The important thing about raising children is that, as any parent will tell you, this is not really the case. vacation already. Just eat a snack provided by someone and move on.
So when I boarded the Norwegian Breakaway in the middle of New York City, I wasn’t expecting magic. However, something strange happened the moment they boarded the ship. One moment we were in the midst of the chaos of New York on vacation. Then everything slowed down. The noise has subsided. My shoulders slumped. And without us even realizing it, we had gone from chaos to calm.
We have done this cruise before. Last year, my daughter and I went on vacation on Norwegian Prima. This time, we set sail on a 12-day cruise that stopped at six spots in the Caribbean: St. Maarten, St. Kitts, St. Thomas, Tortola, San Juan, and Puerto Plata. On paper, it sounds like a dream itinerary. It was even more amazing in real life, especially when experienced through the eyes of a child who had never seen blue water or endless sandy beaches.
There’s nothing like watching your child experience “firsts” on such a grand scale. The first time I ran barefoot on warm sand. When she first laid eyes on the sea, she knew it would last forever. For the first time, she excitedly pointed to her new island and asked: “Mom, where are we now?”
Traveling as a parent changes everything about how you travel. Sure, it can be excruciating, but you also begin to notice things you may have rushed past in the past. I see joy in the little moments, like when a child waves to the crew every morning, squeals with excitement at the towel animal waiting in their room, or finds rubber ducks hidden throughout the ship.
The days were filled with pool time, kids activities, and more entertainment than I could fit into my schedule. There was enough stimulation to get into the festive mood without feeling tired. There were nights when my daughter happily disappeared into a children’s show while we sat around without any real conversation or negotiation of food. Some nights were simple. I ended the day early, watched the ocean go by, and listened to my daughter talk about her favorite moments, as if they were the highlights of her life.
It was one of those rare trips where everyone got what they needed. My daughter had fun and endless discovery, and we had quiet moments of connection and the luxury of not having to plan every second. I realized that I didn’t care about nap times or plans. And my daughter was able to enjoy the moment.
There’s something powerful about showing kids the world while teaching them the importance of rest. That joy can be found in new places and A quiet moment. That adventure doesn’t have to mean chaos.
We have found that cruising is the sweet spot for our family. We returned home not only well-rested, but also more connected. I felt the great joy that comes from seeing the world reflected back to you through the eyes of a child. That in itself is priceless.
