Tips for booking, packing, pet care, and how cruising breaks up the RV routine
1. Introduction
Where we can’t travel by RV, we travel by ship! We took our first cruise as a family in 2023 and were immediately hooked. It was a short 5-day sailing with Carnival Cruise Line on the Carnival Freedom out of Port Canaveral, visiting Nassau and Princess Cays.
Now, if you’re familiar with cruising, you know this wasn’t one of the big, flashy ships with tons of bells and whistles. But for us, it was the perfect place to get our feet wet. We experienced the beauty of Atlantis in Nassau (absolutely incredible!), and while the choppy water kept us from getting off at Princess Cays, the kids had a blast on the ship’s water slides all day long.
From the towel animals in the stateroom to the above-and-beyond service, we fell in love with the experience. For us, RV life often feels like a constant vacation—but cruising gave us the freedom to step away from daily responsibilities and soak in adventure in a whole new way.
2. Why Cruises Pair Well with RV Life
Cruising gives us a chance to relax, recharge, and explore places our RV can’t take us. We love the all-inclusive dining, Broadway-style entertainment, impeccable service, and the excitement of adding more stamps to our passports.
Since that first cruise in 2023, we’ve tried several different cruise lines (including an adults-only line that has become our absolute favorite). The kids still light up every time we step on board a new ship—their faces in awe of all the glitz and glamour. Cruising has become one of our favorite complements to RV life.
3. Booking a Cruise as a Full-Time RVer
My biggest tip: always use a travel agent.
It doesn’t cost you a dime—agents are paid directly by the cruise line, hotel, or resort—and more often than not, they have access to lower rates or perks like onboard credits. Before my husband became a travel agent, I always used one, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten better deals than I could find on my own.
👉 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577576996137
👉 https://www.instagram.com/discoverwithdoug/
If you can, book early. Planning a year or two in advance often gets you the best prices, with plenty of time to make payments little by little. That, combined with loyalty programs, frequent flyer miles, or cruise line rewards, makes cruising surprisingly affordable.
Of course, last-minute deals can be amazing too—you’ll just need to pay in full right away. Either way, a travel agent can help you maximize discounts and perks.
4. Prepping Your RV Before You Leave
Before setting sail, you’ll need to decide: will you leave your RV at a campground or put it into storage?
- Campground: Make sure there are no rules against leaving your rig unattended, and let the office know your plans.
- Storage: Depending on the season, you may need to winterize.
We often have a family member stay in our RV to watch our animals (and sometimes the kids, if we’re cruising without them). If that’s not an option, here’s what I recommend:
- Disconnect utilities and empty/flush all tanks.
- Turn off propane.
- Secure outdoor furniture, close awnings and skylights.
- Lock windows and doors.
- Remove perishable food and trash.
- Use a trailer lock to prevent theft. 👉 [Insert affiliate link here]
And don’t forget to pause or forward any mail deliveries.
5. Packing Tips for Cruisers Who Live Small
RV life already teaches us to live light, which makes cruise packing easier. A few tips:
- Use packing cubes/organizers 👉 https://amzn.to/4lJXvi8
- Bring travel-sized toiletries.
- Pack one formal outfit (plus shoes), a swimsuit, sandals/slip-ons, and destination-appropriate clothes (no tank tops if you’re cruising Alaska!).
- Don’t forget chargers, work gear, or Wi-Fi packages if you’re a digital nomad.
For souvenirs, we keep it minimal. The kids usually pick a shirt or something small, and we always grab a shot glass or two for our collection- inherited from my late father in law—now over 250 strong!
6. Don’t Forget the Pets!
With three animals, boarding isn’t an option for us. We usually have a family member or friend stay in our RV, which works best. If that’s not possible, we’ve had luck using Rover or Wag—both require background checks and offer trustworthy sitters.
Our dogs have their comfort items (a girlfriend toy for the little one, he cant sleep without her, a buffalo horn for the big one). At one point, our small dog Kiba needed prescriptions for separation anxiety, so definitely talk to your vet if that’s an issue for your pet.
If you’re not cruising but staying in hotels, ask your travel agent about pet-friendly options.
7. How Cruising Breaks Up the Routine
One of the best parts? Not having to plan meals, snacks, or clean up spills. From the second you step on the ship, everything is taken care of.
On our last family cruise, I barely saw my kids—they were off at the kids’ clubs and teen spaces from morning till night. At first, I missed them, but then I realized this was the point: they were having the time of their lives. And I still had my poolside margarita.
Each cruise is different—the ship, the ports, the excursions—so it never feels the same. And every time we disembark, we’re tanned, smiling, and filled with memories I know my kids will carry for life.
8. Final Tips & Encouragement
Stay flexible. Ports sometimes get canceled, plans change, but your mindset makes the trip. If you’re just getting started, take a short cruise first. And let your travel agent guide you—they know the ships, lines, and itineraries inside out.
Most importantly: have fun, and soak in the experience.
9. Call to Action
Have you ever been on a cruise? If not, what’s holding you back? If you have, what was your favorite ship, port, or experience?
For us:
- Adults-only favorite: Virgin Voyages (amazing food, entertainment, and no kids).
- Family favorite: Royal Caribbean (something for everyone, unbeatable entertainment).
Follow along on our social media—we’ll be sailing Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas this November, and we can’t wait to share it with you!
If you are planning a vacation in the future make sure you give our favorite travel agent, Doug, a shout out at 360 world travel! Your quotes are always free and your agent can almost always find you better deals or incentives! He can be reached at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577576996137
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