Don’t start your cruise vacation on the wrong foot. If you’re traveling with kids — especially little ones — follow these 13 tips to make flying to your cruise hassle-free.

13 Tips For Flying With Kids

1. Fly nonstop.

If you’ve got young children, getting through the airport is the hardest part of the trip. You need to wrangle them while carrying all the gear, manage bathroom breaks (always urgently needed at the worst times), forever find snacks, and chase fleet-footed toddlers through crowded terminals with a myriad of distractions.

Why do that twice? Flights with layovers can be more affordable, but with a young family, the ease of a nonstop flight is likely well worth the extra money. You only have to navigate one airport and one flight before you arrive at your destination – rather than two. And you can skip the mad dash through your connecting airport when your first flight is inevitably late and your connecting time is short.

2. Research bag allowances.

Airlines have different policies for baggage allowances for babies sitting on your lap and baby gear you can check for free. Make sure you know what you’re entitled to bring for free and which bags you’ll need to pay extra for, so you’re not caught off guard.

If you’re checking baby gear with your luggage (as opposed to gate checking strollers and carseats at the jetway), we recommend a bag for extra protection. Then, you can pad your precious gear with a few extra items — think puffy winter coats or a bag of dirty laundry — to save space in your other bags.

3. Overpack your carry-on.

Bring more toys, snacks, books, and diapers than you think you’ll need for the actual flight. You never know when a delayed flight will wreak havoc on your travel plans, or which food item or game your kid will absolutely need to stay happy and occupied. Don’t forget a spare set of clothes (for the kids and you) because when they spill their apple juice, it doesn’t just land on them.

4. Sit by the bathrooms in the back.

Most adults prefer a seat toward the front of the plane because you don’t have to wait forever to get off. When flying with your family, choose a seat in the back near the bathrooms.

Why? When your 4-year-old urgently needs to pee, you don’t have far to go, and you can easily figure out when the bathrooms are free. When the plane lands, you have more time to gather all your belongings, get baby in the carrier, and check for lost toys without holding up the line. Plus, since other families know this trick, you’re more likely to be surrounded by forgiving parents when your littles start to cry or whine.

READ MORE: How To Get Cheap International Flights For Your Cruise

5. Make a plan for getting babies and toddlers through the airport.

Do you find it easier to put baby in a sling or carrier, and check your stroller? Or do you need your toddler in the stroller, and you plan to gate check your wheels? Do you need a toddler leash or stroller handle to keep walkers from straying, or a contraption that turns your car seat into a wheeled stroller? Make a plan far ahead of your cruise about how you are going to get your little kids through the airport (and embarkation port!), so you know exactly what you need to bring.

6. Test that plan.

Babies and little kids need a crazy amount of gear, and they can’t — or won’t — carry any of it. Once you know how you’re carrying your kids, check that you can handle that, plus everything else you need to carry through the airport. You only have two arms. If you can’t carry everything, you might need to reorganize your carry-on luggage.

If you (naively) think your kid is going to wear an adorable puppy backpack with her toys in it, have her practice at home. In most cases, you will end up schlepping that backpack by the time you hit your gate.

7. Strategize family boarding.

Research your airline’s family boarding rules before you buy your tickets. They’re all different. What is the age maximum to qualify? Between which groups can you board? You might find the plan works for your needs — or you might find it’s worth it to splurge on priority boarding to get your family settled in early.

8. Seek out in-terminal fun.

Some airport terminals have play areas for kids to get their wiggles out before the flight. Others have interesting displays to check out. If you plan on arriving early, or have a long layover, your kids will be happier with a place to play. Be creative. An empty gate is a fun place for a crawler or toddler to explore, and a big window with a view of planes taking off and landing can occupy kids for a long time.

9. Make smart seating choices.

Many airplanes have rows of three, which aren’t ideal for a family of four. Decide if your family is better off with two kids and one parent in a row, and the other parent sitting in front (to withstand toddler kicking), across the aisle (for easy snack passing), or behind (for a blissful two hours of alone time). If you prefer one parent and one kid in each row, know you’ll likely be sitting next to a stranger in the third seat. Decide in advance which kids get the coveted window seat, so you don’t have fights and standoffs in the aisle of the plane.

RELATED: 13 Tips for Surviving International Flights

10. Don’t forget headphones.

TV, videos, and electronic games go a long way to make flying with kids easier. For the sake of everyone else on the plane, bring headphones. No one wants to hear squeaky cartoon voices or tinny video game background music or explosions while they’re trying to work or sleep in-flight.

11. Book flights around nap times and bedtimes.

I once made the mistake of getting the time change backward, and booked a flight from Boston to San Francisco with a 1-year-old that took off close to bedtime. He was sitting on my lap, and absolutely could not find a comfortable place to sleep. It was a nightmare.

Don’t assume your little kids will sleep on a plane. It’s best to avoid flights during naps or after bedtime if you expect calm behavior from your child on the plane.

12. Throw everyday rules out the window.

Give your kids as many snacks, juice, soda, and videos as they request to keep them happy on the flight. (It’ll be good practice for the 24/7 ice cream machines on your cruise ship.) They’ll be happy and less likely to start the “are we there yet” whining.

13. Strategize bathroom breaks.

Little kids have to pee at the most inconvenient times. Try to head off the emergencies — or the need to go when the seatbelt sign is on. Take babies and kids to the bathrooms immediately before boarding, or right before takeoff. (See, that seat close to the bathroom pays off!) Plan bathroom trips at intervals when the seatbelt sign is off.

If you’re flying with a baby, ask the flight attendant which bathroom has the pull-down changing table; most planes only have one. And if you have newly toilet trained children, consider a pull-up for the flight for extra protection.

By Erica Silverstein

READ MORE: Which River Cruise Lines Are Best for Kids?

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While only a couple of these cruise lines include a dedicated spa area for teens, all four offer an exclusive menu of treatments available for passengers 13 to 17 years old.

Disney Cruise Line — Chill Spa

Within Disney Cruise Line’s Senses Spa & Salon is an enclave just for guests ages 13 to 17: Chill Spa.

With its own nature-inspired color scheme and use of tropical flower and butterfly décor elements, Chill Spa feels distinct from Senses Spa. There, teens can unwind and relax with their very own menu of treatments and services.

Offerings include the Heavenly Massage, Hot Chocolate Wrap, Surfers Scrub, Ice Cream Manicures and Pedicures, Tantastic Body Bronzer, and the Acne Attack Facial. Mother/daughter and father/son massages are also available.

Note: A parent or guardian must accompany teens throughout the duration of their treatment. Chill Spa can be found on all four of Disney Cruise Line’s ships.

RELATED: Disney Cruise Line Details Spa & Bars on Disney Wish

Carnival Cruise Line — ZSpa

Carnival Cruise Line offers a spa experience for teens ages 13 to 17 called ZSpa. Unlike on Disney, ZSpa isn’t actually a dedicated space; it’s just a variety of offerings created specifically for younger cruisers.

Treatments within the ZSpa menu include the Superfood Insta-Glow Facial, Clear Skin Multi-Mask Facial, manicures and pedicures, and hair services. And like Disney, mother/daughter and father/son massages are also available.

