Why you won’t feel fenced in on a cruise

Ahoy there! If you haven’t cruised for a while or are contemplating your first cruise, you might not have caught up with the news of how shipshape modern cruises have become.

Gone are the days when guests squeezed into tiny cabins, joined a long queue waiting for the lunch buffet or hoped they would somehow nab a seat for the nightly show. These days, cruise ships offer a raft of spacious features, which means everybody on board can tick off their favourite activities without ever worrying about missing out.

Family-friendly cruise lines such as Carnival even cater to those who want a little child-free time by offering areas such as the Adult-Only Serenity Retreat – where you can lounge on a day bed, swing in a hammock and feel the sea breeze (instead of a child’s hand) tug at your hair. This is the place to (finally) get stuck into that book, to spend quality time with your partner, to sip a cocktail from the nearby bar or to simply chill out and do nothing at all.

To take relaxation to the next level, put your body in the (very strong) hands of the experts who work in Cloud 9 Day Spa*. Here, you’ll find treatments ranging from massages and facials to full head-to-toe pamper packages.

If your kids are the adventurous type, they’ll be off somewhere else anyway, probably rocketing down Carnival’s signature Green Lightning^ waterslide, or helping themselves to the free ice cream that can be found poolside. Little kids can have plenty of fun at the water park with mini-slides and drenching buckets.

Onboard dining options are so plentiful – from a sushi restaurant~ to a burgers – that you can spend your entire cruise working out which place is your favourite. You’ll find everything from a plentiful buffet to the exclusive Chef’s Table* – and even a seafood bar* that serves up a delicious selection.

If you want to be entertained by an evening performance, head to the Main Show Lounge, which stages two shows a night to accommodate families with younger children and those who enjoy a later evening. Or, snuggle into a deckchair to enjoy the outdoor cinema on the Lido Deck with popcorn and blankets included. During the day, there’s a host of free activities such as trivia, table-tennis and dance classes.

At the end of all that fun, retire to your comfortable cabin to recover with a good night’s sleep!

Ready to cruise? Book your next holiday now!

*Charges apply
^Available on Carnival Splendor
~Available on Carnival Luminosa