Cruise Tips about Cruising with Children
The most obvious way to handle the planning for a cruise with children is to take a look at the specific cruise lines that specialize in cruises that cater for families with children.
photo courtesy MSC Cruises
While most cruise lines allow children on board (although there are exceptions gratefully used for those who don’t particularly want to travel with children around them), not all of them offer the same amount or quality of children orientated amenities.
While sifting through all the information here are some key tips to keep in mind when booking a cruise that whole family can enjoy.
1: Pick a cruise on a newer cruise ship
In choosing a cruise with children in mind, it is a good idea to pick a cruise on a newer cruise ship because they tend to have more recent and more elaborate amenities geared specifically towards children.
2: Pick a cruise on a larger cruise ship
It may sound obvious, but the most ideal cruise ships for children are the larger ones simply because they are more likely to have more elaborate built-in attractions for children.
3: Pick a cruise line that caters specifically for children
The most obvious choice of cruise lines catering specifically to children is Disney Cruise Line who offers what is considered to be the best facilities, dining schemes and programs for children of all age groups. Even young at heart adults. With their theme-park emphasis, Disney Cruise Line features a host of supervised children's programs of all ages, from very young infants to young teens.
Royal Caribbean International, also one of the most popular of the cruise lines for families, offers a whole range of special events and amenities for children, from rock-climbing to roller-blading, from parades to arts and crafts workshops, and “clubs” for 5 different age groups on more than 5 of their cruise ships that feature what they call a “DreamWorks Experience”. Royal caribbean is considered to be providing some of the best amenities for children on cruises, with lots of space dedicated to their needs.
Princess Cruise have several specific cruise ships like the Ruby Princess, Crown Princess and Emerald Princess deigned specifically with children in mind and feature not only fun but also more flexible choices of eating options that can make things a little easier for families.
Geared towards British family cruise passengers, P&O Cruises offers the ideal cruise ship Ventura with an expansive area at the aft of the ship dedicated to children and the first circus school at sea. P&O Cruises Ventura also offers the flexibility of no set times or venues for family meals.
Carnival Cruise Line, who advertises itself as "fun ships" with a wide range of family oriented activities including special events for all children, provides more than 20,000 square-feet of child specific amenities and entertainment on at least two of their cruise ships. Fun for the children includes everything from drawing sessions to talent shows and scavenger hunts.
4: Check the costs for events and activities provided for children
No matter how wonderful the facilities and adventures provided for children may be, there is very little point in the selection if it means a lot of extra spending to enjoy it all. Double check what is included in your cruise price. Some cruise lines offer everything as part of the basic price. Some cruise lines charge for the more exotic activities, which can end being very expensive.
5: Make sure your cruise also offers top quality features and events for adults
A cruise with the family is not just about making sure the children are having fun all the time. A family cruise should give everybody what they need to make the break away from every-day like really successful. There’s no point in the children only having a whale of a time, and the adults being bored out of their wits. When delving into what the cruise line are offering in the way of entertainment etc for the children, make sure that what they are offering the adults is just as exciting and stimulating.
As with all things, the key to making sure that you enjoy your cruise with your family as much as possible is in checking everything out and planning ahead. The web makes this easier than ever.
