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- 7 kids, 3 moms, and 1 giant cruise ship. We finally booked a trip that felt like a real vacation. (businessinsider.com)
A Mom’s Take: How a Family Cruise on Royal Caribbean Changed My Mind About Vacationing at Sea
I used to think cruises just weren’t for me. The idea of being stuck on a big ship surrounded by crowds and noise didn’t sound relaxing.
But having kids shifts your vacation priorities-from leisurely strolls and fancy dinners to keeping little ones happy and entertained. So when a mom friend invited me and a couple of other moms, along with our seven kids, to join her on Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas during a school break, I said yes-and I’m glad I did.
A Modern Mega-Ship Made Traveling with a Big Group Effortless
Organizing a weeklong trip for three moms and seven kids could have been a logistical nightmare. But cruising simplified almost everything.
Food and entertainment were included, so splitting bills was a non-issue, and we could coordinate dinner reservations and shows easily through the ship’s app. Plus, since the ship itself was our floating hotel, we only had to unpack once.
Our itinerary included stops at St. Thomas, St.
Maarten, and Royal Caribbean’s private island, CocoCay, which quickly became a favorite among the kids. Pro tip: skip the cruise excursions and explore on your own once ashore.
It’s cheaper, more flexible, and better suited to kids’ moods. We took taxis from the ports and set our own pace.
The only exception was the Thrill Waterpark at CocoCay-booking those tickets in advance was a must, and our kids spent the entire day there.
Spacious Rooms, Delicious Food, and Entertainment for All Ages
Star of the Seas exceeded my expectations. The ship is modern, spotless, and even rivals some five-star family resorts I’ve visited. Our rooms were roomy, and the kids’ club, Adventure Ocean, kept the little ones happily occupied until 10 p.m., giving the moms a chance to enjoy peaceful dinners.
Food options were diverse and surprisingly good. The Aquadome Market offered rotating international dishes that could rival LA’s top food trucks, while the poolside Mexican buffet was a hit. Because kid-friendly foods were available throughout the ship, we never struggled to get the kids to eat-no pressure for formal sit-down meals.
Between seven pools, ten hot tubs, six waterslides, a carousel, and plenty of soft-serve ice cream stands, the kids were constantly entertained. And the adults loved the Vegas-level aqua show, Torque, so much we caught it twice.
Already Planning Next Year’s Adventure
Cruising with fellow moms means sharing the parenting load and keeping the kids busy with friends and waterslides instead of bugging you. We’re already eyeing dates for next year’s trip and recruiting more families to join.
One friend is even looking into matching cruise bags for us all. Turns out, I’m a cruise person after all.