Cruising with Families

Food is a great way to show kids a glimpse of the world. And cruises are a fun way to show kids lots of different kinds of food – without breaking the budget. Most parents usually refrain from ordering something unknown at a restaurant because if no one likes it, it’s like throwing money away. 

There are few better options for a multi-family vacation than a cruise. There's always something to do, there's no need to pack and unpack to see more than one place and grumpy Grandpa can retire to the calm of his cabin when it all gets to be too much.

We've had the pleasure of taking many family cruises over the years but one of our favorites of all time was aboard Holland America Line's Zuiderdam to Alaska. It's Alaska cruising season again so pack your bags and delight in one of the most spectacular family cruise itineraries in existence.

My kids couldn't have been more excited when I told them our next family vacation would be on a Disney cruise ship. My husband couldn't have been less excited. Hubby tends to be a snob about all things Disney. He once proclaimed often that if our kids ever made it to Disney World, it would be because Grandma and Grandpa had taken them there. (They did.)

My family loves to cruise.  The kids get such a kick out of the all you can eat ice cream and I love the idea of not having to drive anywhere when it’s time to eat (which, on a cruise ship, can be any time at all). We’ve taken several cruises together, on several different cruise lines for varying amounts of time.  We’ve decided three days just doesn’t cut it (by the time you get on board and through the drills it feels like no time at all before you’re packing your bags to leave the next morning).  Seven days is a bit too long (we’re all sleeping in one room that entire week).  Five days is just right.

Familiy cruisers can now choose a Norwegian Cruise Line family cruise and sail with Nickelodeon stars Jennette McCurdy and Nathan Kress from iCarly. There are two cruisers to select from in 2011 on the popular NCL themed "Nickelodeon All Access Cruises." Jennette McCurdy (Sam Puckett), will appear on board Norwegian Jewel's February 20, 2011 cruise, and both McCurdy and Nathan Kress (Freddie Benson) will sail on board Norwegian Epic's July 24, 2011 Nickelodeon All Access Cruise.