{"id":1374,"date":"2020-06-10T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-06-10T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?p=1374"},"modified":"2022-04-05T18:24:01","modified_gmt":"2022-04-05T18:24:01","slug":"cruising-with-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?p=1374","title":{"rendered":"Cruising with Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In January of 2015, we took the kids on a cruise.\u00a0 Lucas was four and Henry was 2.\u00a0 We went with Judy\u2019s mom Miriam and her husband Jim.\u00a0 We chose the Carnival Cruise line for its affordability and itinerary.\u00a0 The boat stopped in Belize, Honduras, and Mexico. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1384\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4172.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"281\" height=\"211\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Who knows how the cruise industry will rebound after Coronavirus, but we have fond memories of the boy\u2019s first cruise.<\/p>\n<p>Cruising is not for everyone.\u00a0 It is not our favorite type of vacation, but we appreciate the ease of a cruise vacation. It was a perfect choice for us with two small kids and grandparents.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-1374 gallery-columns-1 gallery-size-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=1378'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4117.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1378\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4117.jpg 640w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4117-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1378'>\n\t\t\t\tQuality time for Judy and Miriam\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=1392'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4284.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1392\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4284.jpg 640w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4284-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1392'>\n\t\t\t\tLike father like son\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=1383'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4166.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1383\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4166.jpg 640w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4166-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1383'>\n\t\t\t\tHenry&#8217;s fun face\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>The boys had a blast. They have been on two cruises in their life and they still talk about them.\u00a0 Their favorite part of the cruise was the kids club. They spent most of their time in the kids club by request.<\/p>\n<p>Henry was too little to go in the swimming pools on the ship because he was still in diapers, but it was too cold to swim on the ship.\u00a0When they were not in the kids club, they were jumping off the bunk bed in our cabin, playing mini-golf, or running around the deck.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery galleryid-1374 gallery-columns-1 gallery-size-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=1405'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"456\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4442.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-1405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4442.jpg 456w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4442-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 456px) 100vw, 456px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-1405'>\n\t\t\t\tThe boys loved climbing and jumping in our small cabin\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=1403'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"876\" height=\"657\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4434.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-1403\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4434.jpg 876w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4434-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4434-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 876px) 100vw, 876px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-1403'>\n\t\t\t\tHide and seek can work in a  tiny cabin\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=1376'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"811\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_0496.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-1376\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_0496.jpg 811w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_0496-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_0496-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 811px) 100vw, 811px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-1376'>\n\t\t\t\tHenry has a flare for the dramatic\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=1401'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4402.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-1401\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4402.jpg 640w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4402-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-1401'>\n\t\t\t\tThe wind was challenging, but we still had fun playing mini-golf\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=1406'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"811\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4451.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-1406\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4451.jpg 811w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4451-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4451-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 811px) 100vw, 811px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-1406'>\n\t\t\t\tLucas has a nose for adventure\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=1375'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"811\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_0489.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-1375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_0489.jpg 811w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_0489-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_0489-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 811px) 100vw, 811px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-1375'>\n\t\t\t\tThe deck of a cruise ship must look huge to a 2-year-old\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>When you have small kids, you have to pick appropriate excursions, if you choose to get off the boat.\u00a0 We spent one day at the Carnival private island. The boys got to build sandcastles, jump on trampolines in a kid area, and mom, dad, and grandma got to relax on the beach.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-3' class='gallery galleryid-1374 gallery-columns-1 gallery-size-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=1398'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4331.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-1398\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4331.jpg 640w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4331-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-1398'>\n\t\t\t\tFun in the sun\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=1397'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4314.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-1397\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4314.jpg 640w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4314-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-1397'>\n\t\t\t\tBaywatch here we come!\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>We also took an excursion to a reptile farm.\u00a0 Henry ended up napping most of the time, but Lucas had a blast.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-4' class='gallery galleryid-1374 gallery-columns-1 gallery-size-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=1385'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"158\" height=\"211\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4176.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-1385\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-1385'>\n\t\t\t\tExcursions during nap time are challenging\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=1386'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4191.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-1386\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4191.jpg 640w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4191-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-1386'>\n\t\t\t\tThe turtles were hoping to see Henry, but he slept the whole time\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=1387'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4212.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-1387\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4212.jpg 640w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4212-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-1387'>\n\t\t\t\tLucas was not too sure about turtles. The feeling was probably mutual\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=1388'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4223.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-1388\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4223.jpg 640w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4223-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-1388'>\n\t\t\t\tJudy was excited about exploring\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>One of the best parts about cruising is not having to worry about where your next meal comes from.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-5' class='gallery galleryid-1374 gallery-columns-1 gallery-size-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=1409'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4269.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-1409\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4269.jpg 640w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4269-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-1409'>\n\t\t\t\tHappy hours make us happy\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=1390'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4261.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-1390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4261.jpg 640w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4261-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-1390'>\n\t\t\t\tHe is still single ladies\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=1391'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"456\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4274.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-1391\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4274.jpg 456w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4274-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 456px) 100vw, 456px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-1391'>\n\t\t\t\tGood to the last drop\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=1408'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4154.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-1408\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4154.jpg 640w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4154-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-1408'>\n\t\t\t\tMichael&#8217;s favorite dessert on a cruise ship is seafood\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?attachment_id=1380'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4129.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-1380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4129.jpg 640w, https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_4129-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-1380'>\n\t\t\t\tBonding over breakfast\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>There are drawbacks to cruising.\u00a0 It is impossible to truly see a place when you get off the boat for one day.\u00a0 Most excursions are touristy and do not showcase the real culture and vibe of a destination. You feel like cattle moving around the ship and while waiting in line for food or disembarking.<\/p>\n<p>Criticism aside, cruising allows for a lot of time together as a family. You do not have to worry about finding the next destination or packing and unpacking.\u00a0 You don&#8217;t have to grocery shop, cook or do dishes.<\/p>\n<p>We had a great experience cruising with the boys. We are on to different adventures now, but this trip was a great one.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In January of 2015, we took the kids on a cruise.\u00a0 Lucas was four and Henry was 2.\u00a0 We went with Judy\u2019s mom Miriam and her husband Jim.\u00a0 We chose the Carnival Cruise line for its affordability and itinerary.\u00a0 The boat stopped in Belize, Honduras, and Mexico. Who knows how the cruise industry will rebound [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1400,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,31],"tags":[38,10,14,7],"class_list":["post-1374","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel","category-worldschooling","tag-cruising","tag-travel-journey","tag-travel-with-kids","tag-world-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1374","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1374"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1374\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1414,"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1374\/revisions\/1414"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1400"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1374"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1374"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1374"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}