Step 1 in planning a cruise ship vacation is making the decision to take one . . . 

If you’ve already decided that a cruise vacation is what you want, you will need to find a cruise ship that interests you.  This is where many people run into a problem.

As previously mentioned, there are a number of different cruise lines. Each of these cruise lines operates a number of different cruise ships.  Each cruise ship is likely to travel to different destinations and offer different activities, services, and facilities. 

When searching for the perfect cruise ship, you have a lot of options.

If you prefer to travel with a specific cruise line, you will want to research that particular cruise line.  You can visit the cruise line’s website to further educate yourself.

If you do not have a preference as to which cruise line you’d like to travel with, it may be easier to search for cruises based on themes, destinations, or on-board activities.

Stay tuned for “How to Research Your Cruise Ship Options – Part 2″

.      .      .      .      .      .      .
 

They also understand the stress of having to pack up belongings at the conclusion of each stay and journey to the next destination only to unpack again for another few days. 

None of these concerns exist aboard a luxury cruise ship.

A cruise ship offers all of the amenities of a luxury ‘land’ hotel (lodging, fine dining, entertainment and shopping), but with a twist:  travel to new destinations and well-coordinated shore activities.

The captain and crew eliminate all of the concerns that you might have about planning, traveling and coordination.  They are experts at their jobs and fully understand the needs of their passengers as well as on-board procedures and off shore customs. 

Additionally, an attentive personal service staff is available and on-call 24 hours a day to serve you.  Their duties include maintaining your state room, setting dinner reservations, arranging spa treatments, cooking your meals, planning your activities and in some cases, caring for your children while you enjoy activities in adult-only portions of the cruise ship.

The experience of the cruise ship captain and crew results in a worry-free adventure for vacationers.

So relax and enjoy . . . you’re in good hands.
.      .      .       .       .       .      
 

• A good value . . .  Since most everything is all-inclusive, you don’t have to worry about carrying your wallet everywhere to pay for drinks, food and activities.
• Food, lodging and activities are all under one roof . . .  You cannot lose your family members because you know they are on board somewhere on the ship.
• Something for everyone aboard the ship . . . Experienced staff make themselves available to help with acclimating you to cruising life, whether you enjoy physical activities or you are the more cerebral sort.
• Great for family reunions . . . Because today’s cruise vaations are more affordable, you could even schedule family reunions with all your relatives.

What to Expect on a Family Cruise

Each person in your family, from the children to the parents, will have different expectations of your family cruise.  

Parents may enjoy the gaming or reading and relaxing by the pool while the kids can enjoy many activities geared especially for them – from arts and crafts to movies and games.  Again, the great thing about family cruises is that most everything is all-inclusive aboard the ship and it almost feels like your own personal luxury liner.

One thing to remember . . .

When booking your family cruise is that not all ships setting sail from your nearest port are created equal.  Some cruise ships specifically tailor programs to children’s tastes and have tons of activities for siblings to participate in.  Other ships may have added programs for families almost as an afterthought.  In other words, they do not specifically cater to families who might have young children.

Bottomline, before you book your family cruise vacation, it’s up to you to do some research to determine the best cruise package for your family trip.

****