Going on a cruise is popular among families. There’s lots to do on board, and you’ll also be visiting various destinations so that you can enjoy countless activities. This is why a Shipmate survey reveals that 98.9% of travelers plan to cruise in the upcoming year. The respondents were taken from 5,000 members who had previously cruised, and many have been on eight or more cruises, but some have taken fewer or none.
If you’re among these people interested in taking a cruise with your family, it’s a great time to do so, as many cruise lines are unveiling new ships and introducing more amenities. Aside from these, you’d also want to make the most of your cruise vacation to bond with your family. Here’s what you can do to achieve that:
Book a Family Suite
Credit: @royalcaribbean on Instagram
Staying in one suite can amp up your family bonding time. You can all wake up to eat breakfast together or tell stories before bedtime. Better yet, book a suite that caters to your needs, such as one with a play area for active kids. You’ll find this inclusion on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas—the biggest ship in the world—which makes it one of the best family cruises. While the ship has many fun activities for kids, like multiple kiddie pools, its Ultimate Family Townhouse is the perfect family hideaway. This 3-level, 2-bedroom suite can fit up to eight people and has an in-suite slide, karaoke area, cinema space, and private outdoor whirlpool. By booking such suites on your chosen cruise, your kids can stay entertained while you take some time to rest.
Curate an Itinerary Your Kids Will Enjoy
Credit: @explorajourneys on Instagram
Another way to get the most out of your family time is by ensuring that everyone will enjoy your activity lineup. It’s thus vital to check what kid-friendly activities your chosen cruise offers, which can include things like mini golfing onboard or going on a pirate tour once your cruise stops in the Bahamas. Should a cruise’s itinerary not include what your kids want, check if it allows customized activities. That’s what you’ll get with Explora, which lets you curate your cruise experience. With its team of experts, you can create a tailored itinerary that adapts a featured destination experience according to your kids’ interests. For example, they can organize castle explorations on a cruise to Shetland—and even get your kids to let out their inner James Bond with a private helicopter experience. Check your options to curate the best possible experiences on your family cruise.
Choose a Cruise With Various Dining Options
Credit: @disneycruiseline on Instagram
Food is one of the most essential parts of cruise vacations. You’ll be eating daily, so choose a cruise with various dining options—so the entire family can pick out what they like to eat. Take the Disney Cruise Line: its eating options range from adult-only restaurants like the Italian Palo to Disney-themed offerings for kids like Frozone Treats and Lumiere’s. These distinctions aren’t binding, either—adults can order from the kids’ restaurants and vice versa. One great example of this is Disney’s Plaza de Coco, which is inspired by the Disney movie Coco and features gourmet meals for adults and kids. You’ll surely enjoy and have all of your onboard meals as a family by choosing a cruise with countless dining options.
Join Your Kids in Their Planned Activities
Credit: @carnival on Instagram
Your kids are only young once, so it’s important to make the most of your cruise vacation by joining them in their activities. Carnival Cruise has Youth Programs where kids can play alone or with others their age. While this acts like a babysitting service, parents can join some activities—like mealtime. By doing so, you can squeeze in some family time. Another way to do this is by supervising their onboard activities. If your kids want to go to the kiddie pool, join them, as our post “9 Ways to Prevent Accidents with Children in the Summer” emphasizes the need for supervision to avoid drowning incidents. Besides, even shallow pools are dangerous. You can still enjoy your time by ordering a drink poolside or reading your book.
Going on a cruise is one of the best family vacations. Remember these tips to maximize and enjoy your family time!
For more posts like this, keep reading through Buna Times.
I am an experienced author and journalist with a passion for lifestyle journalism. I currently work for Buna Times, one of the leading news websites in the world. I specialize in writing stories about health, wellness, fashion, beauty, interior design, and more. My articles have been featured on major publications such as The Guardian and The Huffington Post.