Cruise Ship Secrets

Picture sitting in hours of bumper-to-bumper traffic with a carload of grumpy kids, only to arrive at an underwhelming yet overpriced motel situated conveniently across town from a crowded beach. Sound like the sort of vacation nightmare you’d like to avoid? Here are some tips on planning an unforgettable family vacation.

Find the Trip That Fits

The most crucial element for any great vacation comes down to planning. Some items to consider as you research are:

Budget — will you opt for a month-long European cruise or maybe a week of camping at a state park?

Special amenities — is childcare service available so that the deserving parents can go out for a night on the town?

Pleasing everyone — how’s the golf near that amusement resort?

With a little foresight, the perfect vacation is indeed possible.

Budget Getaways

In this uncertain economic climate, it makes sense for families to go the less-expensive route at vacation time, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to a less exciting or memorable trip. Inexpensive close-to-home options like camping and hiking, or taking day or weekend trips to nearby cities are great choices. But keep in mind that cheap airfare and travel packages are available as well, especially if you purchase tickets several months ahead of time.

Another great strategy for finding a budget getaway is being flexible. Off-season rates can be exponentially cheaper than their in-season counterparts. Sometimes the trick to finding great rates is choosing a vacation destination you find desirable, and then making travel plans for the opposite season. While ski resorts in the Poconos and the Rockies rake in the cash in the winter, they lower rates to coax more visitors in the summertime. Though skiing may be out of the question in July, exciting family-oriented activities like horseback riding, canoeing and mountain biking amid spectacular scenery will leave you just as satisfied.

However, it’s important to remember that traveling off-season sometimes comes with risks of its own; autumn may be the cheapest time for a Caribbean jaunt, but the peaking hurricane season may throw a wrench into your plans at the last minute. In such instances, a safety net of travel insurance is highly advisable.

Cruises

One of the best ways to cover a lot of ground while having the time of your life is taking a family cruise. While they can be great for romantic getaways, many cruise lines cater specifically to families and offer a veritable floating city with options for everyone. While mom and dad catch a show or collect some rays on deck, the kids can spend the day at the on-board water park. Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean’s Nickelodeon Family Cruises are two excellent choices for family voyages.

Contrary to popular belief, cruises can often be quite economical. To find the cheapest rates, try booking trips early and during off-peak travel times — April and May or autumn for the Caribbean, May or September for Alaska and March through April or September and October for the Mediterranean. Disney Cruise Line offers kids rates for children 4-12 and special packages including certain voyages where kids under 17 can travel for free. As always, narrowing down your options and diligently checking their websites for specials invariably pays off in the end.

On the Road

Of course, the old standby of the traditional family road trip is almost an American rite of passage, never to be brushed aside. The bad clichés of a multi-hour drive to your vacation spot need not spoil the fun, however. A few select tips for the long haul will keep everyone safe and happy. If you foresee your vehicle being a bit cramped, the extra cash in renting a van for a week or two will be well worth it, but bring your own car seats — they will likely be of better quality than what the rental agency offers.

Remember to appease your children’s youthful attention spans and break up your time in the car with plenty of pit stops. Plan to visit some roadside attractions on the way. An invaluable gadget our forbearing road trippers would have appreciated is a portable video player — consider packing a selection of your kids’ favorite flicks to keep them occupied. Most importantly, don’t forget the snacks.

Special Events

Yearly festivals like Mardi Gras in New Orleans or the South by Southwest music and arts festival in Austin, Texas are more great reasons to take a getaway. Families can also time their vacations to coincide with sporting events like the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania or holidays like spending Independence Day in the nation’s capital. Booking hotel rooms and making travel plans ahead of time are especially important for events like these, as they draw thousands of visitors, but a little preplanning can lead to some of the most unforgettable family vacations.

The key to arranging the most enjoyable vacation with your family is preventing any major problems before they happen by preparing early and preparing thoroughly. The fewer your hassles, the more time you’ll have to focus on and relax with your family.

Finding the perfect cruise that fits both your family’s interests and budget can be a daunting task, but with a little information on what to look for, you can arrange a cruise you’ll remember for a lifetime. This general overview on family discount cruises will get you put you on the right track to planning your next getaway.

What Makes it a Family Cruise?

While cruises were once purely the domain of couples and honeymooners, today they cater even more so to families. Family Cruises are on the informal end of the spectrum and offer something to passengers with age-specific activities and amenities. They also offer rates and accommodations designed specifically so that parents and kids can share the same cabin space. Even more appealing, these cruises feature a safe environment where kids can have fun on their own in guided events while the deserving parents take some time to themselves.

Activities Just for Kids

Several of the most popular cruise lines offer a plethora of fun, supervised activities for kids of all ages — from babies and toddlers right up to teens. While younger kids will enjoy the hands-on approach of finger painting, play-dough sculpting and face painting, older kids can keep busy with video games, all sorts of sports, scavenger hunts and more. While kids are away from their parents, they will usually have a designated part of the ship all to themselves and when under a certain age, can only be signed in or out by mom or dad. This lets the cruise staff make sure both that kids are safe and are having the most fun — without any grownups in the way.

Activities for Adults

While the kids are busy having fun, parents can choose from a whole range of events featured on regular cruises. For the ultimate in relaxation, you might choose to lounge by a pool, chill out in a sauna or enjoy a day or two at the spa with a facial, massage or body wrap.

Later on when you feel like having some fun, you might choose to do a little socializing at daily deck parties and wine tastings. Parents and older family members will also appreciate amazing shows on a daily basis like Broadway-style musicals, quiz-shows, and live first-rate musical acts.

Don’t worry about going hungry either. Cruise ships and their staff are experts at satisfying passengers’ every culinary whim and desire. Peckish passengers are likely to find a dozen or more unique and delicious places on board to have a meal they won’t soon forget.

