5 Things You Didn't Know About Family Cruises

Some couples think of cruises as relaxing honeymoon-like vacations and wouldn't dream of taking their kids along. However, many of the big-time cruise lines welcome children and offer fun and relaxation for both kids and parents. Here are five things you might not know about family cruises:

1. All-inclusive cruises are an affordable family vacation. Perhaps you're interested in taking a family cruise vacation, but the hefty price tag is making you think twice. However, once you break it down, a cruise is just as affordable as a week at the beach, a hotel trip or a week-long stay at a family resort. Here's why: Family cruises are all-inclusive.The price of a cruise typically includes your stateroom, all onboard meals, entertainment, parties and transportation to the ports of call on your itinerary. In most cases, the only things you need to pay for are transportation to and from the home port, souvenirs, alcoholic beverages and shore excursions. Keep that in mind when comparing prices to a different kind of vacation, you'll still have to pay for food and entertainment on top of the base price of lodging.
2. Kids have plenty of activities on family cruises. Many people think of cruises as luxury vacations that don't cater to children. However, if you sail on one of the larger cruise lines, there'll be so many kid-friendly activities on the ship that your kids won't even be able to do all of them.Most family-friendly cruise lines offer guided fun for children, ranging from arts and crafts to scavenger hunts to video games. Some cruise lines go a step further and offer stage training or fun-based educational sessions. Qualified counselors, many of whom are former nannies or child care specialists, lead the tours.
3. Family cruises offer adult-only time. When you drop your children off, you'll either be given a pager or be asked to sign in and let the counselors know where you plan to be on the ship while the kids are playing. This gives you time to explore restaurants, casinos, adult-only pools and hot tubs, the spa or just enjoy some alone time without your children.If you need evening alone time, many cruise lines offer fee-based babysitting services. This can range from a group childcare area to specialized in-cabin babysitting. Find out your options in advance if you're interested in child-free evening or two.
4. Sleeping space is ample on family cruises. Cruise staterooms are notoriously smaller than many hotel rooms and suites. But on family cruises, every inch of space is useful.Most staterooms on Carnival® Cruise Lines can sleep up to four people, while Royal Caribbean's® biggest family staterooms and suites can often accommodate six to eight people. Disney Cruise Line® allows guests to section off part of a room with a curtain and offers two bathrooms, one with a full bathtub and shower. Almost all cruise lines offer a large percentage of staterooms with a balcony, allowing guests some privacy, fresh ocean air and a little extra space.
5. Family cruises even welcome babies on board. Think your newest addition to your family is too young to sail? Think again. Some family cruise lines welcome babies as young as 12 weeks; with others, babies can sail at four months or six months. Family cruises that allow babies on board are usually well-equipped to handle them, offering age-appropriate playrooms, nurseries and babysitters. Most also have cribs, playpens, strollers and other paraphernalia available for rent.