Specialized fitness classes are available to teens, as well.

Note: A parent or guardian must accompany teens throughout their spa treatments. ZSpa offerings can be found on all of Carnival’s ships.

READ MORE: Review: Carnival Breeze Cloud 9 Spa

Royal Caribbean — YSpa

Royal Caribbean International’s list of spa treatments for teens ages 13 to 17 is called YSpa, and it appears that either Royal or Carnival was influenced by the other when they named their teen spa program!

On most ships, YSpa is also similar in concept to Carnival in that there isn’t actually physically separate location for teens in the spa. On the Oasis-class vessels, however, YSpa is more like Disney — it does have its own area.

YSpa offers a variety of treatments including manicures and pedicures, facials, a deep conditioning hair treatment, and massages. Mother/daughter and father/son massages are also available.

“Fitness Frenzy” classes are also offered for teens 16 and older, usually at the ship’s aerobics studio.

Note: Teens under 16 years old must have a parent or guardian accompany them throughout their spa treatment.

Celebrity Cruises

And finally, Celebrity Cruises also has a special menu of services available for teens ages 13 to 17. Options include deep cleansing facials, manicures and pedicures, hair treatments, and Megawhite Express laser teeth whitening. And just like the other lines, Celebrity offers mother/daughter and father/son massages.

In the ship’s fitness center, teens can take lessons on how to improve their gait or posture, or get a custom workout routine created by one of the ship’s trainers.

Note: A parent or guardian must accompany teens during their spa treatments and during visits to the fitness center.

READ NEXT: How Much Does It Cost for Kids to Go on a Cruise?

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The video series is called “Designing The Disney Wish,” and so far there have been four installments over on the Disney Parks YouTube channel.

We wanted to make sure our readers who are Disney fans didn’t miss out on the peek behind the curtain. So below, you’ll find all four videos thus far in Disney Cruise Line’s “Designing The Disney Wish” series.

Episode 1: A Dazzling New Design

To read about the inspiration for the ship, the exterior, and the atrium, head over to our article Design Details Revealed For New Disney Cruise Line Ship.

Episode 2: The Grand Reveal

Episode 3: The Tower Suite & Cabins

To read about The Tower Suite and a new wedding venue onboard, check out this article: Disney Wish to Feature a Moana-Inspired Suite in the Funnel.

Episode 4: New Family Restaurants

To learn about the new restaurants, kids’ clubs, family entertainment, and more, check out our articles Disney Wish to Feature New Restaurants, Reimagined Kid’s Clubs and Disney Cruise Line Details ‘Avengers’ Dining Experience on Disney Wish.

You can also learn about the spa and bars on Disney Wish here: Disney Cruise Line Details Spa & Bars on Disney Wish.

Don’t worry! We’ve put together this list for just this reason — here are seven ways to get your kids excited about the different ports you’ll be exploring along your cruise itinerary.

1. Read books about the areas you’ll visit.

One of the best ways to learn about a destination and immerse yourself in its culture is to read about it, both through fiction and nonfiction books. Head to the kids’ section at your local bookstore and see what books they may have that are set in your destination. But don’t limit yourself to that — check out the store’s nonfiction travel section and browse those books, too. 

The types of books that will be best largely depend on the ages of your kids. If you have littles that are too young to read or are just learning how to read, try to find picture books — even if they’re less destination-specific and more generic, like stories about a beach day or boat ride. Just getting an idea of what different port calls may be like are bound to help your kids better understand the trip and be more excited for it.

2. Find destination-themed coloring books/pages.

Alongside reading destination-centered stories, get some travel-themed coloring books or print off some coloring pages about the specific places you’re going to visit during the voyage. Adults and teens might even like to join in on the fun with the plethora of more detailed adult coloring books and pages that have become popular. 

Art supply company Crayola has an entire webpage devoted to free ‘places’ themed coloring pages, which include a variety of country flags and popular attractions. We also found these fun beach-themed coloring pages.

And for adults, we found travel-themed coloring books from Lonely Planet and Wanderer.

3. Study key phrases together in the local language.

While it’s unlikely that you’ll need to know the local language since most cruise ports are very tourism-focused, one fun way to dive into a different culture is to learn some phrases from the native language, anyway.

You could simply search ‘common phrases a visitor should know in [the language]’ on Google, or buy a little phrase translation book. Practicing a few words and phrases with your kids each day in the weeks leading up to the cruise is a great way to get excited, and who knows — they very well could end up coming in handy while you’re there.

MORE: How Much Does It Cost for Kids to Go on a Cruise?

4. Watch movies or TV episodes about that location.

These days, it couldn’t be easier to find movies and TV shows on just about any topic you could think of. Search the web for specific ones about the destinations you’ll be visiting — or just set in those destinations — and queue them up on your streaming services or On-Demand so the whole family can watch. If your kids are really little, see about finding a destination or travel-themed episodes of cartoons they might enjoy.

Note: You can find shows and movies about cruise ships, too! And don’t forget YouTube and its collection of talented cruise and travel vloggers. You can get a sneak peek at just about any cruise ship or destination there.

Might we suggest the Cruise Radio YouTube channel to start?

5. Make a list of which foods you might like to try in port.

Every locale has dishes and recipes that the residents hold dear — and make often! Here at Cruise Radio, one of our favorite parts of going on a cruise is eating the many delicious things that can be found both on the ship and while in port. If you’ve got kids who get excited over food, ramp up the vacation anticipation by looking at what foods are popular in each port, and making a list together of which ones you’d like to try.

If you’re a big planner, you can even narrow down which restaurants you might like to head to for those dishes ahead of time, and you probably won’t need the kids’ help for that part.

Note: If you want some destination flavor before you even leave for the trip, consider finding recipes and making some dishes ahead of time. Then if you really like something, be sure to get the authentic, local version when you get there!

READ MORE: 25 First Time Cruise Tips

6. Have them help you plan excursions.

One of the best ways to get your kids — or anyone, really — excited about a vacation is to involve them in planning activities and tours. Sure, you might not want to involve your kids in planning for every single port, especially if it’s a longer cruise, but try to involve them in at least a few. 

Your horse-loving daughter’s excitement might go up three notches if she decides you should all go horseback riding on the beach at Half Moon Cay, and your history and photography-loving son’s excitement will double if he knows there’s a walking tour of a centuries-old fortress and old town to look forward to in Dubrovnik. 

7. Look at photos of key attractions you might see while there.

Chances are if you mention the islands or port cities that you’ll be visiting during your trip to your kids, they won’t know anything about some of those places. To help them really understand what the destinations will be like, you need to offer some context — and an excellent way to do that is by looking at photos. 

You could look at some photos the cruise line provides on their website, or just pull up good ol’ Google and simply do an image search of each port. Take care to look up different points of interest that you plan to see in each destination, such as the Mayan ruins in Mexico, a particular resort and beach you’ve gotten day passes for in the Bahamas, or the Colosseum in Rome. This gives kids visuals for the trip, and further helps them understand just how the vacation is going to look.

