What to Do Before a Family Cruise: Tips for a Stress-Free Vacation
Planning a family cruise trip is an exciting endeavor that promises unforgettable memories and bonding experiences. So, preparing adequately beforehand ensures a smooth and enjoyable journey. But where should you start, with so many things to do for a long trip?
To help you out, we will discuss essential things you should do before embarking on your family cruise adventure. By following these tips, you can ensure a stress-free and memorable vacation for everyone. Let’s get started!
Choose the Best Cruise for Your Family
When planning your first family cruise, choose a cruise line that caters to families. Here are the top options for liners departing from Port Canaveral:
Disney Cruise Line
Known for its exceptional family-friendly atmosphere, Disney Cruise Line offers a variety of cruises to the Bahamas and the Caribbean from Port Canaveral. Enjoy themed entertainment, character meet-and-greets, and activities for all ages.
Royal Caribbean
Offering cruises to the Bahamas, Eastern and Western Caribbean, Royal Caribbean is a popular choice for families due to its wide range of onboard activities, such as rock climbing, water slides, and kids’ clubs.
Carnival Cruises
Carnival is known for its fun and lively atmosphere, offering cruises from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. They provide a variety of family-friendly entertainment, dining options, and activities, including water parks and kids’ clubs.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian offers cruise tours from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. It’s a solid choice for families with a relaxed atmosphere, diverse dining options, and family-friendly activities like water slides and kids’ clubs.
Check the Minimum Age Requirements
Most mainstream cruises set a minimum age limit of 6 months for babies, while longer or more exotic voyages have a minimum age limit of 1 year. However, luxury and expedition cruise lines may discourage children, so it’s always best to check before booking.
Aside from that, cruise lines have strict policies for pregnant women onboard. To help you out, here are guidelines for the famous family cruise lines:
| Cruise Line |
Guidelines |
|
| Pregnant Women |
Infants |
|
| Disney Cruise Line | If a woman is at least 24 weeks pregnant when her cruise begins or will reach 24 weeks during the voyage, she will not be allowed to board due to safety reasons. Even if she has a doctor’s note or a signed agreement, she cannot board. | For most cruise itineraries, the minimum age for infants to board is six months. However, the minimum age requirement for Transatlantic and Panama Canal itineraries is one year. |
| Royal Caribbean | Guests in their 24th week of pregnancy at any time during the cruise or cruise tour will not be allowed to board. | Babies must be at least six months old on the first day of the cruise to sail.
However, for trans-Atlantic, trans-Pacific, Hawaii, select South American cruise tours, and other specific cruises, babies must be at least 12 months old on the first day of the cruise. |
| Carnival Cruises | Pregnant Women are not allowed to sail if entering the 24th week of pregnancy at any point during the cruise. | The minimum age to sail is 12 months for trans-Atlantic, Hawaii, and South American cruises and six months for all other cruises. |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | Pregnant women can board if they are not in their 24th week of pregnancy at any time during the cruise. | The minimum age is six months. For cruises with three or more consecutive days at sea, infants must be 12 months old when sailing. |
Involve Your Children in the Planning Stage
If your children are old enough to understand, show them brochures of the cruise ship. Share pictures of the pools and amenities and discuss all available activities with them.
Also, it would help to remember that traveling with kids doesn’t mean you must be with them 24/7. This trip is an excellent opportunity to plan couples’ time, such as a massage or dinner together. At the same time, the children participate in activities under adult supervision or with the crew.
Consider Non-potty-Trained Children
If a child isn’t potty trained yet, consider whether a cruise is the right choice. You can still have fun on your trip if you go ahead. But it’s often better to wait until your child is potty trained to maximize your experience.
Remember: Diapered kids aren’t usually allowed to swim in cruise ship pools. Some cruises have splash areas for them on certain ships, so consider this restriction when choosing your preferred liner.
Choose a Ship with an Onboard Nursery
When traveling with an infant, choosing the best cruise ship is essential to ensure a stress-free and enjoyable vacation. While your baby may not remember their first sea voyage, you will! Parents will undoubtedly recall if the experience was unpleasant because they didn’t choose a ship with the proper facilities for their little ones.
Many cruise lines provide drop-off nurseries for children under three at an hourly rate. They can also enjoy various play areas with a parent or guardian.
A Disney Cruise is one of the best options for families with babies because of its nursery feature. It features full-service themed nurseries for children aged six months to 3 years, equipped with toys and nap areas.
Parents can use these facilities to make their trip more enjoyable for all! Access to an onboard nursery can be a real game-changer for parents, especially for those who need extra time for themselves.
Consult a Cruise Expert if You Need Help
If organizing a family cruise trip overwhelms you, ask a cruise travel agent for help. These professionals can ensure everything is booked and arranged to your liking. Another pro is that they may even secure exclusive benefits available only to agents!
These agents manage all the paperwork, making the process smooth! The best part is that their services won’t cost you extra, as the cruise company pays their commission, not out of your pocket.
Secure your Family’s Travel Documentation
Ensure all family members have up-to-date passports and any necessary visas well before your departure date. Double-check the end dates on passports and renew them if needed.
