All Inclusive Caribbean Cruises make for the best family friendly vacation ideas.

What say you?

If you had asked my family about an inclusive Caribbean cruise vacation before April 2004, we would have frankly said, "No, thank you."

Yes, we love to travel, and had thought of cruising, but we were not really dreaming of a Caribbean family cruise.

However, that has changed, and now, a family friendly Caribbean cruise is the one type of family vacation that we all dream of and think about - most of the time.

Inclusive Caribbean Cruise On a Budget

The year was 2004. Our family then numbered four (4): my wife, our two boys and me. We had just received our tax refund check (March 2004) for about $2,000 and wondered how best to spend the money.

But out of nowhere my wife quipped, "Let's use it for a cruise!" "A cruise? Really?" I thought. She was insistent.

I did the research and by April we were on our first all inclusive Caribbean cruise to the Western Caribbean.

My Daughter On First Cruise

Wow!

To be quite honest, we did not know much about cruising or Caribbean Cruise Lines. Sure enough, we had seen the commercials from the top Caribbean Cruise Lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean, but did not give them much attention, because we were raising a family and thought a family cruise vacation was quite expensive.

While I will concede that all inclusive Caribbean cruises can be expensive for a large family, there are ways to save on your cruise vacation. That is one thing that I will use this website to show you.

Anyway, let me get back to my "we did not know much..."

After agreeing to use the tax refund for a cruise, I did some general research ("Googled it") and found a 5 day Carnival cruise leaving from the Tampa Cruise Port in Florida (one of many Caribbean cruise departure ports), and sailing to the Western Caribbean.

Family Arrives in Belize on Carnival Glory

I booked the cruise through a Carnival Agent - our first of five family friendly Caribbean cruises.

The greatest discovery we made was that our $2,000 tax refund was enough to cover our entire family's cruise packages, our transportation expenses to the Tampa Cruise Terminal (we drove our minivan from McDonough, GA to Tampa - a 7 hour trip), plus pay our mandatory gratuity at the end of the cruise.

The price was right because we booked a last minute Caribbean cruise, and these are usually cheaper than others booked a certain number of months in advance.

(Tip: If some Caribbean Cruise Lines have many empty cabins left close to their sail dates, they will drop the cruise ticket price. It pays to check for last minute Caribbean cruises.)

The bottom-line: We were thrilled and ready to sail!


My Family's First Caribbean Cruise

We set sail on Carnival Sensation from Tampa, Florida on a Saturday in April 2004 and visited Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; and Nassau, Bahamas.

Wow!

On just one 5 day Western Caribbean Cruise we had visited three new places. My family had a blast onboard the Carnival Sensation!

We enjoyed hanging out at the pools and hot-tubs; the Las Vegas-style shows; the well organized Camp Carnival for the kids; the incredible amount of food; being pampered, wined and dined in an elegant dining room; just relaxing in an onboard lounge; looking out at the rich-blue Caribbean Sea; as well as going ashore at each port of call.

Resting With My Kids on Carnival Glory

When we returned to port the following Thursday, none of us wanted to get off the ship. Our boys - TJ and Matthew - actually asked if we could remain on the ship. We told them that we had to return to work so that we could earn more money to pay for future family Caribbean cruises.

Our boys offered to save their own money to help!

Well, almost seven years later, my family has taken five inclusive Caribbean cruises.

Get this - our daughter, Eliana, who is only six years old has already been on four family friendly Caribbean cruises.

Family Photo with Carnival Destiny
In Grand Cayman July 2011y

Family Caribbean Cruises Taken:

As a family, we have taken all inclusive Caribbean cruises to:

1. The Bahamas - a 4 day inclusive cruise;

2. The Western Caribbean (thrice) - two 5 day inclusive cruises and a 7 day inclusive cruise; and,

3. The Eastern Caribbean - a 7 day inclusive cruise.

Caribbean Cruise Lines We've Sailed With:

We have sailed with three (3) of the top Caribbean-cruise-lines -

1. Carnival Cruise Lines - Three times via Carnival Sensation, Carnival Glory, and Carnival Destiny;

2. Norwegian Cruise Line - Once via Norwegian Dawn; and,

3. Royal Caribbean International - Once via Monarch of the Seas.
We have discovered something great that works as a perfect family vacation - inclusive family Caribbean cruises - and will not look back!

Why should we?

Think about it: 3, 4, 5 or 7 day Caribbean cruises with all your food paid for (no need to worry about a grocery bill while on vacation); your room (cabin) cleaned twice per day; your bed made up everyday; three full meals plus meals in between everyday; your children entertained and cared for; your teenagers provided for; games and fun activities planned just for you; entertainers performing to please you; having your own fitness center thrown in; visiting new places and meeting new people; and much more.

Why would you not want to plan an all inclusive family Caribbean cruise?


So, are You dreaming of an all inclusive Caribbean cruise? Great choice! I will help you.

This website is designed to show you:

1. What an All Inclusive Caribbean Cruise Package includes;

2. Examples of Awesome Caribbean Cruise Destinations;

3. Several Caribbean Cruise Departure Ports and their Nearest Airports;

4. Some of the Fabulous Caribbean Cruise Lines to Choose from; and,

5. Ways to Save on your Family Friendly Caribbean cruises - and among other things.


Are you ready? Let's do it!

Before we go, here is an overview of what you will find on our site.


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