Florivida the travel podcast
Travel podcast #5 - Amusement parks at sea: from roller coasters to water parks
Listen as Rick and Willem share everything there is to know about cruises, from attractions to food to travel tips!
There are many preconceptions when it comes to a cruise vacation. “Isn't that something for retirees?” or “On a cruise ship you have no freedom and is certainly nothing for my children.” But nothing could be further from the truth! Cruising is instead a surprisingly fun and relaxing way to travel that is suitable for any age.
It is often thought that a cruise vacation is not affordable, but this does not have to be the case at all. You can best compare it to an all-inclusive resort, but at sea! Meals and entertainment are included, you stay in a comfortable room (also called a cabin) and meanwhile sail from destination to destination. That sounds like the ultimate vacation, doesn't it? In this blog, we tell you why a cruise can be a surprisingly good fit for your travel needs.
You know that moment on vacation when you have to pack your suitcase again because you're going to the next place? Everything is packed, those new souvenirs don't fit in and you're guaranteed to forget something at the hotel. So on a cruise, that's a thing of the past. You just unpack your stuff once, put everything neatly in the closet of your cabin and you're good to go!
While you enjoy a cocktail on deck, the ship quietly sails on to the next destination. In the evening you crawl into your own bed and the next morning you wake up in a completely different location. It feels like a round-trip adventure, but without the rush and with much more comfort.
Aboard a cruise ship, everything is about convenience and experience. You eat when and where you want: from buffets to à la carte restaurants. You jump into a water park, watch a spectacular show at night or get pampered in the spa. When you want to relax, you simply walk back to your cabin or find a bed by the pool overlooking the sea.
Ships like the Norwegian Prima or Icon of the Seas feel like complete resorts at sea. From street food to fine dining and kids' clubs to theater shows. There is so much to do that a day almost feels too short. And all just in one place, without having to drive or walk far!
A cruise is actually the ideal vacation for families! Not only do your kids have a great vacation, but you too! While you are on the ship you both have a totally different experience. They can go on some ships, like the Disney Cruise Line, to the kids' clubs with peers, having their pictures taken with their favorite characters or watching the funniest shows. You, at the same time, enjoy a relaxing afternoon by the pool.
Are you traveling with children? Then ships like the Icon of the Seas or Disney Wish ideal: who have water parks, slides, climbing courses, game rooms and kids clubs where they will be entertained all day. For teens, there are even special lounges where they can chill without parents around.
Instead, are you going with your partner? Then you can enjoy a sunset dinner together, a spa day, wine tastings or a Broadway-style show. Ships like the Norwegian Aqua or MSC Seascape have beautiful adults-only sections and infinity pools that feel like a boutique hotel on the sea.
A cruise vacation takes you to places you might not otherwise be so quick to visit, and that's exactly what makes it so special! Many cruises sail past islands that are not always easily accessible by plane or car, such as Cozumel (Mexico), Roatán (Honduras), the Greek Cyclades or the pearls of the Caribbean.
And then there are the private islands of shipping companies, all tropical paradises that you can only reach by cruise ship. Think Castaway Cay from Disney Cruise Line Or Perfect Day at CocoCay from Royal Caribbean. Here you can snorkel in crystal clear waters, relax in a hammock under palm trees or go wild in a water park in the middle of the island. Designed specifically for cruise travelers, these islands offer everything you expect from a tropical dream vacation!
A cruise vacation is not all about getting out and exploring, there are also those wonderful days when you are just at sea. And believe us: these days are also worth their weight in gold! Those rest days at sea give you the space to really relax, recharge and simply enjoy the trip itself. That makes your cruise ship as much fun as the destinations you visit.
Sleep in, enjoy a full breakfast overlooking the sea, read a book by the pool and order a cappuccino on the sun deck. Many ships, such as the Celebrity Beyond or MSC Euribia, feel like luxury resorts with all the trimmings! Traveling with children? They, too, entertain themselves effortlessly on a sea day. Slides, water parks, play halls and kid's clubs are often open all day.
On a cruise ship, you never eat the same thing twice, unless of course you want to. The choice is vast: from buffets and pizzerias to sushi, tapas, steak and fine dining. Many ships, such as the Norwegian Prima, Icon of the Seas or Celebrity Ascent, have dozens of dining options with flavors from around the world.
And the best part? Most of it is included in your cruise vacation. Whether you dine with the family in a themed restaurant on Disney Cruise Line, or the two of you choose a romantic ocean-view dinner. The quality of the food is often excellent, and the service you receive is also unlike any restaurant on land,
No two cruise ships are the same, so there is always a ship that best suits your vacation needs. Royal Caribbean is all about adventure: from surf simulators to the largest water park at sea on the Icon of the Seas. Disney Cruise Line combines luxury and magic with themed restaurants and Marvel- or Star Wars-style kids' clubs.
Norwegian Cruise Line also has many extras with a go-kart track on deck, Broadway shows and a unique ‘More at Sea’ concept. MSC Cruises offers stylish cruises with indoor aqua parks, an LED promenade and family-friendly amenities. And Celebrity Cruises is all about modern design and tranquility, with rooftop gardens, art and high-end spas. There are many more shipping companies, each with their own style and destinations!
In case you are not yet convinced, a cruise vacation is anything but boring! The range of entertainment has increased enormously, so no age need be bored on board! There are often theme nights, cinemas, sports facilities and beautiful swimming pools.
Watch an ice show on the Icon of the Seas, attend a real Broadway musical on Norwegian Viva, or indulge in an immersive Frozen dinner show on the Disney Wish. At MSC Cruises you'll enjoy acrobatic Cirque du Soleil-style performances, and at Holland America Line you'll discover lounges with beautiful music.
A cruise vacation may seem more expensive than a ‘regular’ vacation, but when you look at what's included, it's not that much. You pay one fixed price for your stay, food, shows, kids clubs, sports facilities and often certain drinks or room service.
Want something extra? Then you can make it as luxurious as you want - for example, with a specialty restaurant, a spa package or the More at Sea package from Norwegian Cruise Line (including drinks, dining credits and excursion credit). But it doesn't have to be. Even without additional options, a cruise vacation is surprisingly complete!
During a cruise vacation, you don't have to choose just one destination. In a relatively short time you will discover several countries, cities or islands! This way you visit several of your bucket list destinations during a cruise.
From island hopping in the Caribbean to immersing yourself in Mediterranean culture, you'll travel comfortably from place to place while you relax on deck or enjoy dinner on board. The length of your cruise depends on the itinerary and shipping company, but this averages from 3 to 14 nights.
In short, a cruise vacation is anything but boring, limited or unaffordable! On the contrary: it is a surprisingly relaxing way to travel, with plenty of variety, comfort and fun for young and old. Whether you dream of a sunny Caribbean cruise, a luxury trip along the Mediterranean or a cruise vacations with children: there is always a ship and itinerary that suits your needs! Still unsure which shipping company suits you best? In this blog we list them for you.
For your first cruise vacation, would you like some extra guidance on location or are you a solo traveler who enjoys traveling with others? Then our group trip with the Disney Fantasy maybe something for you!
Prefer to take your own cruise vacation, with a different ship or itinerary? View here than our entire cruise offerings or schedule an appointment in with one of our travel experts! In August 2025, you'll also benefit from our Cruise Advantage Weeks, so you will go on vacation even more economically.
Listen as Rick and Willem share everything there is to know about cruises, from attractions to food to travel tips!
March 20, 2026
In this blog, read everything you need to know about Disney Adventure, the Disney Cruise Line's newest cruise from Singapore!
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