1Forget a long and winding road trip. For a low-stress winter vacation with the kids, step onto what can feel like a floating amusement park: a family-friendly cruise ship.

Vacations at sea can be a fantastic way for families to optimize travel. Cruises can be extremely affordable, with fares inclusive of cabins, meals, activities and multiple destinations. Itineraries are preset (no need to plan around everyone’s interests), food is on site (a vast buffet means no more bickering about lunch) and activities are clustered together (who wants to deal with strollers, car seats and sketchy pit stops?). And you can quickly zoom back to your room whenever someone needs a nap — parents included.

Perhaps best of all? Having a drop-off kids’ club means you can hit the spa in peace.

Such factors

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