is cruising really a family affair?

[gmacruiser418]

We've been cruising for over 25 years, many times just the two of us, we did take our son often when he was growing up, but he went to the kids program. an only child, that is what he preferred. now as a grandparent, I have a different respect for spending time with the children. (yes I was a younger parent) My son and his family went with us when the children were just 2 and 3, now 7 and 8, they really want to go again. I don't think of cruising as a family affair. not more than then pool and beaches to do, we can do that here in Florida and actually have time with the kids. if we do, it will probably be the Freedom.

 

thank you in advance for your opinions. and yes, I'm aware that I may get slammed hard!

[time4u2go]

What makes something a "family affair"? For us, it's doing something as a family that we all enjoy. Cruising is one of those things, therefore it's a family affair for us.

[cb at sea]

If your family goes...it's a family thing! Cruising, just like any vacation, can be what you want it to be!

[Chrisconn]

We've gone twice without kids (on Celebrity) and enjoyed that very much. Now that the kids are older (9 and 11), we are switching over to RCCL for a more "family" atmosphere. I think certain lines cater to families, like RCCL, and certain lines do not (like Celebrity, HAL, Seabourn, etc.)

 

It also depends on the time of year...I bet if you sail in early September, you will be going with like minded people. Spring break and summer will be another story!

[PhoenixDawgCruising]

In the past 12 years, out of 17 cruises, I have cruised exactly twice with just me and DH, the rest have all been with our kids, my mom, and at times various other family members.

 

To be honest, cruising without my kids was wierd, and a bit boring. While we enjoyed our 2 non-kid cruises (2002, 2003), I probably won't do it again until my youngest, now 7, is grown. I just have a far better time with them than without them.:)

 

So to me, YES, cruising is a family affair.:)

[jonbgd]

My family always finds excuses not to go :rolleyes: I think a few of them are having Navy flashbacks:eek:

[time4u2go]

OP, you stated (I think) that the pool and beaches were the only things that you all enjoyed as a family on a cruise. Our kids (at various ages) have enjoyed with us the shows, watching bingo, eating dinner in a "fancy" setting (the MDR), eating at the buffet, doing scavenger hunts, shopping, going to some of the game shows, watching the parades, etc. (And this list didn't even cover shore excursions!) Do your kids not enjoy doing any of these other things with you?

[sealeggs]

It is definitely a family affair for us. We usually cruise with anywhere from 12 to 16 family members when we cruise. We have been on 10 so far. all with Royal Caribbean. I couldn't think of any better way to see the world.

 

We all have our own likes and do what we want and don't try to force anyone to do what they have no desire in doing. we will meet for dinner and if we run into anyone during the day that is great.

 

We usually will fun into someone or everyone at the ice cream dispenser during the afternoon.

[TxKroozer]

We have thoroughly enjoyed family cruises and if we could afford it, everyone would be. We have enjoyed special family moments such as the proposal from our new son in law to other special events.

[Isaboo]

It is definitely a family affair for us. We usually cruise with anywhere from 12 to 16 family members when we cruise. We have been on 10 so far. all with Royal Caribbean. I couldn't think of any better way to see the world.

 

We all have our own likes and do what we want and don't try to force anyone to do what they have no desire in doing. we will meet for dinner and if we run into anyone during the day that is great.

 

We usually will fun into someone or everyone at the ice cream dispenser during the afternoon.

 

This is exactly what we do! We usually cruise with two of my cousins' families and my aunt. Tons of fun! One of my cousins isn't going on our upcoming Oasis cruise and we will really miss them. Their family just did a big Disney vacation last month though. Still, there will be twelve of us...five adults and seven kids ages 3-14. :D

[newlifeca]

Cruising is certianly different with younger children, but yeah..it's a family thing. It's also fun just to go with your spouse. I like both.

[Maybaybie10]

For us, it is a family affair. Would my husband and I loooooove to go on a cruise alone- you betcha! But as a family of 4 with a very modest income, we can only afford to do a "big" vacation about every other year and the thought of taking such a lavish trip as a cruise and not including my children would make me feel guilty and selfish- that's just how I am. If we had a more lucrative income and could afford more vacations, we would most certainly take some solo (oh how nice that would be!!), but we all look forward to these vacations so much that taking them as a family and planning them as a family is half the fun. My parents just started cruising last year and have become addicts and have 3 more planned in the next 18 months. The whole, extended family will be on one of those (sort-of like your scenario). My parents enjoy relaxing and seeing the sights by themselves, but they really look forward to that big vacation that we all go on together. The dynamics change and they see and do things with their grandchildren that they may not have normally done, so it's fun for them too.

