Family cruises: reinventing the road trip

By Kim Windyka

When you think of a family vacation, bringing the kids on a cruise might not be the first idea that comes to mind. However, there are some distinct advantages to setting sail with the whole gang: you’ll only have to unpack once, and you’ll get to visit multiple different ports during your cruise. Plus, your cruise fare includes almost everything you could want: stateroom accommodations, most meals, entertainment, kids clubs, several choices of sports and activities, and even port charges. Not to mention, you’ll avoid hearing the dreaded “Are we there yet?” from anyone …well, once you’re on the ship, anyways.

And with 21 ports throughout the country, you’re likely to find at least a deal or two for a home port cruise — that means no paying for flights or dealing with airport hassles. Score!

Another advantage is that cruises, much like traditional family vacations on land, are also highly customizable to both your family’s schedule and interests. Whether you want a weekend cruise or a weeklong escape, there’s a cruise for that. When it comes to onboard amusements, your choices range from mini-golf to poolside movies to theatrical productions, so even the grumpiest of young travelers will find something to their liking. The same goes for the wide variety of activity options to be found in each port, whether it’s scuba diving, horseback riding, fishing or just sightseeing.

And when it’s time to eat? You won’t have to sweat about finding something to please every palate; almost every ship typically has buffet-style grub in addition to restaurants that serve more specific cuisine like Italian, Chinese or Mexican.

Rock-climbing wall on the Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas

So, what cruise line to choose for your family vacation? I think the most family-friendly lines include Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney and Norwegian, though there are some factors to consider. For example, Norwegian offers freestyle dining, meaning you don’t have to eat at scheduled mealtimes, and Royal Caribbean boasts lots of cool features like ice-skating rinks and rock-climbing walls. Carnival ships have a ton of poolside fun, including massive water slides and water-balloon attractions, and Disney cruises bring childhood magic to life with shows starring your kids’ favorite characters.

A little research is all it takes to find the perfect family cruise for your clan, and with school vacations right around the corner, it’s never too early to start planning yours.

Related Orbitz resources:

• Family vacation
• Cruise
• Family cruise
  

Kim Windyka is a copywriter who crafts ads for travel brands, as well as a bona fide Twitter addict and freelance feature writer whose work has appeared in the New Hampshire Visitors Guide and the Nashua Telegraph. Despite being a Northeast native, she dreams of palmtrees daily.

Tagged: Cruise, Family time