Set Sail With Us: Our Annual Homeschool Group Cruise Is Almost Here!🌴
Last Updated: September 9, 2026
We cannot wait to welcome familiar faces—and meet plenty of new ones—on our next big annual Homeschool Group Cruise this November!
There is something incredibly special about watching homeschool families travel, learn, explore, and make lifelong memories together. Whether you have cruised with us before or this will be your family’s very first cruise, we are so excited to share this adventure with you.
Just Now Hearing About our Group Cruise?
There may still be time to join us! Click the link below to view additional details or request a personalized quote:
Because we are getting closer to sailing, the same discounts offered during our original booking period may no longer be available. However, our travel professional will help you find the best available rate for your family when you request your quote.
At the time of this post (9/09), Royal Caribbean is advertising 60% off the second and/or third guest on qualifying bookings. To give you an idea of what to expect, a recent quote for two adults and two children was approximately $1,150.28 total.
Pricing can change at any time and varies based on cabin category, guest ages, availability, taxes, fees, gratuities, and selected add-ons. Please use this only as a general example—not a guaranteed rate. Your cruise fare generally includes your stateroom, standard onboard dining, and many of the ship’s activities and entertainment. Your individual quote will show exactly what is and is not included. Because we are close to sailing, full payment may be required when you book. If eligible, you may also be able to use Affirm to divide the cost into payments. I personally use Affirm for my own cruises and love having the flexibility to make affordable payments while still being able to cruise and enjoy the experience.
Already Booked? Please Confirm Your Information
If your family is already booked, please make sure you have sent our group the following information:
The first and last name of each participating guest
Your cabin or stateroom number
This helps us confirm exactly who is joining us and prepare the correct number of group materials. There is also a $5-per-person group activity fee, which helps cover the cost of lanyards and other materials and supplies we provide for use throughout the cruise.
If you have not paid this fee yet, please use the button below. It's the same form we use to provide quotes.
Download the Royal Caribbean App
If you are booked and ready to begin preparing for the best experience and adventure ever, download the Royal Caribbean app and link your reservation as soon as possible. This will help ensure that your booking is connected properly and allow you to review available dining, entertainment, excursions, and other cruise options as they become available. Some experiences require advance reservations and can fill quickly, so do not wait until the last minute to explore your options!
--> Internet Access Is Required for Group Communications ***
To ensure that your family receives important group announcements, meetup information, itinerary updates, and last-minute changes during the cruise, at least one person in each traveling party must purchase a VOOM Surf + Stream internet package.
You do not need to purchase an internet package for every person in your cabin unless your family wants multiple devices connected simultaneously. Royal Caribbean’s app may allow guests to communicate with other linked travelers without purchasing internet access; however, those app features may not give you access to our group’s outside communication channels. Because our group updates will be shared online via private WhatsApp group cruise chat, at least one person in your party must have reliable internet access throughout the cruise. Please make sure that person regularly checks our designated group communication channel. If your party chooses not to purchase an internet package, we cannot guarantee that you will receive time-sensitive announcements or be notified of changes, and we cannot be responsible for missed meetups or activities.
Internet-package pricing varies based on the sailing, number of devices, and available promotions. When I purchased one personally in May, the cost was $94.95 for a one-device package. Check the Royal Caribbean app regularly because promotional pricing may change as the cruise approaches.
On previous cruises, we were able to use a one-device package and transfer the connection when another family member needed it by disconnecting or pausing service on one device and signing in on another. However, Royal Caribbean’s policies and technology are subject to change, so we cannot guarantee that the same process will be available during this sailing. The best option is to purchase at least one VOOM Surf + Stream package for one person in your party and designate that person to monitor group communications throughout the cruise. This will help everyone stay informed and avoid missing any of the fun!
OPTIONAL Group Experience Add-Ons
The experiences listed below are completely optional and cost extra—but they're not required. We will still have plenty of complimentary group activities and onboard fun, so your family can have an amazing cruise even if you decide not to participate in any of these paid add-ons. Availability, pricing, schedules, transportation, and participation requirements are controlled by the cruise line and excursion operators and are subject to change.
(Optional One):
Xcaret Park During Our Cozumel Visit
This is our main featured experience and the inspiration behind this year’s annual cruise. If your family chooses only one optional add-on, Xcaret Park is the one we highly recommend considering! Xcaret is a nature, culture, and adventure park that brings together Mexico’s landscapes, wildlife, traditions, history, and art. [Click Here to learn more about Xcaret Park.] Our plan during this adventure is to:
Explore a traditional Mexican artisan village
Float or swim through underground rivers
Enjoy water slides and other aquatic areas
Walk through a stunning massive aviary & butterfly pavilion
Visit an aquarium with hundreds of tropical fish
Travel through tropical scenery on a scenic raft
Visit the symbolic Mexican Cemetery and learn how Mexican culture honors life and death
Explore chapels, exhibits, wildlife areas, and cultural spaces
Learn more about the Mayan Culture
Possibly attend the spectacular evening show and enjoy dinner
The evening show is not guaranteed. Cruise arrival and departure times, excursion transportation, park schedules, and itinerary changes will determine whether our group can remain for the show. Xcaret also offers optional experiences that may include snorkeling, stingray or dolphin encounters, Sea Trek experiences that allow participants to walk along the ocean floor using specialized equipment, and other adventures. These activities may cost extra and may have separate age, height, health, mobility, or swimming requirements. [Click Here to view one of our Sea Trek walks.] This has the potential to be a true once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we are incredibly excited to explore it together!
