We just booked a cruise for March of 2025, it will be our 4th. We try to cruise every 3-4 years if financially viable. We did take time away from cruising for 8 years, feeling a child under 8 does not benefit from a cruise that much. We often (atleast in Belize and Roatan) try to visit both a local grocery store, local neighborhood, local school and even visited an orphanage on Roatan. A visit to a local zoo or recognized natural Park is also educational. I know my kids loved wandering Cozumels undeveloped side of the island as well, crashing waves, rock formations, little critters all new to them. As young teenagers now, they still learn stuff. Basically, we tend to make the trip educational for the kiddos and not just waterslides and beaches