pps-DUEditor 
Taking a cruise can be an exciting adventure. They make for memorable vacations for families, honeymooners, large groups, and so many other groups. The great thing about going on a cruise is that you get to see multiple different places all in one trip. Not only do you get to explore multiple places you may have never seen before, but you also get to celebrate all day and all night on your ship while at sea. There are so many different events from private art auctions and jewelry sales to extravagant dinners with “Vegas-like shows”. Cruises provide something that fits every person’s mantra! Here are a few of the things we think you should know before embarking on your cruise.
Types of Cruises
There are many different types of cruises to fit a vast array of people. Disney cruises are geared more towards families with kids, Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises are known for their luxurious amenities, and Carnival Cruise Line is known as the life of the party when it comes to cruises.
If you are considering booking an all-inclusive family vacation, a Disney Cruise or Carnival Cruise may better suit your needs. If you’re embarking on a honeymoon you may want to consider one of the more luxurious cruises with fewer children on deck.
Length of Cruises
Cruises range from 3 days to 21 days and sometimes more. If you plan to embark on your first cruise, we highly recommend that you go with a shorter cruise time. This is because the vacation can become quite overwhelming after a few good days. Being on the same ship and seeing the same people all day every day can get a bit annoying.
Longer cruises are better suited for the veteran cruisers who know what to expect and how to unwind amidst all the chaos on the ship. There is something going on at almost every hour on a cruise ship. It’s the equivalent of the Vegas strip on a ship. So you want to make sure you can calmly seclude and relax in your cabin. If you’re on a longer cruise, highlight parts of the daily schedule you want to partake in and set aside time for you to unwind in your cabin and rest in between activities. This will make the cruise less stressful and allow you to enjoy a longer time at sea without getting “cabin fever”
Cruising With Kids
Cruising with kids can be extremely stressful if you don’t know what you’re doing. It isn’t like any other vacation you embark on with kids. There are all sorts of added dangers aboard a cruise ship as well as the embarkation locations. The biggest issue folks traveling with kids come across are germs. It is common to hear of entire ships becoming infected with foodborne illnesses or cold and flu viruses. This doesn’t have to be the case when traveling with precious cargo.
It is recommended to bring a few packs of Lysol wipes and even some small aerosol cans of Lysol spray aboard your ship. Daily decontamination of your cabin will help reduce close-quarter illnesses from spreading rapidly throughout your cabin. Also encouraging frequent handwashing is always advisable on any vacation.
We also recommend increasing vitamin C intake via citrus fruits or supplements such as Emergen-C in the weeks leading up to the cruise and while on the cruise. If you or someone in your party ends up ill on the ship, it is best to keep them in your cabin so they are not spreading the germs throughout the entire cruise ship.
Hopefully, the germs alone haven’t scared you completely away from cruising with kids as it can be quite rewarding for the whole family to make those everlasting memories. One thing you want to ensure before booking your cruise with kids is that there is some sort of kids club or kids program on board. Kids don’t enjoy doing all of the fancy dinners and shopping that adults do, so getting them enrolled in the onboard kids club can really elevate their experience and ensure they have the time of their lives. Kids clubs usually offer late-night child care for adult date nights and other onboard activities. They also offer kid activities for all ages, like parades, arts and crafts, video game lounges, dance parties, and so much more. You simply cannot go wrong with getting on a kid-friendly ship.
Let’s Wrap Things Up!
Cruising can be exciting and exhausting all at the same time. Be sure to review all the details of the ship, the locations you will be embarking on, and any amenities. You want to ensure your vacation will be relaxing and fun while staying within your budget. It is highly recommended that utilize a travel agent to assist you in finding the best cruise for you and your family so that you can enjoy your cruise and not stress over the menial details.