For advice on involving your kids in the cruise planning process, check out our article 8 Ways to Involve Your Kids in Planning Your Family Cruise.

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Here are a few ways to involve your whole family in the cruise planning process.

1. Ask the kids where they want to go.

If you’re debating between the Eastern and Western Caribbean, or a cruise to Bermuda vs. one to the Bahamas, seek out the opinions of your children. Don’t give them the entire cruise brochure, or they’ll demand to be taken on a 14-day South American odyssey. Instead, let them look into the two, maybe three, finalist itineraries, and weigh in on the pros and cons of each. Just be clear that parents get the final say in case your kids can’t agree.

2. Let them pick the cruise ship or line.

You think the bells and whistles of a modern Royal Caribbean ship are worth a splurge, but your spouse is pushing for Norwegian’s Free at Sea inclusion package. Get the kids to resolve your stalemate. Perhaps they have strong opinions about top-deck options (surfing vs. go-karts) or kid’s club locations. Not only will they be happy to have a say, but they might shed new light on the choices that help you come to a final decision.

3. Get their say on sleeping arrangements.

When planning a cruise, the first thing you do is pick a ship and itinerary. After that, you’ll need to pick your cabin(s). Families have a few options when it comes to standard cabins. Along with the regular beds that can be separate or pushed together to create a queen bed, there are a few other options for kids: pull-out couches that turn into beds and pull-down beds from the wall or ceiling that are sort of like a top bunk bed. Some cabins will have both.

If you can’t imagine squeezing yourselves and two kids into one regular cabin, there are other considerations. You could get a specifically designed family cabin that’s got dedicated and private space for everyone, adjoining cabins that share an interior door so there’s more room to spread out (keep in mind each cabin has to have an adult booked in it, though no one will be verifying the sleeping arrangements), or splurge for a suite for even more room. 

MORE: Carnival Cruise Line Family Harbor Staterooms 

Some specially-designed family cabins include the Family Harbor Suites on Carnival’s Vista-class ships, which have two changing areas, a privacy curtain, and a dedicated lounge for families to grab breakfast and snacks. Many Disney Cruise Line staterooms were also designed for families —  boasting a split bathroom concept and privacy curtain. 

Your decision will be easier if you poll the entire family about the various choices. No matter what category you get, discuss the location that best suits everyone’s needs, etc. If you have older kids who will be venturing out on their own, consider picking a memorable cabin number so they’re less likely to forget it… think A111 vs R217. Seeing where you’re going to be staying during the trip is sure to make the trip feel even more real and get everyone excited!

4. Make a cruise countdown.

If you search something like “vacation countdowns” or “vacation countdown crafts for kids” on Pinterest or Google, there are lots of ideas out there — whether they be printables or DIY projects.

You can start the countdown right when you tell the family about the trip, or wait until you’re a month or two out to really build the excitement. You could even give the kids something on specific countdown milestones (like the three-week, two-week, and one-week mark) to use during the trip such as new sunglasses or a spiffy outfit to wear on a formal night. 

And let’s be honest… the countdown wouldn’t just be for the kids. Adults love countdowns too… even the Shipmate app has a countdown clock to count the days (and hours!) till it’s time to set sail.

READ MORE: 11 Family Theme Parks Near Cruise Ports

5. Make choosing shore excursions a family affair.

One of the best ways to get the kids involved is to choose your shore excursions together. If members of your family have different ideas of what a day in port should look like (for example, a beach day vs. zip lining vs. a historical tour), working together to ensure that everyone gets a bit of what they want will make the trip that much better. 

A great way to do this is to look for shore excursions that include different activities.

For example, many sightseeing tour excursions also offer time at a beach. Riding quads through a nature preserve might also include a lesson on local culture and wildlife. You could also let each family member take charge of a port day during the cruise, so everyone gets the chance to do what they really want. 

Lastly, and possibly the best option for families who have very different interests, is to not take an excursion at all. Instead, map out an itinerary for yourselves and explore the port on your own. Shuttles, cabs, and other means of transportation are usually readily available to get to each point of interest you want to experience, and many ports are easily walkable, too.

6. Pick specialty dining together.

If you want to expand your horizons and try some specialty dining in addition to all of the included venues on your ship, think about involving your kids in that decision as well. This is assuming you will visit these venues as a family, although you certainly can drop your kids off at the youth club for an evening and have a special dinner to yourselves, too. 

If you plan to hit up specialty venues together, discuss the types of cuisine that everyone likes and go from there. If your family loves steak and potatoes, see about making a reservation at the steakhouse. Some ships have a lot to choose from these days — everything from Mexican and Asian-fusion to Italian, Brazilian, and good ole American barbecue. The best part? Cruise ship specialty dining usually has a flat price, and kids are almost always significantly cheaper than adults.

7. Have them design family T-shirts or hats.

A fun cruise tradition is printing matching T-shirts or hats for your family to wear on embarkation day (or another day during the voyage) — perhaps to acknowledge a milestone celebration or group theme. Kids can be fickle about wanting to dress matchy-matchy with their parents, but you’ll get more buy-in if you let your little artists help with the design. 

You could sketch out ideas together and then create a design based on those ideas to have printed, or go full DIY and use fabric paint and other materials to create your masterpiece yourselves.

We recommend that if you want all of the shirts to be the same, have a fun design printed. If you don’t mind that they’re different, let everyone get crafty! Among decorative elements, many families put their last name on shirts, followed by “family vacation” or “family cruise” and the year (or month and year if you cruise more frequently).

No matter how the kids help, they’ll be more likely to dress the part if they have a say in what they’re wearing. Don’t forget to take a family photo the day you wear them!

8. Put kids in charge of door décor.

Does your family love to decorate their door or cabin on a cruise? This is a great way to put the kids in charge. Give them a budget for Etsy or Amazon, or have them design signs and posters to display. 

If you’re going the DIY route, there are plenty of ideas to get you started online, or you can let the kids’ imaginations run wild and see what they come up with. But before you do that, make sure to check your cruise line’s policy on door decorations. They are generally still allowed, but rules have gotten more strict in recent years as to what materials can be used for them. If you aren’t keen on the restrictions, consider buying some fun magnets to stick on the door — they’re metal!

The great thing about making door decorations is not only that they are pretty, but they’re another way to help your family identify your cabin. Those long, loooong hallways can get confusing, and it can be easy to forget your cabin number — especially since it’s not printed on your cruise card for safety reasons. At the very least, if you know your hallway, you’ll be able to find your cabin based on the door décor — which makes it a lot easier for kids, too.

We hope you’ll be able to use some of these ideas to help get the entire family excited for your next cruise vacation!

READ MORE: The 7 Best Cruise Lines for Babies and Toddlers

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By Sarah Bretz and Erica Silverstein

Unfortunately, there is no cut-and-dry answer to this question. Things like the number of people in the cabin and the ages of your children may be factors, depending on the cruise line. To help you figure it out, let’s dive in.

Vacation Pricing Comparisons

You may be in the very beginning stages of vacation planning and aren’t even sure if a cruise is the right fit for your family.

