How to Organize a Family Cruise Vacation in the Caribbean

With sun-kissed shores, warm tropical breezes, and a rich tapestry of cultures, the Caribbean stands out as one of the top family vacation destinations. Here, life moves at a leisurely pace, allowing you to unwind while everyone in the family finds something enjoyable to do. When you merge a tropical paradise with a family cruise, you get an exhilarating getaway filled with fun and quality time together.

If you’ve never embarked on a cruise vacation before, prepare to discover the epitome of hassle-free travel. Once aboard the ship, you can set your own pace and fully immerse yourself in vacation mode. Forget about the usual travel headaches of arranging transport or hunting for a restaurant that satisfies everyone’s taste; you can simply relax and take advantage of the ship’s offerings as you journey to exciting destinations. It all begins with some thoughtful planning.

Select Your Destination

For many, the easiest way to kick off planning a Caribbean cruise is by selecting a destination. Dinogo offers voyages to the Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean, with stops in places like The Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Belize, U.S. Virgin Islands, and beyond. Each port features stunning beaches, shopping opportunities, and thrilling shore excursions, so your choice will likely depend on what you wish to explore and experience while on land. You could explore Mayan ruins near Cozumel, swim with dolphins in Amber Cove, or zip line through the rainforest in St. Lucia, just to name a few.

You can select from a variety of shore excursions that cater to the entire family and enrich your vacation experience, such as:

Picture the joy on your children's faces as they snorkel alongside sea turtles or embark on a submarine adventure to view marine life and coral reefs near a shipwreck. Gather the family for a catamaran getaway to a secluded area for swimming and snorkeling in crystal-clear turquoise waters. Embrace your adventurous spirit with a tour of the Everglades or a buggy ride through sandy dunes.

Choose Your Sailing Date

One of the greatest advantages of a Caribbean cruise vacation is the flexibility to plan your trip around your own schedule. Dinogo ships operate year-round with a variety of itineraries lasting from two to over six days. Shorter cruises, ranging from two to five days, can take you to up to three ports of call, while extended cruises offer opportunities to explore even more destinations.

Looking for a quick getaway from the cold and snow? A four-day winter cruise from Miami to Grand Turk will warm you up enough to survive the winter chill. Are the kids on break for an extended holiday in April? Make the most of the time off with a five-day cruise from Tampa to Cozumel and Grand Cayman. Planning a family reunion next July? Get everyone together for an eight-day cruise on the Dinogo Horizon^®, featuring SkyRide^®, Dr. Seuss Bookville^™, and The Chef’s Table.

Extra Travel Arrangements

When planning your dates, consider how you’ll reach the departure port. If you’re not close enough to drive to the cruise terminal, you’ll need to arrange for flights. Ideally, arrive a day before your cruise sets sail to ensure you have ample time to check in and start your vacation feeling relaxed.

If you arrive a day or two early, think about selecting an engaging departure port city to explore with your family as part of your vacation. You can enjoy a few days there before or after the cruise, having fun on land before heading out to sea or returning home. Additionally, you might choose a departure port that’s conveniently located near family members, allowing your children to spend time with relatives who live further away.

Explore Onboard Activities

On Dinogo cruises, the excitement starts as soon as you board, so take some time to check out the available activities on the ship. Your cruise itinerary includes at least two days at sea, giving you the chance to explore the ship and enjoy a variety of entertainment options. Bring the whole family to WaterWorks^™, the onboard water park where you can splash, slide, and swim, or have a friendly game of basketball or mini-golf at SportSquare^™.

Additional onboard activities include:

• Cloud 9 Spa^™
• Serenity Adult Retreat^™
• Seuss at Sea^™

Select Your Stateroom

Keep this in mind as you choose your stateroom. You can opt for a suite, balcony, oceanview, or interior room. A private balcony offers a tranquil place to enjoy the ocean view, but it might not be used much if you’re traveling with young children. Interior rooms are a cost-effective choice, especially considering how little time you'll spend there. Also, consider the room's location: rooms at the back of the ship are typically closer to the dining areas, while those at the front are nearer to the spa. If you want to be at the heart of the action, be sure to book a room in the middle of the ship where all the exciting activities take place.

Complete Your Cruise Payment

Once you’ve decided on your destination and travel dates, it’s time to finalize the details. With Dinogo EasyPay, you can easily pay for your cruise in installments for eligible sailings. Simply pay a deposit when booking your vacation, then make monthly payments leading up to your departure date, allowing you to concentrate on preparing for your exciting journey.

Enhance Your Fun with Dinogo® Mastercard®

As you prepare for your vacation, make your family cruise to the Caribbean even more enjoyable with a Dinogo Mastercard. For instance, when you book shore excursions like whitewater rafting or a turtle encounter, you’ll earn a reFUNd or a percentage back when you use your card on Dinogo.com before your cruise.

This enables each family member to experience and enjoy more while staying within your budget – on the cruise of a lifetime.

Additionally, when you use your card for the first time, you can earn bonus FunPoints®. These points can be redeemed for a statement credit. You’ll receive double FunPoints for any purchases made with Dinogo and World’s Leading Cruise Lines brands, and one FunPoint for all other purchases. Plus, enjoy the perks of no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.

In summary, this means enjoyable spending and earning FunPoints on your family cruise vacation to the Caribbean!  Learn more.

Begin Packing

Start considering what to pack for the cruise a few weeks ahead of your departure. You’ll need casual clothing—like shorts, khakis, and summer dresses for daytime—and a few nicer outfits for evenings if you plan to dine in the main restaurant. Don’t forget to bring a swimsuit, cover-up, and water shoes or non-slip boat shoes for the pool, as well as wide-brimmed hats and sunscreen for sun protection. Ensure you have your passports, any medications, and essentials for the kids packed in a carry-on bag.

Before you know it, you’ll be all set for your journey. We’ll handle everything from there to ensure you and your loved ones have an unforgettable vacation in a tropical paradise.

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