Family cruise vacations are my favorite to book and to take! I’ve been on three cruises with more than just my family of four and have another one planned with my husband and a few other couples for 2025. I’ve also found a bit of a niche in planning these for others. Here’s why I believe a family cruise is the best vacation.
The Joy of Cruising
Cruising allows you to experience different locations without having to pack up your hotel room every 1-2 days. You can see so much, do so much, or do nothing at all, which is why it’s perfect for groups.
Group cruising as a family offers several appealing perks that enhance the travel experience for each member. First, it’s an effortless way to plan a family reunion as cruise packages take care of the logistics, from meals to accommodations and entertainment, simplifying the coordination of large groups. The variety of activities available onboard ensures that there’s something for every age group, keeping children engaged with supervised activities and teens entertained with sports and games, while adults can enjoy spa days or cooking classes. Additionally, visiting multiple destinations in one trip means more shared experiences and memories.
Tips for Planning a Successful Group Cruise
Link Your Booking Numbers for Dining
Dining together is the perfect time to catch up on the day and plan for the next. Everyone needs to be on the same page for early or late dining, but this helps keep the group connected.
Don’t Stay Right Next to Each Other
Give everyone some space unless you have minor children who need to be close by. We prefer having some distance between our cabins.
Don’t Plan on Doing Everything Together
If interests align, great! If not, see you at dinner. The purpose of the cruise is to enjoy your time together. Forcing activities on someone can make them and others around them miserable.
Download and Use the Cruise Line App
The app is useful for communication and marking activities you’re interested in. However, don’t rely on it 100% as it can be iffy on the messages coming through. It’s a great planning tool too! Carnival allows you to see what your friends and family are doing if you want to join them, while Royal Caribbean only allows you to see what you have marked.
Overcoming Common Objections
If you’re trying to convince a group and they’re worried about having nothing to do, here’s an excerpt I sent to my group for our 2025 cruise on the Carnival Celebration:
“So much and nothing all at the same time, which makes it perfect for a group of people. Cruising is a vacation you can tailor to your needs. Want to veg by the pool? Cool! Want to putt-putt? Let’s go (I get competitive there). Like trivia? See you there. Want to read a book? You have your choice of spots: the atrium, promenade, your balcony, the upper decks, the serenity area—have at it. Like to dance? Bring those dancing shoes. Want to laugh? You’ll find me in the comedy club. Rollercoaster your thing? It’s not mine, but have at it. Love Family Feud? Me too! Love musicals? You have options. Want to walk a ropes course? You won’t find me there, lol, but you can.”
Sometimes getting your family or friends on board (pun intended) can be half the battle but I would be happy to help answer any common misconceptions. Cruising really is a trip you can tailor to each person’s preferences.
If you’re looking to take a family or friend cruise and need help booking, contact me!
Email: [email protected]
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