There are lots of options out there, and building your own vacation by staying at a hotel or opting for an all-inclusive resort experience are also attractive choices. We want to give you the basics of how pricing works for each of these options.

Hotels

With a hotel stay, you’ll typically just pay one price for your room, whether two people stay in it or four. Many times, hotels will even have cots or roll-away beds available, which can add space for a fifth person. Often, these are free, but sometimes you’ll pay a small fee for one. 

Hotels charge per room and not per person simply because you’re pretty much getting just the room. Aside from pool access and the occasional free continental breakfast, hotels don’t really include much else.

You’re basically booking a place to sleep at night and get ready for the day — the hotel isn’t where most of your activities, food, and entertainment will be found.

Because of this, most hotels will obviously cost much less than an all-inclusive resort or cruise, but you have to factor in all of the additional expenses that your vacation experience will incur: meals each day, activities, attractions, entertainment, transportation, etc.

All-Inclusive Resorts

All-inclusive resorts have a more complicated pricing structure because you aren’t just getting a place to sleep when you stay at a resort that has a lot of inclusions.

Most likely, adults will be able to enjoy alcoholic beverages for free, as well as food, activities, entertainment, and possibly even off-property excursions. Kids enjoy all the same perks, minus the alcohol, of course. 

Each resort may calculate its rates differently because there are a lot of different circumstances to consider.

There could be a family of four consisting of two adults and two kids under 12; a family of five with two adults, two teenagers, and a child under 12; a single parent with one child; or a couple with a baby under two — you get the idea.

Resorts could offer a pricing structure that’s one flat rate per night for guests no matter their age, but they don’t tend to do that. Teenagers will generally cost less than adults, kids will be less than them, and babies under age two may cost less or even be free.

This is because kids won’t be drinking alcohol and probably won’t eat as much as their parents do; their stay costs the resort less money than an adult’s stay does. Resorts generally arrive at their nightly rate based on a combination of the number of people in a room as well as their ages.

Each resort has its own formula for how they charge guests, but the bottom line is this: kids and teens will usually cost less than adults, but they are almost never free.

You might experience sticker shock when you look at the price of an all-inclusive resort next to a hotel in the same area, but you have to consider all of the costs you’re getting bundled into the price.

The food, activities, entertainment, and alcohol you might pay for out of pocket during your hotel vacation could add up to the same or more than the per-night price of your all-inclusive resort, so weigh your options with that in mind.

Cruises

As mentioned, there is no single answer as to how the pricing works for kids on a cruise. Each cruise line has different policies.

For many cruise lines, the per-person fare is technically not different whether you’re a baby or 80 years old. But the differences come when you add the number of people in your cabin into the mix.

If you’re a parent traveling solo with one young child, chances are good that you’ll be paying the same fare for both of you. But if you’re two parents traveling with one (or a few) kids in the same cabin, you’ll probably end up paying a reduced fare for each of the kids.

Not necessarily because they’re kids but because they’re the third, fourth, or even fifth person in the cabin. We’ll get into this more in a bit.

Note: We did mention the fifth guest in a cabin, but keep in mind that most cruise cabins will only be able to hold four people. A select few standard cabins may be able to accommodate five on different cruise lines, but often, you’ll have to get a suite to accommodate more than four.

In that case, you’ll be paying a lot more per person just for the luxury of a suite, so it may work best for your family of five-plus people to just get two standard cabins instead.

Budgeting for a cruise should be a little bit easier than for a hotel vacation, but it might take more effort than an all-inclusive resort would since most cruise lines don’t include as much as an inclusive resort does.

Your cruise fare will cover your cabin, most meals, and most activities and entertainment. It likely won’t include alcoholic drinks and soda, specialty restaurants, gratuities, shore excursions, and some activities. 

READ MORE: Which River Cruise Lines Are Best for Kids?

Special Cruise Deals

Reduced Fare For Third and Fourth Passengers

As mentioned, most cruise lines offer reduced (or rarely, free) fares for the additional people in a cabin above the two people who pay the full fare. The cost can often be half the price of the full fare or less, which is an excellent deal.

The mainstream lines do it as standard practice, such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Disney, Princess, and Celebrity. And if you take one cruise with Holland America, you’re automatically enrolled in their loyalty program and thereafter receive the reduced fare benefit starting at the very first tier.

Sometimes, lines will run promotions that even further reduce the price of third and fourth guests, such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian.

For a family of two adults and two children, this option works out perfectly because both kids’ cruise fare is greatly reduced or free. It also works for adult children or even a friends’ trip as long as everyone shares the same cabin. 

Just be aware that even when a promotion is running that includes free or further reduced fares for the third and fourth passengers, there will likely be some restrictions.

Often, it only includes certain ships, itineraries, and times of year to sail, and the third and fourth guests will typically pay full port charges and taxes. So if you have your heart set on a specific itinerary and the deal doesn’t include it, you’ll have to decide which is more important: the savings or the destinations.

Also, keep in mind that scoring these reduced rates requires that the family stay in one cabin. Some parents, especially those with older kids, prefer to book a separate room for their adult children.

In that case, the first two people in each room will be paying the full fare. So, if privacy and space are paramount to your family, it’s going to cost you. 

Kids Sail Free

To narrow it down further, some cruise lines actually have a deal where kids specifically can sail free. MSC Cruises is especially known for this, as are Royal Caribbean and CroisiEurope. As is the case above, these deals also usually only apply to certain ships and times of the year. 

Keep in mind that each cruise line has its own age limit for this perk; it’s not just anyone under 18 across the board. For Royal Caribbean, it’s 12 and under; for MSC, it’s 17 and under; and for CroisiEurope, it’s 15 and under. 

Research: What Cruise Lines Let Kids Sail Free?

Group Rates

In addition to these various deals, it’s worth mentioning that if you’re traveling with a large group, there’s often an opportunity to get reduced cruise fares and even free staterooms if you have enough people traveling. And this doesn’t only apply to kids; it applies to every person that’s part of the group. 

Of course, there is a minimum size, as well as stipulations and conditions for a group to qualify for the perks and discounts, including ensuring that you’re booking with the cruise line correctly to qualify as a “group.” 

For special cases like this, we especially recommend using a travel agent as it won’t be quite like booking a cruise the way you may be used to.

Either way, it’s definitely worth looking into if you’re planning for a large group with friends or family members, and it’ll certainly help with the budget when you’ve got your kids in tow. 

Onboard Aspects

Now that we’ve covered the costs and options when it comes to cruise fare, let’s talk about how much the onboard experience will cost for your kids.

Dining

Good news! Not only do your kids almost always have all the same options as you regarding included dining during your cruise, but they will actually probably fare better in specialty restaurants than you. 

Most cruise lines price their specialty restaurants with a flat per-person price, and kids are almost always significantly cheaper.

We’re talking half the cost of adults or less. Sometimes, kids are even free. So if you have a hankering for a big juicy steak or a family-style Italian meal, don’t be afraid to make a reservation and include your kids — they won’t set you back much (or at all). 

Youth Clubs

There’s even more good news when it comes to the children’s and teen clubs on your ship — nearly everything that takes place there is included in the cruise fare.

