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I write about cruising a lot. I know it’s not for everyone. My family has been on almost a dozen cruises together, and we’ve loved every single one. Cruising is our favorite vacation for many reasons.
Convenience
The great thing about going on a cruise is that you get to see multiple destinations without changing hotels. We simply unpack once to see several ports.
On sea days, our cabin is never far away. If we get tired or forget something, we can just walk back to our room in a matter of minutes. It’s much more convenient than returning to a hotel room during a theme park visit.
Kids Clubs
On Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean, my kids love the kids clubs. They have been in the nursery all the way up to the tween and teen clubs. It’s not like babysitting; the clubs give kids the option to choose activities that interest them and make friends with their peers.
Food Choices
Even the pickiest eater will have no problems on a cruise. With all of the choices on board, all members of my family are satisfied. My kids look forward to ordering steak every night in the dining room. The unlimited soft serve ice cream cones don’t disappoint either!
Shows
My family loves all of the shows on a cruise ship that are included. The Broadway musicals are great, but we’ve also loved comedians and ventriloquists on board. It’s nice to be entertained with live shows for a change instead of relying on our electronics.
Adventures
Cruising allows us to easily explore our adventurous side. Whether it’s zip lining and rock climbing on the ship or interacting with sea life at the ports, it’s very easy and convenient to experience new things on a cruise.
Relaxation
There’s something very relaxing about being on the open seas–the smell of the ocean air, the sound of the ship hitting the waves, the unobstructed sunsets. A cruise is the first family vacation that actually felt like a vacation to me. My husband and I get some time alone together, I don’t have to cook or clean or even think about where to go to dinner.
All-inclusive (ish)
The great thing about going on a cruise is that most of the cost is paid upfront in the cruise fare. Most food and activities on board are included, so I can say “yes” to the kids when they ask for more. If you have teenage boys, you probably understand that their appetites can be limitless.
Something for All Ages
The very best thing about a cruise vacation is that it has something for everyone, no matter your age. My family members can pick and choose the things that interest them, and then we all get together for meals and share our experiences. Everyone is happy!
Final Thoughts
Cruising gets a bad rap sometimes, especially since the pandemic. But, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it! My family plans to enjoy cruise vacations for many years to come.
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Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
Damn! I thought I was reading 5 reasons my family likes cursing
@Chris Ha ha!
I’ll add one: It’s brainless!
As much as I love planning vacations, sometimes a vacation from planning is nice. There’s no searching for the best hotels, locations, etc. Land at the airport, grab an Uber, and off we go. What do we want to do when we dock at the first port? Oh, here’s a list of things to do. We pick this one. Get off the ship, someone is there waiting to take you there and back. It’s so easy. How about the next port? Uh… this one! …and repeat.
With the complexities covid brings to cruising it’s not on my radar at all right now. But I certainly look forward to returning when everything calms down.
@projectx Yes! It’s nice to just show up without much preparation.