Ocean Cruises

Now that lockdowns are lifted and mask mandates are becoming more relaxed, more travelers are starting to get back to what they love- traveling. And what better way to relax than with your family on a cruise ship. Cruise ships are incredibly versatile, with plenty of activities for people of all ages. Family cruises are truly the perfect getaway. But you may be wondering, “with all the cruise ships out there, which are the most family friendly?” We’ve compiled a list of the 5 best family cruises to remove the question and get you on your way to a relaxing family cruise.

Best Family Cruises

Family cruises offer many amenities, such as water attractions, movies, magical dining experiences, and so much more! Many people refer to them as “floating cities” (and for good reason!) Cruise ships are jam-packed with activities for people of all ages. Read on to discover the 5 best family cruises.

Disney Cruise Line

There’s no denying that the fleet of Disney Cruise Ships tops the list of best family cruises. Disney strives to create magical experiences for the whole family. The Disney Cruise Line consists of 5 ships- Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and the newest ship, Disney Wish. From plays, to dining experiences, to the first-ever Disney attraction at sea, these ships offer unforgettable memories for all members of your family. To discover more about the magical differences between ships, visit the Disney Cruise Line Fleet.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

With Royal Caribbean, you’re sure to experience attractions unlike any other cruise ship. Royal Caribbean pushes the envelope with cutting-edge design and first of its kind attractions. The 3 largest and most innovative ships, Harmoney, Allure, and Oasis, have taken home awards every year for their exclusive attractions. By choosing Royal Caribbean, you’ll have 26 ships to choose from (with 2 more arriving soon!) To discover more about the differences between ships, explore the Royal Caribbean Ships page.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival is another well known cruise ship dedicated to creating memories for the whole family. With Carnival, there are 23 ships to choose from (with 2 more opening soon!) Carnival has created spaces for children of all ages. From day camps to teen only clubs, there’s sure to be an activity for everyone. Check out this article from Cruise Critic to discover more on the most kid friendly ships within Carnival.

Celebrity Cruise Line

The Celebrity Cruise Line is known for its luxury and elegance. From a movie night under the stars to Camp at Sea, and even exciting shore excursions, there’s something for the whole family aboard the Celebrity cruise ships. They also provide many accommodations for individuals with autism. The Celebrity cruise ship fleet consists of 16 different ships. To discover more about the individual ships and amenities, visit the Celebrity Cruise site to explore the luxury ships.

Norwegian Cruise Line

You can expect many different family activities on the Norwegian cruise ships. They offer youth programs, family dining and entertainment, and many family accommodations. Teens can take part in exclusive themed parties and gaming. They also have different zones available to kids of all ages. To check out what these ships have to offer, visit the Norwegian cruise ship page.

Family Cruises are the Perfect Getaway

Now that you know the 5 most family friendly ships, it’s time to pick a cruise line with the perfect amenities for you and your family. Take the time to explore different cruise ships and their array of activities before committing. For this step, we highly recommend consulting a travel agent. The expertise and experience that travel agents hold can take your family cruise to the next level. They know the ins and outs of cruise ships, which ones provide the best deals, and which cruise ships are tailored to your family’s needs. If you’re questioning what essentials to bring with you, visit our blog for an ultimate cruise packing list.

Family cruises are truly the perfect home away from home. From water parks to magical themed dining, you’re sure to create unforgettable memories with your family this season.

Pearl Travel: The Planning Experts for Family Cruises

At Pearl Travel, we have a few specialities: cruises, family vacations, and traveling abroad. Because of this, we really know our stuff. We know the best hotels to stay, the safest places to visit, and of course, the best family cruises. Working with a travel agent can help make sure you pick the perfect cruise ship for your family, and it can save you a lot of money and time in the process.

Pearl Travel is pleased to offer unparalleled personal service via our dedicated team of travel advisors! We are able to share an amazing wealth of collective experience and expertise. The use of a personal travel advisor will be sure to enhance your travel experience – we specialize in all forms of travel from all inclusive resorts that are laid out for ease to custom travel that allows for the most unique of adventures. Contact Pearl Travel today or learn more.

Cruises are a popular vacation destination for many travelers. Once aboard a cruise ship, you’ll realize how big it truly is (many travelers call them floating cities!) From casinos to water parks, there’s sure to be something for everyone. But as your cruise ship vacation nears, you may start to wonder what you should be packing. We’ve removed the question out of it and consolidated the top 10 items for your cruise packing list.