Whether it’s games, crafts, dance parties, science experiments, themed events, or even supervised activities around the ship like scavenger hunts or sports tournaments, you won’t have to shell out anything for your kids to enjoy what the kid’s club has to offer.

One notable exception is the ships that offer late-night group babysitting in the kid’s club space, which usually comes with a small fee. Chances are, that fee is well worth it so you can have a night out on the ship for yourselves. 

READ MORE: The 7 Best Lines For a Family Reunion Cruise

Shore Excursions

The last thing we want to touch on here is shore excursions. There are so many excursions out there to choose from, whether it be those that you can book through the cruise line, independent tours booked in advance, or those that you pick in port once you get off the ship for the day. 

Because of that, there are lots of variables as to how much you’ll pay and whether kids cost the same as adults or not. Often, kids will not cost as much (sometimes half the price or less) as adults do for shore excursions, for everything from historical tours to resort day passes. 

In other instances, they may cost the same, or if they’re young enough, they may even be free. This is just something to keep in mind when you’re drawing up your cruise budget and choosing excursions for your time in port.

In Closing…

As is true for any vacation, bringing your kids along will add more elements to your planning and budgeting than you would have without them.

With cruising, each cruise line will have different methods to how they arrive at the cruise fare for each person when sailing with more than two guests in a stateroom.

It’s important to note that most of the points discussed here apply to mainstream “big-ship” cruise lines, and that on the luxury lines where kids are allowed, their fare structures will likely be quite different. It’s not as common to find third and fourth person discounts or special kid’s fares on luxury ships.

As with any aspect of taking a family vacation, the bottom line is that the more you do your due research diligence, the better you’ll be able to budget and the fewer unwelcome surprises you’ll have along the way.

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Here’s how you can pick the best pre-cruise hotel for your family.

Look for suites and room dividers.

Most hotel rooms for four offer two double or queen beds. That means the kids will have to share a bed (hello blanket wars) or parents will have to split up and each try to sleep next to a wriggling, drooling bed hog. If your kids have early bedtimes, you might be forced into camping out in the bathroom at night to keep the room dark and your kids calm. 

For a better evening experience, look for true hotel suites with a separate bedroom behind a closed door or rooms with partial walls dividing a bed area from a pullout couch. Everyone will sleep better with their own space. You’ll have to dig through the listings. A hotel will call any extra-large or fancy room a suite, whether or not the bedroom is behind a wall from the living area.

Prioritize kid-friendly hotel amenities.

Families have different hotel needs than business travelers or adults on a romantic getaway. You might not make it to the gym on your family vacation, but you will want a bathtub for bathing young children. An in-room mini-fridge is necessary for milk and snack storage, and child-proof balcony doors will give peace of mind to parents traveling with curious babies or kids.

You might also prefer a hotel room with the sink outside the toilet/shower area, so one kid can brush her teeth while the other showers.

Insist on free breakfast.

Free hotel breakfasts are the ultimate family amenity, and deserve a separate shoutout. Eating at the hotel makes mornings much easier for families. You can eat in shifts if not everyone is ready at the same time, bring food back to your room to eat, and even take fruit, cereal boxes, or small cartons of milk for mid-morning snacks before embarkation.

Plus, kids love the waffle makers and choice of cereals, and the free coffee is typically better than what you can make in your hotel room. And no one will complain if your kids come down in their sweats or pajamas.

READ MORE: Three Nights vs Seven Nights – What’s the Best Cruise for a Family?

Make sure transportation options suit your family and budget.

Hotels with free shuttles to/from the cruise port and airport can save a family money – but they don’t work with carseats. If you’re traveling with babies or little kids, make sure transportation options work for you. 

If you’re going to have to taxi or Uber, pick a hotel location that’s centrally located between the airport and cruise port to cut down transit costs. If you’re driving, factor in parking costs and look for hotels with park-and-cruise deals. Close enough to the cruise port to walk? Make sure you can handle all the bags and strollers – those good-for-nuthin’ kids are unlikely to carry their own gear.

Choose hotels near kid-friendly dining.

It’s bad enough trying to find a suitable restaurant when your kids are whining about how hungry they are – you also don’t want to deal with calling an extra-large Uber or installing car seats in a cab. Pick a centrally-located hotel within walking distance of kid-friendly dining, so your family can easily walk to food options.

You can even inquire about local takeout options before booking if it’s simpler to order pizza or subs to your room on the eve of your cruise.

If you’re planning on eating at the hotel, make sure the house restaurant is kid-friendly. We once stayed at a pre-cruise hotel where the restaurant was in the bar, and families with kids had to sit at tables in the lobby to eat. You don’t want your only in-hotel dining options to be overpriced room service or a celebrity chef-run, gourmet restaurant.

Ask about rollaway availability and costs.

Need a rollaway bed in your hotel room? You might get charged extra to use one. It came as a surprise to us that some hotels charge extra for cots, so ask before you book to avoid unpleasant surprises on your final bill. Also, request a rollaway in advance in case your hotel has a limited supply, and make sure there’s adequate space in your room to put one without parents tripping over it. The same strategy applies to cribs or pack-n-plays you might want to borrow from your hotel.

READ MORE: Family Cruise Deals: Which Cruise Lines Let Kids Sail Free

Go for the indoor pool.

Most kids love pools. If yours do too, your hotel stay will be greatly enhanced with an indoor pool. Kids can tire themselves out splashing in the pool while you relax in the hot tub, and you’ve got a pre-planned pre-embarkation activity. Plus, if the pool is indoors, bad weather won’t cause disappointed tantrums.

Insist on free Wi-Fi.

Your tech-savvy kids will be packing their tablets and cell phones for their cruise vacation (or at least demanding to use yours), and will certainly want time at the hotel to watch cartoons, play video games, or message their friends. Choose a hotel with free Wi-Fi to keep tantrums at bay and your final bill low. Note that some hotels that normally charge for internet access offer it free to loyalty club members, so be sure to sign up for any free programs prior to your trip.

Skip the fancy decor.

This should go without saying, but just in case… when traveling with little kids, look for the most basic rooms in terms of decor. Avoid quaint inns with lots of antiques and extraneous knick-knacks, or sophisticated boutique hotels with decorative breakables. Having spent one cruise trying to keep my one-year-old from eating the decorative rocks in the atrium, I can attest that hotel rooms with the fewest items your child can break, knock over, eat, pocket, or trip on, the better.

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Your best defense is to come prepared to sail through the cruise boarding process like a pro. Here are our expert hacks for planning a successful embarkation day for your family cruise.

1. Make a transportation game plan.

If your travel party includes anyone in a car seat or stroller, or older adults with mobility issues, you’ll need a transportation strategy. Plot how you’ll get from your home or hotel to the cruise port as if you’re planning a military mission.

Is it safe to take your baby on the hotel shuttle with no seat belts, and can Grandma handle the steps? Know the answer before you’re standing by the van without a Plan B. If you’re planning on taking a cab or Uber to the cruise terminal, you’ll need car seats. Weren’t planning to bring them? You’ll need to organize a car service with kid seats well before embarkation day.

