Your Best Summer Getaway Cruise With Kids
How To Relax On Your Next Family Cruise
By Charu Suri | Published on August 10, 2023
In my summer getaway cruises over the years with my family, I have discovered that there are a variety of ways to bond with your children and still find time for quiet relaxation. And while large ships filled with amusement park-style amenities can seem like a more exciting vacation than a tranquil one, there are still plenty of options for those craving peace and quiet — if you know where to look.
In addition to carving out some battery-recharging time at sea during your summer getaway cruise, you can also look for ways to add some quiet moments to your time on shore. Whether you and your family choose to cruise to The Bahamas, an archipelago famous for its turquoise waters or journey to Mexico for margaritas and sunshine, your itinerary doesn't have to be stressful, no matter how many kids there are in tow. Here are some ways to have the best summer vacation on your exciting getaway cruise with immediate family, close relatives and friends … and still make time to truly unwind.
Plan To Keep Kids Entertained Onboard
Family time is important, but I have learned over the years that being on a cruise also means parents have the luxury of getting away from the kids, who can be happily engaged in other activities while adults enjoy a summer vacation with friends and my partner. Schedule activities for them (they will be well-taken care of) while you indulge in a little "me" time. Couples can take turns spending some time alone or reconnect with a little peace and quiet for everyone to have their best summer vacation.
In my experience, this is possible even on the most lively, exciting cruise. Take a ship like Oasis of the Seas®, for example. This 5,400-passenger floating city boasts the biggest aquapark at sea, an escape room challenge and a glow-in-the-dark laser tag faceoff. With all these fun options, it may be hard at first to envision a way to do it all and still leave time for relaxation. However, because there are kids' clubs designed for children of all ages, you can certainly get some time to yourself. Parents with babies and toddlers can get a break using the drop-off nursery, Adventure Ocean Babies, and there are also programs for kids ages 3 to 5 and 6 to 12. You'll find that 13- to 17-year-olds can escape to a lounge of their own with music, movies and gaming, or try their hand at the water slides on the pool deck, giving you time to, say, sip cocktails at the Bionic Bar® or read a book on the Sun Deck or your balcony.
When everyone gathers together at dinner on your summer getaway cruise, your gang will have plenty of stories to share. If you sail on Wonder of the Seas℠, for example, you'll find an impressive array of dining choices, including Southern fare at The Mason Jar℠ (where you won't want to miss the bread pudding) and Mexican treats at El Loco Fresh®. There, the grown-ups can toast with spicey pineapple jalapeño margaritas. If taking in shows is how you recharge as a group after dinner, there are a myriad of options. Look for one of Broadway's hit musicals: Wonder of the Seas℠ offers a production of "Cats" and giving yourself over to "Memories" is a great way for musical lovers to unwind.
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Create A Gameplan For Your Best Summer Vacation
Setting a goal to come home refreshed? Make a checklist of family activities that you really want to do and pick a few to enjoy together each day, rather than packing each moment with plans. Then, use some of that time you have carved out to do whatever makes you feel most refreshed. You can use some of your "chill time" at the spa — indulging in a massage or a body wrap, or just stretching out in the heated lounge chairs — or at the gym taking yoga classes, if that helps you exhale.
Or, if you find yourself unwinding best with a cocktail in hand, you can find a quiet bar to simmer down in. At the Trellis Bar on Royal Caribbean's® Oasis Class ships, you can settle into a garden with a memorably delicious cocktail, such as an Aperol spritz or a Bloody Mary. The adults-only Solarium Bar is another tranquil spot on Oasis Class ships. There you can sip a British Pimm's Cup or a sweet and sour treat like Washington's Apple, made with Crown Royal, sour apple liqueur and cranberry juice.
In addition, think about your desire to relax when you're picking a cabin for your summer getaway cruise. Would adjoining cabins not only give older children extra room to spread out but also offer you the best chance at having a relaxing moment each night before bed? Is a balcony your personal preference for where to sequester yourself for some alone time when you have a moment? Thinking through your needs before you book will help you to select both the configuration and location that best serves your whole crew.
Relax In Nassau
In my best summer vacations over the years with my family, I have discovered the best places to relax and bond in every port.
You can look for a shore excursion that everyone in your group will love. A full-day stopover in the beautiful island of Nassau — one of the most visited cruise ports — allows you plenty of hours to explore some of the best white sand beaches in the world, including Cable Beach, which hugs six miles of gorgeous coastline. Known for its soothing and calming turquoise waters, Cable Beach is a more relaxing alternative to the more popular Cabbage Beach on Paradise Island, making it a picture-perfect stop for relaxing family time. There are plenty of shallow waters where kids can spot coral and starfish while mom and dad stretch out on the white-sand beach.
Personally, my favorite way to take in Nassau with the family (especially for my daughter, who loves animals!) is to book a tour to Pearl Island to spend an afternoon swimming with the Instagram-famous pigs, an unforgettable day and one of the best summer spots for young adults.
If you're a family of history buffs, you could also take in a leisurely tour of Fort Fincastle and Water Tower, a cut limestone historic building constructed in 1793 to protect the city. Located at the highest spot on the island, this vantage point was a great lookout for pirates in the early 1800s. Today, it's an ideal spot to exhale and enjoy the blood pressure-lowering view of the horizon.
A more off-the-beaten-path way to relax on Nassau is exploring the lush multi-terraced Versailles Gardens on Paradise Island. This is a place that will make you feel as though you stepped into another era. Here you'll find stone paths and bright bougainvillea. And, if the rest of your family prefers to relax on the beach, consider going alone — you can always catch up with your crew after soaking in some history.
Unwind In Cozumel
Located 12 miles off the coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, Cozumel is one of the most-visited ports for a reason. It boasts the second largest coral reef in the world, the Mesoamerican Reef, as well as access the beaches and theme parks that are designed for families.
The reef is easily accessible by boat, and snorkeling there is a great way to unwind as a family, especially if your kids love the water. It is a particularly ideal spot for young adults who want to learn about the sea creatures in this part of the world (there are over 500 species of fish). If you want to capture some photographic memories, look no further than El Cielo. This particularly shallow reef is almost ethereal in nature: remember to bring your underwater camera to capture the sting rays, starfish and the way the light reflects off the white sand.
Looking to stay on the shore? Palancar Beach is one of the best spots for families to relax on the island, and it's just a 20-minute ride from the port. Another option: Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park, located within the island's national reef marine park, offers many activities in a self-contained setting. This is a great spot for members of your family to relax in different ways: kids can take their pick from watching a fun sea lion show to swimming with dolphins, while mom or dad can escape to a lush private cabana facing the ocean.
Soak In The Sun In Labadee
Nothing offers a better mix of thrills and chill than a day at the beach, and cruise line private islands tend to be some of the best places for a resort experience. A visit to Royal Caribbean's private 260-acre Labadee — located on a peninsula on Haiti's northern coast — is no exception. Here, you'll find fun activities for family members of all ages. Thrill seekers indulge in adrenaline-pumping activities like zip lining, parasailing, jet-skiing or the signature Dragon's Splash water slide. Best of all, while tweens and teens enjoy all the water sports, grownups can get some quality time at the swim-up floating bar off Adrenalin Beach.
Opt for a cabana on Nellie's Beach to kick back and relax as a family. If you're ready to splurge, choose an overwater cabana for views of the lush mountains and priceless memories that will live on as part of your family's best summer vacation ever.
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