A Cruise Can Make the Best Family Vacation
A cruise can be a great family vacation. There are now even cruise companies which cater particularly for families and there are plenty to choose from.
You should take your time and look around for the right cruise company. Look for family friendly ones which offer built in kid's play areas. These are child friendly areas where you can leave your kids with qualified child care staff while you take a little time out to pamper yourself and relax.
And the great thing is the kids won't mind since they will have a lot to keep them entertained. Another great thing about a family cruise is that you stop at many different destinations but don't have to worry about airport checks or finding your luggage.
You simply stop for the day and enjoy the sites with your family. In the evenings you go back to your cruise ship and the fun doesn't stop there. There is lots to do and see on board.
You should take your time and look around for the right cruise company. Look for family friendly ones which offer built in kid's play areas. These are child friendly areas where you can leave your kids with qualified child care staff while you take a little time out to pamper yourself and relax.
And the great thing is the kids won't mind since they will have a lot to keep them entertained. Another great thing about a family cruise is that you stop at many different destinations but don't have to worry about airport checks or finding your luggage.
You simply stop for the day and enjoy the sites with your family. In the evenings you go back to your cruise ship and the fun doesn't stop there. There is lots to do and see on board.
Great Questions to Ask Before Booking a Family Cruise
By preparing ahead and asking all the relevant questions, it will be easier to choose the right cruise vacation for your family. Most cruise companies are happy to offer additional advice on their website or call center. Or better yet, call your travel agent!
- Do they allow your kids age group? Make sure the cruise ship you choose is family friendly and allows children of the same age as your kids. Some cruise ships allow children over a certain age only or at certain months of the year. Also, ask about child discounts.
- Find out about activities on-board, child care centers, play areas, baby sitting, details and rules for putting your kids in the child care center. You can also get additional information about vaccines, potty training and health precautions.
- Ask about child care staff qualifications and ratio of carer to child and so on.
- Consider cabin facilities. Find out if cribs and cots are obtainable for younger toddlers in your cabin room, and if yes, is there an extra fee? Do you need to reserve them in advance? You should also be sure of the size of the cabin, because you don't want to cramp your family into a small space.
- Do They Have a Kid's Menu? Unless your children eat a large variety of foods, you'll want to find out if they cater for children or special requirements. If your kids are very picky ask about foods or snacks you can purchase on board. Most cruise ships have one or several formal evenings during the duration of the cruise. Plan ahead for this if you'd like your children to attend, if you don't feel comfortable taking a toddler and baby along to a formal evening find out about other dining facilities on board. Most cruise ships offer casual dining as well as the formal dining room.
Your Cruise Experience
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Best Family Cruise Lines
- Disney Cruise Lines incorporated their characters and fantasy world onto the ship experience. To enhance the family friendly image, Disney Cruise Ships do not have any casinos.
The Disney Children's programs are well organized, creative and clearly a step above the usual shipboard babysitting. Childcare begins for infants and toddlers. The Oceaneers (ages 3-7) have hands-on science games, Oceaneer Labs (ages 8-12) have marine biology game shows and the Teens enjoy a private club with video games, MP3 stations and soda bar.
These are free with only a charge for babysitting after 1 A.M. So where are the parents? They escape to a Broadway style theatre, elegant reservations-only restaurant, spa, sports pub, piano bar or the dance club. - Carnival Cruise Lines jumped out from the pack early to position their product as "the Fun Ship." Carnival caters to families by offering special supervised programs for children and teens so the parents can enjoy time on their own. The children's programs are much more than babysitting. Carnival prices cruises so that families could afford to travel together.
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