Short Cruises Make a Great, Inexpensive Family Vacation

January 25, 2010 in Family Vacation Travel

Cruise lines, in the hopes of enticing new cruisers and families with short timelines and tight budgets, are offering a wider array of short cruises, from a number of convenient ports.

This coming year, families can find short cruises sailing from homeports in states such as Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Texas, Louisiana, California and Washington.

Itineraries and shipboard amenities are key considerations. Depending on where you’re sailing from, a 3-5 day cruise can take you up the dramatic Canadian coastline or through the tranquil islands of the Caribbean.  Onboard activities vary widely from cruise line to cruise line – make sure there’s enough variety to keep everyone in the family happy. Royal Caribbean is known for its adventurous onboard activities, including rock climbing walls and wave pools, which can be especially good for teenagers. For more family travel advice, click here.

Make sure to check out some review and ratings sites also.  Cruise Critic and Cruise Mates are good places to start. A short cruise can give you and your family a lot of vacation with a relatively small commitment of time and money – and may entice you to try a longer cruise next time around. Find out more deals on our family travel deals page.