Cruise Vacations

7 Tips for Taking Your First Cruise

Last updated 10th May 2018

Ahoy, mates! Are you starting to think about taking your first cruise with your family? Whether you’re sailing on a large ocean liner, a river ship or a canal barge, a cruise offers families a wide variety of age-appropriate activities and amenities on and off board — including the opportunity to visit multiple destinations without the hassle of unpacking and repacking your bags.

To get the most out of your first cruise and ensure that it’s smooth sailing and fun for everyone in the family, keep the following tips in mind.

1. Research, research, research.

Decide what kind of cruise, ship and destination are the best match for your family’s interests and age groups. Be realistic about what will appeal to everyone. The Caribbean, the Bahamas and Mexico are popular destinations for a first cruise — and great for the beach lovers in your crew. Places like Alaska and the Galapagos islands offer outdoor activities such as rafting, fly fishing and nature discovery that appeal to older kids and adults. If you are traveling with very young children, you will likely appreciate the advantages that a larger ship offers — kids clubs, kiddie pools and babysitting services. Active families will want to look for itineraries that involve options like bike tours, hiking and water sports.

2. Get everyone involved.

Let all family members participate in selecting the destination, ship and shore excursions. Your kids will be more excited about their first cruise if they feel like they’re part of the decision-making process.

3. Set a budget.

Carefully consider the amount of space that you will need to comfortably accommodate your family. For example, most cabins have showers, not tubs, which may be an issue when traveling with an infant. Review the onboard programs and activities  to ensure they meet the interests and age range demands  of your kids.While most high-end cruise lines like Crystal and Regent Seven Seas are oriented toward adult travelers, some do offer programs and custom packages for families. The most popular cruise lines for families are Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney, Norwegian and Princess. Check their websites for the most affordable rates, packages and discounts — or consider hiring a travel agent. They will make sure you get the best room for your group and can provide insight navigating the complicated nuances of cruise-planning that can make or break your experience. Travel agents can also get unpublished discounts you wouldn’t find yourself. Plus: The cost of their services is covered by the cruise lines, so it’s a no brainer. Another tip: Family rooms and adjoining cabins book fast, so act fast if this is important to you.

4. Manage expectations.

Everyone should have non-negotiables on a family trip to make it special, but it’s up to you to lay the ground rules with your family members ahead of time to avoid onboard stress and disappointment. Things to consider:

  • Be clear what your expectations are of safety behavior, and how much freedom your kids (of all ages) will have.
  • Plan to visit the kid’s clubs for orientation on disembarkation day, so your kids have a chance to make friends. This can make or break the trip for them.
  • Establish your expectations for how much time you will spend together as a family (ie. meal times, evening entertainment, shore excursions).
  • Agree on a communication plan. Cell phones may not work. Many ships offer onboard phones, but if not, it is smart to bring walkie talkies or use a system such as a dry-erase board on the cabin door to leave messages.
  • Special note for parents of teens: Give careful consideration to their need for freedom, cautioning them on potentially dangerous ship board behavior.
  • Have a family meeting before you leave on the trip to discuss all the details. Once you’re on the ship, your kids might be too distracted to pay attention.

4. Pack properly.

It goes without saying that you need to pack for the weather and bring appropriate attire for onboard activities, including formal night (just think of the photo ops for your holiday card!) and shore excursions. Remember that other supplies can be limited and expensive on the ship and even at ports of call, so its important to think ahead, especially with young children in tow. Pack ample supplies of commonly used prescription and non prescription meds (including Dramamine), sunscreen, hand wipes, diapers and any other products, reading material or snacks (if possible) that will keep everyone happy and healthy. One note: Some ships, like Disney, provide free diapers for kids.

5. Arrive a day early.

Create a buffer against the stress of last-minute delays and (dare we say) lost luggage by arriving at your embarkation port a day early. It will also give you and your family the chance to adjust to a new time zone and do any last-minute shopping for forgotten supplies before boarding.

6. Plan shore excursions.

You’ve come this far: You’ve selected your destination, you are on your ship, you are on your way. It’s time to relax. But do take advantage of exploring ports of call along the way, if you haven’t already done it in advance. If it’s in your budget, consider the advantages of family-friendly shore excursions offered by your cruise line. If not, do a little research, and step off on your own or book a private tour on land.  These adventures will create shared family memories to last a lifetime. Just be sure to make it back in time to the ship before it sets sail. Bon Voyage!