cruise-ship

Looking for a hassle free vacation the entire family can enjoy? Consider a Caribbean cruise! Aboard today’s cruise ships there’s a range of activities for every generation and a superb collection of dining options. Cruising makes a great vacation for the young and the young at heart – and there’s no better place for it than the islands of the Caribbean!

Family Reunions at Sea

Multi-generational travel continues to rise in popularity with more and more families choosing to have their reunions away from home. Cruise lines have responded by increasing the many family-friendly options available aboard their ships.

Families can relax and be pampered during a Caribbean cruise. Sailing peacefully from port to port, away from traffic and city noise, you’ll enjoy a stress-free environment where every member of the family can relax and have a great time.

Be pampered by superb service in your stateroom and the dining rooms. Every detail is taken care of leaving you and your family free to spend time together doing whatever you enjoy most.

Check out these shipboard options which are good reasons for taking the kids and grandparents along on a Caribbean cruise:

Staterooms and Suites for Families

Aboard the latest cruise ships, there’s a wide range of accommodation including spacious staterooms for four; more connecting staterooms and suites sleeping up to 16 people with reduced fares for more than two in a stateroom.

Kids and Teens Programs

Junior cruisers are well taken care of with a range of facilities and activities just for them. They play with other children in their age group, supervised by qualified counsellors in well-equipped play rooms. Teens love the club atmosphere of the well appointed teen lounges.

There’s educational programming too, like Princess Cruises’ California Science Center at Sea and the Junior Ranger program in Alaska. Aboard the sailing ships of Star Clippers, kids learn about tall ships by climbing the mast or visiting with the captain on the Bridge.

Multi-Generational Entertainment

There’s no shortage of things to do for the whole family, when you’re not on deck with you’re feet up, relaxing with a view of the sea! Apart from swimming pools and deck games you can find ice shows, water parks, bowling alleys, golf simulators, croquet, mini golf, basketball, tennis courts and even a planetarium on various cruise ships.

Spa and fitness facilities are outstanding. While the kids are at their supervised program, parents and grandparents can work out, join in yoga, pilates and aerobics classes or enjoy a superb range of treatments in the world-class spa.

There’s a range of classes and destination lectures to attend as well for those wanting something more educational and informative.

During the evening, family members can meet up for a movie on deck under the stars or attend a concert or production show together.

Family-Friendly Dining

There’s a range of dining options on board from casual buffets to specialty restaurants. You’ll be amazed at the selection of items on your room service menu usually available 24 hours. Flexible dining times in the main dining rooms are a plus for active families.

Those on a special diet are also well cared for. Dietary concerns are easily addressed by the chefs on board by notifying the cruise line ahead of time of your requirements.

Dining options for kids and teens include special menus and supervised dinners and pizza parties where they dine as a group with their new friends from the activities program.

With programs like Royal Caribbean’s My Family Time Dining™, kids can also enjoy an expedited dinner with family before being escorted to their evening activities. This gives parents and grandparents a chance to enjoy their dinner at a leisurely pace.

Private Islands

Cruise lines have created some of the most magical beach locales in the Caribbean at their private islands. Here you can enjoy a private beach day, just for you and your ship mates, with all the relaxation, activities, food and fun your family could want. No wonder cruise line private islands and beaches are rated as the favourite port of call by many guests.

Exploring Ashore

Study your ports of call ahead of time so you know what you and your family want to see and do while visiting the magical islands of the Caribbean. Many family-friendly shore excursions with transportation round-trip from the pier are available with lower prices offered for kids.

Family Portraits

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to have a professional family portrait taken at a more affordable price than ashore. Many ships have photographers on board to capture special moments during the cruise. They’ll take modern and traditional style portraits on several evenings during the cruise, or book a private seating if you have a special place or time in mind. It’s a lasting reminder of the wonderful time you spent together.

Easy Access and Medical Services

There’s no problem bringing along family members who are in a wheel chair or have medical concerns. Modern cruise ships are designed with easy access to dining, lounges and show rooms. Wheel chair accessible staterooms have extra space and specially designed bathrooms. A well equipped medical centre, doctor and staff are on hand so you’ll be well taken care of in case of an emergency.

There are so many good reasons for a cruise vacation. Why not make your next family reunion extra special by celebrating together on a Caribbean Cruise?

Contact your favourite Lloyds Travel Consultant for more information about family cruise options.