Many people have an odd perception of cruising, are not sure what to expect? Choose your cruise-line wisely and cruising is incredible, exciting, luxurious, cultural, fun and perfect for families.
We embarked on our first Royal Caribbean cruise 7 years ago and it totally blew us away.
In fact it changed the way we saw family travel forever. When the boys were small we had accepted holidays were no longer for relaxing, but for cramming as much adventure and activity as possible into our time away.
Why? Because we didn’t want the boys to get bored, bored kids mean miserable parents. I had never tried kids clubs; the boys were just not bothered. We enjoyed our holidays together but always returned home frazzled.
Then we discovered cruising and everything changed. From the moment you enter the embarkation lounge you know your family are going to love cruising. Royal Caribbean makes every effort to ensure you are comfortable during the embarkation process. Yes, there are forms to fill out. But there is also coffee, juice, fruit and cookies. This goes a long way with excited kids who are dying to get on board.
I feel giddy just thinking about it, boarding a cruise ship is so exciting. The feeling I get as we enter the Royal Promenade, knowing we are going to have the best time.
The kid’s club onboard Royal Caribbean ships are incredible. Adventure Ocean is split into ages and all staff involved are fully qualified. They are a crazy cool bunch, the boys used to beg to go into the club. And never wanted to leave when we collected them.
It is safe: children cannot leave the club unless you sign them out. I am all for quality family time, but cruising is the only holiday where we get that balance of family time and couple time. We all love the cruising chill/adventure balance.
The problem is having time to go into the club; there is so much to do onboard. The ships vary slightly, but favourite features of the boys are the FlowRider, climbing wall, sports court, mini golf, ice skating and of course the pool, particularly the H2O zone.
You don’t need to worry about feeling overwhelmed. The ships are huge, but there are maps everywhere showing you where you are. And how to find where you are going. Every night when you return to your cabin your Cruise Compass daily newsletter is waiting for you. It tells you what activities are on offer for the next day. There is always a huge selection to choose from, and also a kid’s version, which the boys loved.
For those fussy eaters? The restaurants onboard are my favourite part of cruising. You know you are going to get fantastic quality food every mealtime.
The choice is vast, you can chill with a light snack, head up to the buffet restaurant for a choice that goes on forever. Sing along in Johnny Rockets, Royal Caribbean’s resident 1950s burger restaurant, head to the main dining rooms for a delicious 3 course meal or check out the signature restaurants.
Wherever you dine the staff are very attentive. I remember one trip when all Joe wanted to eat was plain pasta, so that is what the kitchen made him. The waiters were also able to knock up a quick swan out of an apple for dessert, much to Joe’s delight. The boys loved the waiting staff who made meal times special, as they all high-fived the boys when made our way to our table every night. And don’t get me started on the cocktail menu!
You don’t want to get off the ship some days. Cruising is the perfect way to see the world, a new and exciting port every day. The opportunity to take part in excursions to see incredible attractions or cities, then return to the ship for a delicious meal, chill by the pool. Maybe climb the climbing wall to enjoy the panoramic view from the top of the ship.
What better way to finish the day, than sail off into the sunset, stood on deck looking out to sea with your family. On the way to your next adventure, a new day in a new and exciting place.
I’ve never cruised and its something I would love to do with the girls sounds like a fab day out!!
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Amy it is incredible you would love it, good luck lovely x
ah this is amazing have never been on a cruise! i am trying so hard ro convince lee to take me and the boys on one!! i dont think lee understands how amazing theaw cruise ships are!!! fingers crosses i manage to win him over!
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Jade omg book it as a surprise for him ha ha, he would love it, I know you would love it as a family. And the boys would be in their element x
This sounds amazing Sarah, my parents are on a cruise at the moment and they love it, maybe it’s something we cold all do together one day! xx
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Julia you would love it and perfect for families as you would get a bit of chill time too which is rare when traveling x
Haven’t cruised with the company as yet. So would be a new experience, an Adventure.
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Rachel Royal Caribbean is so much fun, yet you don’t have to be in the thick of it if you don’t want to. They have the perfect balance x
we’ve a cruise booked for next year and would to see what the ship looks like before as it will be our first cruise
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Elizabeth so exciting you are going to have the best time x
because it looks awesome
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And it is awesome, good luck x
This would be a once in a lifetime experience for me. Keeping my fingers, toes and legs crossed
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It is fab Jacqueline, good luck x
A cruise is something I’ve thought about but not sure what to expect! A day on board would help me to decide if it’s for me.
