Submitted by Jason Martinez
Summertime is officially here. You could argue we have summertime weather for most of the year in Florida. It is the time when children are out of school and vacation travel is underway. Having two teenagers now in high school, the task of finding that perfect “family vacation” can be a daunting task. Taking lodging, food, entertainment, and destinations into account, my family agrees on one specific type of vacation. Unanimously, this is cruising.
If you’re looking for a vacation that has something for everyone, a cruise may be ideal for you.
If you are looking for the best deal financially, this time of year is not the time to go. Since school is out and the weather is warm, cruise lines will charge more during the summer months. The same can be said for March and into early April for spring break. The holiday season and New Year’s celebrations also have a higher price point. After Labor Day and October, you will find bargains. Once we decide on a timeframe, and see who is sailing where, we take the cruise line itself into account. Our family loves Royal Caribbean. My kids are teenagers, and we do not like to sit still. The new ships have a Volcano Bay literally on board. There are plenty of fitness classes, a walking/jogging track that goes around the entire ship, plus pickleball, basketball and a rock-climbing wall. There are serene areas of the ship that eliminate the “noise.” When it’s just my wife and me, we prefer more peace and quiet. This is where Celebrity and Princess Cruises have found their niche.
After you decide on the when, where and who, the next step is what.
You are booked for your cruise, but where do we go from here? There are numerous food options available on board. A variety of healthy options, including salads, fish, fruit, and vegetables, are available daily. If you’re looking for a “cheat” vacation, you can find all the burgers, hot dogs, pizza, fries, and ice cream you can handle. Most people find the buffet to be their meal of choice throughout the day, and for dinner, they utilize the main dining room. However, the main dining room is open for breakfast and lunch throughout the cruise as well. We avoid the crowds, long buffet lines finding a place to sit. You typically will be seated in the dining room for breakfast and lunch by a window. The food is made to order and there are options typically not available in the buffet line. You get waited on just like a sit-down restaurant, without the extra cost.
We do not drink much soda or alcohol, so we skip the beverage package.
Having access to your social media for the duration can be quite pricey. You can purchase internet for a day or the entire cruise. If you can make do without a beverage and or internet package, this expense can be used toward something everyone can enjoy: excursions. Yes, you can book once you get off the ship with a local person or group. However, these are not guaranteed by the cruise line, so we opt to pay the extra expense. In the event the excursion is canceled, delayed in arriving for the excursion, or delayed back to the ship, you are not responsible. This means the ship will not leave you behind; you will get reimbursed for any cancellations and or delays as well. The cruise lines all offer a variety of entertainment throughout the day and evening for all ages. Most ships feature a sports bar, allowing you to stay up to date with your favorite team while onboard.
Cruising Into What’s Next
If there is a negative, it’s the debarkation of the cruise because our vacation fun has ended. The positive aspect of this, though, is that while on board, we likely plan or are planning our next cruise. You can save or obtain a better deal, such as on board credit, by booking your next cruise while on your existing one.
I hope you found this useful and helpful. We have a cruise planned for the spring next year. I look forward to making new memories and having some family time in March. Bon Voyage!
July 2025