(Optional Two):
Bacalar Lagoon Escape: Sailing the Seven Colors
During our Puerto Costa Maya visit, families may also choose to join us for an escape to Bacalar Lagoon, often called the Lagoon of Seven Colors because of its beautiful shades of blue and turquoise. Depending on the final excursion offering, guests may enjoy a relaxing sailing experience, incredible lagoon views, and time surrounded by one of the region’s most striking natural landscapes. Our family and group leaders have traveled to Mexico many times over the past eight years, but this will be our first time experiencing Bacalar—which makes it even more exciting for us too! As with every off-ship excursion, please review the travel time, activity level, accessibility information, age requirements, inclusions, and return-to-ship policy before booking. [Click Here to learn more about this expereince.]
(Optional Three & Four):
Sea-Day Culinary Fun
During our day at sea, our group plans to participate in two fun culinary activities:
A Sprinkle Time cupcake-decorating class
A candy-sushi-making class
Both classes are optional and are expected to last approximately one to two hours. If you decide not to participate—or prefer to join us afterward—you will still have plenty of opportunities to meet up with the group for other complimentary activities throughout the day. Exact meeting instructions and confirmed times will be shared privately with registered participants closer to sailing.
What Else Can Families Expect?
Our complete daily group itinerary is not finalized and will remain subject to change. We typically do not release the detailed itinerary until approximately two days before sailing, once the ship’s schedule and activity availability are clearer.
Based on activities we have enjoyed during previous cruises, families may be able to look forward to friendly competition and shared fun through experiences such as:
Remote-control car races
Rock climbing
Basketball
Pickleball
Water volleyball
Miniature golf
Movies under the stars
Family trivia and game shows
Live music, stage shows, and other entertainment
Not every listed activity is guaranteed, and some offerings may have age, height, capacity, or reservation requirements. The final selection will depend on what is available aboard our ship.
Space for Kids, Teens, and Adults
Royal Caribbean offers complimentary supervised youth programming during designated hours, organized by age group. Availability, registration requirements, capacity, and any late-night fees can vary, so families should review the specific program details in the app and once onboard.
Honestly, we rarely have to beg our kids to attend—the kids’ club is usually the first place they want to go so they can meet up and have fun with their friends!
Teen spaces may also be available for older youth. When appropriate, participating families often coordinate a buddy system and may choose to provide their teenagers with location trackers so they can explore the available teen spaces and have fun too. Parents and guardians remain responsible for deciding what level of independence is appropriate for their own children and for following all cruise-line rules. Adults and older teens can also find quieter lounges and age-restricted spaces around the ship when they need time to relax and recharge. Access rules vary by venue, so please check the posted age requirements before entering.
Using Affirm to Make the Trip More Affordable
Affirm is a third-party financing service that may allow approved users to divide purchases into scheduled payments instead of paying the entire amount from their own funds at once. Depending on your approval, merchant acceptance, purchase amount, and the terms offered to you, Affirm may be an option for paying for your cruise and certain optional excursions or activities. Available plans, interest rates, down payments, and payment schedules vary. Some plans may include interest, so always review the full repayment terms and total cost before accepting an offer. (No extra hidden fees or penalties if paid off early to avoid interest too!)
If you would like to try using Affirm and need help understanding the purchase process, please reach out to us directly. It involves a few different steps, but once we show you how to do it, the process is usually super easy!
Families may also be able to use Affirm for eligible future field trips and adventures.
We are currently creating a step-by-step guide because this has become such a popular affordability tool for our families. Please remember that approval is determined by Affirm, and neither our group nor the cruise line can guarantee eligibility or specific terms.
The Minimalist Cruise Packing List
We have learned that most people bring about twice as much as they actually use—then spend the week trying to find everything inside an overstuffed suitcase. If you would rather keep it simple, start with this minimalist packing list:
Passport OR Birth Certificate & ID
Cruise documents
Prescription medications in their original containers
5 Comfortable daytime outfits—or fewer if you plan to rewear items
2 Dinner outfits if you are feeling fancy (we always go casual)
3 Swimsuits and/or cover-up
1 Pair of comfortable walking shoes
1 Pair of sandals (shoes to get wet)
1 Light sweater or jacket for cool indoor spaces
Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat
Small day bag for port visits
1 Refillable water bottle
Phone, charger, and charging accessories
1 Waterproof pouch for your phone
Essential toiletries
Any required mobility, medical, or sensory-support items
Before packing, review Royal Caribbean’s current prohibited-items policy and travel-document requirements. And be sure to leave a little extra room in your suitcase—you may want it for souvenirs!
My Time Dining
Please make sure everyone in your party is enrolled in My Time Dining. This option allows us to choose when we would like to eat each evening, giving us the flexibility to coordinate our reservations and dine together as a group.
If you’re unsure which dining option is assigned to your reservation, please check the Royal Caribbean app or contact Royal Caribbean directly. If you booked through a travel agent, contact your agent and ask them to confirm that your party is enrolled in My Time Dining.
Dining with the group is completely optional! If your family would prefer some private bonding time—or you simply need a little time to yourselves—feel free to schedule dinner separately. You can always meet back up with the group after everyone has eaten.
We Cannot Wait to Cruise With You All Again!
Below is a photo from our last group cruise, and seeing it makes us even more excited to welcome everyone aboard again—both the families who have traveled with us before and those joining us for the very first time.
If you have questions, need help requesting a quote, want assistance with Affirm, or need to confirm your family’s booking information, please contact us by email or WhatsApp.
The countdown is officially on! We cannot wait to make more memories, explore new places, and enjoy another unforgettable homeschool adventure together!
— Central Florida Homeschool Group (CFLHSG) <3
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