When you are planning on traveling with your kids, there are always some obstacles that you will have to overcome. It is important to remember that while a cruise vacation with your kids can be fun and exciting, you have to do the proper planning first. It will be essential for you to go through the proper steps of planning before you head out on a cruise with your whole family.
Always do your research beforehand
There are many different options when it comes to taking a cruise vacation with your kids. One of the most important things to look into is the size and options of the staterooms on board. While most staterooms are made for couples, you will need to book a stateroom that is going to be big enough for your entire family. Princess Cruises is a great example of a cruise line that will have staterooms large enough for both you and your kids. You should also look into what amenities are included with your cruise fare. Keep your eye out for a cruise that will include all food in the price of your fare. This will make it much easier to afford to feed your family on the cruise each day.
Work with a travel agent
Working with a travel agent is a great way for you to take the headache out of getting your cruise put together. When you tell your travel agent that you are planning a cruise vacation with your kids, they’ll be able to tell you which cruise lines are the best when it comes to taking your children with you. It is important that you choose a travel agent who is going to charge you a reasonable fee while also helping you save a great deal on your travel expenses. A really experienced travel agent will be able to help you save money at the end of the day by making your travel expenses affordable.
Let your kids help in the planning
It is important that you let your kids feel like they are part of the planning process. This will help them feel like they’re really part of the trip while also teaching them responsibility. Letting them choose which area of the cruise ship you stay on or even letting them help choose which destination you go to will give them a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction before, during, and after your trip.
Look for cruise reviews and sites online
There are going to be plenty of places online where you can find great reviews of the cruise that you are planning on going on. There are also online databases that will give you all the information that you would want to know about each cruise liner. If you want a more interactive look at the ship you might be vacationing on, YouTube is a great resource where you can see virtually countless videos of travelers who have been on cruises in the past.
Be at the port city at least a day before your departure
Getting to your port city at least a day before you depart will help you to have time to get settled and enjoy the local sites. This will also give you some room to budge in case there were any flight delays or early departures on your cruise. Finding lodging near a port may be difficult to do. This is why it is important to book your hotel far in advance before you leave to the port city.
Take your medication with you
It can be devastating when you leave your medication at home while on a trip. However, when traveling with kids, this can be even more dangerous. It is very important that you bring all of the medication that you will need in order to have a safe and happy cruise. You might also need to pack motion sickness meds. These motion sickness meds will help anyone who is feeling like they are not enjoying the constant motion during heavy weather on the high seas.
Let your kids know that there are rules while on a cruise
There is almost nothing more annoying on a vacation than having an unruly kid that doesn't know when to calm down. It is very important that you teach your children about the rules on a cruise ship. Younger children will have to learn about the type of behavior that they should be on while in public on the cruise. Setting rules for your stateroom can also help you keep your limited space clean. With your older children, it is important to set boundaries when it comes to their freedom. They should have some freedom to enjoy the ship on their own, but it is also important that they still be accountable to you.
Remember to pack all of your family essentials
Every family has certain essential that they just need. Your children may have security blankets or stuffed animals that they just can't live without. There may also be some favorite handheld video games or devices that your kids would just love to have onboard. Make sure you remember all of the essentials by making a checklist to refer to when packing.
See if there are daycare options on the cruise ship
Daycare options are usually available on most cruise ships. These options can be great for when parents just need some time alone. It is a good idea to check the first day you are onboard to see what type of babysitting or daycare options there are. Many cruises will have this included in the price of your fare. It will be important to make sure that you are aware of any rules or procedures that go with placing your children in the care of these onboard caregivers.
Make sure to check out the kids club
While your kids may seem too young or too old to use the kids club, you may be surprised. There are plenty of options that may really excite your kids. There are usually so many activities on a cruise for adults that families can forget to check in and see what the options are for children. This is why it is important to not put off checking out the kids club.
Make sure you always have a way of reaching your kids
On a cruise ship, it can be difficult to get cell service or even wi-fi. It can be a good idea to invest in some walkie-talkies in order to reach your kids if you ever get separated. You can also set up a meeting point on the ship or see if you can give them a key to your stateroom in case they get lost.
A family vacation on a cruise ship can be a very fun thing to do with your kids. While you may feel like taking your kids on vacation might just be too much to handle, hopefully these tips will help you feel more confident about your cruise experience. Cruise lines have learned that more and more families are looking to take their kids with them on the high seas. Due to this increase in demand, there are more options now than ever for having a successful and fun trip with your children.