 

You won't get any flames from me- everyone is different. I just wanted to share how my family does things. Enjoy whichever route you choose!

 

Oh...and we went on Freedom with our children (7&12) last year. It was fabulous!!!! :)

[cruisendave]

I have cruised the past three years in a row with my two boys and three nephews. Wouldn't have it any other way. We always have a great time. We also work in some adult time by having the "moms" look after the kids while the "dads" go to the Casino or a piano bar. The "dads" take a turn with kids another time during the week while the "moms" do what they like.

[Ashland]

We go on many cruises just the two of us..but the ones that our adult children and new DIL have gone on with us have been probably the most fun..They're also the reason we're able to do so well at trivia and actually win is when their with us ;):D

[Desert Cruizers]

My DH & I only have 5 cruises since 2002, but for 2014, we will take our daughter with us for an 18 day Australia cruise. This will be her first cruise and our treat, although I know she will chip in along the way, but the cruise itself & air is on us. I advised her to have her Credit Card on file also as she may wish to book a tour etc and we may wish to do something else. All of us are looking forward to spending this time together.

[circuitrider]

Wherever we go, our kids go to. So it's definitely a family affair for us.

 

Wouldn't mind some alone time on a cruise. But most likely, we'd just chip in for someone else to come with us, and help watch the kids while we go do an activity or have a quite dinner to ourselves. Actually, we've kinda done that twice now.

 

And the kids definitely get something out of it. From trying new foods, to seeing a completely different way of life, it's definitely a learning experience.

[dappledumpling]

I think a cruise can be a family affair but it depends on expectaions.... I am blessed to be able to do multilpe cruises every year. So we plan every other cruise with our kids. Before we go we sit down and discuss what we want todo.....

That way we have our agenda planned for family time and alone time. I love my kids but they need time to make friends and experince freedom on thier own.(not at 7 or 8) but as they became teens and now young adults. because of family cruises they have memories of time together on ships and in lots of ports.

 

I even did one cruise just me and my son(17) glad i did it but we both agree to take Mom along in the future.

 

Whatever you decide on florida beaches or a cruise I hope you enjoy your time together

 

Rick

[hazeleyez3]

I think there are plenty of people who consider taking a cruise more of a family vacation - family or kid oriented activites. If grandparents are included, it may be an added bonus (especially if they don't see them that often).

 

As I read your post, it sounds like....

 

You are able to spend time with your family, and you are able to do water-based activities whenever you feel like it.

 

What you want out of the vacation is some quiet, relaxing alone time with your hubby. If you want to go to a late night comedy show and have a few drinks, you don't have to worry about who is with the kids. If you want to head back to the cabin (for the night) at 6pm, you don't feel like you are depriving others of quality family time.

 

I think there are many people who assume that grandparents want to spend as much time as they can with the grandkids. That isn't always the case....they have many other roles in life that they need to enjoy (wife, friend, sister, etc).

[phantom728]

DH and I have only cruised once by ourselves, which was on his return from a deployment in Afghanistan, so we wanted some alone time.

 

All our other cruises have ranged with a varying party size. Our next one is now up to 10, with little ones included. This is when we have the most fun because we can hang together or separate and no one's feelings get hurt.

 

I LOVE traveling with DD, who will be 21 on this next cruise, so we can really have a blast!

[suds74]

I have taken my wife and our son (who is now 3 1/2) on four cruises and it has been a true family affair. We enjoy the balcony together, read books together, go swimming, shopping, etc. His favorite activity is probably eating in the MDR.

 

My son has been to the Mayan ruins, done private beach clubs, taken tours in Belize and the Grand Caymans. We have thousands of digital photographs from those trips and my son looks at them often. For us, it is the best family time we get, considering our busy work schedules at home.

 

Our last cruise was with my dad and his wife, and we had a blast. We took family pics, hung out together, shared new experiences and ate lots of food. It was great, especially since we don't live near any family.

 

Thanks,

Bill S.

[ausofte]

I am not at all a kid person, but I think cruises make awesome family vacations, especially ones with well-developed children's programs (like RCCL, Disney, etc). Maybe Celebrity is boring for young kids since the kids programs aren't as well attended (and therefore kids on those ships drive me up the wall) but generally I do think a cruise is good for kids.