4 Reasons Why Cruises Are A Great Option For Your First Vacation with the Kids
While child-free vacations can serve as a much-needed reprieve from the stress of parenting, there’s still nothing like going on a family trip with your kids. As discussed in a previous blog post on ‘24 Months Being A Mom’, parenthood is a constant balancing act between tending to your personal and professional responsibilities and being able to spend quality time with your child. Traveling with your kid allows you to slow down and be present as they gain new experiences and learn more about the world around them.
It may seem like a daunting task to plan and go on a child-friendly trip, but cruises are a great option if it’s your first time. As this article will show, several cruise lines can cater to your whole family’s needs and interests — from ensuring a stress-free experience to introducing you to unfamiliar yet memorable destinations.
1. Convenient planning
One notable advantage of cruises is that they take the hassle out of planning a trip for multiple people, as you essentially book your transportation, accommodation, and itinerary all in one go. Carrying your luggage from one destination to another can also be tiring when you already have your kids in tow. But on a cruise, you get to unpack once and only have to organize your things again when the ship takes you back home. With little to no stress before and during your actual trip, you can focus on what matters most: exploring new sights and going on adventures as a family.
2. Onboard entertainment and activities
When traveling as a family, there’s always the fear that kids will get bored or throw a tantrum, especially during particularly long trips between destinations. Fortunately, family-friendly cruise lines like the Royal Caribbean offer numerous kid-friendly entertainment options. For instance, its newest ship, Wonder of the Seas, houses water slides and laser tag arenas to keep kids occupied when you’re out at sea. Meanwhile, aboard the Disney Cruise Line, kids can enjoy themed attractions and dining experiences featuring beloved characters like Mickey Mouse and The Avengers.
3. Diverse cultural immersions
Beyond fun and enjoyment, taking your kids on a trip also opens them up to the rich culture and heritage of other places. This lays a strong foundation not only for children’s knowledge and learning but also for basic life skills like communication, empathy, and relationship building. In this light, Explora Journeys complements its luxurious onboard facilities with enriching and immersive cultural activities. Focusing on multi-generational journeys, the cruise line has a curated series of Destination Experiences. Whether you’re learning about Hawaiian mythology while island-hopping or exposing yourself to ancient languages and civilization on a multi-country Mediterranean journey, your cruise can help your entire family become better and more knowledgeable citizens of the world.
4. A range of price points
Regardless of where or how long you go on vacation, paying for a family trip will be costly. Fortunately, the cruise industry is diverse enough to come with a range of price points that can fit different family budgets and demographics. If you’re willing to splurge on your first-ever vacation, the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection comes with year-round enrichment activities designed for children and the youth. The Ritz Kids program is facilitated by a full-time youth counselor who guides your children through creative art challenges and science experiments while on board. For those on a budget, Princess Cruises has a more affordable seven-day journey to Alaska, where kids can participate in science challenges, beach clubs, and virtual scavenger hunts.
Overall, cruises are a safe and convenient travel option that allows kids to enjoy the trip to the fullest while still learning something valuable about other people, places, and cultures. If you are in search of more posts that resonate with your parenting needs and overall journey, feel free to check out the rest of The UnOrthoDoc blog.