Why I Plan “Everyday” Family Vacations — And Why Cruises Keep Winning for Us

As a travel advisor, I’ll admit it — I love luxury travel.
I love boutique hotels, elevated dining, unique properties, thoughtful design, and those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that feel incredibly curated and special.

And yes, I love planning those trips too.

But at this stage in my life, that’s not always the reality of how we travel.

Because I’m also a mom.

A mom of a 10-year-old and a 12-year-old. And honestly? They are who I love traveling with most.

What they enjoy is what I enjoy. I love watching them happy. Active. Excited. Exploring. I love giving all of us a vacation where we can each have our own version of happiness throughout the trip.

And for our family… cruising continues to do exactly that.

My kids have been cruising since they were babies — back when we needed cribs in the cabin. Cruising is familiar to them. It’s comfortable. It’s exciting. It’s something they genuinely look forward to every single time.

Of course, we travel in other ways throughout the year too, but cruises remain incredibly special for our family because they offer something few vacations can: options for everyone.

That’s one of the biggest misconceptions about cruising today. People still imagine loud, overcrowded ships with shoulder-to-shoulder chaos everywhere you turn.

And honestly? That is a thing of the past.

The newer mega ships — and even many smaller revamped style ships — are designed so intelligently now. Yes, there may be thousands of passengers “on paper,” but cruise lines have become incredibly strategic in how they disperse guests and create spaces for different experiences.

There are quiet areas. Adult-only spaces. Open-air lounges. Entertainment venues. Sports courts. Private sun decks. Cozy corners to read a book. Pool decks with energy and others with calm.

You’re rarely feeling overwhelmed.

Our family has stayed in every category of cabin over the years, but lately we often book suites — and for us, it’s genuinely worth it.

The extra elbow room alone helps tremendously when traveling as a family. But beyond that, the suite experience adds an entirely different layer of ease to the vacation.

• Priority boarding and check-in.
  Priority access to shows and dining.
  Concierge-style service.
  Thoughtful little details that make the trip smoother from beginning to end.

The suite sun deck is probably the single biggest perk for our family — especially on Royal Caribbean’s Icon class ships where the space is significantly larger and more thoughtfully designed than other classes.

It truly becomes a home base throughout the cruise.

The private pool deck is incredibly spacious with an abundance of seating, so it never feels crowded — honestly, rarely even busy. There is always a cushioned lounger waiting for you or a cozy cabana to settle into for the afternoon.

You have dedicated waitstaff and servers constantly nearby and eager to assist, whether that’s drinks by the pool, lunch display, passing out cold towel and ice cream bars or simply helping create an easy, relaxing atmosphere.

Between the private pool, hot tubs, ocean views, open-air bar, and attentive service, it creates this elevated experience that still feels comfortable and family-friendly rather than overly formal.

Sometimes the kids come and go between activities while we relax there. Sometimes I’m reading a book (just joking scrolling on my phone!). Sometimes people are watching a game at the outdoor bar, playing cards, enjoying lunch, or simply sitting quietly looking out at the sea.

It creates balance — and honestly, balance is what family vacations are all about for us.

We are very loyal to Royal Caribbean because it’s a cruise line that has consistently worked well for our family over the years. Once you begin reaching higher loyalty tiers like Diamond Plus, it also becomes harder to leave because the perks become incredibly valuable — complimentary drinks, specialty dining, laundry service, priority access, and more.

And those benefits extend to our kids too, which makes a difference.

That said, we are beginning to branch out and try other cruise lines as well, because every family travels differently and every season of life changes what matters most. We will always come back to Royal.

Another thing I always tell clients: cruises truly can work for both families and couples at the same time.

During the day, yes — you’ll absolutely see kids enjoying the pools, waterslides, sports courts, arcades, and boardwalk areas.

But in the evenings?

The environment shifts dramatically.

You’ll find adults in the lounges, comedy clubs, wine bars, specialty restaurants, and quieter spaces throughout the ship. The kids naturally migrate toward the activities designed for them, while adults settle into a completely different atmosphere.

It’s one of the reasons cruising works so well across generations.

At the end of the day, I think travel should meet you exactly where you are in life.

Right now, my life looks like baseball schedules, school calendars, growing kids, and trying to create meaningful time together while they still want to vacation with us.

And honestly? I don’t take that for granted.

So while I’ll always appreciate luxury and boutique travel, I also deeply value vacations that allow families to reconnect, relax, and each find their own version of joy along the way.

For us, cruising continues to do exactly that.

cheers! 

— Travel EDIT