A cruise gives you the chance to see a whole new world, which is fun for people of all ages. So bring everyone with you. Most cruise lines have special prices for children and offer a lot of activities just for kids.
Many cruises have trained staff whose only job is to watch over the many activities for kids. A good example is the Love Boat Kids programme on Princess Cruises. It has full Youth and Teen Centers, a theatre, and a play area for toddlers. There are movies, games, arts and crafts, computers, and more for the kids to do.
Teenagers are known for being hard to amuse. Having to spend a week with Mom and Dad is especially hard on their mood. Disney, Carnival, Princess, and other cruise lines have set up areas without adults and special "nightclubs" where teens can do a lot of different things and hang out with other teens.
You would probably expect that a Disney cruise would be for kids. You are correct. They have activities for kids of all ages, even those who are younger than three.
When you eat with your family on a ship, the earlier dinner seating is usually less formal. There will be more families there, so it will be easier to find a table with kids about the same age as yours. If you ask, the server might be able to put your family at a table by itself.
Even though many cruises have activities for kids, you shouldn't bring babies. They need so much of your attention that you can't even enjoy the cruise.
Children are more likely to get seasick, so it's best to talk to your doctor about what medicine to bring.
There are a lot of amenities that aren't always obvious, like ice, extra blankets, pillows, games, a crib or high chair, etc. Just ask the cabin steward what you can get. The crew will do everything they can to make sure you have a good time.
Most stops at ports of call are short. You don't have to spend your short trip looking through the same old duty free shops. If you do some research ahead of time, you can find fun places for your family to go, like a museum, zoo, or beach.
Instead of waiting a day or two, it's a good idea to get the kids involved in the activities right away. This makes them feel like they're a part of the programme and gets them involved. If they join later, they might feel like they don't belong and find it harder to talk to the kids who already know what to do.
Even though the programmes are there for you to use, don't forget that this is a family vacation. Make sure you have enough time together. The planned activities can be a lot of fun for the kids, but they also need time with Mom and Dad.
Before you book a cruise, make sure to ask your travel agent or the cruise line a lot of questions. Don't take vague answers. You want to know for sure how the cruise line treats families. Tell them how old your kids are and ask for more information about the activities, programmes, and training of the people in charge. The cruise line and ship you choose can make all the difference in the world.
