If you’re the parent of a little one, the thought of travelling might seem a little daunting. Things that used to be simple are now a challenge. You have to plan more, pack more, schedule mealtimes, think about what your kids will eat and when they will sleep, and be prepared to deal with meltdowns and temper tantrums.
For this reason, many parents avoid vacations when their kids are small. But the good news is that there are some vacations that are not only stress-free for parents but also an excellent opportunity to make some wonderful, life-long memories.
A cruise trip can be a unique and exciting experience for children of all ages, and a great way to spend time together as a family.
Here’s why.
● A cruise is like a floating resort
A cruise holiday is like having an all-inclusive vacation at a moving resort. You have all the luxuries you need at your disposal, be it a pool, gym, fancy restaurants, kids’ clubs, live entertainment, and so on. Everything you need is close by.
● There is a LOT for kids to do
Cruises offer kids programmes and clubs where children can participate in fun and educational activities, that are all supervised. This means that you can drop your kids off and the staff will take care of your kid while you get some quality ‘me time’, or ‘we time’ with your partner.
Plus there’s a lot of water fun to be had splashing around in the pool, and swishing down water slides.
● All-you-can-eat dining
Imagine world-class dining a few short steps from where you stay. A cruise is a foodie’s dream – from international buffets, cafes and fine dining, to global specialty dining, the options are endless!
And if you want to simply chill and eat in your cabin and enjoy some quality time with the family, you can also order room service.
● It’s one of the safest ways to travel
Travelling on modern cruise liners is super safe, which makes the entire trip worry-free for parents. Cruises employ high-level safety and security measures, and well-trained help is available in case of emergencies.
● Planning and packing for a cruise is a breeze
A cruise lets you enjoy a worry-free vacation with ZERO housework. There is no need to drag your luggage around, and your cabin will be cleaned and taken care of.
And the best part is that your room is never too far away, so if you have forgotten to take something you can always rush back.
Or if your kids are having a meltdown and need some quiet time, you can take them back to the cabin for some rest, and continue with the activities later on. This is a huge consolation for parents stressed about the unpredictable nature of their kids.
● You can explore a new destination when the cruise makes a stop
A cruise ship usually makes multiple stops, so this is also a chance for you to explore popular cities brimming with history and culture and beautiful beaches, without the inconvenience of packing and tagging your luggage around.
For instance, you can explore street food and street art in the heart of Penang’s UNESCO zone, laze on the beach at Phuket, or catch the colourful displays of Hindu deities that adorn limestone cave walls in Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur. The possibilities are exciting!
● Great for a multi-generational holiday
One of the best things about cruises is that they are fun for all ages, which is why they are a popular choice for family reunions. With live music, parties, parades, and extravagant shows, the fun never stops!
It’s a terrific way to spend some quality time with the whole family, from grandparents to grandchildren.
A big plus is there’s something to do for every age group, so you have the freedom and space to do whatever you enjoy and gather during dinner time for some much needed bonding.
Mums and dads, if you’re planning on taking a cruise with your kids, remember to opt for family-oriented cruises that understand what little kids need.
At the Royal Caribbean® Spectrum of the Seas cruise, not only do Kids cruise free*, children aged 3 to 12 can also enjoy the award-winning Adventure Ocean® Youth Programme for FREE!
Through this fun programme, children can hang out with other kids their age and enjoy games, science projects, themed parties, crafts, and other age-appropriate activities under the supervision of trained staff members. This basically means that parents don’t have to hear the words “I’m bored” anymore!
Do note that, an hourly charge applies after 10 pm.
For the littler ones, Adventure Ocean® also offers programmes for babies and tots aged 6-36 months, but a fee applies.
And, if your child loves water play, you don’t want to miss Royal Caribbean’s Splashaway Bay℠ aqua park. It’s a super fun water park for kids of all ages (and their supervising parents), featuring colourful water slides, water cannons, fountains, pools and whirlpools, that will have your kids screaming for more!
All this fun and excitement is not limited to the kids though. There is lots of adventure in store for the whole family – you can experience the high-flying skydiving simulator on the iFLY, hop on the Sky Pad® for a bungee trampoline experience, brush up on your surfing skills with FlowRider® , or even indulge in some bumper car action at Seaplex®.
And if you need to top up your energy levels, sip on something cold whipped together by robots at the futuristic Bionic Bar® or pamper your palate with tempting bites and cuisines from across the world.A feast for the family, Royal Caribbean’s specialty dining options include the dazzling teppanyaki experience, the authentic spices and Asian-inspired flavours at Sichuan Red, and delicious lobster and beef at Chops Grille.
Complimentary dishes range from the gourmet courses in the Main Dining Room to the Windjammer (Vietnamese braised Ho Chi Minh pork and egg Bhurji served with roti breakfast included).
That’s not all. If your family enjoys partying or watching shows together, you’re going to be spoilt for choice! And for some much-needed pampering and relaxation, you can also head over to the spa.
And did we mention the luxurious accommodation? Sample this – the two-storey Ultimate Family Suite can house up to 10 guests (awesome for a multi-generational reunion), and comes with its own private game room, 3D cinema that doubles as a karaoke stage, a slide, a sprawling balcony with a jacuzzi, and breathtaking ocean views!
Mums and dads, bookings for 2023 and 2024 sailings are now open, with 10% OFF on ALL suites* and plenty of options for destinations. Book early so you don’t miss out on any of these cool promotions and savings*, only available till 2 January 2023:
- 10% OFF on All Suite Categories*
- Up to $550 Instant Savings*
- 50% Off Cruise Fares*
- Kids Cruise Free*
- 5% Seniors Discount*
Do call (+65) 6305 0033 or visit https://www.royalcaribbean.com/sgp/en?country=SGP to find out more!
*Terms and Conditions Apply.