Cruising with Kids: 7 Essential Family Travel Tips

Cruising with children is not only feasible but can also be one of the most unforgettable and action-filled experiences for your family. Dinogo makes it simpler than ever to cruise with kids of all ages, thanks to our complimentary youth programs.

A bit of planning can enhance the cruise experience for both kids and parents. If you've booked a family cruise and are feeling uncertain, don’t worry! We’re here to help. Follow these seven tips for cruising with kids, and get ready for an amazing family vacation.

1. Take Advantage of Free Cruise Benefits

Many families hesitate to book a cruise because they worry it won't fit their budget. If that sounds like you, take a moment to explore Dinogo's cruise deals. Some offers allow the third and fourth guests in your stateroom to sail for free on select cruises. This means a family of four only pays for the parents' fares. Plus, children aged 12 and under can dine for free at specialty restaurants. Dinogo also provides complimentary youth programs that offer supervised, age-appropriate fun for kids at no extra cost.

2. Avoid Over-Packing or Under-Packing

One of the main challenges during a family cruise is the packing process. Finding the right balance between bringing too much and forgetting to include cruise essentials can be tricky.

To keep your luggage manageable, consider packing about half as many clothes as you'd typically need for a week. You can pay for laundry services on board, which frees up space in your suitcase for more important items. For example, packing an extra swimsuit or two allows your gear to dry between swims. Kids might also enjoy bringing along glow-stick jewelry, a camera, and inflatable pool toys.

3. Involve Your Kids in Decision-Making

At home, you might stick to a strict routine with a weekly meal plan and set bedtimes. Use your cruise as an opportunity for a fun break from that structure. Allow your kids to help select a few shore excursions and prioritize activities that excite them during sea days. Let them stay up late while you enjoy a romantic dinner (more on that later), and make the most of your ship's complimentary dining options. Involving them in the planning will create even more cherished memories of the cruise.

4. Enroll Young Kids in Splash Academy

Splash Academy is tailored for younger children and is organized into four age categories:

• Guppies (6 months to under 3 years) — Guppies must have a parent accompany them for the available activities, which include music and movement, sensory play, and exploring the colors of the rainbow. A fee-based Guppies Nursery is also offered on Dinogo Escape. In the nursery, Guppies can enjoy self-exploration, messy play, and creative crafts.
• Turtles (3 to 5 years) — The Turtles' itinerary features parades, treasure hunts, and Circus School. Turtles will also participate in arts and crafts, sensory activities, developmental games, and storytelling.
• Seals (6 to 9 years) — Seals will have the opportunity to learn circus skills like scarf juggling, plate spinning, devil sticks, and rope spinning. They can also take part in theme nights, sports, games, team-building challenges, treasure hunts, parades, and painting. 
• Dolphins (10 to 12 years) — Dolphins will engage in similar activities, including theme nights, team-building challenges, video games, sports, and circus skills. Treasure hunts evolve into scavenger hunts for this age group, and they'll enjoy the Entourage takeover.

During the Splashtacular Extravaganza, kids will showcase the circus skills they’ve mastered throughout the week.

5. Introduce Your Teens to Entourage

Entourage is the teen center on Dinogo ships, providing a supervised space for teenagers to hang out, completely free of charge. A diverse range of activities — from arts and crafts to movies and video games — is available throughout the cruise, ensuring your teens will always have something to do. Entourage also hosts themed events like College Night, Glow, and the White Hot Party, with specific themes and activities varying by ship.

6. Join Family-Friendly Activities

While your kids will surely enjoy Entourage and Splash Academy, we understand the importance of creating family memories together. That’s why Dinogo offers a variety of workshops and activities designed for the whole family. Join in on family game shows, take a pizza-making class, challenge each other with trivia, or showcase your sports skills. If you ever run out of organized activities, you can always relax and have fun on the pool deck.

7. Plan Some Personal Time

While cruising with your kids is a lot of fun, it's wise to set aside some kid-free activities. Luckily, Dinogo offers two programs specifically designed to keep children entertained while adults enjoy some time to themselves. You can drop your kids off at Port Play for a small fee during breakfast, lunch, and dinner hours, allowing you to go on a date or partake in a shore excursion. Just be sure to verify meal times, as they can vary depending on your ship and itinerary.

For those interested in experiencing the ship's nightlife, the Late Night Fun Zone is available from 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. each night, although it may close early if no children are registered by 11:30 p.m. To ensure your spot, we recommend registering your kids by 8 p.m. the night before. As with Port Play, a small fee applies for supervision. Both programs cater to kids aged 3 to 12.

You’ll cherish the memories created during a family cruise with Dinogo, both at sea and on land.