We all know how stressful holidays can be, especially family ones, with all the hassle of just packing and getting to the destination where you’re supposed to unwind and enjoy yourself for a few precious days, before returning to the rat race. All too often, the ‘relaxing break’ becomes a period of recovery from the trauma of reaching your holiday hideaway, and by the time you actually start to unwind it’s almost time to head for home again. Wouldn’t it be much nicer to start your holiday the moment you embark? With so many great cruise deals now available think of the advantages of ditching the car or public transport this year and try a cruise holiday instead.

The number one advantage of cruising for families with young kids in particular is that they only need to pack and unpack the one time – when they board and at the end of the cruise. Getting to see loads of different places and not having to worry at all about the bags, supplies and arrangements has its obvious advantages, with an attentive, professional crew always there to help things along. Arrive at a different destination on a daily basis, travelling while you’re asleep, and enjoy new experiences fresh and alert rather than sleepy and frustrated.

On the cruise ship itself, there’ll be no shortage of things to do for all members of the family. From fun quizzes, deck games and pool to fitness centres, boutiques, libraries, bowling alleys and even jogging tracks, these vast vessels are floating cities packed with entertainments and activities. Many ocean cruise liners have multiple cinema complexes showing the very latest releases, video gaming halls for the kids and teens, and sumptuous restaurants serving up food created by world-class chefs. With play areas with dedicated minders for toddlers, and discos and similar venues for the restless teens seeking noise and excitement, not to mention safe freedom from parental control, cruise ships offer the lot and then some.

Cruise destinations used to be fairly limited, but the oceans have opened up. Now you can choose from lots of different types of cruises and varied itineraries, these types of hassle-free holidays are becoming increasingly popular. Whether you want to explore destinations in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Northern Europe, Far East, Australasia, South America or even the Arctic Circle, there’ll be a cruise calling out to you like a siren and you’ll be hard pressed to resist. Forget about drawing up complex, expensive and fussy travel arrangements because all you need to do is get to the departure point, unpack and simply take it easy, allowing the crew to do all the legwork whilst you just sit back and literally let the world go by.

Dealing with airport transfers, checking flight times, worrying about cancellations, collecting luggage and sorting out language problems are things that simply don’t exist when you go for the cruise option. Also consider that it’s much easier to keep to a budget on a cruise as opposed to on a traditional holiday, because on an all-inclusive cruise you’ve paid for it all up front and there are no rapidly mounting extras to factor in.

Take a break with a difference this year and give yourself a well-deserved treat that makes great sense whichever way you look at it.

Author bio: David Elliott is a freelance writer who loves to travel, especially in Europe and Turkey. He’s spent most of his adult life in a state of restless excitement but recently decided to settle in North London. He gets away whenever he can to immerse himself in foreign cultures and lap up the history of great cities.

Some other cruise related posts at Lifecruiser:

The Worlds Oldest Gun Ship: A Medieval Cog Ship
The Best Things to do on a Cruise in Hawaii
The coolest cruise is a Caribbean cruise
The top five Red Sea cruise destinations
Broaden your horizons when there are cruise deals to be had
Fabulous Cruise Alternatives
Cruising is the Perfect Gift
Top 5 Pacific Cruises For Your Next Getaway!
Mediterranean Dream Cruises
Top 5 Cruises for family’s on a budget
Luxury Dream Cruises
Bargain Cruise Ships Tips