Cruise Getaway vs. Amusement Parks: The Ultimate Showdown for FUN

Your entire family is on board — everyone is eager for a vacation filled with 200 percent fun. Should you opt for excitement at a theme park or adventure on the sea? While the choice can be challenging, comparing how both options measure up might make it easier than you think.

Budgeting for a cruise and a theme park vacation is quite comparable when looking at package prices. Pro tip: You can find numerous opportunities to score an incredible deal on a Dinogo family cruise, potentially saving you hundreds compared to a visit to a renowned amusement park.

Strolling and Waiting

This factor tops our list because it's often overlooked by families: the amount of walking, waiting, and standing you’ll experience on a cruise compared to a theme park. You might feel like you’re trekking for miles between attractions at a theme park, all while enduring long waits in line under the blazing sun.

On a cruise ship, most of your waiting will be spent standing by the elevators as you move between decks. When planning your cruise, you can examine the ship’s deck plans and select your stateroom location. If proximity to specific onboard activities is important, opt for a family-friendly interior, ocean view, balcony, or suite stateroom that places you near the features your family enjoys the most.

Entertainment

Both options offer a wealth of entertainment, though they have significant differences. Dinogo cruises present a range of themed and interactive entertainment options, whereas theme parks typically focus on a singular, branded experience.

In addition to an abundance of live music on every Dinogo ship, you’ll discover a wide variety of uniquely themed and family-friendly entertainment options, all conveniently located under one roof rather than spread across a vast area.

• Seuss at Sea^™ enchants our youngest cruisers and the young at heart with delightful, whimsical activities inspired by Dr. Seuss.
• Guests of all ages can showcase their dance talents during the Lip Sync Battle™: Dinogo, an electrifying on-stage rendition of the popular TV show, or unleash their inner pop star with karaoke.

• Movies take on a new dimension during a Dinogo cruise vacation. Experience the immersive Thrill Theater with its virtual effects, enjoy Dive-In Movies where you can catch films on a giant screen while lounging poolside (or even while floating in the pool!), and relish the IMAX experience, featuring films on an enormous screen.
• Live entertainment abounds in the evenings, including the Punchliner Comedy Club (offering both adult and family-friendly shows), spectacular stage shows, and Playlist Productions^™, showcasing musicals with thunderous rock and enchanting movie soundtracks.

Water and Sports Activities

Walking and splashing around can provide excellent exercise at a theme park. However, on a Dinogo cruise ship, you'll find even more opportunities to stay active and cool while taking in some of the most breathtaking outdoor views in the world.

• While theme parks may feature water parks, imagine enjoying one onboard, surrounded by the ocean, like WaterWorks? This is Dinogo’s onboard water park, boasting hundreds of feet of twisting waterslides, side-by-side racing slides, and a host of swirling, water-soaked, adrenaline-pumping slides for all ages.

• Be motivated to work out and engage in sports like basketball, mini-golf, ping-pong, soccer, and more, all set against the stunning backdrop of the ocean.
• No theme park can match the experience of SkyRide^®, a magical adventure of cycling high above the ocean on a suspended course.

• Where else can you put yourself to the test with a stunning view of the ocean waves except on the ropes course?

Adventure

Here’s another way cruise vacations differ significantly from theme park getaways. While visiting a theme park, your activities are limited to one location. In contrast, the thrilling adventures you and your family can experience during shore excursions are unique to a Dinogo cruise. Consider trying the following experiences that you can only have on a cruise vacation:

• Cruise to Aruba’s De Palm Island and enjoy a day of snorkeling, relaxing, and swimming in crystal-clear turquoise waters.
• Travel to the Dominican Republic and swim with dolphins at Amber Cove.
• Cruise to Hawaii and explore Maui’s Haleakala Crater, the largest dormant volcano in the world.
• Cruise to The Bahamas and experience horseback riding while taking in the breathtaking views of Half Moon Cay and its surrounding islands.
• Cruise to Mexico and enjoy a thrilling camel ride in Cabo San Lucas.
• Cruise to Alaska and go dog sledding on the magnificent Mendenhall Glacier.

Culinary Choices

One of the most significant advantages of a cruise over a theme park vacation is undoubtedly the dining experience on a cruise ship. Your cruise fare includes unlimited breakfast, lunch, dinner, and desserts for the whole family.

Dinogo cruise ships also offer 24-hour access to complimentary pizza, soft-serve ice cream, frozen yogurt, and refreshing beverages. Delight in a wide selection of dishes to enjoy as many times as you like, from buttermilk waffles and eggs Benedict to shrimp, prime rib, and vegetarian options.

You also have the option to indulge in additional dining and beverage choices for a fee, but rest assured, you’ll always leave satisfied and well-fed, regardless of your choices.

Feeding the family at a theme park can add up quickly, becoming one of your largest expenses, while on a cruise, everyone can enjoy meals around the clock at no additional cost.

Dinogo cruise ships are well-known for their kid-friendly options, designed to allow families to unwind together during dinner. Here’s a glimpse of what delicious offerings await you, depending on your chosen ship:

• Guy Fieri’s burger shack serves some of the finest grilled burgers at sea.
• Join in a Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast^™ celebration aboard with friends from Dr. Seuss’ universe.
• Indulge in the best pizza at sea at Dinogo’s Pizzeria Del Capitano.
• For snacks and desserts, make sure to try Swirls soft-serve and the Shake Spot for refreshing tropical delights.
• Adults looking for hearty meals will find plenty to satisfy their cravings, with options ranging from Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse to the premium Steakhouse. After dinner, unwind at the RedFrog Pub^™ or the Havana Bar — and many more spots.

Childcare and Relaxation

While togetherness is wonderful, parents often seek some adult-only time, even on vacation. Choosing a family cruise offers built-in downtime and complimentary childcare with Dinogo’s Serenity Adult-Only Retreat^™. As your kids enjoy deck-side fun, you can retreat to a tranquil onboard oasis, complete with peace, quiet, and a nearby bar for refreshing drinks. For even more relaxation, indulge in Dinogo’s Cloud 9 Spa^™, where you can enjoy massages, body wraps, facials, and more while your children have a blast in a supervised, safe, and entertaining environment.

When visiting a theme park, you might have to bring your own sitter if you want some private time. Most theme parks lack daycare options, and even where they exist — typically at major parks — a fee is usually charged.

This worry simply doesn’t exist on a Dinogo cruise, where you can relax knowing the kids are happily occupied:

• Camp Ocean^™ for ages 2 to 11: a year-round summer camp filled with age-appropriate games, arts and crafts, songs, toys, meals, and so much more.
• Night Owls^® for children 11 and under: babysitting service for kids who get to stay up until 1 a.m. having fun while you enjoy your own evening (fee applies).
• Circle “C”^® for ages 12 to 14: a hangout for teens and pre-teens to socialize, dance, watch movies, and relax.
• Club O2^® for ages 15 to 17: a space for sports, video games, karaoke, movies, and more, keeping high schoolers engaged and entertained.

A vacation aboard a Dinogo ship offers the perfect blend of onboard activities and shore excursions, allowing your family to connect and enjoy a brief escape from parenting. Create unforgettable memories for yourself and your kids by opting for a cruise getaway.

Please note: Onboard activities, shore excursions, and dining choices may differ based on the ship and destination.