Everyone has their happy place, right? I know I have mine. After a long day, when I fall into bed so tired that it feels like the bed is swaying under me, when the lights finally go out… that’s when I sail away. I float, swaying gently, in a comfortable lounge chair on a rum-soaked beach. The sky is bright blue above me, and I can see the waves rolling up over the sand. When I took my first cruise, I discovered that the place I’ve been dreaming about is real. The entire week of that first seven-day cruise, I could feel the ship gently rocking beneath me, and I was in my happy place 24/7. I was hooked!
I believe a Caribbean cruise is the perfect beginner’s vacation, but it doesn’t have to end there. There is an entire world to explore after that first cruise! Cruising can take you to exotic new destinations, can unlock magical experiences on shore, can provide top-tier dining and entertainment, all in a way that is effortless to navigate even with a young family in tow. From mainstream lines where the ship is a destination all its own, to edgy adults-only voyages with late night and overnight stays in interesting new ports, to small ships covered in floor-to-ceiling glass windows, taking in the most breathtaking views around the world, there is a cruise ship to indulge every type of passenger.
The Perfect Vacation For New Travelers
For today, though, I wanted to start with an introduction, the same introduction that I got to the world of cruising. I want to start with reasons why I believe a Caribbean cruise is the ideal vacation for someone new to travel:
- Your itinerary is planned for you, to exciting foreign destinations!
- Meals are included, as well as all your entertainment and activities on board.
- Childcare is covered, so the adults can relax and actually feel like they’ve been on vacation, can I get a hallelujah from the parents out there?
- Your baggage is carried on and off for you, and your floating “hotel room” follows you from place to place. No need to unpack and repack every day!
- Extras like alcohol, gratuities, and excursions on shore can be booked and paid in advance, so you go home with no surprise bill and no regrets.
- High temperatures in the Caribbean in summertime reach the upper 80s to low 90s. And in the winter, temps are in the low to mid 80s. It really is paradise.
- In a pinch, you can actually visit the Caribbean without a passport, on any cruise that starts and ends in the same US port.
- Did I mention free childcare? I really can’t overstate the childcare angle in vacation planning for families…
- Oh right, and views like these (actually taken on my own last family cruise):
If I’m speaking your language here, then stay tuned. In the weeks to come, I will be sharing cruise planning ideas, packing tips, personal experiences in the Caribbean, and more. Or reach out and let’s get the perfect vacation booked for you. Maybe I’ll see you there!
