How To Plan A Cruise For Your Family

Going on a cruise trip is undoubtedly one of the most luxurious and fun forms of a vacation. Being on a cruise trip is no less than being in paradise. The joy of sailing through the sea with your loved ones is impeccable.

However, planning a cruise trip isn’t as easy as enjoying a cruise trip. Cruise trips are generally on the expensive side so you need to make sure that you plan it perfectly. Indeed, planning your cruise trip can never be a cakewalk. But following the steps mentioned below can make the task much easier for you.

Read also: Things To Consider When Choosing Your Next Family Vacation Destination

1. Decide on a location

The moment we hear the word cruise, most of us start visualizing a tropical destination like the Caribbean. Even our first family cruise was to the Caribbean! Although a majority of the cruise lines do indeed sail in tropical regions, they are not limited to there.

For many years, cruise ships have started sailing to countries across the globe including Europe, Australia, Asia, and whatnot. Therefore, you have a wide variety of destinations to choose from.

Given the freedom of choosing your destination from all over the globe can sometimes lead to confusion. So, the first thing you need to do is decide the location.

2. Set a budget

As mentioned earlier a cruise trip can drain your wallets, and that is something most of us do not want. It’s true that the more you spend on your cruise trip, the better it gets. But you do not want to regret overspending after your trip ends.

So, after deciding the place you want to visit, you need to set a budget for yourself and then start choosing between various cruise lines.

A cruise trip comes bundled with everything from food, entertainment, accommodation, etc. Therefore, the overhead expenses shouldn’t be huge unless you spend unnecessarily.

A major part of your budget will be spent on the cruise you choose so make sure you get the best deal. However, apart from the cruise, there are some expenses such as airport transfers, shopping, etc. that you need to keep in mind.

Although there is no hard and fast rule as to making your budget, in most cases you should keep at least 50% of your cruise fare for the additional expenses. Therefore, if you are paying $1500 for the cruise, make sure you have at least an additional $750 for the rest of your trip.

Read also: Cruise Tips for First-Timers: 6 Things to Know Before You Go

3. Understand different cruise lines

With the rising interest of travelers in cruise ships, many cruise lines have come into existence which has made it difficult for travelers to choose the best one for them. 

The type of cruise line you choose depends on a variety of factors especially, the people you are traveling with. And it will affect the entire experience. Some of the most renowned cruise lines include the Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Disney Cruise Lines.

We have experienced cruising with Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean. So far, NCL was the best.

One thing you need to know about the cruise lines is that almost all of them are family-friendly and come bundled with similar activities. Go for a cruise that fits your budget and fulfills the expectations of your fellow travelers.

4. Know about the amenities that are offered

Now that you have chosen the cruise for your trip, make sure you are aware of all the amenities that are offered by that cruise. Yes, they’d have dining options and a buffet, pools and slides, and a first aid station.

But what about you kids? Do they offer babysitting? For how much? Do they have a soft playground? What activities do they offer for each age group? 

5. Choose your cabin

The cruise trip is generally around a week long. Therefore, you need to choose a cabin that you can stay inside for a week without facing any troubles.

When it comes to the cabins, you can either go for an outside cabin which offers you an amazing view of the sea but is super expensive. Or you can go for an inside cabin which might not have a good view but doesn’t break the bank.

Therefore, you need to make sure that the cabin you choose fulfills your needs and fits your budget. Talking about the needs. If you are traveling with your family, you can book a family cabin that is much bigger than a regular cabin and comes with two beds instead of one. If money is not an issue, you can even go for a cabin that comes with a separate balcony.

6. Explore the various dining options

When you are on a cruise, you want to live a luxurious life and be carefree. Therefore, the dining part of a cruise is equally important. Most of these cruise lines offer buffets which is already included in the package you paid for.

However, they also have specialty restaurants that offer a la carte service. Also, take note of the timings and attire requirements. 

On a final note…

These are some of the ways to plan a perfect cruise trip for you and your family. Although there is no hard and fast rule by following which you can make your trip perfect. But using the above-mentioned pointers will surely make your trip better.

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