CRUISES AND FAMILY BEACH EXCURSIONS

Many families who take cruises together look for warm destinations
where the ports of call include sandy beaches, scuba diving,
snorkeling, and swimming.  Although you can enjoy the deck on the cruise
ship, there is something special about the excursions along the
voyage.  While you have a number of great options, the three most popular
destinations include the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Caribbean primarily
because of the calm waters and gorgeous, clean beaches.

Although excursion prices vary, you will usually pay around $15 to 20
per person for the opportunity to enjoy a day at the beach.  Keep in mind
that the best family beaches associated with a cruise include those
that are accessible via taxi or by foot.  You want waters that are calm,
clean sand, restroom facilities, and preferably a beach with a snack
bar.  Many of the beaches where you can visit while taking a cruise are
public, meaning there is no charge or at least a minimal charge for using
it.  However, some of the beaches where cruise ships travel are actually
associated with resorts.  Because of this, you would be charged a small
per person fee.  However, this fee will generally provide you with beach
chairs and umbrellas, which are great when there are smaller children.

If you are unsure where to go, the excursion desk onboard the cruise ship
should be able to help.  Probably the most important aspect of any beach
is making sure you can get a taxi back to the ship or can walk back to the
ship.  The last thing you want is for the cruise ship to take off without
you!  When leaving the cruise ship and heading to a family friend beach,
be sure you take certain things with you.  For example, you will need to
take beach towels, which are usually provided by the cruise ship, money
for the taxi cab, something for the kids to play with, whether it be a pail
and shovel or other floating toys, and of course, life vests or other
types of floating device.

Specific beaches to visit while taking a family cruise include the
Halycon Cove Hotel in Antigua.  This hotel offers visitors beach
chairs, shade huts, and there is even a bar and grill where you can enjoy
a delicious and affordable lunch.  The beach here is absolutely
beautiful and great for children.  When you get ready to head back to the
cruise ship, the staff at the hotel is always accommodating is calling
a taxi.  Aruba also has amazing beaches.  Both Eagle Beach and Palm Beach
are surrounded by nice hotels where cruise ship passengers can swim and
then take a taxi for around $12.

The Bahamas is a very popular cruise destination for families.  Here,
Cable Beach is a wonderful place where you can enjoy a number of
different water sports, shop by the beach, dine at many restaurants,
and then head back to the shipís pier for around $10.  If you want a real
treat, take time to visit Paradise Island.  The beach does charge a small
admission fee but it is well worth it.

Another popular cruise destination is Barbados.  The water here is
crystal blue/green and the island an ideal place to have fun and relax.
The nice thing about this cruise destination is that all the beaches are
public and therefore, free.  If you head to the west side of the island,
you will find the waters a little calmer and Church Point or Payneís Bay
are perfect for families since you have shade trees for the little ones
to get out of the sun.  In Bermuda, cruise ship passengers usually head to
Tobacco Bay Beach.  Although the beach is considered small, it is set
back in a quiet cove where facilities and a snack bar are offered.

Caymen Islands, Mexico, and Jamaica are also favorite cruise ship
destinations.  In the Caymen Islands, the Seven Mile Beach is a short
taxi ride from the shipís pier.  The water is very calm and with a number of
hotels nearby, you can rent water sport equipment or simply enjoy
something to eat from any of the close burger joints.  In Mexico, Cozumel
is an excellent cruise destination where Chankanaab Park is a
protected area for swimming.  Here, children and adults alike can
snorkel or stroll along the beach.  Finally, if you take a cruise to
Jamaica, be sure to visit the Jamaica Grand Renaissance Hotel.  For a
Small, per person fee, you can enjoy the hotelís swimming pool as well as
all the beach facilities.