A small ships cruise can offer the promise of an incredibly relaxing getaway for you and your spouse. At the same time, it can provide a fun-filled family vacation whose memories you will cherish for years to come.
FACT: Cruises with kids doubles the fun!
Yet cruises present the same challenges inherent with any other form of family travel, as well as a few that are exclusively its own. Knowing what these are ahead of time and planning accordingly could realistically be the difference between a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a seemingly unending drudgery that leaves you ending each day with handful of Advil and cold washcloth over your face.
Before you go, one of the most important things to remember is that for your kids, this is an exciting adventure the likes of which they may never have experienced before. Thus, don’t be afraid to give them just a little bit of leeway. If you’re properly prepared, you can do so without worrying about them or infringing upon the fun of other guests.
The Kid Cruising Survival Guide
With that in mind, here are some helpful tips that will make cruising with kids much easier:
- Prepare for boarding: If you’ve been on a cruise before, then you are well aware of what a chore simply boarding can be. Guests are typically checked in and boarded en masse, and the process can easily take 1-2 hours. Plus, it’s unlikely that your luggage will arrive at the room before you do. Therefore, pack a carry-on with the items essential to keeping your kids entertained, both during the boarding process and right after you get on the ship.
- Split things up: Your kids will hardly be spending much time in the cabin, anyway, and you and your spouse or significant other will want to be able to enjoy some relaxing time to yourselves. Consider, then, booking two cabins, one with a balcony (if available) for yourself and an inside stateroom for the kids. These are offered at a lower price, and you may even enjoy a further discount when booking two rooms together.
- Pack the essentials: Outfit your kids with everything they’ll need to stay organized, like a lanyard to carry tickets and show passes, as well an extra bathing suit so they’ll always have a dry one to wear on multi-day cruises.
The next time you and your significant other choose to enjoy the sights and sounds of a river cruise, don’t be afraid to bring the kids along. You’ll find that cruising with your entire family can be much more manageable than you think. A cruise offers something for guests of ages; just make sure that you and family are fully ready to enjoy it.
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