Cruising With the Family

Cruises have so many different things for some many different tastes that so many different types of people can all enjoy the same cruise! Yes, there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy.

Some cruise lines cater to specific groups, some take just about any group that wants to cruise. Your travel agent will help you create a group cruise, of help you find a cruise that caters to you group.

Family cruises are wonderful ways to spend your vacations. And for the value that a cruise provides, it's also an incredible deal! Family and multi-room discounts (even free rooms when the group exceeds 14 cabins on most cruise lines), and cruises are also all-inclusive, meaning you don't have to pay for the abundant food! :)

Cruises are great vacations also because they are such secure and safe environments. Your kids could go all over the ship without much fear of anything bad happening to them. For that matter, while you're relaxing at the pool, your spouse is in the gym, your son is playing a scavenger hunt, and your daughter is taking a dance lesson in the club. If you want to do things as a family, the cruise ship also offers many family activities.

While planning your cruise, make sure each person in the family says what he would like to do onboard. Make a sort of wish list, and I bet everyone will be happy with the cruise, even if their lists aren't completed! I made a list of 46 things I wanted to do. Well, I didn't get them all, but I still had a wonderful time!

And why keep the cruise to just your immediate family? Why not have a family reunion onboard a cruise ship? With the large group discount, and the potential free room, what have you got to lose? Besides, it's also a fun and exciting place where you can get together with cousins you haven't seen in years and have a ball! And quality time with your elderly grandparents, all on the same ship.

By the way, if you have very young children, you can always have a babysitter onboard. People who work with children onboard have been specially trained, and have very good qualifications and records. And they're lots of fun, just ask the kids!

Here's an idea. When you have a younger child with you, have him take along a favourite stuffed animal or toy. The ship is a very different type of vacation location, and it would really help the child adjust to the lifestyle on the ship. It's a security blanket, of sorts.

Sometimes the lines to get on the boat, as well as the travel time in the car or plane, can be quite extensive and boring, especially for children. Make sure they have something to keep them busy while waiting. Colouring books, a couple of small toys, reading books, things like that.

Even with all of the opportunities for everyone onboard the ship, kids often like at lest one or two things that are special for the family to do, something that they usually do together. Perhaps eating at the usual time, or whatever time the dining room offers that is close, naptime at 3pm, bedtime stories in your stateroom.

Ships are very large and confusing places. To help your kids find the places they want, take a tour of the ship after you get settled in. And always make sure kids know to ask a crew member if they get lost or need help.

Groups and families often have shirts made up just for them to help them find each other in a crowd. There is not much scarier to a 5 year old than losing mom in a crowd of 1,596 people. Imagine what it would feel like if he didn't see your family yellow shirt!

One thing I noticed on my last cruise was that many people used walkie talkies. What a great way to pass along information to family members! And they're fun for kids!

Make sure the kids know that they have to follow the rules and the words of the counselors. You really don't want to be paged to an office where you will be told of your child's bad behaviour and attitude.

Teenagers often like to do things on their own, or with their new friends. Especially when in port. Make sure that your family has a specific meeting time and place well before the ship is due to depart. Ships usually close the gangway 30 to 45 minutes before departure time. And you don't want your teenager to miss that!

Since the ship's newsletter and activity program is put in your room the night before, why not find things for everyone to do, and at least one or two things you can do as a family?

Since the ship corridors are so long and all the rooms look the same, put a small sign or fun picture on your cabin door so you child can see the door from down the hall.

Oh, and since you and your kids are sharing the ship with many neighbors, make sure they don't make a lot of noise, especially if they come home from a late night activity!

When you are ready to book this dream vacation for you and your family, go to www.kingarthur.myttn.com and feel free to browse all around the website! What a great idea for a family vacation, a cruise!