12 | Summer 2022
FA M I LY M AT T E R S
To Cruise or Not to Cruise TARA BONE
contributing writer
Finding family vacation options that are both budget-friendly and meet your vision of a “perfect” family vacay are top of mind with COVID restrictions lifting and summer around the corner. As you consider options, a cruise may just be what you’re looking for. This year our family was ready to try something new. So, we budgeted and embarked on a cruise for spring break. There were unexpected bumps in the road, but overall, we loved our time together and the lasting memories we made in beautiful places we’ll probably never see again. There was so much information to navigate
and at times it was overwhelming. We hope our experience will help you know if cruising is right for your family. Here are a few things we learned: CONQUER FEARS Our family considered a cruise for years, but hesitated. As a child, I was terrified of getting on a ship and bobbing around in the big blue ocean — even though I was a Love Boat fan. I was plain nervous. One of our sons also opposed the idea. Before you book a cruise see how your family feels about the idea. Look at photos of the ships to see how massive (and safe) they are, learn about new technologies they’re using in ship systems, and talk to others
who have gone. If you can conquer those fears, a cruise is like no other experience. “HOW DO WE LIKE TO FAMILY VACATION?” Honestly, I had never thought about this question. Growing up I was grateful to go on our oncea-year trip to Yellowstone or Jackson Hole in between my dad’s farming. I was just grateful for what I got, and still am. But if you’re spending a lot of time and money on a cruise, ask yourself what your “best” family vacation looks like. Is it family time together all the time, or independent time for your kids with some quiet adult time? Many cruise lines offer activities for both children and teens. There were also babysitting services for
