Recently, I have been harbouring and honing a guilty secret. One that I know will go down like a lead balloon (not the greatest analogy given the subject matter) when I mention it out loud to my friends and family. It was suggested to me by an old American gentleman who has been in the travel industry all his life, that I talked to at the World Travel Market. He told me that if there was one thing I should do with my children before they are all too old, it was to take them on a Cruise.
As a single parent, finding a holiday to suit all three of my children and myself that doesn’t involve a shed load of stress is not easy. I understand that the costs are currently quite low. Cruising tends to get a bad press from certain circles, but I am wondering if it is time to bring back the elegance and glamour of holidaying on a ship. Why not? As a family I believe that it would be a relaxing holiday. The kids would have things to do and I could lie and read my book by the pool. I wouldn’t have to worry about food or entertainment or my children getting lost (OK the “man overboard” fear would be there). I have a bit of a mental block about it admittedly which stems from a memory of a cruise trip with my parents in the early 70′s. All I remember is that my parents dressed me up as “Big Ears” for a fancy dress party and inadvertently triggered my lifelong paranoia about my big ears. In addition, a man actually went overboard for 12 hours but who was thankfully found (still pissed) when they doubled back to get him.
I’m thinking more about the Queen Mary 2 sort of ship than some of the tackier options available these days. All luxurious passivity. Lots of reading, talking, eating, swimming, looking at the sea and the occasional venture out en masse on to terra firma. But maybe with three kids, we should be going on a Disney cruise which my kids would completely love.
So. If there is anybody out there who has had a positive experience of taking three kids on a big boat for a week I’d love to hear from you. How expensive are the Caribbean Cruises?
March 7th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
An American suggested it? Not surprised…they lap it up. It is a way of seeing the world without having to actually do the world. You can visit exotic poor countries, buy a souvenir, watch the locals dance, take a few pictures, admire the new school that has been built and then leave. Back to the ship for the massive buffets and drinks with umbrellas. Provided you can keep the cruise holiday a secret, you’ll have a fun and the kids will love it.
April 22nd, 2010 at 11:20 pm
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September 5th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
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October 6th, 2010 at 11:00 am
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