It should come as no surprise that Alexa and Carlos PenaVega take cruising very, very seriously. After all, the couple named their son, Ocean.
At the moment, the pair are counting down the days until their next voyage on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas. Filled with 22 restaurants, an ice skating rink, two climbing walls and 24 pools, it is the largest cruise ship to ever set sail.
The Spy Kids actress and Big Time Rush singer, 29, are setting aside time for a couples massage. “We usually do a deep tissue or something intense,” Alexa, 30, told Us Weekly. While mom and dad are getting pampered, they plan to take advantage of Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean youth club. (All activities are supervised by staff that have earned a four-year degree in education or a related field.)
When Ocean isn’t riding the carousel, he’s splashing around at the aquatic playground. “He can’t get enough of the drench bucket,” Alexa raved to Us. The little boy also digs the vessel’s chicken tenders and French fries!
![Alexa Penavega, Carlos Penavega and their son, Ocean](/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/alexa-carlos-penavega-1.jpg?w=1000&quality=40&strip=all)
Though Alexa indulges at the elaborate buffets, she actually sheds pounds on cruises. “I lose weight. My little secret: use the stairs,” she told Us. “Those steps add up.”
The former child star also offered her suggestions for maximizing a family vacation. Tip No. 1: Do not overpack. “You live in your bathing suit,” Alexa explained. “We also do a pajama day where our whole group runs around in our pajamas. It’s so fun.” And take advantage of all the ship has to offer. “If you have already been to a port, stay on the ship and really get to see how amazing it is,” she noted. For little ones, she recommends throwing diapers, wet wipes and toys in a large utility tote.
![Symphony of the Seas](/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Symphony-of-the-Seas.jpg?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all)
The Dancing With the Stars alums tied the knot in January 2014, after he popped the question on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas one year earlier.
“We both have the same foundation so we are reaching for the same goals in our family,” Alexa told Us of the key to their healthy marriage. “Communication is so key. It’s hard to communicate sometimes. So it’s easier said then done, but the more you work at it and spend ‘intentional’ time together, not just ‘living together’ your marriage will prosper.”
But it doesn’t hurt that the Love at Sea actor is a good gift giver. For Alexa’s 30th birthday in August, he surprised her with a Tesla Model X. As Alexa raved to Us: “30 game strong!”
Alexa and Carlos were named godparents to the Symphony of the Seas in May 2018.