Searching for the ideal vacation for a family can be a challenge! Parents with young children may find the logistics overwhelming and may go several years without a vacation at all. This is especially unfortunate, given that so many favorite childhood memories are intimately connected to events surrounding family vacations.
When they do vacation, many families choose to rent a home on the beach thinking they can enjoy a break without much hassle. Unfortunately, reality soon rears its head as the dishes pile up and clutter begins to accumulate – suddenly it feels more like home and less like a vacation!
Next time around, why not consider the alternative that boasts the highest customer satisfaction rating in the industry? A cruise vacation! When it comes to traveling as a family, a cruise simply cannot be beat, providing an all-in package that includes not only amazing destinations, but also your accommodations, all meals, on-board activities for all ages and stages, entertainment, and incredible children’s programs.
That being said, there are definitely cruise lines that are especially good picks for family vacations. Choose from our “favorites list” below and you will not be disappointed:
• Disney
If you’ve ever visited Disney World, then you may think a Disney Cruise just can’t compete—but nothing could be further from the truth! With their roomy family-friendly cabins, water-play areas, and character experiences, Disney caters to kids and the young at heart! Disney offers some of the best entertainment in the industry (of course!) and their ships cater to families … most definitely including the parents in the fun.
• Royal Caribbean
Travel + Leisure magazine agrees that Royal Caribbean is one of the best vacation options for families. With incredible youth programs, family-friendly dining, and activities like scavenger hunts, it’s easy to see why! On a number of ships, Royal Caribbean offers the DreamWorks Experiences for kids of all ages to enjoy specialized dining, playing, and adventuring with characters like Shrek and the Penguins of Madagascar.
• Princess
While Princess cruises are great for families with children of all ages, they are an especially good choice for those with older children and teenagers. From their infamous National Park Service Junior Ranger program on Alaskan cruises to a teen-only lounge, Princess cruise lines makes it easy for parents to kick back and relax while their kids are having the time of their lives!
• Norwegian
Norwegian knows that kids of different ages have different interests, which is why they have unique programs for each age group. Guppies are passengers ages 6 months to 3 years, while the Splash Academy takes kids ages 3-12 who get endless options of sports and creative play. Teenagers love the Entourage program—which is full of movies, music, video games, and even dance clubs with peers their own age.
• Carnival
Finger painting, puppet shows, themed parties, and story-time are just the beginning for kid friendly fun on Carnival cruise lines. Age-appropriate activities are monitored by professionally trained counselors so you can rest assured that your children are in the best care. And for a modest fee, you can even hire an on-board sitter so the adults can enjoy a night out, or a night alone!
No matter which cruise line you decide to go with, you will experience a hassle-free vacation free from cooking, cleaning, and shopping simply can’t compete with staying at the same destination in a rental or a hotel. With twice daily service, including turn-down service, you won’t lift a finger – but definitely will lift a fork! The changing scenery, amazing off-shore excursions, and unbelievable food will make your family not be able to wait for a chance to follow up with another cruise! And with cruises departing from 22 ports in the United States, it could hardly be any more convenient. Contact me today for help selecting the perfect cruise for your family and budget. We choreograph dreams … and all our cruises can be booked with a modest deposit, making them affordable as well!