2024-06-29
Here’s everything you need to know about cruising with children and kids! Find out what to expect when you embark on a cruise with children. Are there specific activities for them? What is the food like? Are there discounts for babies and children? What are the cabins like? In short, everything you need to know about traveling with children on a cruise!
We always travel as a family, which means our two children, even when they were little, always traveled with us.
When it came time to take our first cruise, naturally, both children traveled with us.
After several cruises with children, we can say we have plenty of experience to share with families considering a family cruise.
Based on our experience, we have no doubt in stating that cruises are the best way to travel with children of any age.
I know it’s a strong statement, but honestly, it’s what I believe! To prove that children and cruises are an excellent combination, I recommend reading this article to the end.
Why is it worth cruising with children?
Children only pay taxes or a very reduced fare
While on flights children pay the full ticket price or receive a small discount, on cruises the younger ones only pay taxes or a very low fare. This is one of the greatest advantages of cruising with children.
In other words, I think cruise companies have very family-friendly pricing policies. Often, two children can travel for free or with significant discounts when accompanied by two paying adults.
It’s important to check the specific conditions of the cruise you are interested in, as these promotions can vary.
Additionally, cruises offer many activities and entertainment for the young ones.
I’m referring to pools, water parks, and kids’ clubs with supervised programs. This allows parents to enjoy some free time, knowing their children are having fun safely.
Another benefit of cruises is the convenience of having everything included in one place. Food, accommodation, and activities are all available on board, which greatly simplifies the logistics of traveling with children. Therefore, there is no need to worry about restaurant reservations or organizing transportation between different destinations.
Cruises also allow you to visit several destinations without the need to pack and unpack constantly. Children can explore new places and cultures, providing them with an educational and enriching experience, all without the usual travel stress.
Children have special meals in the buffet and à la carte restaurants
If your children don’t make a fuss at mealtime, that’s great. However, it’s always reassuring to know that there are meals designed specifically for the little ones on board.
On cruises, the buffet and à la carte restaurants have special options for children, ensuring there is always something they will like.
The kids’ menus are crafted with simple dishes that appeal to young palates. There’s a bit of everything, from pasta and pizza to vegetables and fresh fruits.
The funniest part is seeing adults regularly visiting the kids’ corner, drawn by the simplicity and taste of the available options.
Moreover, the restaurants are very flexible and ready to accommodate special requests. If your children have any dietary restrictions or specific preferences, you can count on the staff to prepare something suitable.
The flexible meal times on cruises are also a huge advantage. There’s no need to worry about rigid schedules. You can choose to eat early or later, depending on your children’s routine, thanks to the buffet restaurants, which are open almost all day.
Additionally, the spaces dedicated to children in the restaurants are designed to be welcoming and fun. Often, there are even themed decorations and activities to entertain the little ones while they wait for their food.
There are family and/or connecting cabins on cruises
Most hotel rooms are designed for double occupancy, with the possibility of adding an extra bed for a child. But the situation becomes complicated when the family grows. You can’t imagine how difficult it is to find a room for a family of four!
Fortunately, on the cruises we took, we were able to stay in the same cabin very comfortably. Family cabins, even the more economical ones, are spacious and well-equipped, allowing everyone to have their own space and comfort. It’s a practical solution that avoids the stress of finding suitable accommodations for larger families.
For even larger families who do not want to stay in separate rooms, there is the option to book connecting cabins.
The good news is that some cruises offer considerable discounts for booking connecting cabins.
This option can be more economical than booking individual rooms in hotels. Moreover, many cruise lines have special promotions for families, making the trip even more affordable.
Take advantage of the kids and teen clubs, both free of charge
Did you know that if you book a tour through the cruise, you can leave your children at the ship’s kids’ clubs? And you won’t pay anything extra for this!
We make it a point to travel as a family, which means that if we go on a tour, the whole family goes together. However, I know that our youngest didn’t really enjoy the visit we made, for example, to Olympia.
The kids’ and teen clubs have extended hours. Some parents would leave their children at the club in the morning and only reunite after dinner.
It might seem excessive, but the truth is, we saw these groups of children, and no one seemed sad. Everyone appeared to be having a lot of fun.
The kids’ clubs are a great solution for parents who want to make the most of the excursions and activities on the cruise. Children are supervised by qualified professionals and participate in educational and recreational activities, including games, workshops, and themed parties.
The teen clubs, on the other hand, have activities more suited to the ages of teenagers. For example, video games, parties, sports, and even movie sessions are some of the available options.
This means that teenagers can socialize and make new friends while parents have time to relax and enjoy the cruise.
Additionally, the clubs are free, which is a huge advantage. So, there’s no need to pay extra for your children to enjoy these activities. This offering allows families to save money while making the most of their trip.
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We are a Family traveling around the world and sharing our journey and experiences at passaportenobolso.com. Here you can find plenty of family budget travel tips as well as practical information about numerous destinations in Europe, Africa, Asia and America. We have visited 30+ countries and we don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. Follow our adventures on YouTube / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter / Facebook.
