Disclosure: This is an unsponsored post. All opinions expressed are those of Scott Walters Travel Agent.
The bug bit me on a two night cruise to nowhere with my wife on a ship that no longer exists. After that initial morsel, I have grown in my love for cruising as a vacation option and so have my children. Cruising is a great family vacation that offers something for everyone.
While every ship has a different ‘vibe’, I know that my favorite activities on board revolve around three things; eating, entertainment and family fun. Having these things makes me a happy sailor, and makes my family happy as well.
We like eating in the dining room for dinner. It can become as much an event as it is a time to tell stories about our day. Food quality and choices on cruise ships varies, but you will never go hungry as there are plenty of choices. Food allergies are attended to with great care, so just let your dining staff know in advance. The buffet lets the kids pick out their favorites while my wife and I can enjoy ours, too. On port days we eat before heading off on our shore excursions. This way we get a good meal and don’t have to stop for food during our short stop. This also saves a great deal of money. Room service is also available 24/7, in case you should come back hungry. PLUS, when my wife needs her potato chip fix, one call does it all!
Scotts Kiddies at a Character Breakfast.
My family loves going to shows on the ship after dinner. The Disney Cruise Line is our favorite, and the shows are a big part of what we like about them. Each cruise is Disney themed with characters, which are often exclusive to the ship, and our children talk about them for weeks after we are home. I also love karaoke, and ships have some going on at least once a day. My wife prefers the piano bar, and we have seen ventriloquists, hypnotists (I always volunteer), jugglers and many other entertainers brought on board. Most all shows are family oriented unless otherwise specified.
My kids get bored hanging with me and my wife all the time, so they look forward to going to the kids club on the ship. We look forward to them going, too!!! On the Disney ships, the space that a casino would take up has been made into the Oceanear’s club. My kids love the theming and activities that they do from sing a longs to crafts, games, computer projects and of course eating. They are fed lunch and dinner so we grown-ups can enjoy the adult only areas of the ship.
We also like the big screen movies, pirate night, meeting characters and going to the private island Castaway Cay. With so many things to do, we never get to them all, even though we have been on many cruises now. Every night a schedule of the next day’s activities gets placed in your stateroom cabin, and yes for the super tech savvy, there are apps for your devices as well.
We love cruising because of the value it brings. Moneywise it is hard to beat the price when compared to going to all the ports of call, we only unpack and pack once, the children are always in safe, monitored environments, and everyone can find their ‘thing’ and do it to their heart’s content. That is the essence of cruising.
Whether you are a newbie or seasoned cruiser, contact me by phone (845-558-1225), email (scott@goawayoftentravel.com) or on Facebook at Scott at Go Away Often Travel to find out about all the possibilities for your family to set sail on the high seas.
