Each year, a large number of individuals make the decision to take a cruise. Cruise ships are a great idea for your next vacation spot. However, if given the opportunity, many parents would choose to take a cruise alone. This isn’t because of a lack of love, but because of a common misconception among parents with children and cruise ships. Many individuals, including parents, believe that cruise ships are not designed for children, but that is simply not true.

If you are the parent of a child under the age of twelve, you may be wondering whether or not they should accompany you on your next cruise. If you are able to financially afford an additional ticket, I would encourage you to consider bringing your child along. Not only will a cruise be memorable to your child, but it will be exciting. That is because a large number of cruise lines have tailored their cruise ships to children of all ages, including those under the age of twelve.

If you have yet to book your cruise ship reservations, you are encouraged to keep cruise ship activities in mind. The activities for children, under the age of twelve, will vary from ship to ship. That is why it is important that you examine each ship before making a final decision. Despite the fact that activities will vary from ship to ship, there are many activities geared towards children, under the age of twelve, which can be found on almost all cruise ships.

One of the many popular activities found aboard a cruise ship is a gaming. Arcade rooms are common on most cruise ships. They offer children, under the age of twelve, a safe place to have fun and be a child. Many cruise ship arcade rooms are staffed with cruise ship employees, but this should not deter you from keeping an eye on your child. When leaving them alone in an arcade room, you are encouraged to use your best judgment.

Another fun activity for children, under the age of twelve, includes swimming. All vacation cruise ships are equipped with a swimming pool. In addition to an adult sized swimming pool, wading pools can often be found aboard a number of popular family themed cruises. As with the arcade room, you are encouraged to use your best judgment when allowing your children to swim unattended. Lifeguards will be on duty; however, they cannot always guarantee the safety of your child.

In addition to a swimming pool and an arcade room, most cruise ships have an onboard movie theater or a performance stage. A large number of cruise lines offer family friendly movies, plays, and other performances. Children, under the age of twelve, may find these performances and movie showings fun and exciting. To determine if movie showing and performances are targeted to those under twelve, you are encouraged to check a cruise ship’s itinerary. A ship’s itinerary can be viewed with or without previously booked reservations.

Cruise ship restaurants and other dining facilities are likely to cater to children, under the age of twelve. Many restaurants offer children’s menus. These menus are likely to not only include tasty, but also kid sized meals. The cost of your kid’s meals will vary from ship to ship; however, many cruise ships offer discounts on meals for children under the age of twelve.

Cruise ship childcare centers are facilities that benefit both parents and their children. While on a family vacation, even you need a break. For free or a small fee, you should be able to leave your children in the care of a trained and experienced childcare worker. Since a cruise ship is likely to have passengers of all different ages, many childcare facilities are grouped together by ages. As with most other services, you will find that a cruise ship’s childcare policy may vary form another’s.

On my very first cruise, we sat at a table for six people. My wife and I were seated with a family of four from Isreal. Husband, wife and their two daughters. One daughter was 10 and the other was 13. We met them the first night, after we departed port for sea. The next day, was a crusing day and spent entirely at sea going to our first port. We never gave the kids on board a thought during that first day. But that night, at dinner, I mentioned that I had not seen the "kids" that day when we were at sea, even though there seemed to be many children on board with their parents.

The ship had their own program for the kids, by age group, and they were kept busy and out of the way of the adults. The girls were having a great time. The oldest was meeting the boys on board and the youngest was busy learning about tropical fish. Each in their own world and completely out of our way.

The above mentioned activities, services, and facilities are just a few of the many that are targeted to children, aged twelve and under. If you are satisfied with the above mentioned services, facilities, and activities, I would encourage you to consider scheduling your next family vacation aboard a cruise ship.

Despite the economy I hope you are travelling and enjoying yourself. Until next time, let me know what is on your mind, and how you are doing, O.K.?

Jim Fortune - the Bella Budget Travel Guy