The Essentials for Your Cruise Packing List

Cruise ship cabins are very small, so making the most of the space is key. You’ll want to be organized and prepared in order to avoid frustration and wasted money. We’ve compiled a list of our top 10 must-have items for your cruise packing list.

Power Strip with USB Ports

A power strip with additional USB ports tops our cruise packing list every time. With today’s advanced technologies, everything from your phone to your camera takes a charge. Cruise cabins are notorious for not having enough plugs, so bringing your own is a must. Please note: not all cruise lines allow power strips, so check with them before packing one!

Mini Fan

Any avid cruiser will tell you to add a portable mini fan to your cruise packing list. The air in a cruise cabin can often become stale. You can remedy this by circulating the air with a mini fan. It will also provide nice white noise to help with sleeping and blocking outside noise.

Magnetic Hooks

Did you know that the cruise cabins have magnetic walls? Take advantage of this feature by bringing magnetic hooks with you to stick on to the wall. This can be used to hang purses, hats, bags, etc. and will keep your cabin tidy and organized.

Over-the-Door Hanging Bathroom Organizer

This cruise hack is one of the biggest space savers within your small cabin. Organizing your toiletries into a convenient hanging organizer (or even a shoe caddy) is a must. You’ll then have an organized spot for hair products, tooth brushes, medications, etc.

Medications

Speaking of medications, you’ll want to make sure you pack all the essentials, especially prescriptions. Over the counter medications such as Advil, Benadryl, etc. will become significantly more expensive once you board the ship, and will likely be hard to obtain in any foreign docks. Save money and frustration by packing these medications ahead of time. Please note: all medications should be packed in your carry-on bags and not in your checked luggage!

Motion Sickness Patch

If you’ve never traveled on a cruise ship before, we highly recommend bringing a motion sickness patch. You can purchase bands or oral medication as well. In the event that your body doesn’t agree with the motion of the ship, having this readily available to you will be a life saver. Just like other over the counter medications, you’ll be paying significantly more if you buy it on the ship.

Sunscreen

You’ll want to make sure you bring plenty of sunscreen for your extended stay on the cruise ship. Not only will you be soaking up the sunshine on the ship, you’ll also need it when the ship docks and you explore different areas of the island. Reapplying sunscreen is very important, as getting severely burnt will put a damper on your vacation. You can avoid this by making sure sunscreen is on your cruise packing list.

Beach Towel Clips

Another overlooked item are beach towel clips. These will come in handy when laying a towel over your deck chair. It’s well known that towels are impossible to nicely drape over the cruise deck chairs. Bringing these handy clips will keep your towel up all day long.

Lanyard with Waterproof Phone Case

A lanyard with (or without) a waterproof phone case is an absolute essential on a cruise packing list. Once aboard the ship, you’ll receive a ship card that you’ll need every time you leave your cabin. Placing this on a lanyard is much easier than attempting to carry a wallet around. The waterproof phone case will also give a convenient spot for your phone to be placed. A lot of island excursions are water based, so having your phone in a waterproof case is a no-brainer. We recommend something similar to this waterproof phone pouch. Even a lanyard without a phone case is great because it can help carry your room key!

Collapsible Travel Tote Bag

You never know what you’ll need a travel tote bag for. From carrying wet towels to transporting souvenirs and food leftovers back to your cabin, you’ll be surprised at how often a tote bag comes in handy. We recommend purchasing an extremely lightweight tote bag that can fold up to fit in your back pocket. That way, it isn’t cumbersome but it’s available when you need it.

Pack Smart When Traveling

And there you have it- the top 10 items on our cruise packing list! We do recommend packing as light as possible and only taking the essentials due to the very limited space within your cabin. We also recommend checking out the features on your cruise ship prior to traveling. If you haven’t picked a cruise line yet, check out these popular ocean cruise lines to see what kind of amenities they offer. By being well prepared and checking off the essentials on your packing list, you’re sure to have a comfortable cruise ship experience.

Pearl Travel: The Experts at Constructing Your Cruise Packing List

At Pearl Travel, we have a few specialities: cruises, family vacations, and traveling abroad. Because of this, we really know our stuff. We know the best hotels to stay, the safest places to visit, and of course, the ultimate cruise packing list must-haves. Working with a travel agent can help make sure you have all your bases covered for your cruise packing list, and it can save you a lot of money and time in the process.