The best way to make the most of your next cruise is to select one that appeals to every member of your family. After all, no one wants to waste time and money traveling with unhappy companions.
In order to make every penny of your cruise vacation count look for ships which offer a range of activities for passengers of all ages. Fortunately, these days mega-fun vessels are not hard to find. Some of the world’s largest ships are home to massive on-board children’s play areas broken into separate zones for different age groups. Other noteworthy features include multiple family-friendly pool areas; deck-top water parks with water slides; video arcades and live shows. In fact, Royal Caribbean boasts two ships that have amazing outdoor amusement areas called the Boardwalk complete with elaborate wooden carousels, carnival games and an outdoor high-diving show.
Consider the ages of your children before selecting a cruise line and a specific ship within its fleet. For example, Disney Cruise Line caters to families with younger children, while Royal Caribbean attracts clans with older children due to its many teen-friendly amenities, such as rock climbing walls, miniature golf courses, wave pools and zip lines.
In addition, if you are looking to make the most of your travel dollar, look at cruise lines that offer specialized accommodations for large families. Disney’s ships feature cabins that can sleep up to six people at a time. Compare that to the typical two- to four-person capacity of traditional cabins. Norwegian and Royal Caribbean also offer connecting cabins for clans traveling with extended family members.
Finally, when you are searching for ways to stretch your cruise dollar, research the types of programs offered on individual ships. Carnival and Disney lead the pack with dozens of children’s camps and activities that run from early morning until well past dinner time, usually for no extra charge.