Essential Tips for Family Travel on Cruises with Kids

What kind of vacation promises something enjoyable for every family member? A family cruise! With specialized amenities for children and teens, relaxing spaces for parents, and thrilling shore excursions, there's something for all ages. To help you get the most out of your family-friendly cruise experience, here are our best tips for cruising with kids.

Packing Essentials for Family Travel

One of the greatest perks of a family cruise vacation is that you only need to unpack once. To ensure you pack everything necessary, start by creating a list of the essentials you use at home. This is particularly crucial when traveling with babies or toddlers, as you'll need items like diapers, baby food, formula, baby wipes, and any medications.

On the first day of your cruise, prepare carry-on bags for easy access to essentials, including:

• Key travel documents such as passports, birth certificates, and visas
• Prescription medications
• A change of clothing
• Essentials for babies and toddlers
• Sunscreen and personal toiletries

Throughout your cruise, you’ll also need a carry-on bag or backpack for shore excursions, so ensure it meets all your needs. For children's clothing, pack versatile pieces suitable for varying weather conditions. For younger kids, bringing along a favorite book, toy, or nightlight can enhance their comfort during downtime in your stateroom.

Selecting the Ideal Stateroom

Family-friendly cruises feature staterooms designed for quality family time while ensuring everyone has enough room. On our cruise ships, family-oriented staterooms can comfortably accommodate up to five guests, with some including additional bathrooms. You also have the option to book connecting rooms, which are ideal for traveling with older teens or extended family members.

For added convenience, Family Harbor staterooms are located near the exclusive Family Harbor Lounge, which provides all-day snacks and engaging activities like games and family movie nights. With a variety of options to accommodate the size of your family and unique preferences, selecting the ideal stateroom is a breeze.

Savoring Kid-Friendly Meals

Are there picky eaters in your family? It can be challenging to please everyone’s palate while on vacation. Fortunately, family cruises offer such a wide array of options that mealtime becomes a daily highlight. Onboard, kids can even kick off their day with an extraordinary breakfast.

The Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast™ not only features delicious dishes like Horton’s Cereal-Crusted French Toast but also allows kids to dine alongside beloved Dr. Seuss characters. For lunch, the whole family can enjoy burgers from Guy’s Burger Joint, or perhaps indulge in the classic Italian favorite, Spaghetti and Meatballs, at Cucina Del Capitano^®.

Since you never know when hunger might hit, snacks are available for everyone around the clock. Whether you want to order a peanut butter and jelly sandwich at 5 am or treat your teens to late-night pizza, the options are endless. Craving dessert? Indulge in frozen yogurt, soft serve ice cream, or a delectable pastry!

Families with dietary restrictions won’t feel left out, as many menu items are designed to accommodate various needs.

Choosing Supervised Activities

The top cruises for kids feature an extensive selection of fun, supervised activities, allowing them to make friends and learn while you unwind by the pool. Camp Ocean™ provides your little ones with opportunities to socialize in age-appropriate groups, ranging from 2 to 11 years old.

Under the guidance of skilled counselors, kids will delight in arts and crafts, sing their hearts out, watch movies, and enjoy mealtime favorites like chicken nuggets.

Teens aged 12 to 14 can hang out at Circle C®, the ultimate chill spot where they can chat, play video games, watch outdoor movies, and dance, all with the help of enthusiastic counselors. For older kids aged 15 to 17, Club 02® offers a separate space to play sports, showcase their karaoke skills, and groove to their favorite music.

Selecting Popular Onboard Activities for Kids

A key tip for family cruises is to ensure there are numerous enjoyable onboard activities that cater to everyone. Simply explore the available options on select ships and pick your favorites!

For instance, if your family thrives on adventure, you’ll love WaterWorks, featured on most cruise ships. It boasts the exhilarating Twister Waterslide, competitive fun on the Speedway Splash, and much more.

Other exciting options include:

• SkyRide® – where you can pedal a bike high above the deck
• Sky Zone™ – an indoor trampoline park with a challenge zone
• Ropes Course – navigate through this obstacle course with breathtaking ocean views.

If you prefer games, join in for some mini-golf, foosball, or basketball at SportSquare^TM or test your skills at the Video Arcade.

Choosing Family-Friendly Shore Excursions

When it’s time to discover a new destination, family-friendly shore excursions are crafted to excite everyone. For instance, on a cruise to Cozumel, you can opt for a dolphin swim to kiss and pet these playful marine creatures or delve into Mayan history at the ancient city of Tulum.

In Barbados, embark on the Atlantis Submarine for an underwater experience without getting wet. On a cruise to The Bahamas, partake in a fun and informative stingray adventure together.

With exciting shore excursions, thrilling onboard attractions, and spacious staterooms, a cruise vacation provides the chance to reconnect and bond as a family. From energetic toddlers to adventurous teens, amenities like kid-friendly menus and activities tailored to different ages ensure everyone has a great time.

This means more opportunities for you as parents to relax, unwind, and truly enjoy your special family cruise.

Please note that onboard activities, shore excursions, and dining options can differ based on the ship and the destination.