You know how much we love cruising. We have done 2 (Bahamas & Caribbean) this year alone with another planned. Jo has some great advice on the planning stages of cruises.
Cruises are a great way to spend quality time with your family as well as having tons of activities for a range of ages all in one place. Planning a family cruise is a big deal though, so take the time before you go to decide which cruise is right for you and then try and leave as late as you dare to get a great last minute deal.
Where do you want to go?
Even though you’re going to be spending a lot of time on the ship, where you actually want to travel to is an important factor in deciding which cruise you want to go on, especially if you plan on booking excursions. P&O cruises do trips all over the world, some popular ones being the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and Iceland.
What do you want to do?
A family cruise should be about spending time with the kids, but it should also be about you. This is your holiday too, so make sure to rest and relax whenever you feel like it. Many cruises offer spa treatments and even some Disney Cruise Line ships have adult only areas with separate swimming pools and bars. Whether you want to spend two weeks sunbathing or a week filled with extreme water sports, choose the cruise company that you think is right for your families needs.
What do the kids want to do?
Cruise holidays that are specially designed for kids will always include a kids’ club that runs all day and sometimes into the evening. Most children will enjoy making new friends and joining in with activities but remember to spend some quality time doing things as a family so you have a memorable holiday to all look back on in the future.
Top tips for planning a family cruise:
- Book a hotel near where the ship is leaving from for the night before you’re due to set off. Leave plenty of time to get there as many people miss the boat simply because of delayed flights or traffic.
- Don’t book too many excursions – the time spent travelling on land in the coach will leave you tired and you still may not get to see everything you want to see. If you stay on the ship while other passengers are on an excursion you can take the opportunity to have the popular facilities on board to yourself.
- Compare prices and decide which cruise is right for you, then try and book it as late as possible to get a last minute cruise deal. This will save you money as ships will want to fill empty cabins at a discount price.
Jo Middleton is a freelance writer, breastfeeding counsellor and mum of two. Read more from Jo at her award-winning blog, Slummy single mummy.
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