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Anne once you experience it there is no going back,you will love it, good luck x
We sailed on Quantum of the Seas last year and had an amazing time. Would love to see how Navigator compares
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I bet that was incredible Maxine x
One word about why I love crusing with Royal : Windjammer LOL
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ooh yes the breakfast is amazing x
This just looks amazing ! I’ve never been on a cruise before but it’s been on my wishlist for aslong as I can remember. Cruises used to be associated with retirees but it’s come along way since then
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Oh it so has Shelly, I love cruising it is so much fun x
What a fun idea to really get a feel for cruising!
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It is isn’t it, so much fun x
This looks like one big huge adventure – definitely something that my little boys would embrace! I’d love to give them such a fun experience, I’m so proud of them both xxx
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Oh they will love it, our two have cruised since they were little and loved every minute x
Because there’s so much choice.
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Oh yes a new port every day and all that delicious food x
ive always wanted to go on a cruise but never could afford one, looks amazing
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Jolenen you can get some great deals, all the best of luck x
would love to go on a cruise
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Donna it is fab, you cant not love it, good luck x
I live in Southampton and seeing the ships coming in is an everyday occurance but I have never been lucky enough to set foot on one! Would love to have this opportunity.
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Oh the best of luck Amy, I bet it would be amazing to finally get to give it a go x
Have never been on a cruise, so would welcome a sneak preview.
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Good luck Avs it is just incredible the first time you step on a ship x
Great prize thank you
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Good luck Carol x
I have never cruised and would love to go and visit lots of Caribbean islands on one holiday. Would like to experience a cruise.
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Rebecca it is just amazing I hope you get to try it x
We keep thinking about a cruise for our family holiday but my husband really isn’t convinced that it is family friendly. This would be a chance to change his mind and convert him… I’ve heard Royal Caribbean are the best so it would be an amazing treat to have a day looking around this ship.
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Suzanne my husband was like that but now he loves it, we have never looked back since that first cruise x
I’ve not cruised before, but would love to try it out – so much fun and things for all the family.
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Chris so very true, our boys love cruising x
I always like to use the best.
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Royal Caribbean are incredible aren’t they ? x
often thought about cruising but never got around to it, this would be a lovely taster day
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Janet once you cruise you will never look back, we didn’t x
Love cruising. Took my hubby and kids on their first cruise on Freedom last year…kids asked second day to cancel Disney trip for this summer and book the Freedom again. We did and are sailing on 7/24!
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ooh so exciting that is the day we are visiting, we love cruising such an incredible break, and do you know our boys are exactly the same x
This looks amazing! I would love to visit a cruise ship and see everything on offer
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Julie it is so amazing you will love it, we do x
I love that Caribbean cruises cater for the whole family. My perception of cruising just being for the older generation are gone. My family and I would love to experiance a day on a cruise ship and Royal Caribbean would be perfect. It looks modern, luxurious and thrilling
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Louise it is the total opposite to the common perception on Royal Caribbean, cruising is luxurious, fun, exciting, quality I could go on x
With teenage twins to entertain. . This would be absolutely fantastic
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Rachel if they are anything like our boys you struggle to get time with then they are so busy x
Would love to try a cruise ship but because i have a 7 year old i always thought of it as dangerous.
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Silvia quite the opposite, the pool deck is floor to ceiling glass, it is so safe, yes there are decks with railing but you would never climb and the kids would never be on those decks alone and if you want a balcony you can get an aft balcony at the back on the ship where they are tiered so not directly over the sea, that is our preferred balcony, it feel so safe and has incredible views x
I’ve never cruised before so would love to have a go! What better way to get the family involved than a day visit.
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I know Tracy it is perfect, and will show them how amazing it is x
I would love to cruise with the Royal Caribbean as I have never even been on a cruise ship, so it would be a wonderful experience for my family x
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Thanks Natalie, they will love it, I know that because my family do x
Because it looks amazing and once in a lifetime.
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Steven, it is amazing good luck x