When many people think of 'family vacations' their first thought probably wouldn't automatically turn to cruising. Confined spaces, adult entertainment and slippery railings might be enough to put some parents off but in fact statistics show that the cruise industry is one of the fastest growing areas of the travel business and many of it's passengers include families with young children.
Flying (or sailing) in the face of their old reputation of being post-retirement vacations, many liners are now specifically designed for families with a range of facilities, clubs and activities to keep the kids occupied on board and giving the whole family the unique opportunity to visit multiple destinations while only unpacking once. Despite their increased family friendliness, some parents still might be wary and let's face it: when kids are involved no trip is ever completely simple. So here are some tips on how you can set sail this summer and cruise safely and happily with your kids.
Safety First
Accidents onboard cruise liners are rare but it is still important to talk to your children about safety and encourage them to follow the rules. It is beneficial for children (who are old enough to understand) to attend the muster drill to make them aware of the risks and how they should act in an emergency. Be aware that younger children require specialist safety equipment and should always be supervised and kept away from balconies – for this reason many families with babies or toddlers opt for interior cabins or suites. Sometimes booking two adjoining cabins can be cheaper than a suite but it is down to parents to make judgement calls on their kids safety in an unsupervised cabin based on their age and abilities. The same applies for letting them explore the ship outside of your accommodation. Ultimately the responsibility is yours to decide if this sort of freedom is appropriate and safe for your child – don't assume that accidents can't happen just because they are confined to a ship.
Be aware of restrictions
Different liners have different age restrictions and obviously this is something you need to check out before booking. Some will accept children of any age, others have a minimum of 3-6 months and others even advise parents to wait until children are 2 years and above before travelling. There may also be age limits on kids clubs, onboard babysitting services and shore excursions so read all of the small print and pick a liner that will best suit the whole family. It is also worth remembering that many cruise liners will not allow swim diapers in their pools due to limited filtering systems and not all cabins have bath tubs which may pose problems for babies and toddlers.
Don't overdo it
The choice of activities onboard a cruise liner and the excursions available on shore can often be overwhelming and when you're on vacation you want to make the most of every opportunity. Family friendly cruise liners such as Disney and Carnival offer everything from live shows to competitive sports to art classes and it's great to let your kids try something new and even participate in family activities – after all that's what a vacation is all about. But overdoing it can leave you with exhausted, grumpy and difficult children so try and incorporate some down time into their day and stick to a flexible routine where possible – even if that just means eating dinner or taking a nap at the same time each day. Although it's great to explore different ports, utilizing time on the ship during the quiet periods when other passengers are on shore can give your kids the opportunity to have the ships facilities all to themselves.
Pack wisely
Prepare to have a lot of luggage. Not only are you packing for the ship but depending on the destination of your cruise, your chosen stopovers and excursions you may need everything from swimwear to hiking boots to winter clothing. Some of the larger cruise liners have laundrettes or offer clothes washing services but check this before you travel as you don't want any of the family to run out of clothes. When it comes to kids the essentials such as bug spray and sunblock for hot days on deck are necessary alongside the usual clothes and toys, whilst a cheap pair of binoculars can keep them occupied for hours as they scour the sea and any nearby land. Although larger cruise liners are generally too big for passengers to feel the motion of the ocean, kids are particularly susceptible to seasickness so it is worth carrying some child-friendly medication or invest in a pair of 'sea bands' – wristbands which regulate the pulse and improve balance, reducing feelings of nausea.
contributed by Susanne Goode
