Family Travel Question
Q | We’re usually independent travelers, but having children has thrown us for a loop. Should we try a cruise?
-Amy, Saint Louis, MO
Family Travel Answers
By Amie O’Shaughnessy - Ciao Bambino
Traveling with young children: Cruising and family-friendly accommodations
Although we haven’t gone on a family cruise yet, many of our readers have reported back that this is a fantastic way to unpack once yet still see a wide variety of destinations and sights. Buyer beware, however—it’s essential to fully understand exactly how a specific cruise line and ship manages kids of various ages. [...]
By Jennifer Miner - The Vacation Gals
Family cruising: Maybe, maybe not
Look, cruise vacations are hugely popular, and they aren’t going away anytime soon. However, they can be quite…frustrating, let’s say, for independent travelers. It’s the nature of the beast that more time is spent onboard than off, and the overriding culture of most cruise trips involves a lot of lazing around (then there’s the 24-hour [...]
By Jamie Pearson - Travel Savvy Mom
Your first family cruise
That depends. If by “independent” you mean you like to explore without a timetable, find off-the-beaten path beaches, cafés, and restaurants, and avoid anything remotely touristy, then probably not. If, on the other hand, you are so exhausted that you could really use a break from all the cooking, laundry, and decision making that comes [...]
By Colleen Lanin - The Travel Mama
Cruising is a great option for families
A cruise is a great option for families because there are so many activities to keep both kids and adults entertained. If you would like to travel to multiple destinations, once you board there are no train schedules to manage or planes to catch; plus you need to unpack only once. Some cruise lines are [...]