Next, create duplicates of crucial documents, such as passports, ID cards, and cruise tickets.
It is also wise to have a digital copy of these documents stored on your smartphone or in cloud storage for easy access and added security. This way, you can be prepared for any situation and ensure a smooth travel experience for the entire family.
Plan to Keep in Touch
Contact your cell phone provider to check if your plan covers calls in your cruising areas. If not, ask about a monthly international calling plan. You may buy a country-specific phone or get a SIM card for your device.
You can also choose an internet package on the ship but be aware that the connection may be slow and inconsistent. Some Caribbean and North American ports offer free Wi-Fi at nearby restaurants, coffee shops, or souvenir stores. Still, you must wait until you reach the port for internet connectivity!
Inform the Cruise Line about Special Dietary Needs or Food Allergies
Let the cruise line know about any specific dietary requirements or food allergies. Give them a few weeks’ notice and confirm again shortly before your cruise.
While all cruise ships will make the extra effort to accommodate your requests, it is best to err on caution. Still ask and confirm the ingredients before eating anything. And if any of your family members have severe allergies, consult with your primary care provider before the trip to secure necessary prescriptions.
Tell your Credit Card Company and Banks
To prevent your credit card from being blocked or flagged for fraud during your travels, you must tell your credit card company and your bank about your plans to travel abroad.
Inform them of the cities you will visit and your departure and return dates. Doing this lets you make sure your financial institutions know your travel plans. Also, doing say lets them track your accounts.
This step helps avoid any unexpected issues with your credit card that may lead to inconvenience while traveling. In addition, it provides an added layer of security in case of any suspicious activity on your accounts.
Additionally, your bank and credit card company can offer advice on managing your finances while traveling. They can also help by suggesting mobile apps and ATMs that work with your cards in foreign countries.
Pre-book Onboard Experiences and Necessities
To enjoy all the fun activities at convenient times for you and your family, visit the cruise’s online planner or app and pre-book onboard experiences before boarding. Otherwise, the available time slots might conflict with meals, early mornings, or shore excursions.
If you are cruising from Port Canaveral, consider visiting nearby theme parks and staying at a Disney resort or an Orlando hotel like Floridays Resort, which is close to both Walt Disney World and Universal Studios.
You have several options to get to your preferred destination whenever you reach a port. All cruise lines offer transfer services, which could be more expensive.
Depending on your travel group’s size, arranging a private car transfer, such as Kidmoto, may cost less than using the cruise line’s transfer service. Also, private transfers offer more convenience and flexibility in pick-up times.
For example, Kidmoto provides professionally installed car seats and booster seats for infants and toddlers. By booking a Kidmoto ride, you no longer need to lug around heavy car seats during your cruise trip!
Book Specialty Dining Reservations Early
Reserve a table online weeks before the trip if you want to dine at one of the ship’s specialty restaurants. The availability of reservations may be limited or even booked by the time you board the cruise ship, depending on the number of specialty restaurants.
For example, securing a reservation at Palo on a Disney ship is challenging once you are on board. At the same time, Remy’s is usually easier to book—possibly due to its higher price.
On Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships, there are many specialty restaurants to choose from, and making a reservation on board is relatively easy. However, because of the many dining venues on these ships, dining times may be restricted to a few hours a day or only on specific days (such as non-port days).
Plan for Port Days and Activities
Since time on shore is limited, planning your activities is essential to make the most of your visit. Research the shore excursions and activities available at each port of call. You must also consider the interests and preferences of each family member to choose the most suitable options.
Look into the activities offered by each cruise line and explore whether a private tour company might better fit your family. Some may require bookings, so plan and reserve beforehand to avoid disappointments.
If traveling with children, consider spending 3 or 4 hours exploring the port and returning to the ship 1 to 2 hours before the all-aboard time. This schedule lets you grab a snack, enjoy the lido deck, or nap before the area becomes crowded again.
Review Health and Safety Guidelines
At least a month before your trip, ensure all family members are healthy. Schedule a consultation with your healthcare provider or travel clinic and ask if there are any recommended vaccinations or medications for the cruise destinations.
Buy Travel Insurance
Preparing for the unexpected is always a good idea, even if you expect nothing to go wrong. Get travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, canceled trips, and lost baggage. Remember to read the policy thoroughly to know what is covered and what’s not.
Pack Smart!
Make a detailed packing list for every family member, including clothes, toiletries, medications, and essential documents. When packing, consider the dress codes and weather at your cruise destinations. Remember to include sunscreen, swimsuits, comfortable walking shoes, and any other items your family might need.
Experience a Hassle-Free Family Cruise Trip with Kidmoto!
Embarking on a family cruise trip is exciting, but organizing transportation can be a challenge. Book Kidmoto for a stress-free and enjoyable travel experience!
With Kidmoto, you can ensure safe and reliable transportation for your entire family, making your cruise vacation even more memorable. Say goodbye to transportation worries and focus on creating unforgettable memories with your loved ones.
Book Kidmoto today and embark on the family cruise of your dreams!
