Dreaming of a cruise vacation but have kids in tow? Besides the practical gifts that any mom really wants, I’m usually dreaming of sandy beaches and tropical drinks. We recently booked a cruise on Royal Caribbean for our first cruise vacation with our twin 3 year olds, and went on a short trip to Bermuda. Take my advice to make your trip a little easier as you get on board and during your cruise trip with my cruise tips for days at sea. These cruise tips for days at sea while cruising with kids will help you to have a fun family trip!
7 Tips for Cruising with Kids on your Days at Sea!
Order Room Service
This was 100% the best tip I learned prior to getting on our ship. Imagine trying to get ready for the day in your little cabin, while your kids are whining that they’re hungry and want something to do. Royal Caribbean gives you a room service breakfast door tag to fill out & place on the outside handle of your door. It is collected at night, and your breakfast magically arrives at the time you select. You can order as much as you would like, so order extra & keep it around for snacks later on too! We would order bagels, croissants, bananas, yogurt, fresh fruit for the kids, and a big pot of coffee for us. This gave the kids time to enjoy breakfast in bed while watching cartoons, while we showered and got ready for the day. We still went out for a regular breakfast or hit up Starbucks too, but this was a great way to keep the kids occupied and avoid the hungry whining first thing.
Visit the Kids Club
The kids club is an awesome place, filled with fun toys, activities, and friendly staff who are willing to play with your kids while you aim to squeeze in a little kid free relaxation. Most cruise ships include this service for free for kids 3 and up who are potty trained, but check with your cruise line prior to booking. On the first day of the cruise, take the kids there to check it out and meet the staff. Unfortunately our kids weren’t fans of the club until the very last day (they thought we were getting off the ship without them). Most kids absolutely LOVE the club and want to attend every session possible.
Use your ‘Cruise Compass’
The cruise compass is your map to all the fun and activities on board. Typically your stateroom attendant will leave you a copy in the evening for the following day, so you can start to plan. There are activity directors on board who plan things for every type of cruiser, from families, to couples & singles, so there is a ton to choose from. I love being able to see it all and pick out what I would like to do each day.
Hit the Pool Early
Young kids are typically up early and want something to do. We headed straight to the pool! It was typically very empty at this hour and we would have the whole place to ourselves. Most cruises provide life jackets for little swimmers, but they do have to be potty trained to swim. We brought some goggles, put the kids in life vests and let them loose! Hubby and I would pick a couple loungers right next to the pool to put our things on & keep our drinks near so we could watch the kids closely as they swam.
Buy the Drink Package
When I’m on vacation, I like to enjoy some extra cocktails. We did the math on the cost of the drink package after paying for our first $8 drink at the bar, and realized we only needed to drink 5 beverages a day to make it worthwhile. Some of you may think 5 drinks a day is too much, but its vacation, lighten up. A mimosa in the morning, a mojito or 2 in the afternoon, a glass of wine at dinner, and 2 drinks after the kids are in bed is barely anything as far as I’m concerned. Sometimes you can purchase the package in advance at a discount too. After your kids are asleep in your stateroom, and you are pretty limited to taking turns to get drinks for the other person and come back, you’ll be glad that you have it! Cruising with kids can be fu, but also hard work. Personally, I’m a little better when I can unwind with a cocktail on vacation.
Bring Books, Coloring, & Sticker Books
We like to keep up our regular routine of bedtime stories even on vacation, so we always pack a few lightweight books when we travel. Coloring books & sticker books are helpful to keep them occupied while you are showering, getting ready or just need a little downtime. Take a peek at some of the best books for traveling with kids for some ideas.
Comforts of Home
Do you use a white noise machine with your kids? Bring it! Don’t forget their essentials like their favorite blanket or stuffed animal they sleep with every night. Comfy jammies, slippers, and their own little pillows can help make the new environment a little more comforting. We made sure to book a room with a pull out sofa so our little ones wouldn’t tumble out of a high bunk bed during the night too. Having the bedtime essentials makes cruising with kids so much easier!
I hope you are ready to get on that boat and soak up the sunshine! Don’t forget to get my tips on getting off the boat, you don’t want to miss my #1 secret to saving time and avoiding meltdowns! Good luck Cruising with kids!
[…] Once you are on-board the ship, you’ll need to know the best way to stay entertained with kids for days at sea! Read more here! […]