Why should I choose a cruise?

[hushmahoo]

Hi everyone...

 

I am thinking of a different holiday for my family next year, I have a 10 year old and a 1 year old. I'd love to know peoples thoughts on why a cruise is a perfect holiday for a family with children?

My husband isn't so keen so some ideas of persuasion would me much appreciated :)

[onthelake]

Some of these items may not be applicable on every ship/line but:

 

1. You unpack one time.

2. You have meals included and food is available around the clock to meet all (well most) tastes and needs.

3. There are shows and activites available for all (well, maybe not much for the little one depending on the cruise line).

4. You are in a different place/port each day giving you a chance to experience a wide variety of day trips.

5. You know the cost up-front. Factor in the tips but then how much extra you spend (drinks, casino, photos, excursions, etc) is all up to you.

6. Your 10 year old will have new friends and planned activities.

7. It is one of the most stress-free, enjoyable vacations you can take. Once you board, there is no reason to do one thing more than you want.

8. The ships we have been on are spot-less. Cleaning is constant and what woman (or man) does not want to have the cabin cleaned, beds made, meals served and dishes washed each day. Or to pick up the phone and have food delivered to the cablin.

9. Want to soak in the hot tub? Play bingo? Compete at trivia. Learn how to make the perfect martini? Have a massage? Play blackjack? Get a tan? Learn to scuba? Sit on deck with a good book? Shoot some baskets? Drink your morning coffee while looking out at the waves - maybe seeing some flying fish, dolphins, whales or sea turtles?

 

A cruise can be anything you want it to be and once the cruise & tips are taken care of, you can spend as much or as little as you like. The family is together and yet there are many activities that you can partake in separately for individual enjoyment. We met on a cruise and our son has grown up with cruise vacations. We have seen much of the world this way and have loved every minute. Not to say we also don't do land vacations but for relaxation, a cruise is our choice.

[6rugrats]

A cruise would not have been the perfect holiday for us, if we had a one year old child. They can't use the kid's clubs, some ships don't even offer babysitting, and I would have been worried that they would cry at night and disturb other passengers. The vacation would have been more stressful than staying at home

 

Other people love them; land vacations just worked out better for us.

[bmccarthy]

Another thing is that a 1 year-old might not sit still during dinner in the MDR and can't use the pools if they aren't potty trained.

 

With that being said, we took our daughter on her first cruise when she was 15 months old. We went on a 3 nt. cruise to the Bahamas and took grandparents with us.

 

Royal Caribbean offers daily play groups for babies age 6-18 months & toddlers age 18-36 months where they can interact with other babies & toddlers and have toys to play with.

 

Cruises are great for kids that eat solid food because you have access to a large variety of food in the buffet. Our waiters were awesome! They would have fruit waiting for our daughter, brought enough milk for the evening and the next day, and brought her food out first.

 

You will want to make sure that you bring plenty of clothes and diapers. If your child has a favorite blanket or animal, make sure you bring that as well.

 

Good luck planning!

Beth

[Faithnthyme]

In addition to all the great reasons that Onthelake posted, I like the fact that once I step aboard, I don't have to think about or plan much of anything - it is already done. I don't know how vacations or holidays work in your family, in ours, I'm the one that gets to sweat the details - where are we going, how are we getting there, what are we doing once we get there, what's to eat, when are we eating - I'm sure most of you know the drill.

 

On a cruise, most of that is done by the time you get on the ship and if you are the family 'cruise director', you really get to relax - it's priceless.

 

We have sailed with several families that have had infants/toddlers and they seem to get on just fine.

[onthelake]

In addition to all the great reasons that Onthelake posted, I like the fact that once I step aboard, I don't have to think about or plan much of anything - it is already done. I don't know how vacations or holidays work in your family, in ours, I'm the one that gets to sweat the details - where are we going, how are we getting there, what are we doing once we get there, what's to eat, when are we eating - I'm sure most of you know the drill.

 

On a cruise, most of that is done by the time you get on the ship and if you are the family 'cruise director', you really get to relax - it's priceless.

 

We have sailed with several families that have had infants/toddlers and they seem to get on just fine.

 

Just wanted to add that a lot depends on the disposition of your little one - some need everything familiar with a set routine and others just go with the flow. Only you know that. Also, and this is often discussed here, personally, I did not leave my son with others until he was verbal enough for me to know what happened/how he felt when I wasn't there. That goes for at home as well as on vacation - personal choice.

 

Also, a land-based vacation is, to me, more disruptive for little ones since you often can't just stop what you are doing (driving to the next destination) and take them to the room to relax. Dinner on land and dinner on a ship isn't so very different when it comes to toddlers. Go with the flow.

 

Finally, does a land-based vacation mean renting a cabin in the woods? a lakeside fishing cabin, a beach house? Who is going to shop for groceries, cook three meals, wash the dishes, pick up the wet towels in the bathroom? Usually, mostly Mom. I love our land vacations but it is not the relaxing time for me that it is for some of the folks I vacation with! LOL!

[seashell36]

So, is the little one actually one now - meaning he/she will be around two during the cruise you're trying to plan? If that's the case - they may be able to participate more in the camp activities. Check the age requirements for the cruise line you're looking at.

 

We think cruising is the best way to enjoy a family vacation. There is no driving from place to place (from hotel to restaurant or hotel to attraction). The meals are very good, cooked, served and cleared by someone else. Your room is cleaned daily (by someone else). After the cruises I don't need another vacation to recover from the family vacation.:rolleyes:

[crzgrl66]

The way I explain to friends why I as a mom prefer a cruise vacation is this...

 

Planned activities

No dealing with Where should we eat, finding restaurants, or cooking

Everything is right there, no maps, no rental cars etc.

Kid's clubs & other kids to play with

I never hear "I'm bored"

Lots of opportunities for great family adventures & also time for hubby and I to have alone time.

 

I have to admit that this was not the case on our first cruise when my youngest was 2. There was nothing relaxing about it. I know it sounds terrible but I kind of resented that I couldn't go to the shows and had to rush through dinner every night. When we went again and he was 4, it was great!

Please don't slam me, I'm a mother too and I'm just being honest from my experience. If you take a 1 - 2 year old, you will have fun, but probably not a very relaxing experience. Many experts on this forum will give you advice to make it a wonderful trip with a little one.

[Julienatul]

All of the above, honestly its the easiest way to travel with kids especially small ones. If your little one gets tired of of you can go back to the cabin for a nap while everyone else in your family still enjoys themselves. there is enough food for even the pickiest of kids and best of all its the cheapest way to travel with kids. My DD age 5 will be going on her 11th cruise tommorow, we started with her at 7 months and as you can see thats become our family vacation. We also do Disney once a year but cruises are the best.