Take a Kid Cruise Discover Endless Fun & Adventure on a Family Cruise
My favorite all time family travel option is a kid cruise and I have been on several. A few years ago on New Years’ we travelled with our then nine year old and my husband’s family.
I can honestly say, there was something in it for everyone from age nine to age 70. We all had a wonderful time and my son’s first question on our return was “when do we cruise next?”
Well we did cruise again, several times, the picture below was taken on a beach day in Mazatlan. That is our ship – The Carnival Spirit – in the distance.
Those that have never cruised before are most people who would not consider a kid cruise. They will do it again and again once they will be on their first cruise.
About cruising, there are a lot of misconceptions about it like it is only for older people and not suited for families, it is too rigid, there is nothing to do, you will feel trapped, you will get seasick, it is too expensive! These are all false statements and could not be further from the truth.
5 Reasons a Kid Cruise Is Ideal for Families
Planning a vacation that caters to the diverse interests and ages of every family member can be a daunting task. However, a cruise vacation offers an ideal solution by providing an all-inclusive and family-friendly environment that is sure to please everyone.
There are countless exciting activities and entertainment options, such as supervised kids clubs. In addition, the abundance of dining options has transformed cruise ships into a popular choice for families seeking a memorable and stress-free holiday.
Let’s explore four compelling reasons why a cruise is the perfect choice for families and why you should embark on this trip of a lifetime.
1. You Can Plan Your Trip with Minimal Stress
Now that you’ve decided to book a cruise trip, you have to start planning, checking deals, exploring excursion options and activities, and planning your itinerary.
We know that organizing a family vacation can often be overwhelming, especially when it comes to transportation, accommodation, and dining arrangements. However, a cruise vacation takes away much of the stress associated with planning, as everything is conveniently bundled into one package.
From the moment you step on board, you can relax, knowing that your transportation, accommodations, and meals are all taken care of. With multiple dining options available, including buffet-style eateries and specialty restaurants, even the pickiest eaters can find something to their liking.
Additionally, the ship acts as a floating hotel, eliminating the hassle of packing and unpacking as you visit different destinations. This convenience allows families to focus on spending quality time together and creating lasting memories.
Copyright: Fernando Jorge on Unsplash I License: CC0 Public Domain
2. There is Entertainment for Everybody
Both kids and adults will be entertained throughout the stay on the cruise ship. These ships are particularly popular for offering exciting entertainment options.
One of the most significant advantages of a family cruise is the wide range of entertainment options that cater to all members, regardless of their age. Cruise ships are floating playgrounds, offering a plethora of activities to keep children, teenagers, and adults engaged and entertained with age specific kids clubs as well.
Kids can enjoy dedicated play areas, water parks, arcades, and supervised kids clubs, where they can participate in age-appropriate activities and make new friends. Teenagers have their own exclusive hangout spots and organized events, allowing them to socialize and enjoy their independence.
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For adults, cruise ships provide everything from live shows and musical performances to casinos, spas, and fitness centers. With an abundance of entertainment choices, families can bond over shared experiences while also enjoying activities that cater to their individual interests.
If you want to explore the various entertainment options, you can check out deals online from specialist providers like aquaexpeditions.com and choose the deal that is best for you and your family.
3. There is Increased Security and Privacy Throughout the Trip
Cruise lines prioritize the safety and well-being of their guests, especially families traveling with children. Ships are equipped with state-of-the-art security measures, ensuring a secure environment throughout the voyage.
Furthermore, many cruises offer supervised kids’ clubs and programs staffed by trained professionals, providing a safe and engaging environment for children to enjoy age-appropriate activities. These clubs are divided into different age groups, allowing children to socialize and participate in games, crafts, and interactive programs while parents have some well-deserved adult time.
The peace of mind that comes with knowing your children are well-cared for allows the entire family to relax and enjoy their vacation to the fullest.
Copyright: Ararna Johri on Unsplash I License: CC0 Public Domain
4. Embark on an Adventure Together
A family cruise provides the opportunity to explore various destinations without the hassle of changing accommodations or planning multiple itineraries. Cruise ships visit a variety of ports, allowing families to discover new cultures, historical sites, and breathtaking landscapes together.
You can start exploring ancient ruins or go snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, where each port of call offers unique adventures suitable for all ages.
Families can choose from a selection of shore excursions tailored to their preferences, whether it’s a thrilling zip-lining experience, an educational guided tour, or a relaxing beach day. Cruising provides a seamless way to introduce children to different cultures and broaden their horizons through immersive experiences.
5. It is an Enriching Experience for the Whole Family
A cruise vacation provides an enriching experience for families by offering a multitude of educational opportunities. Many cruise lines feature educational programs designed specifically for children, where they can engage in hands-on activities, workshops, and interactive learning experiences.
Additionally, excursions at various ports of call offer educational value, allowing families to visit museums and historical sites, as well as learn about local cultures. A cruise vacation becomes a valuable learning experience, broadening children’s perspectives and fostering a love for exploration and discovery.
Find out More about Kid Cruises
Kid cruises offer a unique experience for the whole family that’s totally different from traditional beach vacations. With kid-friendly activities, kid-only areas and special programs designed specifically for children, these special cruise ships create a vacation experience that your kids won’t soon forget.
Whether you’re looking for a day trip or a weeklong adventure on the high seas, there is a kid cruise that’s perfect for your family. From pirate-themed activities to educational programs, these kid cruises are sure to create memories that will last a lifetime. Learn more about the different opportunities available and make your next family vacation one for the books!
