The kids are
heading back to school and you have their schedules for the academic year – why
not plan a family cruise during one of their breaks? It’s a wonderful way to
spend time together and share the adventure of visiting new places, with the
assurance that everyone will find an activity (or several) to enjoy on the
ship.
The first
thing to do is decide where to go and when, so you can book your cruise as soon
as possible. Book as early as you can to have the best chance of reserving a
stateroom or suite that can accommodate the entire family.
Your destination options depend on when you’ll be
sailing. The Caribbean, Mexico and the Bahamas are open for cruising all year
long, and there’s a fantastic variety of itineraries that depart from the East,
Gulf and West Coasts. Kids from toddlers to teens love the beaches, making the
region a perfect choice for Christmas, New Year’s and Spring Break getaways.
Hawaii is
another beautiful, year-round destination. But, if you’re departing from the
West Coast rather than flying to the islands, remember that it takes some time
to sail there and back (usually two or three days each way). However you get
there, an advantage of seeing Hawaii via cruise is that you get to visit
multiple islands with ease.
If the kids
have a fall break, consider a cruise along the coast of New England and
Maritime Canada. Ports can include historic cities like Boston, Quebec City and
Halifax, as well as iconic summer resorts like Newport and Bar Harbor, all set
against a backdrop of colorful autumn leaves. This is also a great choice if
you’re planning to cruise next summer – it’s beautiful when the leaves are
green, too.
Another
option for spring, summer or fall is Europe, especially if your kids are old
enough to have an appreciation for history and antiquities. Spring and fall are
especially good times to cruise the Mediterranean, before the heat and crowds
of summer arrive. The Baltic, ringed by beautiful capital cities, is a summer
destination.
Once the
question of where to cruise is answered, you’ll also need to select a cruise
line, ship and itinerary (some are more suited to families than others). Count
on Anita, your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert to guide you!
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