabin for 21 days for $50. The Multicultural Family Cruise Web site (available online at Multicultural toy store with dolls, puppets, toys, games, and doll clothes.) lists more information about the cruise, including a downloadable flyer.

“This cruise is part of our mission to build strong, self-aware children of color,” says Robinson. “We hope to use the cruise to provide parents with resources and information to help build and maintain self-esteem in their children of color.”

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About DollsLikeMe.com

DollsLikeMe.com is a multicultural toy store that recognizes the importance of children of color having toys and characters that look like them.

DollsLikeMe.com offers more than 600 dolls, toys, books and baby gifts for Asian, Black, Biracial, Latino and Native American children and other children whose parents recognize the importance of introducing their children to multicultural toys, books and baby gifts. DollsLikeMe.com is a wholly owned subsidiary of Halsey Street, Inc., which has been providing media and communication products to schools, corporations, governments and universities since 1994. For more information, please visit Multicultural toy store with dolls, puppets, toys, games, and doll clothes..

**Ally** · 07-18-2007, 08:20 AM

Setting aside my initial thoughts that this sounded a little gimmicky, I actually think this is a great way to help children get to know the different cultures and the problems that can often happen when those cultures live side by side.

Nice idea, hopefully this first cruise of its type won't be the last.