By Marissa Willman
If you’re starting to plan your family’s vacations for 2025, it’s time to consider a cruise. After sailing out of Los Angeles last month on a 4-night itinerary with Royal Caribbean to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico, I’m convinced this is the easiest vacation for Coachella Valley families to plan. With short itineraries just a few hours away, a cruise takes the effort out of travel planning so you can spend more time actually enjoying your vacation. Here’s what you need to know to start planning your easiest getaway yet.
Getting There
Navigator of the Seas sails from San Pedro (not to be confused with the neighboring port in Long Beach). Long-term parking is available at the port for $22 per day, and parking at the port is worth it for the convenience. You’ll be just steps from the ship not only when you board, but more importantly, when you return home.
Driving to LA can be anywhere from a two- to four-hour affair, depending on the day of the week and time of day. Boarding begins around 11am and ends mid-afternoon, so it’s a doable same-day drive for those looking to skip booking a hotel the night before. We scheduled our boarding for 1 PM and were right on time leaving Palm Desert just before 10 AM (with an unexpected Target run in LA, to boot). The cruise boarding schedule works well for families who may or may not be able to get the little ones out the door on time, adding to the ease of this vacation.
The Ship
Navigator of the Seas is one of the older Voyager-class ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet, but recent updates in 2019 make this a fun, comfortable, and manageable sailing for families.
Stateroom types range from the standard interior to a one-bedroom suite, depending on your needs. Many cabins offer flexibility in sleeping arrangements, including bunk beds and pull-out couches for the kids. Depending on your family’s needs, you could also opt for connecting staterooms or even an across-the-hall arrangement with an interior cabin for the kids and a balcony cabin for the parents.
Royal Caribbean also provides pack-and-plays for the youngest cruisers, so you won’t need to lug yours onboard unless you really want to. While I did bring one, our stateroom attendant ended up setting up a pack-and-play in our cabin that worked well, and the one I brought onboard ended up stashed under the bed for the duration of the cruise.
The Onboard Experience
The nicest thing about a cruise (coming from someone who refused to cruise until recently) is that you only travel once, and then the rest of your vacation is right outside your cabin. When traveling with toddlers or kids, this can ease so much stress for kids and parents alike. Once you make it to San Pedro and board the ship, you can settle in without worrying about additional transfers or travel during your trip. As I was traveling with a teething 13-month-old, having everything just steps from our room–and vice versa, having our room just steps from anywhere we were–was beyond convenient.
Once the teething pain was under control, we were able to really explore the ship and all it has to offer. Families love Royal Caribbean for its Adventure Ocean kids club, which features a nursery for babies as young as six-months-old. While the nursery requires reservations and a small fee, children 3 and older will be able to utilize Adventure Ocean for free. The ship also features a teen program and arcade for older kids.
Beyond Adventure Ocean, there’s plenty for the entire family to enjoy. The pools are a hit with kids of all ages, especially thanks to the nearby soft serve station. Adventurous families can zip down The Blaster and Riptide waterslides, while toddlers can enjoy the ship’s new Splash Pad. The ship also features mini golf, pickleball courts, and a Flowrider surf simulator. Entertainment abounds throughout the day with pool parties and performances, and after dark, the family can curl up on poolside lounge chairs for movie nights. Other entertainment options include an ice skating show, family-friendly game shows and trivia contests, plus an array of original productions.
Even parents of the pickiest eaters will find something for the family to enjoy, with Windjammer offering buffet-style options ranging from American comfort classics to international delights. For those traveling with babies and toddlers, the buffet was wonderful for introducing new foods and textures to my daughter (without having to cook, win win!). Families can also enjoy the sit-down service of the Main Dining Room, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Both of these options are included in your cruise fare. The ship also features several dining options for an additional fee, including American steakhouse Chops Grille, Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver, and Izumi, which serves fresh sushi.
The Ports
Navigator of the Seas runs a short route down to Ensenada, Mexico. While there are additional cruise itineraries throughout the year, this ship generally offers a three-night cruise to Ensenada that leaves on Fridays and returns on Monday. The ship also does a four-night cruise that leaves on Mondays and returns on Fridays with an added stop at Catalina Island.
Ensenada is about four hours south of Palm Springs, and typically, the weather is similar in both deserts. This makes it easy to pack for the cruise–no extra wardrobe needed. Ensenada offers quite a bit for first-timers to explore, though repeat cruisers or frequent visitors to Mexico may prefer taking advantage of an emptier day on the ship. If you decide to explore, a short shuttle ride ($4 round-trip) takes you to the city center. While you could walk this, it’s worth the small fee for the convenience. Once in town, you’ll find a walkable Main Street with shops and restaurants for souvenirs and the town’s famous fish tacos. Margarita, Anthony Bourdain
If you haven’t been to Catalina Island, a day trip during this cruise is the perfect introduction. Catalina is only included in the four-night itinerary, and it’s a nice addition to this short getaway. The little ones can stretch their legs back on land, with a playground right in the marina and a pedestrians-only boardwalk along the center of town. Plenty of shops sell various souvenirs along the boardwalk, and the family will have ample options if you choose to eat in town. If you’re feeling more ambitious, rent a golf cart to take a scenic ride around the island with plenty of photo ops along the way.
Final Thoughts
For families in the Coachella Valley, a cruise on Navigator of the Seas offers an easy and affordable getaway without the hassle of air travel–just take a two-hour drive and the ship will do the rest. With minimal planning, you’ll find yourself enjoying great food, entertainment, and a change of scenery—what more could busy parents ask for? Take the effort out of your next family vacation and give this short cruise a try.
