When you think of cruising with kids, most families look to cruise lines like Princess, Disney, or Royal Caribbean, which offer huge ships with roller coasters, waterslides, nightly shows, and massive 24-hour buffets. While these ships certainly have lots to offer families, there’s something magical about the relaxed atmosphere and personal attention provided by small-ship cruises.

I recently took my 16-year-old daughter on Windstar’s Naturally Costa Rica, a seven-day sailing that promised lots of wildlife spotting, sunny beach days, and delicious food. This cruise appealed to me as my daughter is a huge nature girl, and I loved the idea that the ship could take us to smaller ports that are not typically frequented by cruise ships.

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