The Emerald Princess may not have the grand attractions typical on newer ships but makes up for it in exciting excursions and excellent service. 

Such variety in cruising lengths and itineraries means you're guaranteed to find a cruise perfect for your family vacation. The shorter trips are good for long weekend vacations, while the extra-long sailing itineraries are perfect for filling long school vacations and summers. The Emerald's departure ports vary between San Antonio, Buenos Aires, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Seattle, Fort Lauderdale, Barcelona, Rome, and Athens depending upon the itinerary.

Kids can swim the day away in one of the four pools, two hot tubs, or a paddling pool. There are no water slides on the Emerald. Here kids can enjoy activities like dance parties, theme nights, video games, scavenger hunts, and more. For the little baker in your life, look out for the JrCHEF@Sea program which teaches kiddos to cook food and decorate cakes. Teens have their own space at Remix, a teens-only club which sets up contests, video games, dance classes, and lounging areas.

For parents and older passengers, the Emerald has plenty for your vacation as well. Theater fans will enjoy the 800 seat magic shows and musical dance performances. Daily fun activities are present all over the ship including the usual bingo, trivia, game shows, dance classes,  and movies. For those able to stay up later, the casino and various lounges are alive long after sunset. For parents looking for a little alone time, group babysitting is available. Private babysitting is not available on the Emerald.

Each ship has a variety of fun activities for the whole family, so be sure to check your ship before you cruise to view what's available. Whether you're 8 or 80, there's no reason not to have fun on your getaway at sea; before breaking off into everyone's activities, enjoy some time together by planning to meet for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. 

This is the time to make memories and nothing could be more memorable than setting up a shore excursion for the whole family. Plan your shore excursions ahead of time for the best chance at booking your top selections.

Gratuities, which are automatically charged to onboard accounts, are $12.95 per person (including children), per day; passengers staying in mini-suites and suites will pay $13.95 per person, per day. A 15 percent gratuity is added to beverage purchases onboard.

*Please note it is often cheaper to book two staterooms or two connecting cabins instead of one large stateroom suite - plus it gives you a second bathroom.*