Let’s Cruise and See the World
With Spring Break in the air, many families are heading out to theme parks and beaches in search of sunshine, family time, and relaxation. For families that have a member with Down syndrome, these vacations can come with a bit more planning, especially if there are other medical complexities, food allergies, etc. I often hear parents tell me they are concerned about safety and entertainment for their child, along with some time for themselves when on vacation. All of these reasons are why I love cruising as an option for our families (especially for families with children under 12 and for adults...we'll talk about why it can be a bit more challenging for the teen years).
If you have never been a cruise, let me paint you a picture.
Imagine a giant resort that takes you to new exotic destinations every day (unpack once, but adventure daily). You are entertained in this resort from the moment you wake up until after your bedtime (or you can absolutely just relax as well). There are supervised kids' clubs that have trained staff to safely entertain and watch our children. There is a spa to help you relax while your child is having a blast! When you're nice and relaxed, the entire family meets on the pool deck, you have a cocktail, and everyone plays in the pools and the water slides. Then, when you've had enough sun, you can head to the restaurants to eat the food that you didn't prepare. Have food allergies? Yep, they can prepare for that as well (just let them know in advance). Then, you watch a show, spin the roulette, and wake up in a new port the next day to get a bit of adventure and culture before you head back to the ship to do it all over again.
There is truly something for everyone, but there are some considerations...
1. Kids clubs, tween clubs, and teen clubs - for those under the age of 12, the kids clubs come with supervised activities where the child can be checked in and out. Once the child ages out, they enter into the tween and teen clubs that allow the kids to come and go as they wish. Most cruise lines do not have the ability to make exceptions to this age rule due to their insurance. So if you're traveling with teens, either plan to spend all your time together, or bring help.
2. Verandas/Balconies - These amazing little areas outside the stateroom can be terrifying for those of us that have kids that like to climb. If you fit into this category, I recommend an oceanview room. There are great options for oceanview rooms that fit 4-5 people on most major cruise lines.
3. Budget - while cruises are amazing, they are not typically all-inclusive. There are many add-ons that need to be considered such as excursions, beverage packages, upgraded dining, gratuities, insurance and more. The advertised price you see on the cruise line sites usually don't tell the whole story. Plus, you have to consider traveling to the port.
4. Where, when, and for how long - There is no flexibility in your scheduling when it comes to cruising. The itineraries and dates are set, so you have to go by their schedules.
I have personally stepped foot on most major cruise lines, so I do know the ins and outs of them all. Please let me know if you have any questions! stephanie@lostinadventuretravel.com