Work-life balance: if there is such a thing, I have not been practising it of late and the cracks were starting to show. Juggling a full-time job with a long commute, a home renovation, and a toddler in tow, has meant not a lot of downtime for the past few years. So, with the renovation coming to an end, and another baby on the way, my husband and I agreed it was time for a break. And not the kind of “break” where you end up needing a holiday after the holiday, a proper put-your-feet-up-and-do-nothing kind of break… which isn’t easy when you’ve got a three-year-old to entertain.
So, when we were offered the chance to experience a four-day Carnival cruise to Moreton Island, the promise of poolside mocktails, not cooking for four days, endless entertainment for our son, and quality time together as a family had us onboard.
As a first-time cruiser, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But as soon as we stepped on board and found a daybed to relax on while our room was being prepared, our son’s excitement over the sheer size of the ship, the glorious sunshine and the breathtaking view of Sydney Harbour from the top deck quickly quashed any preconceived concerns we had about cruising.
Fantastic food
The food exceeded all expectations I had. With multiple buffets serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, fresh woodfired pizza, Guy’s Burger Joint slinging all-American burgers and fries for lunch, a deli, and three restaurants to choose from for dinner, fresh and delicious food was never far away.
A highlight of the trip was dinner at Fahrenheit 555, the fine dining restaurant onboard. The food and service were faultless, and my husband vows his steak was the best he’s ever had. Even the mac ‘n’ cheese was magnificent!
Endless entertainment
Carnival caters to kids of all ages when it comes to entertainment. There’s a waterslide for bigger kids (and adventurous adults), the Splash Zone for toddlers and younger children, putt-putt golf and ping pong, a games arcade, a lolly shop, plus special workshops and themed events. We were lucky enough to attend the Thing 1 and Thing 2 Birthday breakfast while on board – fantastic timing as The Cat in the Hat just so happened to be my son’s favourite book at the time.
Adults-only escape
While it was so nice to spend some quality time together as a family, it was also great to be able to take some time out for ourselves and enjoy the adults-only pool and, more importantly, the day spa. With a sauna, thermal suites, steam rooms, and an amazing hydrotherapy pool, Cloud 9 day spa offers five-star facilities and specialised treatments to rejuvenate and relax even the most sleep-deprived parents.
Everything in one place
The convenience and ease of having everything there in one place, just a short walk or elevator ride away, made our holiday even more relaxing. There was no planning involved, no itinerary required, and no extra money spent on activities or transportation. And best of all, everything we needed was onboard and included in the cost.
This article originally appeared on Home Beautiful and is republished here with permission.