If you’re on a budget, compare the costs of an UberXL to the cruise shuttle. And if you’re taking a cab or Lyft and installing your own car seats, practice securing and removing them from your own car until you can do it easily without cursing.

Families driving their own car and parking at the port might find it more convenient to drop most of the clan and all of the luggage at the terminal and then go park the car. This is especially true if there’s a long walk or a crowded shuttle ride from the lot back to the pier.

2. Skip the lines.

If your kids nearly lost their minds at airport security, you can count on tantrums once they’re stuck in line at the cruise terminal. Your recipe for success? Skip the lines.

The easiest option is to arrive later during the embarkation window. Most eager cruisers show up early so they can hit the buffet for lunch and get in a few early runs on the waterslide (or a few early drinks at the bar). While you might miss a few hours of fun or — gasp! — a meal, you’ll sail through the embarkation process with minimal waiting if you arrive in the last couple hours.

You can also buy your way past the lines. Suite guests and VIP past passengers get special lines and priority boarding, or you can pay for a priority package, such as Carnival’s Faster to the Fun, that gets you through the terminal more quickly.

3. Win with your carry-on.

You’ll hand over your large suitcases to porters at the pier, so it’s essential that you take care when packing carry-ons for your family. Bring entertainment for embarkation lines — toys, books, snacks, video games (with headphones!) — to keep the whining to a minimum. Pack a bathing suit and change of clothes so kids can hit the pool and water slides before your luggage is delivered to your cabin.

If your kid has a lovey or favorite blankie, DO NOT put it in checked luggage. Keep it close to keep everyone happy.

READ MORE: Family Cruise Deals: Which Cruise Lines Let Kids Sail Free

4. Get creative about nap time.

Your kids might nap in a stroller; mine never did. Depending on the age and nap style of your babies and toddlers, you might find that they need to sleep before you’re able to get into your cabin or during the mandatory muster drill. Start the meltdown countdown…

Ask your room steward if your porta-crib can be delivered as early as possible and not just at turn-down, so you can sneak in a mid-afternoon baby snooze. If not, your best option is a nap in a baby carrier or stroller (make sure the lightweight version you’re traveling with can recline). Look for long promenades to meander since outside walkways might be closed and cabin corridors an obstacle course of passengers and luggage.

If the nap gets missed, try to keep your littles busy so perhaps they will take a late nap, or plan for room service and an early night if your napless cranky-pants is going to be hell at dinner.

5. Avoid the buffet if you can.

The embarkation day buffet experience on a cruise can be scary. The restaurant gets overcrowded with mobs of people and their carry-ons, with lines long and tensions high. It can be hard to find a place for a family to sit together.

However, most mega-ships now open additional restaurants on embarkation day to better manage the crowds. If you can, seek out these other venues, which tend to be less crowded. Don’t worry — you’ll have plenty more chances to dine at the buffet later in the cruise.

6. Prep your kids.

An unpleasantly surprised kid is an unhappy one. Prep your kids before your trip and remind them on embarkation day about first-day activities: the security and check-in process at the pier, lines and crowds, the muster drill, dining times and procedure, etc.

Most cruises require that young kids wear plastic wristbands for the entire cruise (for emergency purposes), and you might have them wear lanyards with their cruise cards. Prime your kids to expect these new accessories, especially ones who might be sensitive to wearing things against their skin.

READ MORE: 10 Cruise Ship Dessert Recipes You Can Make With Your Family

7. Check out the kids club early.

Whether you intend to send your kids to full days at the kids club or drop in for the occasional activity, make the youth center an early stop on your embarkation day ship tour. The clubs can get super-busy, so try to beat the crowds, especially if you want to sign up for nursery hours or late-night group babysitting “parties.” Shy kids will do better if they can tour the play spaces with a parent during the daytime and meet some of the counselors. It will also give you the chance to alert the youth team about allergies or behavior issues.

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Cruise lines are catering to families with kid-friendly activities and amenities, making it easier than ever for families to explore the world by cruise ship. There are so many amazing cruise destinations from which to choose.

Here are nine of the best destinations for your family cruise vacation:

Alaska

Alaska is a family vacation playground. The state’s scenic beauty, abundant wildlife, and vast opportunities for outdoor exploration attract droves of family vacationers. Cruises are ideal for travelers to see America’s stunning 49th state, especially for families and multigenerational groups. 

Many of Alaska’s most beautiful sights and coastal areas are best accessed by water, including spectacular Glacier National Park.

Families can choose from a variety of Alaska itineraries, including round-trip Inside Passage sailings from Seattle and Vancouver, one-way Gulf of Alaska voyages between Vancouver and ports near Anchorage, and longer sailings from California.

Family-friendly small ship sailings from Juneau and other Alaskan ports are available as well.

Shore excursions are often the highlight of family cruises to Alaska.

Families can take breathtaking helicopter rides to walk on glaciers, learn about Alaska’s sea creatures on boat trips, see massive whales breaching on whale watching tours, kayak along pristine waterways, go panning for gold, mush a team of friendly huskies on a dogsledding adventure, and take scenic railway tours.

On additional multi-day land tours into Alaska’s interior, families can often visit Denali National Park & Preserve, Kenai Fjords National Park, Anchorage, and Fairbanks.

Bahamas

The Bahamas are a popular choice for short family cruise vacations. These sunny isles are located just a few hundred miles or less off the coast of Florida, making them easy to reach on a Bahamas family cruise getaway. Many Caribbean cruise itineraries include a port in the Bahamas as well. 

The subtropical islands of the Bahamas are home to stunning white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and a number of kid-friendly attractions. Nassau and Freeport are the main cruise ports of call.

Families can visit the massive resort waterpark at Atlantis for an exhilarating adrenaline rush, get out on the water for sailing and snorkeling adventures, take a pirate tour, head to the beach for the day, go exploring on bikes or ATVs, and much more.

A number of cruise line private islands are also located in the Bahamas. Families with kids of all ages will enjoy Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay.

This private island offers a wide array of adventures, including Thrill Waterpark, the Caribbean’s largest wave pool, a zip line, and an exclusive beach club with overwater cabanas. Award-winning Half Moon Cay, a 2,400-acre private island, is very popular with Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line guests.

Families love Disney Cruise Line’s idyllic Castaway Cay, featuring palm-studded beaches, water play areas, boat rentals, a snorkeling lagoon, and special meet-and-greet opportunities with Disney characters.

Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC Cruises’ private island featuring eight white sand beaches and evening entertainment, is a paradise for families who enjoy beaches and water sports.

READ MORE: 7 Best Cruise Lines for Babies and Toddlers

Bermuda

Located about 650 miles off the coast of North Carolina, Bermuda is an ideal destination for cruising families. The island is well known for its beautiful pink sand beaches, exciting water sports, world-class golf courses, scenic beauty, and historic charm.

There are attractions and activities for all interests and age groups on this lovely island.

Families often head straight to one of Bermuda’s stunning beaches to enjoy the day. Bermuda’s Horseshoe Bay Beach has been named one of the top beaches in the world by TripAdvisor, and it’s one of the most photographed spots as well.

