Some families are choosing to forgo internet and cell service on vacation to encourage more quality time.
Without electronic devices, children and adults may be more present and engaged in their surroundings and activities.
Jessica Perez has two kids who are constantly on the internet. But she didn’t think about the fact that she would lose cell and internet service on her cruise until she boarded the ship in Miami.
She and her family embarked on Royal Caribbean International’s Wonder of the Seas in early October. Her 17-year-old daughter is “very into school” and always working on something academic, while her son is “your average 11-year-old gamer who needs to have connection to Wi-Fi at all times,” Perez told USA TODAY.
The 37-year-old onboarding coordinator and her husband considered buying the Wi-Fi package, but decided against it. “I was like, ‘You know what? No, this will be good for the kids to just have a meal and not have anything in front of them, or have a conversation with us and enjoy the things that are available on the cruise.’”
Over the course of their three-day trip to the Bahamas and back, Perez said, the Massachusetts family immersed themselves in activities, from a silent disco to the balloon drop in the ship’s Royal Promenade. “It was nice to see that the kids were really enjoying the moment,
Can we still take a vacation without Wi-Fi? These families did.
