DESTINATION:
CRUISE SHIP Cruise ships are such fun, all-inclusive floating resorts that they’ve become destinations themselves for families By Diane Tierney
SKY PRINCESS® ©PRINCESS CRUISES
How would you like to go on vacation with your kids and never hear, “I’m hungry,” or “I’m bored,” or the dreaded, “Are we there yet?” It’s almost guaranteed if you choose a cruise for your next family vacation. Ships are fun for kids of all ages — from toddlers to teens and everything in between — that the ship itself is the destination. There’s so much to do (and even more to eat) that a ship is like an all-inclusive floating resort with a theme park, so where it sails is a secondary consideration. Incredible features amuse all ages such as waterparks, slides, go-karts, laser tag, rock climbing, ropes courses, zip-lining, bumper cars, skating rinks, aerial bicycles, sports courts, trampolines, arcades, 3D and 5D movie theaters, surfing and skydiving simulators and more. Aside from fancy features, ships also have spacious childcare and teen centers stocked
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with toys, games and computers. They are staffed with caring counselors who lead age-appropriate activities from treasure hunts to talent shows. And babysitting is available. For meals and snacks, there are a dozen places to dine, with pizza and ice cream available almost anytime. Spectacular entertainment ranges from laser shows and outdoor movies under the stars (popcorn included), to musicals and magicians. Family cabins have connecting doors and suites have multiple bedrooms that can sleep up to six passengers. Many ships also have dedicated family areas where a dozen or more cabins have their own private family lounges, game rooms and snack areas. You can feel confident that your cruise neighbors are also families with similar interests and your kids can make friends easily.
