When planning a family cruise, one of the first things parents want to know is what is included in the price of a cruise. Cruise packages do offer families great value for their vacation dollars. That said, using the term all inclusive cruises is a bit of a misnomer when you're comparing a family cruise to a family all inclusive resort vacation. Our discussion here is for the cruise lines that cater to family cruises. Please bear in mind that specific details may vary between different cruise lines and may even differ between ships within the same cruise line. This is why it's best to work with one of our Family Cruise Experts
who can help you navigate your way thru all of your specific family cruise questions. To help set the record straight, here you will find a list of what is included on a cruise...

Accommodations - Your cabin or stateroom selection is mainly what you're paying for in the price of your cruise. Cruise cabins vary from budget basic interior cabins to large, luxury suites with balconies and butlers. All cabins include a place to sleep and en suite bathroom with a sink, toilet and shower. When it comes to selecting a cruise cabin, size really does matter. Cruise cabins tend to run smaller than hotel rooms. With families cruises it's best to select the biggest cabin that your family can afford. Having a bit more space will give you the most comfort during your family cruise.

Taxes and Port fees- at Vacationkids, when we give you a price quote, we include all taxes and port fees in your initial price quote. We think it's only fare to quote you the actual total price that your family will be responsible for paying. Many other travel companies will lead passengers in by just quoting the cruise price and not including mandatory taxes and port charges. We feel this can be misleading because depending on the exact cruise and length of sailing, these taxes and fees can cost a family hundreds of dollars.

Ocean Transportation - One of the best features of a cruise is that you can cover a great deal of geography and explore several different locations during one voyage without the hassle of airports, schlepping luggage, packing and unpacking.

Dining - All of your meals and snacks are included. Breakfast, lunch and dinner and generally 24 hour snacks. The great thing about cruises is that there are plenty of delicious food choices for every meal making it a great vacation choices for parents with picky eaters. Cruise ships are well known for their delicious dining options. Most of the cruise ships that cater to family cruise also offer kids friendly food choices and flexible dining schedules to make life easier on parents. Family cruise vacations are also a great choice for family members who may have food allergies as most cruise ship kitchens can handle these issues.

Beverages Water, ice tea, fruit juices, coffee and tea are included on a cruise. Alcohol and sodas are NOT included like they are with all inclusive resorts. Some cruise lines will offer a choice of house wine at dinner. Most family cruise lines offer fountain or soda packages for sale. This means for an additional fee, passengers can enjoy unlimited soda or fountain drinks.

EntertainmentThe nightlife aboard a family cruise is fabulous. You'll find everything from broadway style productions, to comedy acts, to jazz clubs to even full production ice skating shows. Aboard family cruises you'll have options like character parades, scavanger hunts and pajama parties for the kids...plenty of activities for your family to strike the right balance of togetherness or adult romantic time.

Shipboard ActivitiesBeing bored is simply not an option on a cruise ship. There are pools and hot tubs for lounging, relaxing or sunbathing. Gyms and exercise classes are on board for the health minded passengers. kids clubs offer age appropriate supervised activities for kids and teens. Guests can learn enjoy classes from cooking to casino games to surfing. Board games, video games, internet access and movie theaters...every day there is a new list of scheduled activities and invents that guests are free to enjoy from morning until late at night. Most activities are scheduled during your days sailing at sea but you are free to enjoy ship facilities even during days in port.

At Vacationkids, we appreciate and respect how important budgeting is for any family vacation. That is why we've also compiled another list of What's not included in the price of your family cruise.

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