IN two weeks I’ve screamed my way round a trio of Florida theme parks, sailed on the world’s biggest cruise ship and explored three idyllic islands in the Caribbean.
Oh, and I have even held an alligator. A jam-packed adventure?Absolutely. Exhausting? Not in the slightest.
That’s the beauty of Thrill & Chill, a bespoke holiday package curated by the specialist cruise experts at cruise.co.uk.
They have somehow done the impossible by creating a seamless, tailor-made holiday experience that’s not only great value for money but also ticks boxes for the entire family.
Our package began with a three-day pass for in , which gave us ample time to enjoy thrilling rides and attractions themed around favourite films such as E.T., Despicable Me and Transformers.
For those with younger children, or families seeking a more relaxed start to their adventure, an alternative option is available.
It lets you swap for the , giving you access to age-appropriate rides and character meet-and-greets guaranteed to delight little explorers.
My family of four are massive Potterheads, so Universal Studios was a must, as it is home to The Wizarding World Of .
We ventured to Gringotts Bank in Diagon Alley and even hopped on board the Hogwarts Express, which took us to Hogsmeade at the Island of Adventure.
This steam train, which features in the , is a great way to connect between the various areas of the park and it’s well worth queuing twice for, as you can head in two directions.
Pearl staircase
Once we had stocked up on wands at Ollivanders and braved other mega-coasters such as The Incredible Hulk, Spider-Man and , we celebrated our survival with a decadent milkshake topped with a gigantic slice of cake at CityWalk’s answer to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory — The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium.
We also had access to Volcano Bay, Universal’s epic water park.
It was conveniently located within walking distance from our retro 1950s-themed Cabana Bay Hotel, so it was very easy to split time between there and the .
We’d already had enough fun to last us all year, but our journey didn’t end there.
Following the Orlando theme park adventure, we were met by tour leaders Kata and Saskia, who accompanied us throughout our trip, ensuring a seamless transfer as we headed towards the Port of .
Waiting on the water for us to board was Royal Caribbean’s Icon Of The Seas, the biggest cruise ship in the world.
Being first-time cruisers, we didn’t know what to expect, but with a title like that, knew it was going to be spectacular.
The check-in and boarding process was impressively efficient, and within 20 minutes of stepping off the coach we had cleared check-in and were setting foot on the ship.
And wow, what an entrance! We were immediately captivated by the grand pearl staircase that greeted us at the heart of the ship.
As we roamed each deck — there are 20 in total — I was astonished by how much there was for multi-generational groups to enjoy.
We were able to keep the whole family enthralled for the entire week with a mix of adventure and relaxation.
Our days were filled with exhilarating activities, from ice skating and to rock climbing and surfing, where staff were on hand to provide instruction and encouragement for us first-timers.
I was tempted to try the group water slides at Thrill Island, the adrenalin-pumping area of the ship designed for thrill-seekers.
But with my children being too small to ride, I successfully managed to use them as an excuse to dodge the more daring individual flumes, which involved either throwing myself down a near-vertical drop or a face-first plunge.
My kids, Anna, ten, and seven-year-old Adam, had a blast at Surfside, a fantastic neighbourhood featuring a pool, splash zone, slides, arcade and carousel, complete with a giant flamingo overlooking all the fun.
When done with the thrills, families can take part in quizzes, hunt for hidden rubber ducks — an enjoyable tradition organised by staff and guests — or simply watch the world go by in Central Park, an on-board open-air neighbourhood with cafes woven between lush plants and trees.
Art lovers will be mesmerised by the collection of large-scale installations on board. But my favourite area was The Overlook, featuring cosy pods and elevated nooks, making it the perfect spot to read or take in the breathtaking ocean views.
Evenings were just as varied and spectacular. We were blown away by West End-style productions, including The Wizard Of Oz and ice-skating performances at Absolute Zero, Royal Caribbean’s largest ice arena.
Our top pick for night-time entertainment was The Aquadome, where Cirque du Soleil-style acrobatics left us in awe.
But if you are big on dancing, there is a silent disco, live music in the Music Hall or Duelling Pianos, where highly energetic pianists go head to head playing audience requests.
When it comes to fuelling those party feet, dining options on board are just as varied.
The Windjammer buffet provided endless choices for the kids, while the main dining room offered a more refined experience.
Despite the challenges of young children as dinner guests, the staff went above and beyond, making everyone feel welcome, and amazed us with their table-side magic tricks.
We could have spent weeks at sea without getting bored, but sailing around the meant we had an island stop almost every day.
Swimming piggies
St Kitts and St Thomas are suited to laid-back beach days, soaking up the sun and sampling local cocktails, while CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas, is full of adventure — as if we didn’t have enough of that on board.
Greeted by dancers and live music, it felt like the entertainment was an extension of the ship.
We had the chance to zip-line across the island, enjoy a hot air balloon ride above crystal waters and even take a dip with the .
We were devastated to leave , but the cherry on top of our extravagant cake of a holiday was yet to come.
Our trip was rounded off with a couple of days in Miami, where the sun continued to shine. Although our hotel room wasn’t ready until the afternoon, our well-planned itinerary left no time to waste.
First stop was therapy at Sawgrass Mills mall.
Trying on clothes after a week of all-inclusive dining was an experience, but nonetheless a great opportunity to grab a few bargains.
Next, we embarked on an exhilarating tour of the Everglades, spotting alligators, vultures and lizards in their natural habitat.
We even got to hold a baby alligator being rehabilitated . . . the perfect opportunity for a family snap. Pun intended!
Our epic two-week trip ended with a visit to the farmers’ market on Lincoln Road, admiring Art Deco buildings on Ocean Drive and strolling by the .
After all this adventure, we still felt like we’d had some well-earned R&R.
And with a price tag as low as this, for a mega-cruise, theme park getaway and a visit to one of Florida’s more lively cities, you cannot go wrong.
