Life comes at you fast, and sometimes there doesn't seem like there's enough time in the day to handle all of your obligations and still have the time or energy to engage with the family. It can get to feeling pretty mundane, too, as your mind is filled with worries and concerns. When you get to feeling the weight of your daily grind, it's probably a good time to think about a vacation. What could be a better scenario for spending time together as a family unit than embarking on a cruise to some sublime destination?
One of the best parts of taking a vacation is being together as a family. It's here that you can be off-the-clock and bond with each other at a pace as relaxed or frenetic as you'd like. There are cruise destinations around the world that cater to the family experience.
1. Nassau, Bahamas
Renowned as one of the best family beach vacations in the world, the Bahamas offers pretty much anything you can think of, including multiple ports of call. Nassau is the capital and has beaches that are lined with restaurants, hotels and boutiques. You could relax together at the beach, or swim, snorkel, scuba dive, fish, kayak, paddleboard or rent a touring boat. There are gardens and beautiful world-class golf courses. Nassau is also home to the Atlantis resort complex.
2. Zakynthos, Greece
This sun-drenched island on the Ionian Sea is a dynamic family vacation spot. There are lots of sea caves that make for a magical snorkeling experience amidst the gorgeous blue waters of Laganas Gulf. Askos Stone Park, National Marine Park and the Blue Caves are all ideal spots for nature-lovers and conversationalists. Navagio beach, surrounded by sheer cliffs, is accessible only by boat and is the site of an actual shipwreck.
3. St. Maarten
Located in the Caribbean, this Dutch holding is a popular cruise port because of its natural tropical beauty and its laid-back and welcoming culture. There are dozens of beaches, including Mullet Bay, Maho Beach and Great Bay Beach and they offer everything from quiet sunbathing to various water sport activities, including jet skiing, windsurfing, snorkeling and diving. Loterie Farm is an adventure park that features treetop zip lining and canopy-level rope bridges. At St. Maarten, you and the family can swim with the fish and then visit with the monkeys and the mongooses.
4. Alaska
If you'd consider eschewing the warmer climes of the Caribbean, consider Alaska. Glacier National Park is an example of Alaska's draw. Vast, inspired landscapes, birds and wildlife are waiting to be investigated. A good family package can include short jaunts off the ship for everything from glacier walking to scenic helicopter tours to kayaking and whale watching. At Skagway, which was a gold rush boomtown, you could pan for gold or ride the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway.
5. Bermuda
This island is technically in the north Atlantic, but don't let the latitude fool you, it is as temperate an island destination as there is. Achilles Bay Beach and Clearwater Beach are but two of the dozens in Bermuda. If you'd rather be under the water, there are loads of snorkeling tours, or you could go Hartley Helmet Diving - a true family favorite - and hold some giant fish in your hands. Another family favorite is the Bermuda SNUBA and Snorkel Park Adventure, where no previous diving experience is required.
6. Cozumel, Mexico
This seaside paradise features exquisite beaches and oceanic excursions, jungle landscapes and Mexican culture. Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park and Xcaret Natural Adventure Park offer everything from swimmable subterranean rivers to butterfly pavilions. Playa Mia Grand Beach Park is a combination of beautiful, languid beaches and attractions like water trampolines and water slides. Cozumel boasts coral reefs, fishes and loggerhead turtles and is begging to be snorkeled.
Family vacations are precious. The best first step to take before booking your cruise is to ask each other what you want to do. If you create potential itineraries, you'll surely find something that satisfies everybody.
