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With the end of another school term nearing, many parents are beginning to think about where the family can go for their summer vacation.  It’s never an easy choice, especially when there’s a range of ages and interests to please. And with household budgets being squeezed tighter than ever, parents are looking for vacation options that provide good value for money as well as lots of great memories.

So what’s a family to do?

Based on my experience, there’s nothing that will please everyone more than a family cruise. Over the years, I’ve taken my two girls on 6 cruises to the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera and the Mediterranean. And we’ll be sailing on our 7^th cruise together when we visit the Greek Islands this summer to celebrate their 19^th and 21^st birthdays.

If you’re ready to be convinced, here are my top five reasons why you’ll be a hero for booking your next vacation at sea:

1. Lots to do. There’s something for people of all ages to enjoy aboard a cruise ship. For example, many modern ships have fabulous swimming pools with water slides and hot tubs. They have outdoor movie theatres, video arcades, basketball courts, mini-golf, and rock climbing walls. And they have night clubs, great restaurants, Las Vegas-style production shows, casinos, and fancy health spas. Our girls used to love the swimming pools, buffet lunches, and outdoor movie theatres; now they prefer the fancy alternative restaurants, the spa treatments and the night life!

2. Great destinations. There are lots of great summer cruise regions to choose from including Alaska, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Canada/New England, the Mexican Riviera, Hawaii and the Caribbean. The latter three destinations are great for sun, sand, snorkeling, geography and tropical relaxation, while the former are excellent for culture, history, architecture and shopping. Our girls loved their first Med cruise to Italy so much they asked for another to the Greek Islands and Turkey. They have discovered things about the world that they could never learn in a classroom.

3. Time together, time apart. The family gets quality time together at meals, watching shows or taking land excursions, but the kids can make their own friends and do their own thing on the ship. For younger children, cruise ships have group and/or individual babysitting service so parents can have some quality time to themselves. For kids aged 2 to 18, there’s also the option of joining organized programs with age-appropriate games, activities and events. Disney even has walkie-talkies that parents can use to keep in touch with their kids aboard ship. So it works out to be a great vacation for both parents and kids.

4. Don’t worry, be happy. When the kids leave the cabin without you to explore their floating city at sea, you don’t have to secretly follow them. You know they are safely aboard ship with lots of staff around, lots of safe things to do, and usually other kids their age to do it with. And you don’t have to worry about them being run over, mugged, or getting lost. So once the family is aboard ship, you can relax and let them enjoy themselves!

5. Really good deals. Cruise lines are hurting and have lowered fares to rock bottom. Some are offering two-for-one fares, free air, big discounts or shipboard credits. Others are offering special deals for families like letting kids stay in the same cabin for free, or at reduced rates for 3^rd or 4^th person in the same cabin. For example, NCL is offering a 7-day Alaska cruise starting at just US$909 per person (double occupancy), and just $199 per person for 3^rd and 4^th person. Oceania is offering two-for-one fares on selected sailings with a 50% discount for 3rd and 4^th person per cabin. Regent is letting kids sail for free in the same cabin on select European cruises this summer. And MSC is allowing kids under 17 to sail free as 3rd and 4th passengers on all 2009 sailings. 

So if you’ve been wondering where to vacation this summer, take a serious look at cruising. It’s a choice that’s almost certain to please the whole family, while giving you great value for your vacation dollar and memories that will last a lifetime.