A family cruise may be the ideal family vacation for you and the kids. Many people take cruises to get away from it all, and the best thing about taking a cruise is that there is something for everyone in your family. If mom wants to lay out by the pool, dad can go off and enjoy the putting greens while the kids enjoy some of the well-supervised and entertaining kids activities. Plus, planning a family cruise couldn’t be easier. Cruise lines make it easy for you to pick and choose your package.
Choosing Your Destination
Before you start doing a lot of research into taking a cruise, one of the first things you will want to do is to decide on your destination. You have endless choices with cruise lines. Many times where you go will also dictate the length of the cruise. Some popular family cruises go to Disney World, favorite beach locations in Mexico, and even to Alaska, Get idea about your bit. Once you have decided where you want to go, then you can start looking at cruise lines. For example, if you have always dreamed of a Disney vacation, then you will want to choose the Disney Cruise Lines for your trip. Nickelodeon Family Cruise has recently started offering cruises in partnership with RoyalCarribean.
Stick to a Budget
Cruises can cost a lot of money, but they don’t have to. This is something you will have to consider very carefully. It is very easy to get caught up in all the “extras” that cruise lines offer, but these extras will cost you more money, too. Before you start booking, think about what you can spend and make a list of what is important to each member of your family. This will make planning and budgeting your trip much easier. The other thing that you need to remember is that while your trip is “all inclusive,” you will need extra spending cash. Plan that in your budget, too.
Research Cruise Lines
The next thing you will want to do is to research the various cruise lines. There are many out there and some are geared towards families and some are not. Disney and Carnival cruise lines will probably be your best bets for a family vacation, as well as RoyalCaribbean. As you call around or look online at your options, think about the ages of your children and what you want out of the vacation. Do you have a very young child that may require a babysitting service? Are you interested in a relaxing time or do you want activities planned all day long? Do you have a teen that needs some space and free time? Also look at the actual accommodations. Will the cabin hold the whole family, or will you need added space?
Cruises are a lot of fun and your entire family can have a great time. Whether you dream of soaking the sun in the Caribbean or want to do some whale watching in Alaska, do your research before you book a cruise. Also check out how to pack for a cruise, so you won’t leave anything necessary out.
