Why We Chose a Cruise for Our European Adventure with a 7-Year-Old
Hey fellow travelers and moms! If you're like me—juggling parenthood with a passion for exploring the world—then you understand the quest for the perfect family vacation. When it came to planning our European adventure with our 7-year-old daughter, we decided to select a vacation that offered multiple locations, but also relaxation: a Mediterranean cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas. Here's why it turned out to be the perfect choice for our family:
1. Convenience, Ahoy!
Let's face it, traveling with a child can sometimes feel like organizing a circus act. Packing, unpacking, navigating airports–I’m exhausted just thinking about it! A cruise offered us the simplicity of unpacking once and settling into our floating home-away-from-home. Our daughter loved having a cozy cabin to call their own, complete with ocean views.
Pro tip: If you can afford a larger cabin for some extra space - do it! We opted for a Junior Suite and loved the extra closet space!
2. Adventure Without the Hassle
One of the highlights of our cruise was the ease of exploration. With multiple ports of call, we could wake up to a new adventure each day. From the historic streets of Barcelona and Rome to the sun-soaked beaches of Palma de Mallorca, every destination was within reach without the stress of long car rides or multiple hotel check-ins. Looking for more adventures? We added on a land portion to our trip before the cruise! This gave us more time to explore Venice and Rome before hopping onboard the ship.
Visiting Pompeii from the Naples, Italy cruise port.
You can visit Pisa, Italy from the Livorno port.
3. Kid-Friendly Fun and Familiarity
Cruises are a paradise for kids, and Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class ships take family fun to a whole other level. From dedicated children's programs filled with games and crafts to onboard water parks and entertainment, our 7-year-old was in vacation heaven. Each evening brought a new spectacle, from Broadway-style shows to themed parties that kept the whole family dancing late into the night. Also, if you have a picky eater, rest assured that they can find some of their favorite foods onboard (however, ours preferred to live off Italian pizza and gelato as much as possible!)
In conclusion, choosing a cruise for our European adventure was one of the best decisions we've made as a family. It offered us the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, with all the comforts and conveniences that make traveling with a child a breeze. If you're considering a family cruise, I highly recommend giving it a try.
Bon voyage and happy cruising!
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