Warwick Long Bay Beach and Elbow Beach are two of Bermuda’s other pink strands.

The clear turquoise waters around Bermuda are a wonderful place for cruising families to spend their time in Bermuda. Parents and kids can go snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, reef fishing, or simply enjoy a catamaran sail for a few hours.

Bermuda’s underground crystal caves are one of the island’s unique attractions. Climbing Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse and biking along the Bermuda Railway Trail are fun for families, too.

Canada/New England

Cruises through Canada and New England offer tons of fun for families and multigenerational groups. The ports of call on this itinerary offer exciting excursions appealing to all interests and ages, making this a great itinerary for family reunions and celebratory events.

Heading north to Canada and New England can also be a great way to avoid summer’s sweltering temperatures.

Canada and New England ports are loaded with spectacular sights. Located just a few miles from Quebec City, massive Montmorency Falls towers almost one hundred feet higher than Niagara Falls.

Adventure-loving families can walk across the suspension bridge above the falls or take the aerial tram for a superb view. Other top spots include Cape Breton’s Bras D’Or Lakes and visiting the Bay of Fundy when cruise ships visit Saint John.

There are plenty of opportunities for learning on this itinerary, too. Families can visit Halifax’s Discovery Centre and the Museum of Natural History, which is filled with fossils and artifacts.

Kids can practice their French while touring in Montreal and Quebec City and sample French crepes and croissants in an outdoor café. Prince Edward Island, the setting for Anne of Green Gables, is another favorite port of call for families as well.

Caribbean

The tropical islands of the Caribbean are a superb destination for families with kids of all ages. Family Caribbean cruises are a great choice for vacationers seeking world-class beaches, a wide variety of watersports, kid-friendly attractions, historic sites, and lots of opportunities for cultural exploration.

The Caribbean’s laid-back vibe is a big plus for families, and every island offers unique experiences as well.

The Caribbean archipelago contains more than two dozen island nations and dependent territories, so that vacationers can choose from a variety of family Caribbean cruise itineraries.

Eastern Caribbean cruises frequently visit Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the Virgin Islands, as well as private islands and ports in the Bahamas.

Western Caribbean cruises are popular with families, often visiting destinations and private ports in Belize, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Mexico, and Roatan, Honduras. Southern Caribbean cruise itineraries venture further into the West Indies region, visiting tropical isles such as Aruba, Antigua, Barbados, Bonaire, Curaçao, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, and others. 

Vacationers have a wide array of exciting shore excursions to choose from on their family Caribbean cruises. Beach days often reign supreme, but there’s so much more to experience in these destinations.

Families can dive and snorkel along the world’s largest living barrier reef, take a catamaran cruise, explore underground rivers and jungle trails, fly through the tropical forest canopy on a zipline, get up close to wildlife and marine mammals, have fun at a theme park, and visit historic monuments.

Enjoying these family Caribbean cruise adventures together will create memories to last a lifetime.

READ MORE: Which River Cruise Lines Are Best for Kids?

Hawaii

Hawaii cruises are on many families’ wish lists. The spirit and culture of the islands welcome families as soon as they arrive. They can enjoy gorgeous beaches, exciting adventures, breathtaking scenery, and unique cultural and historic attractions on their Hawaii cruise family vacation.

Hawaiian cruises for families are a particularly good choice for first-time visitors to the islands, as they allow families to experience several islands on one trip and then return to their favorites in the future for a longer stay.

Memorable seven-night, round-trip Hawaii cruises depart on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America from Honolulu, Oahu, and visit the Big Island of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui. Family-friendly small ship cruises depart from Molokai and include stops in Lana’i, Maui, and the Big Island of Hawaii.

There’s so much to do on Hawaii cruise family vacations. Families can learn about our nation’s history at Pearl Harbor’s USS Arizona Memorial, bike ride down Maui’s towering Haleakala Volcano, or journey along the island’s famed Road to Hana.

Other options include snorkeling and take surfing lessons from a pro, seeing huge humpback whales on a whale-watching tour, visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, enjoying an authentic luau experience, and so much more.

Just choose your favorite activities and design the best Hawaiian experience for your family in each port of call.

Mediterranean

A Mediterranean cruise with kids is the ultimate field trip for families and multigenerational groups. Mediterranean cruises provide a tantalizing combination of learning, adventure, and cultural experiences for all ages and interests.

Family-friendly Mediterranean cruises are one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways for families to see this beautiful region.

A number of cruise lines offer family-friendly Mediterranean cruises and a wide range of exciting itineraries. Western Mediterranean cruises generally visit captivating cities and enchanting ports in Spain, France, Portugal, and Italy.

Those seeking the best Greek island cruise for their family should check out Eastern Mediterranean itineraries, which often visit awe-inspiring cities and stunning isles in Italy, Greece, Croatia, and Turkey.

Mediterranean cruises with kids provide families with a memorable sampler of the region’s highlights.

Families can take a gondola ride through Venice’s narrow canals, visit the Colosseum and other famous sites in Rome, walk the walls of the old city in Dubrovnik, wander among Santorini’s whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches, explore remains of ancient civilizations in Athens and Pompeii, relax on sun-drenched beaches, and savor pizza and gelato in every port of call.

There’s a wealth of things to see and do, so remember to pace yourselves and have fun. The wonders of Europe will be waiting when you’re ready to return.

Mexico

Mexico is a top vacation destination for families. The country features beautiful beaches, incredible archeological sites, an abundance of exciting attractions and watersports activities, and cultural charm. Sunny skies, breathtaking scenery, and the warmth of the local people add to the appeal.

Many Caribbean cruises often include ports of call along Mexico’s Caribbean coast. These cruises include popular ports like Cozumel and Costa Maya. Cruise lines also offer itineraries along Mexico’s Pacific Coast, which can be great choices for those seeking a family cruise departing from California.

Favorite ports on these itineraries include Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta. Family-friendly small-ship cruises also feature itineraries focusing on Mexico’s nature-rich Baja Peninsula.

Mexico is a picture-perfect destination for a family cruise vacation.

Adults and kids will love playing together on Mexico’s miles of beautiful beaches, snorkeling and diving in spectacular marine parks, exploring Mayan ruins and crystal clear cenotes, getting their thrills on zip lines and ATV tours, and enjoying a host of wildlife-oriented activities.

Don’t miss sampling some of Mexico’s delicious cuisines at family-friendly restaurants, too.

READ MORE: 11 Family Theme Parks Near Cruise Ports

Northern Europe

Northern Europe has become a sought-after family cruise destination in recent years. Parents and grandparents are seeking out the best Baltic cruises for families, and Norway itineraries have become increasingly popular, in part due to Disney’s epic Frozen movies.

On cruises in Northern Europe, families can sail through spectacular fjords, discover cities rich in cultural heritage, marvel at dazzling waterfalls, explore ancient castles, and play together in the Land of the Midnight Sun.

During wintertime small ship cruises along Norway’s coast, families may experience the Northern Lights as well.

