Six Good Reasons to Take Your Kids on a Cruise

You won't find it difficult to discover at least six good reasons to take your kids on a cruise. If you are fortunate enough to be able to fit even a short cruise into your vacation budget, it's the kind of family adventure that pays back quickly on the investment. Just talk over where you want to go with your whole family, decide on the best cruise package and then head off to prove there really are at least six good reasons to take your kids on a cruise.

There is something for everyone. If you go on a cruise with your kids and there isn't one single thing they enjoy then you have a serious problem - with your kids. Movies, organized games and competitions, dancing and music, talent shows, bingo, swimming, and every kind of food imaginable really more than fill your cruise schedule. Then there are the destinations that are in part the reason you decided to cruise in the first place. Some cruises take you to exotic, tropical islands where you can enjoy the lush scenery, fishing, boating, swimming, snorkeling and a collection of land based activities. Others are centered on site seeing and bring you face to face with history and other cultures.

When you put the on boat and on land activities together, well there really is something for everyone and you can't always say that about every vacation you have ever taken now can you.

There are opportunities for independent activities . What we liked about our Bermuda cruise was that the activities, especially on board . allowed us the chance for some independent activities. While the adults hit the casino, strolled the ship or did a little sun basking, our high school aged kids could wander the ship in search of a movie, a vacant hot tub, a little on ship shopping and lots of freedom. Then we could all rally back for dinner. Other times we all shared an activity, believe it or not it was Bingo and then split up when it was time for a meal or snack.

On board a cruise ship, especially the smaller ones, you really can feel comfortable letting your older kids find entertainment of their own. You can also tap in to some of the on ship activities for younger kids to share with peers. If you often feel that vacations can get too intense because everyone is together for every moment of the day then this one of the six good reasons to take your kids on a cruise might be the most important of all for you.

Everyone can make new friends. Whether it is in the casino, walking the deck, hanging out in the work out area or making your way through the mid-night buffet line ,you and your children are going to meet lots of new people who come from all over the U. S. and often all over the world. Because cruises have become more and more child friendly, your kids are as likely to make new friends as you are. While they probably aren't going to be your kids' new best friends for life, they will most likely find some folks that they can enjoy sharing a meal or an activity with. For kids this is a chance to learn how to reach out to others and to grow out of their own personal shyness.

In the process of making new friends your kids are likely to learn about other parts of our nation and the world as well as honing their getting along skills. You don't have to spend a single minute with anyone else on a cruise if you prefer to be alone, but the opportunity to stretch the horizons for yourself and your kids is always present right outside your door .

There is the chance to try new dining experiences - Taking a cruise with your kids lets your kids explore a wide variety of eating experiences that they might not encounter on another type of family vacation.. All on the same trip your children will have the chance to order up some room service, get lunches made up to take along to an onshore event, wander a buffet, sit at a large table with total strangers, eat formally but also informally and try all manner of foods and beverages.

If your kids like to eat, and what kids don't, you will surely discover that one of the six good reasons to take kids on cruise is the eating portion of the program.

Your kids can learn about a whole new way of travel . If you don't live near the ocean, sea travel may be totally foreign to your kids. You can take some time together just touring the ship and taking advantage of whatever programs the cruise line offers that will help your kids discover more about your cruise ship, navigation and the intricacies of how a ship is run. Who knows this kind of introduction may encourage your kids to think about trying their hand at fresh water boating activities like sailing, kayaking, canoeing even rowing when they get back home

What my family liked best about our cruise to Bermuda was the chance it provided to be together and yet apart.. We discovered that our kids really didn't mind being on vacation with their parents or with one another, they just needed and loved being on a vacation that also seemed to belong just to them. This combination of together and apart is perhaps easiest to accomplish on a cruise ship that has plenty of space to wander and lots to do but also has very clear and reliable boundaries.

We felt like we were taking a gamble when we decided to take our kids on a cruise but hands down and all around it was one of the best family times we ever shared.