Are you looking for a crowd pleaser of a vacation? Consider a cruise! Your destination at sea has everything you need food, fun, entertainment, and relaxation. There are so many reasons why cruising is popular with families so it was hard to only list a few of them. Cruising can be so family friendly that as parents you may truly find moments of relaxation which is worth the price of admission.
You only have to pack once but, you will to visit multiple destinations.
Normally, a multi-destination vacation requires that you unpack and pack up again and again. Cruising has taken that out of the equation. Cruising brings you the excitement of multiple port destinations yet, provides the luxury of staying in the same cabin each night. Not to mention, sailing between each destination is exhilarating. In my opinion, there is nothing like the feeling of being on a ship out the in the ocean. I love looking out at the waves on the horizon and soaking up the sunshine. Bonus if I have a fruity drink in hand.
There is something for everyone.
Cruise ships really pack so much entertainment into each ship. Some of the newest ships have ice skating rinks and go cart racing tracks on them. All family friendly cruise lines have some sort of a “kids club” for younger children and even and area for teens to hang out. The great part about these areas is that children and teens have the opportunity to socialize and meet new friends in a safe and supervised environment. Meanwhile, parents can enjoy the adults only lounge areas, spa, or casino. Imagine Las Vegas floating on water. That’s kind of like what the vibe of a cruise ship feels like. A dozen or more restaurants, music of every genre at every turn, movie screens, live shows, magic shows, games shows, shopping, art galleries, photography studios, and more. If you are seeking out relaxation and rejuvenation you can always find a gym, walking track, or head to the spa. There is never a shortage of actives on the daily itinerary. When it comes to cruising you should never feel bored and you will always feel like you missed something. Luckily, actives are typically repeated every night so you will have the opportunity to experience everything.
“Everything” is included.
Many cruise lines now are following a trend of an “all-inclusive” pricing structure. In addition to the cruise fare other costs may include drink packages, wifi, excursions, specialty, dining, gratuity, and travel protection. Many of these can be bundled together and paid for in advance to get a discount. All of the above mentioned activities, entertainment, and kids clubs are also included. Again, the above mentioned actives and entertainment are included to a certain extent and there can be variety between cruise brands.
Flexibility with Minimal Planning required.
Even if all you do in advance is pay for your cruise and complete your check in, you can very easily just show up without any reservations or plan. Again, because there are so many options if you decide you want a spa day or want to make specialty dining arrangements those requests are not impossible. However, if you are the planning type you can select specialty dining and reserve excursions in advance and usually doing so saves you a little money.
Affordability
There is such a variety in cruise pricing, depending on the length of your cruise, party size, and cruise line brand the pricing can range to fit any budget. Cruise lines are also know for their enticing promotions. Once you factor in the value included in a cruise the decision to book is an easy one. There are so many great cruise lines to choose from, it would be really hard to pick a favorite. I recommend to go with a cruise line that works with your budget and appeals to you.
So often, families tell me the “best vacation” they ever took was a cruise and that is why they go back again and again. My best advice is to start with a shorter itinerary and work your way up. No two cruises will feel the same and you will always find something unique and memorable.
