So, it’s time for you to start planning your next family vacation. You certainly could take the kids to a popular theme park, or you could take them to a beach resort for a few days, but have you ever considered a cruise? A cruise offers some advantages over other vacation options.
First of all, a cruise is extremely cost effective. Let’s look for a moment at the costs associated with taking a family of four to a theme park. You would probably rent two hotel rooms, each at around $100 or more per night. We’ll assume that you eat the complimentary breakfast at the hotel, so you won’t have to pay for that. Lunch will probably cost around $50, and dinner probably $60-$80. So far, that’s around $310 per day. And that’s before paying for admission to the theme park. Now, let’s consider the cost of a cruise. Depending on the time of year, and the cruise line, you can find cruises for as low as $45 per person, per day. So, for a family of four, that would come out to $180 per day. When you go on a cruise, all of the meals are covered in the price. In addition, you can eat as much as you want. There are some restaurants on the ships that may require an additional cover charge, but the main dining room and the buffet are included in the cost of the cruise.
On board the ship, there is always plenty to do. During the day, you can simply sit out on the deck and relax, or go for a swim. Many of the ships these days have waterslides and pools for the children. Many cruise lines offer childcare, so you can drop the kids off in the morning, while you spend the day relaxing. Every night, you can see a variety of shows in the ship’s theater, including comedy shows, and dance and musical numbers. During the day there is plenty of entertainment going on as well with musicians throughout the ship.
Another good reason to go on a cruise is that the shore excursions are much more fulfilling than a theme park. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a good rollercoaster ride as much as the next guy. But on the cruises that I’ve been on, I’ve been snorkeling, marveling at the fish and coral formations. I’ve toured the island of St. Thomas, getting to know how the people live there. I’ve toured the ruins of Pompeii and Rome, and medieval villages in France. To me, those are much more fulfilling than a visit to a theme park.
Next time you plan your family vacation, consider going on a cruise. You may well save money over your usual vacation, and you’ll certainly enjoy the experience.