Why Family Cruises Are a Shipload of Fun

If someone had asked my 28-year-old self if I’d ever take a cruise, I would have laughed and told them no way, that cruising is merely for the elderly and the unfit. Fast-forward a few years—OK, maybe 13—and I’m now a cruising fool!

My husband and I decided to embark on our first family cruise four years ago, when our children were 3-and-a-half and 2. The kids had already accompanied us on many airplane rides and road trips. They were familiar with airports, shuttle buses and rental cars. They were basically pros at the whole travel thing. Then friends and neighbors started talking about how family-friendly cruises were, and we became curious.

We started researching. We began with Disney Cruises because, well, Disney is the most magical place on earth, right? And I had to admit, the promotions made the ship look pretty damn majestic: Mickey, Minnie, Donald and all those gorgeous princesses would set sail with us. We’d have nonstop access to Disney shows, character-themed restaurants, and food shaped like the Little Mermaid. My kids would freakin’ love this trip! And, to top it off, Mommy and Daddy would get to visit the Grand Cayman Islands and Mexico.

So we swallowed our pride and decided to give cruising a chance. And surprise, surprise, we all had a blast! Here are a few reasons why I’ve become a cruise convert, and why you might consider hitting the high seas with your family sometime soon.

They treat you like a celeb. Maybe Julie McCoy isn’t standing at the dock ready to hand you a shuffleboard, but from the moment we stepped onto our first cruise ship we realized that these folks—at least most of them—are committed to making families feel special. As we embarked, an employee quickly announced, “Welcome aboard to the Stepan Family!” We felt instantly famous and didn’t care how ridiculous that was. We walked in like we owned that ship. We were directed to a beautiful buffet lunch while our bags were shipped off to our cabin. Each evening after dinner, waiting in our stateroom was an itinerary announcing the following day’s activities and entertainment, planned with us in mind. Rhianna, eat your heart out.

You’ll get nonstop entertainment. Speaking of activities, there’s nowhere else you’ll find a week’s worth of family excursions and activities in one place. One boat typically has multiple swimming pools, with extras such as water slides and hot tubs, as well as other fun amenities like rock-climbing walls, arcades and game rooms, basketball and tennis courts, ping pong and shuffleboard, a library, and shows for both kids and adults. If you get bored on a cruise ship, you’ve got a severe case of ADD.

It’s healthier than you think. I used to assume that if I ever went on a cruise, all the buffets and poolside lounging would cause a 10-pound weight gain. But once on board, I found it surprisingly easy to maintain my family’s healthy living habits. Yes, the buffet was decadent, but there were many healthy options for veggie and oatmeal lovers. There was also an exercise room with Pilates, spin and TRX classes, and both sunrise and sunset yoga classes on the top deck. Sure, I ate the chocolate croissants and had a few cocktails—that’s what vacations are all about—but it was nice to know I could work off the calories in the morning.

You can leave your wallet in the cabin. Most cruises are all-inclusive, which means that all food and beverages, excluding liquor, are pre-paid and unlimited. And most, if not all, of the activities are built into the per-person cruise package. So there’s no need to shell out cash for every round of mini golf, or leave tips on the dinner table. Relax. Because it’s all taken care of.

Date nights are built in. Most cruise ships offer some kind of kids club that allows you to drop off your children for as little or as much time as you need. And believe me, they won’t get tired of this place. Besides offering nice indoor play areas with toys, video games and arts-and-crafts, most of these kid centers organize outdoor adventures like rock climbing, basketball and tennis. Luckily, my children enjoyed going, and even made friends with other kids in the program. As a result, my husband and I were able to sneak off for a quiet drink or a stroll around the boat.

Day trips are a no-brainer. Hate fumbling with maps, rental car contracts and public transportation? When you take a cruise, your week’s itineraries are planned for you. The ship docks at major ports, so you simply walk off the boat and onto the island or city that’s next up on the sightseeing schedule. You can take what you need for the day and go back on the boat whenever you need to.You typically have up to 12 hours at each destination, and special activities may be booked through the cruise line in advance. By the time you’re back at the dock, with bags of souvenirs in your hands and tired, tan little ones in your arms, you’ll be grateful that instead of having to drive back to your hotel, all you need to do is board the ship and retire to your family-friendly stateroom. Happy sailing!