Behind the Blog: Why We Started Cruising Reitz — and What It Means to Us

Ready to set sail — our first cruise as a family of four!

Where It All Began

It started with a milestone birthday — and a toy cruise ship.

Our boys were obsessed with their Little People cruise ship and kept asking when we could sail on a “real one.” Around the same time, I was staring down my 40th and knew I didn’t want a party. I wanted something different. Something we’d remember.

A cruise felt right. Adam and I hadn’t been on one since before our kids were born, so we made it a family affair — parents, siblings, and extended family all aboard. My husband’s aunt and cousin said yes immediately, my sister and brother-in-law were excited to join in (it was his first cruise!), and my in-laws loved the idea of finally taking a trip for themselves. With my father-in-law’s birthday the day before mine and my own milestone to celebrate, it felt like the perfect “why not now?” moment.

That’s where Cruising Reitz was born—not just as a blog, but as a way to capture the memories we never want to forget.

Meet the Reitz Family

We’re the Reitz crew — Jennifer, Adam, and our two boys. This space is a family adventure project first and always. We write the way we talk — like friends chatting over coffee — because that’s how we hope you’ll feel here: welcome.

(Privacy note: we share our children’s ages and general experiences, but we limit identifying details. Thanks for understanding.)

How Cruising Captured Our Hearts

One island, two ships, and a family who found their favorite way to travel.

Some trips entertain you. Cruising connected us.

Onboard, everything slowed down just enough to savor the good stuff — sea-day giggles in the pool, “just one more” soft-serve, Broadway-style shows, and quiet balcony sunsets. In port, we explored together — like our beautiful day at Perfect Day at CocoCay — without the stress of juggling logistics every hour.

Cruising gave us:

• Ease: unpack once, see more.

• Variety: adventures for the kids, downtime for the grown-ups.

• Connection: real conversations over dinner, unhurried mornings, memories that stick.

  
  

After that first trip, we knew cruising wasn’t just a vacation — it felt like home for our family. In fact, we even booked our next cruise while still onboard.

The Birth of Cruising Reitz

Before we ever set sail, we combed the internet for realistic, kid-focused cruise content. We found creators we love — but not many sharing what it’s really like to cruise consistently with younger kids and extended family.

So, we started Cruising Reitz to fill that gap — a place for honest stories, practical tips, and the kind of “you’ve got this” encouragement we wished we had on day one.

The name is literal (we’re the Reitz family, and yes, we’re cruising), but it’s also deeply personal — a promise to keep showing up as ourselves, sharing both the magic and the mayhem that come with family travel.

Were we nervous? Absolutely. We’re not professional photographers or polished influencers. We’re just a family who loves the sea and wants to remember this season — and maybe help another family say, “Let’s go.”

What This Blog Means to Us

This isn’t just travel content — it’s our family scrapbook in motion.

Writing our stories helps us slow down, relive the moments, and notice the little things that make a trip special: a new food the kids try without a fuss, a joke that lasts all week, or a tradition that starts by accident (like the boys’ love for cruising ducks).

Sharing here is our way of saying that joy is worth making time for — even when life is busy, messy, and loud.

Our Vision (and What You Can Expect)

Here on Cruising Reitz, you’ll find:

• Real stories from real trips — the wins, the wobbles, and what we’d do differently.

• Practical tips for cruising with kids — packing, cabins, dining, and finding your sea-day rhythm.

• Family-friendly ideas for ports and onboard fun.

• Honest reflections on connection, slowing down, and making memories that last.

  
  

We’re not here to present picture-perfect vacations. We’re here to share what it’s like to travel with heart.

Welcome Aboard — Join the Journey

If you’re dreaming about your first family cruise, planning the next one, or just love a good ocean view, we’re so glad you’re here.

Thank you for reading our very first post — there’s so much more to come.

Say hello in the comments, tell us where you’d love to sail next, or share a tip that helped your crew. Your adventure starts here. 🌍🚢💙

“Travel isn’t just where you go — it’s who you become along the way.”