A family vacation does not necessarily mean planes and long hours of sitting around with nothing to do. A fun and alternative way to enjoy a trip with your kids is on board a cruise ship. More and more families are taking this route, drawn by creative kids' programs, shore outings and numerous activities for the whole family.

Here are 5 reasons why you should choose the cruise ship route.

1. One of the pluses of a cruise is that so much is included. For just one price many aspects of the travel are already covered including but not limited to the transportation, accommodation, meals, numerous on board kids' activities, live entertainment and more. There are also some cruise lines that offer promotions where kids cruise for free or giving half the price off for children especially when they turn out to be the third of fourth person in a cabin accommodation.

2. With such a wide range of activities and entertainment, there is always something to do for every member of the family. During the day, children can participate in various supervised group activities while the parents can roam around the ship and enjoy a drink or two. All the members of the family will enjoy a dip in the pool during the afternoon and enjoy lazing around the pool deck. The parents can enjoy a much needed alone time together for dinner and drinks while leaving their child behind to an on-board child care specialist. Surely, there are lots of things to do without the hassle of waiting for a taxi ride.

3. One of the main concerns of the parents during a family trip is the child's safety. Cruise ships provide a safe place for the children to do various activities with the parents having peace of mind. There are cruise lines that offer two-way beepers or walkie-talkies during the duration of the cruise for the parents to easily keep track of their young ones.

4. Experienced crew members and program counselors are a plus which can be easily tapped by the parents. Cruise lines employ various youth coordinators, experts in child development, and child recreation professionals to help your child have a very satisfying experience. Encouraging kids to join these on-board youth programs fosters self-growth and brings about new friendships.

5. There are lots of cruise lines sailing 365 days a year and this flexibility will allow you to plan for your trip months in advance. Parents can work around their schedules during the school vacation to allow the family to enjoy a rather enjoyable time sailing together. Aside from its convenience, it is also an economical and stress-free way for the family to discover the high seas. As school vacations will also be the time that other families flock to the cruise lines, map out your schedules and look early for a line that fits your children's schedule and your family's needs. No matter when your vacation time falls, there is always a cruise ship waiting for you to take the family to a great and a one-of-a-kind adventure in the high seas.