Warm, sunny days spent playing and relaxing in the water make for wonderful family holidays. We love this style of break for relaxing, recharging and reconnecting as a couple and as a family.
Hamish having a ball at Outrigger on the Lagoon
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Fun in the sun
We first went to Fiji when Hamish was about 10 mths old and Alannah was almost 3. It was the first time we’d tried a kids club and it was SO HARD to relax and enjoy ourselves while the kids were there. But they were well cared for and had fun playing with the staff and other kids, so we all got used to it and ended up having a brilliant holiday.
I remember them splashing in the shallows and kicking around in inflatable rings, pure joy on their faces. This was the holiday that we discovered that kids can spend ALL DAY EVERY DAY in the water and never get bored! Hubster and I bought rashies and hats, loaded up the sunscreen and went along with it.
Fast forward to our first cruise last year when they were 6 and 8, and were still happiest spending endless hours with us in the pools, spas and waterslides.
Cruise vs Resort
Cruises and resort holidays are both ideal for a holiday in the sun, but which one is best?
Fiji resorts are filled with little ones exploring toddler pools, just as the pools on Hamilton Island are traversed by older kids putting their swimming lessons to good use. Bali and waterslides are a match made in heaven, while cruise ships even offer movies on a giant screen by the pool.
With more and bigger cruise ships basing themselves in Australia to meet the increasing demand, it is definitely a holiday option worth considering.
We’ve tried and love both cruises and resort holidays. After four amazing Fiji holidays, last year we tried a Disney cruise and can’t wait to do another one!
Disney is not cheap though and they don’t cruise anywhere near Australia, so this year we’re giving Royal Caribbean a go. Royal Caribbean is one of the highest rated Australia-based cruise lines for families. In particular, Voyager of the Seas offers the DreamWorks Experience with characters from Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon entertaining the troops with character breakfasts, parades and photo opportunities.
The pool deck on Disney Fantasy
Cruise vs resort – Cost
Let’s compare a Fiji resort holiday with a family-friendly cruise.
For the Fiji resort I have chosen Outrigger on the Lagoon. With its position on the Coral Coast it is commonly enjoyed as an all-inclusive style holiday. It is one of the more affordable family resorts in Fiji, although still one of the most highly rated. We have been there three times and loved it, and it was the top Fiji resort in the 2016 Holidays With Kids magazine reader survey. Full Outrigger on the Lagoon review here.
For the cruise I have chosen Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas. It is the ship that we have booked for December due to its excellent reviews and suitability for primary school aged kids.
Outrigger on the Lagoon
Assuming a 9 night stay, 12-21 February 2017 for 2 adults and 2 kids – as at 14 Nov 2016 –
Flights $1,775 (from Sydney via Qantas, operated by Fiji Airways, direct flights)
Accom $2,006 (2 double beds, kids eat free, includes a complimentary 4 day nanny package)
Food $1,872 (3 meals a day for 2 adults with kids eating free)
Total $5,653
Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas
9 night South Pacific cruise departing Sydney stopping at –
- Mare, New Caledonia,
- Mystery Island, Vanuatu,
- Isle of Pines, New Caledonia,
- Noumea, New Caledonia
Assuming a 12 February 2017 departure for 2 adults and 2 kids – as at 14 Nov 2016 –
Total $4,444 inclusive of accom (balcony stateroom with king or twin beds plus sofabed) and all meals and snacks.
The challenge is getting them out of the water! Hubster, Alannah & Hamish on Disney Fantasy.
Other considerations
Transport
For a Fiji holiday you have a 4-5 hour flight each way, plus transfers to and from the airport (1.25 hours from Nadi to Outrigger).
With a cruise you are confined to the ship on sea days (up to half the trip) and more susceptible to bad weather.
Room size
The Superior Resort View room at Outrigger is 47 sqm, while a Superior Balcony stateroom on Voyager of the Seas is 22 sqm.
Facilities and activities
Outrigger on the Lagoon has –
- a range of restaurants,
- a day spa,
- adults only pool,
- gym,
- cultural entertainment,
- free kids club (for 3 yrs and over),
- volleyball,
- table tennis,
- tennis court, and
- guest laundry.
Voyager of the Seas has –
- a range of restaurants,
- free room service,
- a day spa,
- adults only pool,
- gym,
- parades,
- ice-skating,
- rock-climbing,
- surfing,
- basketball,
- mini-golf,
- free kids club (for 3 yrs and over),
- cinema,
- outdoor movie screen,
- casino,
- live Broadway-style stage shows, and
- the DreamWorks Experience.
Location
In Fiji you can leave the resort whenever you like to see more of Fiji.
On the cruise you are confined to the ship on sea days, but on port days you can explore different countries.
Cruise Tips
- Cruise prices are highly variable with sale fares offered frequently. Sign up for their newsletter to keep informed.
- For best prices and your choice of cabin book as soon as possible. Contact Royal Caribbean to find out when new cruise dates are released.
- If you have more than 2 kids, ring Royal Caribbean rather than looking online. They do have a small number of family cabins, but they book out very quickly and are not offered online.
- Kids must be fully toilet trained to use the pools onboard.
Cruising is definitely a very attractive option, especially when you can cruise out of your home town. Plus it is so affordable! I can’t wait to try Royal Caribbean next month and will definitely be Instagramming our way around the South Pacific.
Do you love a resort holiday? Or are you a cruise addict? Or both perhaps?
