Norwegian Cruise Line: An Epic Trip to Remember

Sailing into Memories

Dear Reader and our sweet babes,

Grandmother and Dad didn’t ask for anything for Christmas, so Santa brought us a seven-day Caribbean cruise with kids and family on the Norwegian Cruise Line. It was truly an adventure of a lifetime! We had rough seas for a day and a half, and everyone fared quite well, except for me. I was very thankful to have had the children’s chewable Dramamine on board.

I adore staying in vacation rentals as well as resorts. However, while on the cruise, I noticed what a fantastic option it is for families traveling together. A family reunion on a cruise ship to the Caribbean would give everyone a variety of amenities and activities to do together in large groups and smaller gathering groups across the ship.

That flexibility reminded me of what we value most about family togetherness: plenty of shared experiences without requiring every member of the family to spend every minute doing exactly the same thing.

Norwegian Cruise Line: An Epic Caribbean Trip to Remember

Join me on a virtual tour of our family cruise in 2024, exploring poolside fun, chess games, beach adventures, and scenic views in the Caribbean. Watch to relive the memories and see the kids enjoying the waterpark, beach activities, and more! No action requested, just a nostalgic journey through our vacation.

A Few Things We Packed for Our Cruise

I found Cruise Critic a beneficial app for determining what we would do at the various ports. It helped us make the most of our time ashore.

What should you expect when taking a cruise?

Endless Onboard Activities

First and foremost, embarking on a cruise with your kids is an unparalleled adventure, offering a wide array of exciting activities that cater to all ages. Cruise ships are essentially floating resorts, featuring splash zones, water slides, mini-golf, and rock climbing walls.

The exact activities vary by ship, so I would always check the specific vessel before booking. Norwegian currently highlights family options that can include pools, waterslides, sports courts, splash areas, youth programming, and other onboard activities depending on the ship. You can explore their current family cruise options here.

Diverse Dining Options

Moreover, mealtime on a cruise is a highlight for families. Cruises offer diverse dining options, ranging from casual buffets to gourmet restaurants, ensuring there’s something to satisfy every palate.

One important planning note: what’s included depends on the cruise line, ship, fare, and dining venue. Norwegian’s current base fare includes meals in complimentary dining venues, while specialty restaurants and some other food or beverage options may carry additional charges. Check NCL’s current fare inclusions before sailing.

Family Bonding Opportunities

In addition, cruising offers unparalleled opportunities for family bonding. Excursions at different ports of call allow families to explore new cultures and landscapes together, creating lasting memories.

Those shared adventures are one reason travel has become such an important part of our family’s story. From Caribbean beaches to our memories on Jekyll Island, the places change, but the goal stays the same: experiencing something together that Claire and Peter can carry with them.

Educational Experiences

Equally important, cruises provide numerous educational opportunities through enrichment programs and shore excursions. Kids can learn about marine biology, astronomy, and geography engagingly and interactively. These programs make learning enjoyable and can spark a lifelong interest in various subjects, adding educational value to the fun.

For us, this is one of the advantages of hands-on learning: geography, nature, culture, animals, oceans, and new environments can turn a family trip into an extension of our homeschool without making the experience feel like a traditional school day.

Hassle-Free Travel

Additionally, one of the most fantastic aspects of a family cruise is the convenience. With all your accommodation, meals, and entertainment included, there’s no need to worry about the logistics of travel.

That convenience was certainly part of the appeal for us, although not literally everything is included in every cruise fare. On NCL, accommodation, many complimentary meals, much of the onboard entertainment, pools, and many activities are included, while expenses such as shore excursions, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, some beverages, spa services, and other extras may cost more.

Families can wake up to a new destination each day without the hassle of packing and unpacking. This makes cruising a stress-free way to explore multiple destinations, allowing families to focus on enjoying their time together.

Is Norwegian Cruise Line worth it?

Absolutely! I must also commend the exceptional service provided by the ship’s crew. Many of the ship’s crew were workers from the Philippines, and there cannot be enough said about their graciousness, professionalism, and detail-oriented skills. Norwegian Cruise Line does an excellent job of holding up employee standards and clearly retaining some of the best workers in the hospitality industry. We will absolutely consider Norwegian Cruise Line for our next cruise as well!

For our family, what made the trip memorable wasn’t one single amenity. It was being able to swim, explore islands, play chess, eat together, discover beaches, and come back to the same ship each evening. It gave us the combination of family connection and adventure that we love.

Dear reader, thank you for joining us on this journey through our blog. Kiddos, we adore you, and we are so happy to have been able to take you on this trip!

Love,

Mom

Frequently Asked Questions About Taking a Caribbean Cruise With Kids

Is a Caribbean cruise a good option for a multigenerational family trip?

It can be. One thing we loved about cruising was that family members could spend time together while still having different activities available throughout the day. Kids, parents, and grandparents don’t necessarily have to want the same thing every hour for everyone to enjoy the trip.

What is usually included in a Norwegian Cruise Line fare?

Current NCL fares include accommodations, meals at complimentary dining venues, much of the onboard entertainment, many activities, pools, and other ship facilities. Specialty dining, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, certain beverages, spa services, and other optional experiences may cost extra, so always review the specific fare and sailing before booking.

Are shore excursions included in the cruise fare?

Generally, shore excursions are an additional expense rather than part of NCL’s basic cruise fare. Families can book excursions through the cruise line or research other options independently, depending on their comfort level and destination.

What can kids do on a Norwegian cruise?

Available activities depend on the ship, but Norwegian currently offers dedicated programming and spaces for children and teens on eligible sailings, along with ship-specific activities that may include pools, splash areas, sports courts, waterslides, and entertainment.

What should parents know about motion sickness on a cruise?

Motion sickness can happen at sea, particularly when conditions are rough. The CDC recommends discussing medication choices and appropriate dosing with a healthcare professional, especially for children. Some motion-sickness medicines can cause drowsiness or, in some children, unexpected agitation.

Why did cruising work well for our homeschool family?

We loved the combination of family time, new destinations, nature, geography, different cultures, beach days, and activities on board. It gave Claire and Peter opportunities to learn through real experiences while we simply enjoyed being together as a family.

Check out our previous adventure!

Want to see more behind-the-scenes parenting moments and tips? Head over to my Instagram stories for daily updates! @here.they.grow

You May Also Like:

The Amazing Parenting Odyssey: Heartfelt Tips for Every Step We Love You, Winston-Salem A Mother’s Insights on Bullying and How to Build Resilience in Children Love Always, Your Mom Children Become What They Repeatedly See The Wonderful Hilton Head Family Adventures Week 22: Developing a Positive Mindset Why Our Family Starts Celebrating Autumn on September 1