Enjoying a successful family cruise depends a lot on research, adequate preparation and ultimately, flexibility. Whether your kids are 5 or 15, everyone's wish list of things to see and do should be discussed and considered. Discuss your itinerary and determine whether you want a vacation jam-packed with activities or you'll be enjoying a few days to just relax. If you are traveling with children, the latter is recommended. Even aboard a cruise ship, travel can be exhausting. Regular schedules are interrupted, sleep might become a low priority and good nutrition sometimes goes overboard. Determining your travel personality will help you find an itinerary that fits your family.
After determining the type of vacation you hope to enjoy with your family, a destination should be no problem. There are plenty of cruises to choose from. Enjoy sun-soaked Caribbean cruises, awe-inspiring Alaskan cruises or classic and cultural European cruises.
If you are planning to splurge with a luxury cruise, there are a handful of cruise ships to fit the bill. While no cruise line prohibits kids from sailing, many do not offer activities for children.
For example, Silversea claims to sail the most luxurious ship in the world. Their itineraries typically offer something of interest, whether you are a history buff or naturalist. However, there are no scheduled activities for young children, so this might be a cruise better suited to families with grown children.
An 11-day cruise from Chile to Argentina starts at $6,500 per person as of July 2009.
Crystal Cruises is known for its commitment to service and ensuring guests have an enjoyable cruise. That applies to kids as well. Crystal Cruises have designed its ships to include areas for kids from 2 to 17. For example, the Crystal Symphony features play areas with games and arts and crafts, Sony Playstation and Xbox 360 kiosks and big-screen televisions. A daily itinerary might feature dress-up time, cookie-baking lessons, pool games and scavenger hunts. In the evening, older kids can enjoy pizza and pool parties or an evening of karaoke or dancing at the teens-only disco.
An 11-day Crystal Cruise through the Mediterranean starts at around $3,000 per person as of July 2009.
Regent Cruises has launched a program aimed specifically at younger travelers. In partnership with Jean Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society, the Ambassadors of the Environment youth program teaches kids 9 to 17 about marine environments and how to protect this fragile ecosystem.
A 10-day Alaskan cruise aboard Regent starts at about $3,600 per person as of July 2009.
For a truly legendary, one-of-a-kind experience, the Cunard Cruise Line offers voyages aboard the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Elizabeth 2.
Although onboard activities for young passengers are limited to the more traditional video games, arts and crafts and teens-only discos, both ships are equipped with nurseries and children's play area for the young traveler.
A 10-day Mediterranean cruise on the Queen Elizabeth starts at $2,800 per person as of July 2009.