Families considering cruising in Northern Europe can choose from a variety of itineraries. Some of the best Baltic cruises for families depart from London or Copenhagen, sailing to such ports as Stockholm, Oslo, St. Petersburg, Helsinki, Estonia’s Tallinn, and cities in Germany.

Norway cruises may originate in the same cities or Amsterdam, sailing north to Bergen and some of Norway’s idyllic storybook towns, including Geiranger, Alesund, and Flam. 

Northern Europe family cruises weave a rich tapestry of breathtaking sights, learning opportunities, memorable adventures, and cultural experiences.

Families on Baltic cruises can walk through history in Berlin, tour opulent palaces and amazing museums in St. Petersburg, learn about Viking history in Stockholm, walk the medieval city walls in Tallinn’s Old Town, and play in Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens.

Norway family cruises offer awesome outdoor activities and cool experiences, including riding the steepest standard-gauge railway in the world in Flam, kayaking along deep blue fjords, taking a funicular ride to the top of Bergen’s Mount Floyen, exploring iconic UNESCO World Heritage cities, and visiting historic fortresses.

Keep an eye out for trolls — their statues can be found everywhere.

Additional Family Cruise Destinations

Families seeking out unique vacations on small ship cruises have plenty of options from which to choose.

Other enticing destinations include family cruises in the Galapagos and the Amazon region, Central America/Panama Canal voyages, family-friendly river cruises in Europe and Asia, and small ship Arctic and Antarctica cruises. Plenty of kid-friendly cruise destinations are just waiting for you to explore!

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If you’re driving to your cruise port, here are 9 tips for road trips with children that will ensure your travel stress does not come from the back seat.

1. Organize the car.

Before you pack your bags, make an organizational game plan for the car. For older kids, over-the-seat-back organizers that hold tablets, water bottles, snacks, and books keep belongings accessible and lead to easy video viewing. For younger ones, especially those in five-point-harness car seats, a lap tray with pockets gives them a coloring and snacking space, and (hopefully) keeps goldfish crackers and crayons from hitting the floor. If nothing else, make sure your family each has a bag or two of toys and games that are easy to access.

A between-seats cooler filled with sandwiches and snacks allows the backseat bunch to help themselves, so parents don’t feel like vending machines constantly taking orders and passing food back. A multi-plug charger that fits into your car’s USB port or lighter outlet will keep everyone’s tablets, phones, e-readers, and portable gaming systems juiced up, so you don’t get lost when your phone dies because your teen is texting.

2. Plan breaks.

With kids in tow, you never want to get caught out on the stretch of parkway with no rest areas when nature calls. Set the family up for success by planning your food, bathroom, and stretch breaks. Check maps before you leave and schedule a pit stop at the last exit before a 30-mile empty stretch. If you want a healthier lunch than fast food, or if your family has dietary restrictions, look for a sandwich or salad shop located in a town you expect to pass around noon — rather than pulling up to the nearest drive-thru when sugar levels drop.

For extra-long drives, schedule a stop at a park or playground after several hours of driving so your kids can run around for 20 minutes and burn some energy.

3. Drive off-hour.

Many families find that driving at night is a great way to avoid traffic and reduce travel time. This strategy works well if your kids will sleep in the car; they can’t complain about being bored if they’re not awake. However, if you get sleepy behind the wheel at 2 a.m., or if your kids, like mine, cannot sleep in cars no matter the hour, this plan will be an utter disaster.

If late-night drives won’t work for your family, consider an early-morning departure instead. Have the kids sleep in comfy clothes or travel in their pajamas. Get the car packed up, have on-the-go breakfast packed and ready, then wake up the kids at the last minute for a quick teeth brush before heading out the door.

READ MORE: Family Cruise Deals: Which Cruise Lines Let Kids Sail Free

4. Pack strategically.

You don’t need to lug your giant suitcase full of formalwear and snorkel gear to your pre-cruise hotel room. If your family is spending the night in your embarkation city before your cruise, pack a separate bag with the items you’ll need for that night only. At the hotel, you won’t need to rummage through all your belongings to find your toothbrush or socks, leaving you to repack everything in the morning.

Also, if you’ve brought soda or snacks to take on the cruise, make sure they’re packed separately from your road trip food collection.

5. Prepare to entertain.

To avoid the endless cries of “are we there yet?” you’ll need plenty of entertainment options for your kids. Electronic games and movies are wonderful, but if you don’t want your kids on their devices for 5 hours straight, come prepared with options. My kids love to listen to audiobooks in the car; you can also download kid-friendly podcasts. Go old school with family games like I Spy, 20 Questions, and the license plate game, or make up car bingo boards.

If you don’t have an electronic device for each kid, make a screen-time plan for who gets possession of the tablet when, or invest in a headrest attachment that will hold up a tablet or smartphone for easy movie viewing for the entire backseat.

6. Plan for emergencies.

We don’t have to tell parents to bring food on a road trip. But you definitely want to bring more food than you think you’ll need in case you run into any emergency situations. Pack an emergency bag with extra clothes for spills or accidents (including warm sweatshirts for unexpected nighttime adventures), a first-aid kit, flashlight, a roll of toilet paper, and water bottles. Your car should have a kit with jumper cables, flares, and a jack for changing a tire. Know how to use them.

7. Bring carsickness supplies.

You’ve packed your ginger candy and seasickness pills for the cruise — but are you prepared for when your kid gets carsick on the drive to your homeport? Many kids feel queasy riding in the backseat on long car trips, so you’ll want a plastic bag or bucket at the ready. Stash ginger candy or age-appropriate meds, paper towels and other cleaning supplies, and a change of clothes somewhere accessible.

To prevent motion sickness if you can, switch out reading or video time with games that get the kids looking out the window. Fresh air can also help, so roll down the windows. Even if it’s cold, a few minutes with the windows rolled down won’t give anyone hypothermia.

8. Don’t trash the car.

All kids think their parents are walking-talking trash receptacles. If you don’t want to end up holding empty snack bags and soda cans, or finding pretzels scattered on the floor of the car, put a small trash can or bag in the back seat within reach of the kids. A plastic cereal container with a snap-shut lid makes a great alternative; the trash goes in but can’t easily spill out.

If you’ve got little kids who are super-messy, bring along a dustbuster, so you can vacuum up the worst of the crumbs before you leave your car at your hotel or in the port parking lot for a week. Paper towels have multiple helpful road trip uses — wiping up spills among them.

READ MORE: The 7 Best Lines For a Family Reunion Cruise

9. Have a drop-off plan.

Congratulations — you’ve survived a family road trip and are safely ensconced in your pre-cruise hotel. Do you know what happens to your car next?

If you’re leaving the car at the hotel, make sure you can carry all your bags — and any kids — from the shuttle to the pier. If you’re parking at the port, know where the long-term lot is and how you will get from there to the cruise terminal. It might be easier to drop off one parent, the kids, and the bags at the terminal to get the suitcases turned over to the porters while the other parent parks the car.

And don’t forget the car seats! If you’re taking one on the cruise, don’t leave it in the car. If you’re going to leave them behind, make sure you have a safe way of transporting little kids from your hotel to the cruise terminal.

By Erica Silverstein

This article contains affiliate links.

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