Questions to Ask When Planning a Family Cruise With Your Children
Cruises are perfect for multi-generational family vacations! Kids seem to love cruises, and many cruise lines have recognized the previously untapped market for families with children. Since cruises offer something for all ages, families can have fun together or have fun with others of their peer group, all in one vacation spot. In addition, since almost all of the major costs of a cruise are included in the base price, it makes budgeting for a family easier. Your teenagers (or teen wanna-bes) can scan the menu looking for "the most expensive items" and be disappointed. There are no prices! They can eat what they want (and as much as they want) without a corresponding shrinkage of your wallet. Cruises are like a big "all-inclusive resort", except they move across the water, providing new vistas each day for the entire family.
Finding a cruise for adults is difficult enough, but finding a good match in a cruise for adults and children or teens involves some research and hard work.
Most cruise lines allow children on board, but not all design activities specifically for kids. Following are some basic questions you should ask your travel agent and/or find out from the cruise line when selecting a cruise for a family with children.
Be sure to check with your travel agent before booking to get the specifics on each cruise ship. Some ships have different age categories, and others don't offer their kids programs year-round.
Basics
What are the age restrictions
for the cruise line?
Do my children's ages qualify
them for a discount?
Does the Web site and/or
brochure of the cruise line
feature children in the
pictures? (If not, it's probably
not designed for kids.)
Are the special activities and
child care/teen center available
at the time we wish to cruise?
Will my children find the ports
of call interesting? If not, is
there enough to keep them happy
on the ship?
Are discounts available for a
3rd and/or 4th person in our
cabin?
If there a special place or
playroom dedicated for children?
For teens? CabinsAre cribs
and/or day beds or cots
available to put in our room? If
so, is there a rental fee? Are
adjoining cabins available?
(If you have a BIG or extended
family)How big are the cabins?
Are guardrails available for
bunk beds?
Dining
Does the menu offer food my
children will eat?
If not, are pizza and burgers
and hot dogs and such available?
Is there a children's menu
available for each meal?
Is early seating available or
does the ship have "open"
seating so that we can eat at a
time close to when the children
normally dine?
Activities
What activities are planned for
children?Is there a
children's-only pool available
on the ship?
Will there be special movies or
live entertainment that children
will enjoy?
Are there any shore excursions
scheduled that are geared toward
children?
Is there a babysitting service
available?
What are the hours and costs for
the babysitting service?
Child Care Center or Teen Center
What are the requirements for
placing a child in the center
such as age, vaccinations, or
potty training?
How are the children's areas
supervised?
Is the teen center supervised?
What are the hours, costs, and
restrictions on the centers?
What security methods are used
when a child is picked up from
the center?
What is the ratio of children to
adult staff in the children's
center?
How are the staff trained in the
children's center?
Do they know how to perform CPR
on children and infants?
Are the staff working in the
children's center insured?
Questions About Cruises? Need
Help?
Call us at 800.365.1445 or visit
www.cruisetravelermagazine.com
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associated with your cruise are not discounted. Discount limited to select
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