Cruise Deals for the Whole Family

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Author: Chris Martin

One of the most challenging tasks for parents is the planning of the next family vacation. Chances are, your kids’ interests are varied and your budget is limited. You can’t afford the gas, hotels, and other charges associated with the traditional long family road trip. And your children won’t be easily impressed by “staycation” outings or cut-rate tourism packages. Plus, kids have too much energy to be cooped up for long periods of time in a car, plane, or tour bus. So where does that leave you?

Here’s an idea: how about a family cruise?

Cruise vacations offer a wide variety of options for people of all ages. Most ships offer planned activities for kids in different age groups. The vessels themselves are so large that children will have lots of room to play and explore. There are also many activities like shows, games, and events which you can enjoy as a family. Kids can experience a faraway place by visiting ports of call or signing up for a shore excursion. Most meals are free for cruisers, and kids can eat as much (or as often) as they wish. And your room, food, and basic amenities are all combined into one per-person rate.

Are you starting to see the appeal of a cruise vacation? Here are some cruise deals for the entire family (all rates are per-person, double occupancy):

Caribbean It’s the quintessential cruise getaway: sun, sand, and tropical delights! Sailing through the Caribbean allows your family to enjoy the ship’s pool and water attractions while on board. And everyone can get a taste of the carefree tropical lifestyle in ports of call such as Bermuda, the Bahamas, the U.S. or British Virgin Islands, and the Cayman Islands. In addition to beach activities, popular shore excursions for adults and kids may include snorkeling or scuba diving, parasailing, and personal watercraft rentals. Caribbean cruises start as low as $169 on Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas, which visits Cococay and Nassau, Bahamas on a three-night journey. For as little as $449, your family can board Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Pearl for a seven-night eastern Caribbean tour with stops in Samana, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas, USVI; Tortola, BVI; and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. And if you prefer Bermuda, Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Summit has a seven-night package to King’s Wharf, Bermuda beginning at $599.

Mexico This getaway combines the beach and sun activities with the rich culture and history of a land that has been inhabited by numerous different civilizations. In addition to the shoreline excursions, your family can opt for a hiking expedition through jungle or desert areas, an offroading adventure in an all-terrain vehicle, or an enlightening tour of Mexico’s ruins, cities, or missions. A short three-day jaunt to Ensanada on Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Elation begins at only $264. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Star can take you on a six-night cruise starting at just $329, with Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta as ports of call. And if you have some extra time, consider an incredible eleven-night journey on Holland Cruise Lines’ Oosterdam starting at only $749, where you get to see Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco, Acapulco, and Cabo San Lucas.

Alaska If you’re looking to escape the heat, you’re guaranteed some cooler weather when you book a cruise to America’s 49th state. Most voyages take you through the famed Inside Passage, which is home to exotic wildlife and breathtaking scenery that is often visible from your ship. Some of the most sought-after shore excursions include whale watching, glacier hiking, wildlife photography tours, and dogsled camp visits. A seven-night cruise aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Star takes you to Juneau and Ketchikan as well as Vancouver, Canada for as little as $449. You can see those ports of call as well as Skagway, Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier, and Seward aboard Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Millennium beginning at just $549 for seven nights. Or for the same starting price, Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess will assemble a seven-night itinerary which includes Vancouver, Canada as well as the Alaskan destinations of Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, College Fjord, and Whittier.

These cruises may not be offered during all months of the year, so be sure to check a cruise website for details on which packages are offered at what times of the year. In addition to booking cruises as far in advance as possible, you should also contact the cruise line and sign up for your preferred shore excursions as well â€" because those tours tend to fill up quickly and may be sold out by the time your cruise date arrives. As for activities on the ship itself, your family’s itinerary can be as structured or as flexible as you want it to be. You may choose to stay together on one day, while letting your kids explore the ship on another day (thereby allowing for some “alone time” with you and your spouse!). You may even choose to let older children select their own shore excursions if you feel it is appropriate. However you decide to plan your time on your cruise, you and your family will experience an unlimited amount of fun, relaxation, and adventure. So book your family cruise today!

Chris Martin is a freelance writer who writes about traveling and cruise deals .