We cruise A LOT, and sometimes cruise with other families. We don’t have kids of our own, so I’ve asked my dearest friend and fellow cruise mate Tabitha, who has been cruising with her kids since they were wee toddlers, to share what you need to know about cruising with kids. This is one of a three part series that focuses on the pre-cruise planning of accommodations and what to expect with the boarding process. The other two parts that focus on preparing for the cruise and excursions, sea days, and kids camp are linked here as well. I’m going to let Tabitha take over from here…
Cruising is an easy way to vacation with kids. You get on the ship, you unpack once and settle in. No rental cars, car seats, food searches or forced itineraries. The crew takes care of you and life is easy. Here’s what you need to know about the stateroom accommodations and bed configuration, booking adjoining rooms with extended family, what to pack for medical/pharmaceutical needs, and what to expect during the boarding process.
Accommodations/Configuration
Consider room accommodations and configuration when booking your room, depending on your family’s needs. I would suggest a balcony room at minimum for reasonable comfort for a family of 3 or 4. I book these regularly for 2 adults and 2 kids. The sofa turns into a twin bed and another bed pulls out of the ceiling or wall, which has rails and a ladder.
When my youngest required bottles/sippy cups/teethers we found the mini-suites and suites to be most comfortable. Bathrooms in suites usually have an extra sink, a real tub and an extra vanity area outside the bathroom. This gave us the extra counter space for bottle prepping, washing and storage.
I recommend small collapsible strollers for toddlers and babies. Something that can tuck away in a closet or under the bed. Don’t bring a full size stroller as it will not fit the corridors and just stress you out. Plus the elevators aren’t always the easiest option for moving between floors. A light-weight stroller can be carried up and down stairs.
Room locations are an absolute preference, so if you do mind, read what others say about their rooms on sites like Cruise Critic. Some families like to room near elevators or food options for convenience. Some prefer quiet corners. Consider what is above you and below you, not just down the hall. My family prefers to room near the front of the ship, about mid-way up. We get less foot traffic and little or no noise from activities throughout the ship. We don’t mind hiking for food or fun. There are several public laundry rooms on the ship (Carnival, usually), usually a few per floor. The machines probably require quarters, so take a roll. Since the ship operates sans cash, coins will be hard to come by. If you forget coins, try the guest services counter or casino. Also, the single serve laundry soap machine in the laundry rooms may be lacking. Bring some laundry pods and dryer sheets of your own if you plan for laundry. We find that traveling light with kids requires a load of laundry mid-trip.
Adjoining Rooms
If you have a big group traveling together and want adjoining rooms, book these super early. They are often booked first and go fast. My family usually books two balcony rooms next to each other and requests the balcony partition be opened. But here’s the condition… they can only do this if the room configuration can accommodate it. If the balcony doors of two rooms stand next to one another then the partition cannot be opened without blocking one of the doors so they won’t open it.
I suggest getting on cruise critic websites and looking for pictures of the actual rooms you intend to book. It’s a little work but worth it if this option is important to you. Make sure doors wouldn’t be blocked by the swinging partition. Calling the cruise line to ask ahead will get you nowhere. After you board the ship, call the guest service desk and request the partition be opened. My in-laws like to cruise with us and book the balcony room next door. We always step through this routine and it works out. Our balconies are joined and our kids have a direct path to grandparents, plus we enjoy the bigger balcony.
Medical/Pharmacy
There is an infirmary on the ship you can visit if needed. You also can buy medical insurance at your cruise booking, but their medicine stock will be limited to the essentials. I’ve seen very few options for over-the-counter meds in the gift shop. Usually the only option for kids medicine is Children’s Tylenol so I typically pack my own pharmacy just in case. I include Advil and Tylenol, allergy, cough, tummy, band-aids, Neosporin, etc. Don’t forget a thermometer because… little kids. I have a big kid and a toddler so I pack for adults, and each kid’s age. As my kids grow, my pharmaceutical variety will simplify. Some ports also host a number of pharmacies that might have some options for kids if needs can wait. Oh and outbreaks! There’s lots of bad press for outbreaks on cruise ships. Considering there are several thousand people on a floating hotel, it’s possible but very preventable. The ship crews do a really good job of keeping everything clean but the guests have a responsibility here too. Cruise lines take this seriously. There are bathrooms and hand sanitizing stations everywhere. Most guests use them, but a lot won’t. Make sure to pack plenty of hand sanitizer for your family and use it often. You will be fine.
Boarding
Boarding with kids is probably the most stressful part of cruising with kids, and really it isn’t bad. When you pull up to the terminal, before parking, a number of baggage handlers will meet you and pack your luggage on a cart, if you chose. They work for the port and don’t share the big crew tip pool so pass them a few bucks for relieving some of your responsibility. You can carry your own luggage on the ship if you prefer, but you’ll have to tote it around for a while. Your room likely won’t be ready for a few hours, unless you are in a suite or purchased a ‘board-early’ package.
Now, for the stressful part… possible lines with little kids. It’s similar to moving them through the TSA security line at an airport. You drop your carry-on bags on the X-ray machine’s conveyor belt and walk through the metal detectors. No big deal. There might be another line(s) at the check-in counter. This is where you promise to not be sick, confirm credit card on file and receive your cruise ID. Your kids will receive one too.
Next: Preparing for the Cruise and Excursions
Also: Sea Days and Kids Camp
More Cruise Tips, Packing Lists, and Past Cruise Adventures:
First 24 Hours on a Cruise Ship: Do’s and Don’ts
Cruise Tips: Planning and Packing
My Cruise Kit: The Practical & the Ridiculous
A Cruise Must: Chef’s Table on Carnival Cruises
Cruise Packing Lists: Backpack & Rolling Suitcase Packing Checklists
Carry-On Suitcase Packing List (Packing Checklist for the Overhead Bin)
Carry-On Bag Packing List (Packing Checklist for Under the Seat)
Read about our Mediterranean cruise here and British Isles cruise here and Alaskan Cruise here.
Don’t forget a corkscrew (read about my TSA-compliant Carry-On Corkscrew here)!
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