10 Things to Remember When Cruising with Kids
So you're planning a family cruise - fantastic! A cruise is one of the best ways to make long-lasting family memories that you will treasure forever. But that picture-perfect vacation doesn’t happen without some research and planning. There is a lot to consider when cruising with kids.
More than ever, cruise ships offer so much to do for all types of family travelers. Cruises offer a great opportunity to break out of the original routine at home and try new things. It’s also a great way to explore the world in the comfort and ease of only having to unpack once.
Before you cruise as a family, there are many things to plan and keep in mind as you search for cruises and prepare for your vacation. Cruising with kids can be slightly different, especially your first time. There are many things to make sure you have before you sail and things to keep in mind when planning your vacation.
To help plan the perfect family cruise, the following are ten things to remember when cruising with kids.
1. Find the Right Cruise Line
Certain cruise lines cater to families traveling with children. We recommend that you research ahead of time to find the best cruise line to suit your family’s preferences.
In general, you will find that some of the top lines for families are Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Carnival. These lines offer dedicated babies, kids, and teens programs. They also have family-friendly onboard activities for travelers of all ages, kid-friendly foods, and family-focused entertainment. Cruise lines with activities and amenities catering to children and kids of all ages can make your cruise experience even more enjoyable. Happy Kids = Happy Parents!
Read More: 5 Best Cruise Lines for Kids
2. Choose a Cabin That Works for Your Family
When selecting your cruise stateroom, remember your family’s needs when looking at room layouts. Most cruise ships have a variety of accommodation types, including cabins designed for families with children. Some staterooms offer fold-away beds, bunk beds, separate bedrooms, and even connecting room options.
Pro-tip: If your child naps, we recommend looking at a balcony cabin, as you will have a little extra space to spread out and an area to enjoy the scenery of the ship while your little one naps!
Read More: How to Book a Family Cruise
3. Research the Kid’s Programs
Research the ship’s children’s programming offerings as you plan your cruise. Depending on the cruise line (and sometimes the ship), programs' variety and age requirements can vary. For example, not all lines offer activities or dedicated areas for babies or toddlers under 3 years of age. While they may offer private childcare (aka babysitting), that is usually an extra charge and only on a request basis. Remember that not all ships are fully staffed post-pandemic, and availability may be limited. We recommend researching these things ahead of time in case advance reservations are needed and managing expectations as to what will be available for your family.
The variety of kids’ programming will differ by the cruise line. On more mainstream kid-friendly lines, you will find that ships have a number of dedicated spaces just for kids and offer over-the-top activities for youngsters. Smaller, more adult-focused cruise lines will not have the same range of activities and dedicated space but may offer an engaging, fun childcare staff ready to make the most of your child’s onboard experience.
Read More: Is Their Babysitting on My Cruise?
4. Establish Rules with Older Children
If you have older children who feel comfortable exploring the ship on their own, it’s important to set rules and boundaries with them beforehand. Let them know what spaces they are allowed to explore, what they can and cannot do, if/how much onboard spending they are allowed, and when to meet back up with the family. It’s also a good idea to brief older kids/teens of any specific ship rules, such as not being in the hot tubs without an adult or in the casino.
Most cruise lines offer complimentary in-app messaging while onboard. This is a great tool for teens and older kids to check in and give parents peace of mind.
5. Plan Shore Excursions in Advance
One of the awesome parts about cruising for families is taking your children to new destinations worldwide. It’s a great way to explore new cultures and unique sites and experience activities not typically available at home.
When it comes to going on cruise shore excursions with kids, planning your time in port ahead of time is essential. Certain excursions are unsuitable for kids and have a minimum age requirement. Some may even require a certain level of physical ability, which may not be suitable for younger kids. It's important to know these things before you reach the port so there are no last-minute surprises.
6. Pack the Essentials
Packing to travel with kids is no easy task, and cruising is no different. Let’s face it, kids have a lot of stuff. It’s important to remember should a bag go missing in transit to the cruise, there may be minimal opportunities to replace missing clothing or sundry items. While most ships have a general store for some of the basics, options are limited and expect prices are higher than your local stores at home. A port stop may offer additional options but could be a few days before the first port of call. In the case of some Caribbean itineraries, a private cruise line island may be the first stop and won’t be equipped with a local drug store or department store.
Remember to bring all the essentials your kids will need while onboard the ship - hats, swimwear, sunscreen, bug spray, diapers, comfortable shoes, medications, snacks, and more.
Read More: Top 12 Items to Pack for Your First Cruise
7. Be Mindful of Seasickness
It’s a good rule of thumb when traveling with kids to always be prepared for seasickness, especially if this is your family’s first cruise. Even the most experienced cruisers can get seasick, and you never know how unexpected rough seas could affect your family members.
We recommend being prepared with seasickness remedies, like bands and patches, just in case. Before leaving home, talk to your children’s doctor about the best options for preventing and treating seasickness.
Read More: How to Prevent Seasickness on a Cruise
8. Bring Snacks
This may seem silly to some, as you typically think of cruise ships having plenty of food options. If you are traveling as a family (especially those with picky eaters), having some favorite snacks on hand is a good idea to help keep little ones satisfied. You may find children getting hungry between meals, and having snacks on hand is a good idea. Also, snacks can be a lifesaver while on shore excursions or in the cabin. Something to please the smallest palettes or pickiest of eaters may prevent a meltdown.
9. Budget Extra
Budget more than you plan for - this is a tip we recommend to all cruisers, especially family travelers.
While most onboard activities and entertainment options are included in the cruise cost, you may find additional unexpected expenses. Things like specialty dining, shore excursions, and even souvenirs come at an extra cost, so keep this in mind when budgeting for your family cruise. Also, activities like rock climbing, cupcake decorating, ice skating, and arcade are all extra-charge items on most ships. For those families utilizing the kid's programs, you may want to consider a gratuity for the staff members who created special moments for your child or made the cruise extra special.
10. Savor the Memories!
Cruises can be a whirlwind - especially when traveling as a family! While on your voyage, don’t forget just to enjoy the experience. Between the research to prepare for your cruise, packing, and planning your days with fun while on the ship, remember to savor the memories you have with your family. Cruising is a great way to spend quality time together and make lasting memories that your family will remember for years. Most importantly, don’t forget to take lots of photos!
Read More:
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