What are the most popular cruise lines with families?
The most popular cruise lines for families are Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, and Norwegian Cruise Line. All four of these lines offer a range of family-friendly onboard activities such as kid’s clubs, swimming pools, game rooms, water slides and much more.
Additionally, many of the kid friendly cruise lines have special family cabins with extra beds to accommodate larger parties. Depending on your budget, you can choose from a variety of vacation packages and amenities offered by each line to make the most out of your family beach cruise.
Be sure to look into their various discounts, packages and promotions for even more savings! Carnival Cruise Lines offer discounts for groups of all sizes and for those who book early. Vacation packages can be customized to include a variety of amenities, like meals or onboard activities.
Whether you’re looking for an adventurous escape from reality, or just a relaxing getaway, cruise ships something for everyone!
How do They Offer Tremendous Value?
At one price, kids cruises offer tremendous value, it usually includes your meals, accommodations, entertainment and a whole lot more. With over 250 ships, 1,800 ports of call, there is a lot of variety and so much to do on board, you could not do it all in one day!
It is all up to you if you do choose not to do anything at all but relax and that is the best part of it. A kid’s cruise is something that is hard to appreciate until you are onboard and are able to experience it yourself and if you like to be pampered then this cruise is for you.
Afraid of Getting Seasick?
The fear of getting seasick, as for it, is often groundless when you cruise in the tranquil waters of the Caribbean, Bahamas and Alaska as well as the rivers and canals of the U.S. and Europe.
There are over – the counter remedies, if you are still unsure, which would work for most people and procedures you can follow if you do feel queasy.
And ships’ doctors can administer injections that eliminate all discomfort if you do happen to hit a storm in one of the world’s oceans. To reduce motion, today’s ships are also stabilized.
Are There Great Kids Programs?
With some wonderful programs, the cruise lines have responded because families love cruising. Especially the bigger lines like Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Disney Cruises who carry a lot of families, a lot of ships have special places for kids including play areas and kids clubs supervised by youth coordinators and are great options for Family Cruises.
Cruise think of everything, they schedule activities for every day of the cruise from group participation games like Monopoly or sports like basketball, to quieter activities like movie time and story – telling in the afternoon.
Run by a trained, patient and fun – loving staff, kids cruises have age – specific kids club programs, a ship with facilities that can entertain and educate and plenty of other kids on board to make it all work.
There is simplicity in enrolling in any one of these activities, just go to the youth coordinator on duty and he or she will get you into all of the activities of the day. Other activities can include rock climbing walls, outdoor pools, race tracks, water slides and more.
Be sure to check the daily schedule because sometimes they close down for a few hours in the afternoon or early evening and coordinate those times with your parents. Babysitting services are often available for younger kids but it is necessary to check with the staff on board about the hours of availability.
However it is important to realize that not all cruise lines like cruise ships and itineraries are created equal when it comes to family travel.
- Before you find your perfect kid cruise, you should consider a couple of key factors.
- Due to the reason that ships are simply bigger, cruise lines’ newer ships tend to have the biggest, most elaborate kids’ centers and usually have been designed to incorporate children’s areas.
- Depending on the Cruise Line, Kid Cruise Programs can vary but most offer supervised activities broken out by age. It will be better, generally speaking if there are more age groupings. You will otherwise run the risk of having your 8 year old stuck in a group with savvy preteens, for example.
- Almost all activities include some kind of arts and crafts and games but they also sometimes vary.
- Ships tend to have special enclosed deck space in some cases with wading pools, water slides, mini – basketball hoops and jungle gyms. Others have computers, science labs and video games.
Which Itineraries are Family Oriented?
Particularly for pre – 13 year olds, not all itineraries are kid – friendly. Know that many lines offering such itineraries, even ones geared for families, may have age restrictions if you are planning an exotic trip like Asia, South America, world cruises, etc. They may have very limited programs and few children’s staff on board.
The ratio of staff, in addition, to kids can vary widely from cruise line to cruise line and even from ship to ship.
Especially in the case of younger children for your kid cruise, know before you go. Alaska and the Caribbean, these particular regions, tend to be more family oriented.
What About Dining?
Alternatives are offered by most cruises now like casual dining to the traditional two – seating formal dining ritual which may not be suited to kids or at least not at every meal.
Available any time is the around–the–clock, room service on most lines and can be convenient for some meals.
My personal cruise tips:
When is the Best Time to Go?
During school vacation periods are the popular times for a kid cruise. The cruise can be more expensive in those times but it is usually guaranteed that there are more playmates at that time for your kids.
To stick to shorter cruises 3 or 4 day options as well as seven day trips is another alternative. If the duration is longer, the crowd tends to be older in most cases.
What are the Options for Families?
Family staterooms or connecting rooms are what most ships offer. Offering a nice escape would be a cabin with a veranda while a young child may be napping or watching cartoons.
- In advance, inquire of your cruise about availability of equipment, from cribs to strollers.
- Find out before boarding the ship and do not assume diapers and formula to be included and available on board.
Bring your kids along on almost any cruise and they’ll have the time of their lives. When it comes to family vacations, a cruise offers an unbeatable combination of entertainment, convenience, exploration, and safety.
From the vast array of activities and entertainment options to stress-free planning and all-inclusive nature, a cruise caters to the diverse needs and interests of every family member. So, you get to enjoy the trip as a family and forge memories that will last a lifetime.
Can you take a Baby or Toddler on a Cruise?
Thinking of a family cruise vacation for your family vacation? Some cruise ships are well equipped for babies and toddlers and it can be an excellent option.
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