active family travel,  Travel

Top Ten Reasons We Will Take Family Cruises Again #travel

January 12, 2015 /
family cruises
A family cruise can be well worth the time spent researching. This was definitely one of our favourite trips ever taken together.

We always avoided family cruises, at least up until this past month when we took our first ever family cruise and we were hooked immediately. Family cruises can be budget friendly and worth the time and effort. Here are my top ten reasons why we will take family cruises again.

Top Ten Reasons to Take Family Cruises.

1. The service is exceptional. Incomparable. The closest I can compare there experience to is staying at a Disney resort. That’s how well taken care of you are. The staff ratio to tourist ratio was something like 1 to 3. It was outrageous how much I loved having my room cleaned twice daily and towel animals and turn down service and chocolates on my pillow. LOVED it. Dining service was the same. Top notch.

2. There was always something to do. It was not laying on a cruise ship watching the boat move. There were hourly events scheduled for kids in the kid’s clubs. There was after hours care which my kids advocated to do and loved. Late night movies with brand new friends away from parents? Yes please.

3. The food. So good and plentiful. Every night, the service at the restaurant was outstanding also. We ate more beef and seafood than I have had in the past decade. Plus I trusted everything I ate on the ship. I felt safe and comfortable eating most things. (Once I ate lobster at an all inclusive resort in the Dominican – years ago. After that special food experience in which I vomited profusely for half a day at least, I got very cautious about eating at resorts.) But everything was good and fresh and served beautifully here.

4. It was magical going to bed and waking up one morning in Mahogany Bay, Roatan. I literally never knew the ship had stopped until I looked out the window and spied a brand new paradise waiting to be explored.

5. Bad wifi. Why does that matter? Because I needed to disconnect and I didn’t need easy access enabling me to renege on my promise to stop tweeting for a week.

6. The excursions were fantastic. We did two great excursions in which we snorkelled and discovered stingrays, sea urchins and nurse sharks. They were world class and really great educational experiences for our family. The kids loved seeing baby turtles in a turtle hatchery in Grand Cayman. It was their best thing of the trip.

7. The price was decent and affordable. The flights are the part that cost the most money, so the way around that is to drive to the port of embarkation or plan far enough ahead that you can easily budget them in.

8. Cleanliness: everything was super clean and well looked after. See point one. It was great service.

9. Entertainment: There were shows every night. You could easily see something new – a comedian, a dancing show, a game show etc.. each night and there was a casino on board too. Loved that.

10. Everything you need is on that ship. It’s amazing. Food, drinks, shops, a doctor should you require one, a babysitter (kid’s club). It’s a great way to travel. We will book another one soon.

Mom of two beautiful active girls, traveller, fitness junkie, social media consultant, and keeper of the sanity.

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41 Comments

  • Jennifer (momvstheboys)

    January 12, 2015 at 3:36 pm

    This is so great to hear, we’ve always avoided cruises because of the cost and not being completely all inclusive (was alcohol etc included in your price or add ons?) Maybe we should look into it again sometime.

    • Paula

      January 12, 2015 at 3:47 pm

      Alcohol was not included Jenn. That’s true. We factored that in. Plus we are not big drinkers at all. I think we spent about $125 on alcohol. What was extra also is a service fee that is tips. So, I didn’t mind that because of the service that we received. I still feel it was all worth it and then some. I think I would do a cruise a year from now on because it doesn’t compare to other kinds of travel. It’s head and shoulders above any 5 star resorts I have stayed at. Both kinds of travel have their merits.

  • Tammy (@inRdream)

    January 12, 2015 at 3:56 pm

    We just watched a show on Roatan. What a beautiful island, so tropical and on T.V it look fake it is so beautiful! Thanks for sharing your top ten, I have to say a cruise is on my radar now 🙂 Thanks to your posts. BTW your girls are so beautiful!

    • Paula

      January 14, 2015 at 5:43 pm

      Oh Tammy thanks so much! I love my family and was lucky to be able to do this. Travel is a great opportunity to destress and enjoy one another and I am lucky we had a chance to do that.

  • Robin (Masshole Mommy)

    January 12, 2015 at 6:27 pm

    I have been on a cruise before, but I am not sure about taking my kids one one. I want to relax when I am cruising, not worrying about the kids 🙂

    • Paula

      January 14, 2015 at 5:46 pm

      Well I could see doing a bit of both. I didn;t worry about the kids much because my kids were too busy eating or making friends or swimming. I had no concerns at all. They were safe.

  • Catherine S

    January 12, 2015 at 9:17 pm

    I have been on two girl’s only cruises. We leave the husbands and kids at home and have a great time. It is so fun and relaxing. My next cruise will be a family cruise.

  • Nina Say

    January 12, 2015 at 11:38 pm

    I’m imagining how nice it would be to be relaxing on a cruise ship right now. There is something so magical about it, plus all the reasons you gave are like the icing on the cake.

  • Tonya C

    January 13, 2015 at 3:39 am

    We’ve never been on a cruise before but have thought about taking the kids on one. Thanks for the tips. I feel better about taking them.

  • Rebecca Swenor

    January 13, 2015 at 7:23 am

    It sounds like you had an amazing time indeed. I have never been on a cruise much less a family cruise before. My kids are older so it would be so much fun to do everything with them. Thanks for sharing.

  • courtney

    January 13, 2015 at 5:27 pm

    Honestly I think crusies are the best way to travel with kids!!! Tons to do, awesome pools & unlimited food!!! Ahhhh I need to book a cruise lol

  • linda

    January 14, 2015 at 1:02 am

    I’ve gone on two cruises without my kids, but am glad to hear it’s something we should consider doing as a family! Thanks for the post!

  • Cherri Megasko

    January 14, 2015 at 3:13 am

    I’ve only been on one cruise, and although I don’t really care for them, I agree they would be great for families with children. There are so many activities available there is always something new to do or try. And with so many different food options, you can keep everybody happy!

  • Jhady

    January 14, 2015 at 5:41 am

    Never been on cruises but I love the idea of going on cruises especially with my family. My kids will surely have a blast. I hope we can go anywhere this year for vacation.

  • Lisa Rios

    January 14, 2015 at 1:26 pm

    Sounds interesting. It seems like you had a great trip with family in cruise. I do love to go on a cruise with my family and great to know that they provide everything you want. Thanks for sharing this tips.

  • R U S S

    January 14, 2015 at 2:45 pm

    While I’ve read so much about cruises and know how fun they are, this is something that I have yet to do in the nearer future. I would like to take my Mom and brother with me. What I love most about your post is the part where you said that the guest to staff ratio is 1:3 – you really got me at that.

  • Erica

    January 20, 2015 at 4:51 pm

    I have never been on a cruise but have always wanted to go on one. I was iffy about taking the kids but you have changed my mind. 🙂