A family vacation on a cruise doesn’t only guarantee a unique experience but also a great time for every member of the family regardless of age. Luxurious cruise ships offer amenities for all-day and all-night entertainment and relaxation. Plus, there are numerous routes to choose from and their destinations are nothing less than impressive.
Cruising Has Become a Travel Trend
With a 20.5% increase in demand for cruising in the last six years and 26 million cruise passengers in 2017 alone, it has become apparent that the cruise industry is trending more than ever before. More and more ships with improved designs and countless services and activities set sail every year, luring in families, couples, solo travelers, digital nomads and avid travelers of every age.
Why Go on a Family Cruise?
There are many reasons why you should at spend your family vacation on a cruise at least once. And it’s rather likely that if you do it once, more will follow. Traveling as a family can be quite challenging as parents always have to find something fun for the kids while at the same time finding time to relax and spend some quality time with each other. When you board a cruise ship this problem is instantly gone.
Every cruise ship offers many activities, events and workshops for the whole family. That means that adults can enjoy a rejuvenating massage while little ones play at the specially designed kids-areas. The numerous family-friendly cruises that travel to destinations around the world are ideal for kids of every age and guarantee that they will never get bored.
Showing the world to your children is the best gift you can give them! It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling on a family cruise, by car or by train. The reasons for worldwide family travel are here! Just check out what you would miss if you didn’t go!
The Best Family Cruise Routes Worldwide
Tip #1: Norwegian Joy
As the only cruise ship featuring a two-level race go-kart track, Norwegian Joy will definitely be on your shortlist for the little ones. Especially when they find about the Galaxy Pavilion which happens to be fully equipped with 3D screens, or the Laser Tag room.
This deluxe cruise ship sails all year round around the world from the west coast to Alaska, the Mexican Riviera, and to Panama Canal from Miami and Los Angeles. With a Kids’ Aqua Park and a Splash Academy for creative play and sport, chances are the family’s youngsters will never want to leave the ship. And when it comes to teenagers, they’ll definitely fall in love with the idea of spending days onboard where they’ll discover a vast collection of video games, movies, and music at the Entourage Teen Club.
Offering a wide range of activities for kids of all ages including the fastest water slides at sea, as well as spa, casino and entertainment shows for adults and other experiences for the whole family, Norwegian Cruise Line was unsurprisingly voted Best Family Experience by Travel Weekly.
Tip #2: Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean boasts 25 different cruise ships suited the taste of different types of travelers. However, if you’re traveling with kids, the four ships comprising the Oasis class are the ones you should look out for. Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and the latest addition Symphony of the Seas are the four largest cruise ships in the world and all of them feature all the necessary amenities and services for the ideal family cruise holiday.
From an ice-skating rink and a 40-foot surf simulator to the tallest slide at sea, the spectacular Oasis-class ships have everything your little ones could ever wish for. Plus, all of them travel to the Caribbean so the destination on its own is a reason to add them to your list of choices for your next vacation.
Tip #3: Adventures by Disney Seine River Cruise
If you prefer to take a cruise along the river instead of sailing at the open ocean then the 8-day / 7-night Adventures by Disney Seine River Cruise is the perfect choice for you. Kids must be at least 4 years old to join the cruise, however, the suggested age is 8 years and older.
Experienced guides will take you to the region’s most popular attractions while the itinerary also includes cultural and sports activities as well as sophisticated experiences for all ages. When onboard, games and movie nights will make kids’ days and nights interesting and fun.
Tip #4: Disney Fantasy
A ship full of Disney characters sounds like a dream come true for all the little ones who love watching their heroes on the big screen. On the Disney Fantasy, kids can interact with their beloved characters at Disney’s Oceaneer Club, party like a pirate at the special pirate-costume party and dance with Minnie and Mickey onboard.
And when they’ve met all of their beloved characters and have seen the artworks of some legendary Disney artists in the Vista Gallery, the fun can continue on the miniature golf course, the AquaDuck, the ship’s “water coaster” or at AquaLab, the water playground.
Disney Fantasy sails from Port Canaveral and travels to different destinations including the Bahamas, the Western Caribbean and the Eastern Caribbean with stops at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island.
Things to Consider Before Taking a Family Cruise
Even though family holidays on a cruise will most likely be an unforgettable experience you should consider several things before making the decision to embark on the next cruise ship.
First of all, even though cruises have stabilizers there may be some points where you’ll feel seasickness as the ship swings. Have the appropriate medication safely at hand, in case you need them for your little ones or yourself.
Now if you finally decide to go on a cruise, make sure to properly research ahead of time. There may be numerous family cruises but you have to find the one that fits your family the best. If your youngsters are more into sports, find one that offers many physical activities, if they prefer indoor games and the arts look out for the ones that have more art sessions and movie nights. Plus, take a close look at every cruise’s suggested age recommendation. Particularly if you’re traveling with a toddler, you may want to make sure beforehand that the cruise offers nursery and specially designed rooms for kids younger than 3-years-old.
Last but not least, as a family vacation is about spending some quality time with your loved ones, make sure to choose a cruise that has activities for the whole family. Whether it’s a sports court, a game area or an entertainment show suitable for both adults and kids, there isn’t a better time and place for bonding than during your holidays.
From family cruises to a family road trip: Adventurous traveling with the whole family can’t fail to please! For anyone who likes family vacations but also loves traveling on roads.. here we have the world’s greatest road trips for the whole family! Or… if you can’t resist the idea of a permanant vacation, dive into how to move abroad with your family.
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