For families who have never taken a cruise before, the idea of a cruise vacation might seem a little daunting. There are undoubtedly a few questions that’ll pop up in the brainstorming phase — but let us put your mind at ease. It’s easier than you think, especially when you have this handy primer of 12 tips and tricks in your back pocket. When you're ready to take your first cruise, give our agency a call and we'll help guide you through the booking process.
12 Tips to Keep in Your Back Pocket
Choose a balcony stateroom
1. Choose a Balcony Stateroom
It’s more than worth it to upgrade to a balcony stateroom or suite. Sure, you may be busy out and about on the ship for most of the time, but for the moments when you’re back in your room, having your own personal outdoor space to sit peacefully is priceless.
2. Consider Two Cabins
Depending on the size of your family (and the age of your kids), booking connecting or adjacent cabins might give you some much-needed breathing room and privacy.
3. Arrive the Day Before
No one wants to start their trip with a red-eye flight (and if life decides to give you a curveball with a flight delay, you could miss the boat). Ensure you all put your best foot forward by arriving a day early and spend that day enjoying the port city. Leave it to your trusted travel advisor to handle hotel reservations and destination highlights.
4. Tour the Ship
The second you step on board, try to get a lay of the land, especially in relation to your cabin location. Designate a meetup spot if your kids are old enough to roam. Be sure to notice the carpet — often the pattern indicates where the front and back of the ship are.
Tour the ship
Buy a drinks package
5. Make Reservations
Specialty restaurants and spa treatment bookings can fill up quickly; stake your spot as soon as possible — you can often get a deep discount for them on embarkation day. You can always cancel them later if your plans change! (You just might have to pay a fee.)
6. Buy a Drinks Package ASAP
If the parents are looking forward to a nice strong drink (or if your kids are soda fiends), then purchase a drinks package either before the voyage starts or on day one in order to get the most bang for your buck.
7. Have a Plan for Each Port
Depending on the port, you’ll typically have somewhere between four to 12 hours to explore; have a good idea of where you want to go and what you want to do before you leave the ship. Again, this is a travel advisor’s bread and butter — they can help you with excursions and give advice about each one.
8. Switch the Family’s Cellphones to Airplane Mode
Chances are good that if your kid is old enough to roam the ship freely, they also are old enough to have their own cellphone … which means they’re old enough to rack up international roaming charges. Make it a fun challenge for the family — if everyone can stick to Wi-Fi for the duration of the trip, offer a treat on the last day.
Have a plan for each port
Ensure room keys don't get lost
9. Ensure Room Keys Don’t Get Lost
Adults are used to sticking keycards in their wallet or purse, but kids aren’t. Invest in a lanyard or two ahead of time to make it easier for your kid to keep track of it.
10. Don’t Activate Your Kid’s Room Key for Purchases
On many ships, room keys can be used for purchases on board. If your child is prone to misplacing or forgetting things, it might save you a headache to just … not enable it for shipboard purchases from the start.
11. Introduce Your Kids to the Kids/Teens Club on the First Night
Kids may put up some resistance to partaking in the onboard kids club. The easiest way to convert them is if they have a friend there — kids clubs will often have an introductory activity on the first night of the cruise, where they can get to know the other kids in their age group.
12. Don’t Panic About Forgetting Something
There are typically shops on board selling everything from chocolate to toiletries to medicine. Also, you might be able to do laundry on board, so don’t worry about packing clean clothes for every single day!
Contact our agency to book your family vacation.
