Eastern Caribbean: First Family Cruise Everyone Loved
By Cally Cheng
Our recent family cruise aboard Star of the Seas was one of the best vacations we’ve ever taken together. What made it especially memorable was that it was the first cruise for all 10 people in our group — including our family with two young children (ages 6 and 3), my 61-year-old mom, and our friends’ family with three teenage boys. Finding a vacation that appeals to every generation can be challenging, but this cruise exceeded all expectations.
Activities for Every Age
One of the biggest strengths of Star of the Seas is the variety of experiences available. Family members looking to relax enjoyed the pools, spa, mini golf, and quiet spaces, while those seeking adventure had endless options. My husband and I tried the FlowRider surf simulator for the first time and quickly learned that surfing is fun! We also challenged ourselves on Crown’s Edge, which was both thrilling and unforgettable.
One of the proudest moments of the trip was watching my 6-year-old conquer the Rock Climbing Wall after several determined attempts. Meanwhile, my toddler loved the carousel, water slides, snacks, and unlimited ice cream (we limited maximum of 2 per day!). He still talks about returning one day so he can finally try laser tag when he was meet the height requirement by then.
Entertainment That Impressed Everyone
The onboard entertainment was outstanding. The Torque Show was a real highlight—one of the most impressive performances we’ve seen at sea. Back to the Future: The Musical delivered a true Broadway-level experience, while the SOL ice skating show was equally impressive. Even the Kids’ Club show surprised us, with glow-in-the-dark effects, water, and bubbles that made it a favorite for the little one.
The Little Moments We’ll Always Remember
Some of our favourite memories came from the smallest experiences. My boys loved searching for hidden cruise ducks around the ship, and we were always excited to discover the creative towel animals waiting for us.
Meeting the captain and the Chief Dog Officer, Sailor, was another unexpected highlight that quickly became one of our favourite stories from the trip.
The dining was equally impressive, with plenty of options to satisfy every taste.
One of my personal favourite spots was Central Park, where the lush greenery and open-air atmosphere made it easy to forget we were on a ship at all.
Images: Royal Caribbean
Exceptional Service
The crew made the entire experience feel effortless. Every team member we encountered was friendly, attentive, and genuinely passionate about creating a great vacation experience. Travelling with young children and a large group felt surprisingly easy thanks to their support.
Helpful Tips for Families
A couple of tips for families traveling with young children and seniors:
- Potty training before the cruise can be helpful, as most pools and water play areas do not allow swim diapers.
- Cruising is ideal for multi-generational families, offering something for everyone—from active experiences to relaxing downtime. Kids can enjoy the kids’ club while parents unwind, and each family member can choose whether to join shore excursions or stay onboard. Best of all, you only unpack once for the entire trip.
- Download the Royal Caribbean app before departure. It was invaluable for checking schedules, reservations, dining information, booking excursions (book ahead to take advantage of early bird pricing), and navigating the ship.
Thank You to Louise at Kemp Travel
A special thank you to Louise at Kemp Travel for helping make this trip so seamless. She got us an a balcony suite upgrade finding the cruise price dropped, and assisted with group flight arrangements for our entire party. Having an experienced travel advisor manage the details made the journey stress-free from start to finish.
Ready to turn inspiration into your next unforgettable journey? Connect with Louise Wilson today and start planning!
We’re already Thinking About the Next One
This cruise reminded us why cruising is such a great option for multi-generational travel. It’s rare to find a vacation where young children, teenagers, parents, grandparents, and friends all have an amazing time together, but Star of the Seas delivered exactly that.
We returned home with incredible memories, hundreds of photos, and one clear conclusion: we’re already planning our next cruise.
