Karin Joyce
As a family of four, two of whom are age six and under, we have to choose our family holidays carefully. The age gap of three and a half years between the children works just fine when we are at home or visiting local attractions and parks, but a big holiday can prove to be a bit more challenging.
Could a cruise as a family be just the thing we needed or was it something we would have to wait a few more years to tick off our bucket list?
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It turns out that cruising is the perfect family holiday and, in fact, it is definitely something that needs to be done sooner rather than later! Our children, Ella (six) and Sam (two and a half), thoroughly enjoyed every moment of our seven-day cruise in the western Caribbean on the Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas.
We all happily fell asleep each night, exhausted after experiencing everything that a Royal Caribbean cruise has to offer.
One common concern that most parents have in planning any holiday, but especially a holiday on a cruise ship, is safety. We never once worried about the safety of Ella and Sam while on board or partaking in any of the excursions.
We were able to find the areas on board Allure of the Seas that would be of greatest interest to the children and visited them regularly throughout. There are so many options these days for family holidays. Our holiday allowed us to experience so many “firsts” for both Ella and Sam.
We flew internationally, visited (albeit briefly) my home country, were treated to the height of luxury in accommodation, food and entertainment on board the ship, visited gorgeous and ex- otic ports in the Caribbean Sea and met amazing people who treated our children as special friends more than guests.
If you think that a Royal Caribbean cruise is something to be taken in your “golden years” when the kids are off experiencing their own adventures, you’d be mistaken. Pack your family up and book a cruise. You will not regret it and it will create memories that will last a lifetime.
Laura Driver
Shore excursion at St Thomas – our favourite day. We arrived at the island of St Thomas and disembarked Allure of the Seas and boarded our pirate schooner, aptly named Bones. The crew were great fun and incredibly friendly, setting us all at ease immediately. Capt Donnie took us to Christmas Cove, an uninhabited islet, where, sporting flippers and our snorkelling gear, we jumped in the sea without hesitation.
The children floated around, heads down, spotting sea turtles, squid and all manner of beautiful fish. Encountering baby turtles snacking on the seabed was incredibly special.
Once back on our schooner we set off towards Honeymoon beach, drinking pineapple and rum (the adults) and pineapple (the kids), discussing excitedly what we had just seen while snorkelling. As we anchored off the shore of Honeymoon Beach, Capt Donnie gave us two options. We could either swim ashore or use the dinghy.
The children didn’t need asking twice, nor did we. Jumping into the stunning turquoise sea we swam to shore.
We were reluctant to swim back to our pirate schooner and end our once-in-a -lifetime experience, which we won’t forget in a hurry.
Book your cruise before the end of September and get beer, wine (up to $8 a glass) soft drinks and even your tips included in the price of your holiday. 7 night Eastern Caribbean sailing from Florida on Freedom of the Seas on 2nd November, 2014, from €1,379 per adult and €1,014 per child including flights from Dublin. Subject to availability. For more information see www.royalcaribbean.ie (tel: 1800 932 603 ).