Activities for the Whole Family

Of course, the whole point of an amazing family vacation is spending time and having fun together. Everyone is sure to have a great time at all ages water parks, family deck parties with fun themes and shows and musicals you might expect to find only at amusement resorts on land.

Accommodations

Accommodations on family cruises are designed to include everyone in the same cabin as comfortably as possible. For larger groups, connecting rooms are available and for more compact families, you can share one room. Just about every cruise line offers special discounted rates throughout the summer season — anywhere from half price to free fare for kids traveling with two full fare adults.

Going Ashore

While you can have the time of your life on board your cruise ship, the huge advantage of traveling while you relax is seeing exotic locations with your own eyes and experiencing all they’ve got to offer.

The Caribbean is the world’s most popular cruise destination for lots of reasons — perfect weather year round, more diverse yet exceedingly interesting and beautiful ports located within the same region and more chances for once-in-a-lifetime activities and family fun than anywhere else.

Family cruises will normally go into port at family-friendly locations. Back on land, you’ll find options for fun like state of the art aquariums where parents and their kids can learn about native Caribbean sea life and even get up close and personal with dolphins, sea turtles and more. Other great options include snorkeling, parasailing or going on an off-road jeep tour of the more rugged parts of the island you’re visiting.

For families whose kids are a bit more on the mature side, an Alaskan cruise can offer the adventure of a lifetime. Along the way, they feature views of rugged natural wilderness and wildlife like bald eagles, moose and majestic breaching whales. And when making calls to port, excursions can let families soar across a glacier on a helicopter tour or learn to command a pack of sled dogs.

For an unforgettable, exciting and unique family vacation you’ll remember for a lifetime, a cruise getaway can’t be beaten. Find the cruise that’s right for you today!

You won’t be hard pressed these days to find a cruise line that caters to kids. In the last 10 years or so, a growing number of cruise companies have included the little ones on their activity agendas. Some cruise companies have even integrated the concept of babysitting services so that mom and dad can enjoy a moment to themselves while onboard.

Taking a cruise with the whole family is an excellent idea, and lest you think cruise vacations are expensive and are not for kids, think again. In fact, families can benefit from substantial discounts and yes, kids are most welcome. Your ship captain will be delighted to have them onboard.

A cruise vacation for the kids can be considered an “off-the-beaten path” activity, an exciting alternative to riding in the car for long hours while the children’s patience is tested. On a ship, the distractions and activities are endless. You’ll never hear them ask, “when are we going to see land, dad?”

Wonderful Whales

Kids — no matter what age — love animals. And they don’t get to see whales everyday. So Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, is a big treat for the kids, and mom and dad too. Castaway Cay is in the Bahamas, and all Disney cruises make a stop here. It’s called the “giant whale-dig site.” While kids stand in awe of the whales, mom and dad can relax with a massage in one of the cabanas.

Biking

While in Castaway Cay, Disney offers bike rentals so the whole family can explore the island. This is a great way to tame the kids’ soaring energy levels.  By exercising, they can release some of that pent up cabin fever and get to bed early.

Rock Climbing

Royal Caribbean International offers onboard rock climbing activities for the whole family. Ask about their Freedom of the Seas cruise vacation and their rock climbing activity in particular. This is another great way for the kids to release their energy and let loose.

A Bit of Classroom Education

Known for their Alaska cruise destinations, Prince Cruises have different ways of entertaining families. On their Grand, Diamond and Coral class ships, the crew offers  a fun, supervised program for kids. If you want to give your kids the opportunity to learn some exciting facts about oceans and marine life, Princess Cruise offers captivating educational programs that the kids will love. While in Alaska, they can also listen to nature experts and rangers talk about the history of Alaska, the development of glaciers, native culture and dog sled races.

Treasure Hunts

On your way to Hawaii? You may want to catch a flight to Honolulu and then take the Norwegian Cruise Line. Book the whole family on their Pride of Hawaii cruise vacation. This particular cruise is known for being family oriented.

On the agenda: sports competitions, magicians and treasure hunts. There are also playrooms and teen hangouts. On this cruise, your children will also have the option to work out in the gym, sign up for dance lessons, or play basketball. Here’s a bonus: if your children are under two years old, they travel free.

Spa Treatments

Many believe that the only way mom and daughter can bond is to have a manicure together. Carnival Cruise Lines offers manicures and several other programs that bring families together. The cruise ship offers spa and beauty treatments for kids aged 12-14  called the youth spa program.

Talent Shows

For parents who have artistically inclined children or kids who love to dance and sing, Carnival Cruise Lines offers karaoke and talent shows. What better way to encourage your budding star? Imagine his or her thrill of competing live with other kids onboard?

Cruising with Kids on the Mediterranean

Take advantage of Carnival’s family fun tours, which have just been recently included in some of their Mediterranean destinations. A few examples of these fun tours include a cultural expedition on a private yacht headed for Turkey’s Bosphorus, where children and parents can enjoy magnificent views of palatial buildings and ancient temples. Another tour goes to Ephesus in Izmir (supposedly one of the seven wonders of the world).

If your kids are into steam engines, one tour has a museum stop for those who want to have a look at one of Europe’s largest collection of steam engines.

Snorkeling

If you or your kids admire the work of Jacques Cousteau, you must take the Paul Gauguin, Ambassadors of the Environment cruise, hosted by Regent Seven Seas Cruise Line. The company has joined hands with Ocean Futures Society of Jean-Michel Cousteau (son of Jacques Cousteau) to offer ecological tours that include day and night snorkelling and a journey to Moorea with an anthropologist. Your budding little oceanographers are sure to get a thrill out of this underwater exploration.