Cruising seems to be tailor-made for most families. Everyone gets to do their own thing.  Young ones go to the kid's or teen club.  Adults can sunbathe, have a fruity umbrella drink or try their luck in the casino and then everyone can come together and do a family excursion like swim with the dolphins or ride a zipline or even take in a Broadway-like show.  While this is true for most cruise ships there are some vessels and/or cruise lines that aren't aimed at families or at least families with young children.

There are needs that families have to make sure that everyone enjoys themselves and not just the kids but the adults as well .  We want to look back over this time spent together with fond memories. This is where using a travel consultant to help you plan your family vacation is a MUST (and I am not just saying that because I am one).

Cabins:  Families either want a big stateroom that can sleep four or five or they want connecting or close-by cabins.  When it comes to accommodations, budget will always come into play.  Every family woud love to have a suite designed for them... and you can find these on many cruise lines... but the reality is most can't afford them.  This is why every cruise line will offer connecting rooms.  

We really see some differences on ships like the Norwegian Breakaway, where they designed an ocean-view for a family of five.  Usually a family of five is forced to get a suite or two rooms, this gives them an affordable option much nicer than the typical two connecting inside staterooms.  

Also Royal Caribbean's Quantum class ships have come out with the Family Junior Suite with balcony this cabin is a connection of two balcony rooms with an inside studio between them.  That is three different categories of staterooms that are connected, which provides three bedrooms and three bathrooms a large balcony and sleeps up to 10 guests.  Its a nice alternative for sailing as a multi-generational family as well.  

Dining:  Food and flexible dining are important when sailing with kids.  Adults can find it hard to eat at 8:30 pm with a two-hour multicourse dinner.  A family favorite is Royal Caribbean's "My Family Time Dining".  With this option the children's dinners are completed in 45 minutes and then they are met at the entrance of the dining room by the children's counselors and escorted back to the Adventure Ocean Club while their parents stay relaxed and enjoy the rest of their meal alone!  This picture is one of my very favorite of Ilyse on a Disney cruise.. she was so excited that the first night she fell asleep during dinner...



Children and Teen's Programs.  For many families what makes a cruise so attractive is the free time they have when their kids are in the children's programs. Royal Caribbean's Adventure Ocean youth and teen programs have counselors who hold a four-year degree in education, recreation or a related subject. They provide a lot of structure for the younger childen who need it the most.  Naturally Disney also does a superb job with the families, primarily because of the youth program for the younger children.  They replaced casinos with gigantic areas for kids, and that is huge plus for Disney however cost-wise Disney sometimes is priced out of family's budgets.

For more information on family cruise options just give me a call!!