<p class="ingestion featured-caption">My family had fun going on excursions and hanging out on the cruise ship. Fionna M. D. Samuels</p><ul class="summary-list"><li>I went on an eight-night <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/alaska-cruise-most-interesting-things-photos-celebrity-milennium-2022-8">Celebrity cruise</a> with my mom, grandma, and other family members. </li><li>The ship had shows and activities for everyone, making it the perfect way to vacation together.</li></ul><p>Going on cruises has been a tradition for my grandma and her sisters for years. Now, she's making it one for our extended family.</p><p>This year, my grandma gifted us a <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-cruise-room-with-balcony-is-like-alaska-holland-america-2022-9">veranda room</a> on Celebrity's eight-night Eastern Caribbean sailing. We joined her and six other family members to visit five different islands.</p><p>My fare was about $2,100 and all-inclusive, covering things like gratuities, <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-avoid-free-time-dining-cruises-frequent-traveler-2024-7">onboard dining</a>, and a basic drink package. We also had a $350 onboard credit bonus, which helped cover the cost of our excursions.</p><p>The cruise was a perfect way to reconnect as a family while exploring unique places. Here's what it was like and why we can't wait to do it again. </p>