Cruises can offer many benefits to families. Gone are the days when cruise ships were filled with only retirees. Now, as ships are getting bigger, their offerings appeal to all ages. Besides the obvious swimming pools and water slides, it’s quite common to find ships with activities such as rock-climbing walls, mini-golf, laser tag, and even go-karts. Read on to find some of the reasons cruising may be a great option for your family.
1) Bang for your Buck
Most of us choose a vacation based on what our budgets will allow. Well, would you believe me when I say that cruising often offers the most bang for your buck? This is especially true if you are within driving distance to a cruise ship port, eliminating that pricey airfare. Although when you are initially pricing out your cruise you may feel that the price is too high, you need to remember that the price you see includes everything you need. Lodging, meals, and entertainment are all included. Of course, throughout your cruise there are opportunities to spend more, they really are not necessary. If you keep yourself on budget, you won’t be surprised at the end of the trip. Most lines offer specialty dining at an additional cost, but many people find that the main dining rooms and buffets available are satisfying for the length of their cruise. If you are interested in the specialty dining, try to find a deal when booking that includes a few nights of specialty restaurants. Those deals are out there.
2) Last Minute Deals
That brings me to another way to score a deal. If you are flexible or find yourself with an uncertain schedule, last minute deals can provide huge savings. This past summer, my family found ourselves with a week off and no plans. Since we are lucky enough to live near a cruise ship port, we were able to book a cruise less than a week before sailing. Of course, we had to be flexible, and although we could choose our cabin type (outside, balcony, inside, suite, etc), we were unable to choose the exact location. But the savings were worth it! We paid about 2/3 of what we would have paid booking a few months earlier. Of course, for those planners out there (believe me, I normally am a huge advance planner) if you book when a ship’s itinerary first comes out, you usually will also score a great deal.
3) Kids’ Clubs
Complimentary kids’ clubs are very common on today’s cruise ships, and it seems that most kids really enjoy them. They usually have a few different age groups and provide a schedule of activities and themes for the day for each of the age groups. The cruise lines have done their homework and have designed programs that really keep the kids engaged and entertained. We had our son begging to go to the kids’ club even when we were looking for some family time. Favorites were secret agent day and circus school. (Note that there may be a nominal fee on some cruise lines for infants and toddlers.)
4) Entertainment
One of the big draws of cruising is the entertainment each evening. Cruise lines have really stepped up their game and most now offer theater shows that rival Broadway. Other offerings often include theme parties, movies, dance classes, wine tastings, trivia, cover bands, escape rooms and of course, bingo. One of the things I love best about cruising is that the night doesn’t end after dinner. There is always an activity that you can join. And that kids’ club mentioned earlier really helps when you are looking for some adult time.
5) Ports of Call
Finally, we can’t talk about cruising without mentioning the various ports of call that the ships visit. There are always exciting excursions offered to please almost anyone. Or you can go off on your own (remember to keep track of all aboard time!). Some people even swear by staying on ship at some ports to have the ship to themselves. If you happen to find a new place that you would love to spend more time visiting, you can always plan to go back for a longer stay.
I hope you found these five tips helpful.
Bon Voyage!
Mrs. Dadly