If you are planning a family reunion, one that provides an excellent value for the money and is easy to plan, why not consider a cruise? Family reunion cruises are a popular way for families to reconnect and enjoy an exciting vacation together.  Whether your family is planning to celebrate a special event like a milestone anniversary or just wants to get together for some fun, there is a cruise that will suit your needs.

The convenience of a cruise makes it an unbeatable choice for a family reunion. There is no cooking, cleaning, organizing or entertaining for you to do. All the work is taken care of by your travel agent and the cruise line, leaving you with nothing to do but enjoy your time with your family. Depending on where your cruise sails from, you might not even have to fly. No family is too big or too small for a reunion cruise; there are cruise lines that are suitable no matter what size your family is.

As you already know, cruising is an excellent value. The price includes accommodations, all meals and most entertainment. Coupled with the fact that your hotel travels with you to exciting destinations, you can see that the value of a cruise vacation far outweighs that of a land based one. In addition, when you book a group (eight or more cabins with at least two people in each), you receive discounted cruise fares and special amenities, adding even more value to your trip.  Ships offer a variety of stateroom types, accommodating both the needs and budget of every family member.

Sometimes planning a family reunion (especially with an extended family) can be difficult. With people of different ages and interests, it can be hard to plan activities that will appeal to everyone. A cruise solves this problem for you:  depending on which cruise line and itinerary you choose, activities might range from swimming, sunning, dining, rock climbing, ice skating, boxing, surfing, sightseeing, cooking classes, computer classes, spa treatments, sports bars, movie theaters, production shows, bingo, casinos and more. Most cruise lines have extensive children’s programming, and many of them offer organized special activities for family reunion groups.

With the busy lives we all lead, it is often difficult to make time to connect with family. The value and convenience of a cruise is the perfect solution!

Royal Caribbean International has introduced what it calls the industry's first loyalty program designed for cruisers below the age of 18. Launching on the Liberty of the Seas' maiden voyage on May 19, the Crown & Anchor Society Youth Program will offer membership benefits for younger guests every time they sail with the cruise line. Additionally, the launch of Liberty also will introduce new and exciting enhancements in Royal Caribbean's Adventure Ocean children and teen programming.

Teens and children will be able to enjoy tailored benefits through Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society Youth Program, as well as earn cruise credits with the cruise line. Children will automatically attain their parent's membership level -- whether Gold, Platinum, Diamond or Diamond Plus -- when enrolled in the program. Members will be welcomed at the beginning of each cruise with a Youth Ultimate Value Booklet, which includes coloring pages, puzzles, games, and special offers for onboard amenities, including Ben & Jerry's; Airbrush Tattoo; arcade games; and Y-spa, Royal Caribbean's teen spa menu.

During the cruise, members also will receive a commemorative gift of Crayola Twistable crayons or a Royal Caribbean messenger bag. Parents can enroll their children in the program by calling 800-526-9723 or visiting www.RoyalCaribbean.com/youth. In the new Adventure Theater by Camp Broadway, guests ages 3 to 17 can develop their performing arts skills and practice self-expression through Adventure Theater, an immersive program developed with Camp Broadway, New York City's renowned children's theater program. Camp Broadway taps professionals from the Broadway community. Teens and kids soon will be able to explore the magic of the theater on a Royal Caribbean ship. Each sailing will offer a series of three 45-minute Adventure Theater sessions tailored to each of the youth program's five age groups. Guests will learn performance fundamentals, music and dance techniques, and cultural elements from Royal Caribbean destinations through stories and folktales.

Cruisers of all ages can learn to spin their favorite tunes at Scratch DJ 101 classes, created by New York's famed Scratch DJ Academy. In addition, on Liberty of the Seas, teens will have their own two-hour session in Fuel -- the teens-only dance club -- where they will receive hands-on turntable instruction while trying out their DJ skills. Another program, Build and Grow with Lowe's, allows parents and 5- to 11-year-olds to build their own cruise ship. In the workshops, families construct and decorate a wooden cruise ship. Participants receive a cruise ship construction kit, which includes a Lowe's apron and safety goggles, and are awarded a certificate and a merit patch once the children deem the ship sea-worthy. The line's Fisher-Price program also features six new classes for 3- to 5-year-old Aquanauts. For example, the Chefs on Deck program helps Royal Caribbean toddlers learn the basic skills of communicating, sharing and problem-solving by taking on the various roles in a game of preparing a meal.