Is cruising good for families with young children?

Yes, cruise lines like Princess and Holland America accommodate children well through flexible dining, on-demand room service, and varied activities that don't require expensive add-ons like waterparks.

How common is seasickness on cruises?

Seasickness is far less common than its reputation suggests; the majority of passengers don't experience it, and rough weather is rarely debilitating.

What's the best cabin type to book?

It depends on your actual usage; inside cabins are practical if you won't use a balcony much, freeing budget for experiences you'll genuinely enjoy.

How do different cruise itineraries compare?

A three-day Bahamas cruise and a 14-day Panama Canal cruise create very different atmospheres even on the same ship; itinerary length and destination significantly shape the experience.

What's the most important tip for cruise planning?

Arrive at least one day before departure to avoid missing your ship if flights are delayed by weather or other disruptions.

Why do families return to cruising?

Cruising has one of the highest repeat travel rates in tourism because the format genuinely delivers autonomy, shared experiences, and access to multiple destinations without constant packing.

Amanda Swan: Why Cruising Is Not One Size Fits All

Cruising isn't one size fits all. Those of you who know me know that I love cruising. I used to work onboard ships as part of the entertainment team, looking after lighting for the theatre shows, so I have some insider knowledge on how everything works. But that aside, cruising has become one of my favorite ways to vacation.

I remember my first cruise as a passenger back in 2011. It was a girls getaway with two of my friends and a toddler. A few things stuck out about this trip, one was how accommodating the staff were. We had no problem getting a baked sweet potato in the dining room for the toddler even though it wasn't on the menu. We were cruising on Princess Cruises, a cruise line that often may not be your firsdt thought for cruising with kids as there are no waterparks, but it was the perfect fit for us on this trip. It had everything we wanted for our girls trip and the crew was extremely accommodating towards the child traveling with us.

Converting a Skeptic

The next cruise I took was the first cruise I brought Rob on. We had a conference to attend in Florida and thought a cruise beforehand seemed like a great way to relax. This was in January 2015, a little over a year after we had gotten married. I recall having a conversation with Rob where he said he would go on the cruise but I would be sleeping alone. I asked him what he was talking about and he said I was his wife and he would do anything for me including going on a cruise, but he had seen Titanic and he would be sleeping in a life boat. I laughed and then realized he wasn't really joking. This was how he was envisioning his first cruise.

Needless to say, we got on the ship and the first day was a bit chaotic as it can be, so he wasn't so sure about cruising. Once we were settled in, by day two he was in love with cruising and said he would be content to never do another land vacation again. There was one morning when he was sitting quietly out on deck seven enjoying the view and saw dolphins playing beside the ship. He was thinking, man I wish the boys were here to see this.

Finding the Right Fit for Family

So that year for Christmas we decided to take the boys with us on a cruise and do a family vacation. I remember booking this trip and I had selected Holland America. The agent I was booking with told me I was making a mistake bringing two kids onto a Holland America ship as this was a cruise line for older people. This actually inspired my decision to become a travel advisor as I knew my family and knew this wasn't a mistake. I had kids who didn't want thrill rides they needed to stand in line for. They were happy with the pool, they loved having movies on demand in the cabin and being able to order milk and cookies from room service as a midnight snack. They loved being able to try out the food and experience things like lobster in the main dining room. Since then both boys have cruised several times, so this really was a great choice to introduce my family to cruising.

To date I have been on 18 cruises now. One more I want to touch on is multi-generational cruising. We lost my mother in law suddenly earlier this year, but one thing we were thankful for is the love of cruising she discovered as well. She was able to get out and see a lot of things and places and spend time with family while doing it. A cruise really is a great way for a family get together. Everybody has their own cabin giving them a bit of space to call their own. There is enough activity to keep everybody who wants to be busy occupied, and enough quiet to let those wanting to relax do so.

What I've Learned

One thing I love is that I've been able to experience 18 cruises across different cruise lines, different itineraries, and different cabins. Yes, I still cruise in an inside cabin sometimes. The reality is I enjoy my balcony cabin but the balcony is used less than I think, so sometimes I opt to save money on the cabin and spend it elsewhere, like a spa package or something similar that I will get more use and enjoyment out of. But that wouldn't be for everybody. That is why I like cruising. You can easily make it fit to how you want to vacation.

Experiences change based on cruise line, cabin type, package selected, cruise ship, and itinerary. The atmosphere onboard a three day Bahamas cruise and a fouteen day Panama Canal cruise are going to be quite different even on the same ship. Having experienced it personally, I can answer questions based on my actual experiences and not just training knowledge. Make sure you know what you are booking, know what is included and what isn't, and always fly in at least one day early so if there are any delays you don't miss your ship.