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5 Myths About Family Cruises — Debunked

By U.S. News & World Report

Many families love cruising thanks to excellent vacation values that include accommodations, meals and activities bundled into one fixed rate, versatile onboard activities and the chance to explore diverse destinations. Yet, there are still families who shy from cruising for a variety of reasons — from slow Wi-Fi connections and limited dining options to cramped stateroom categories that can’t accommodate larger groups. However, with today’s cruise lines catering to diverse tastes, ages and price points, now is a smart time to reconsider how you think about cruising, and find a ship and itinerary that caters to you and your travel companions. Here are five myths about setting sail as a family — some of which may have been true in the past, but are no longer the norm.

[See: The Best Cruise Lines of 2016.]

Myth: Cruises aren’t ideal for large families.

It used to be that staterooms on cruise ships were designed for two to four guests. Fortunately, as larger families have continued to set sail, family cruises have become a top choice for multigenerational vacations and major cruise lines have taken notice, adding family suites and lounges. On Royal Caribbean International‘s Quantum-class ships, for example, Royal Family Suites can sleep up to eight people in two bedrooms. Or, consider setting sail with Carnival Cruise Lines. Designed with families in mind, Family Harbor staterooms on the new Carnival Vista offer kid-friendly features, such as access to a family concierge and child-size bathrobes. Plus, Carnival’s family-friendly ships offer enticing onboard amenities, such as complimentary late-night babysitting service and soft-serve ice cream in the family lounge.

Myth: Wi-Fi speeds are abysmal on cruise ships.

While cruise ships do rely on satellite signals for high-speed Internet, slow Wi-Fi is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Royal Caribbean offers Voom, high-speed Internet access, which the company touts as the “fastest Internet at sea” on all of their ships. Starting at $9.99 per day for one device (with a pre-cruise discount promotion), the line offers various packages to meet the photo-sharing and Web-surfing needs of passengers. While nearly all ships charge for onboard Wi-Fi, if you just want to be able to text family members while on the ship, Princess Cruises offers a free Princess@Sea Messenger mobile-friendly service, so you can stay in touch with family members, whether they’re inside the spa or at the kids club. Many lines also offer free mobile apps with access to daily onboard activities.

[See: 10 Amazing Cruise Ship Amenities.]

Myth: The food is subpar on cruise ships.

Gone are the days of wilted lettuce and picked-over vegetables in the buffet line. These days, every major cruise line offers alternative dining experiences aboard its ships, including steakhouses. On Norwegian Cruise Line’s newer ships, such as Getaway and Epic, guests can choose from Japanese cuisine, French fare and even an upscale Brazilian steakhouse.

Carnival also has a fine dining option, The Chef’s Table, which includes a private dinner and Champagne reception, as well as a galley tour. Many cruise lines have also partnered with celebrity chefs and now offer an array of gluten-free and vegetarian options, as well as dishes for those with special dietary needs.

Myth: Cruise vacations are too expensive.

Cruise lines offer huge benefits to those traveling as part of a large group. On Norwegian, two passengers can cruise for free when 14 passengers and seven cabins are booked. That translates to significant savings and may be ideal for those planning a family reunion or a multigenerational vacation. Oftentimes, families can score onboard credits for large group bookings, too.

A number of lines also offer “kids cruise free” promotions. On MSC Cruises, kids 12 and under can sail for free when they share a cabin with their parents. You’ll also want to look for reduced rates and offers that allow third and fourth passengers to cruise for free or at a 50 percent discount, which a number of mainstream cruise lines offer frequently.

[See: 10 Affordable Last-Minute Cruise Vacations.]

Myth: Picky kids won’t find much to eat on a cruise ship.

While every child has a different palate, with the diverse array of meal options available on cruise ships these days, even the pickiest of eaters will find a tasty meal. And kid-friendly buffets are becoming more then norm. Norwegian, for example, has a small buffet of kid-friendly favorites, like chicken nuggets. Some lines even offer character breakfasts. Of course, Disney Cruise Line features character breakfasts with meet-and-greets, but other lines, like Royal Caribbean, do as well. Royal Caribbean’s DreamWorks Character Breakfast (on select ships, including Anthem of the Seats, Quantum of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and more) allows children to meet Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and more beloved characters. To ensure availability and the best rates, book your trip well in advance.

More from U.S. News

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5 Myths About Family Cruises — Debunked originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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