5 First-Time Cruise Tips for Families
If you're planning a trip to the high seas for your next vacation, you'll want to read my first-time cruise tips for families! We recently returned from our first family cruise vacation, and I learned a lot about what to do (and what not to do) while onboard. Continue reading for my number one piece of advice, as well as nine more suggestions for making the most of your vacation!
While these tips apply to all cruise lines, let me give you a quick rundown of our experience. We had a fantastic week on the MSC Seaside, which sailed from Miami. Our journey took us to Jamaica (Ocho Rios), the Cayman Islands (George Town), Mexico (Cozumel and a ferry ride to Playa del Carmen), and The Bahamas (Nassau). There was a lot to see and do in only 7 days, but we still had a lot of fun! It all started with my number one tip!
1. Select a ship that is suitable for children.
If you're traveling with your family, this is the most important cruise tip you'll find. My children are four and eight years old, so it was critical that we choose a cruise that they would enjoy as much as we did. The MSC Seaside had a LEGO club with a variety of activities, as well as a large multistory water park, several swimming pools, and other amenities.
Even if you're going on a short cruise and intend to spend the majority of your time on the islands, keep in mind that you'll be at sea for at least a couple of days. If the ship isn't kid-friendly, you'll have a bored and grumpy family by the time you return home.
2. Pack carefully but not excessively!
You want to pack everything you could possibly need for a trip to the middle of the ocean (well, not quite, but close) while not overdoing it! It's a delicate balancing act. I brought way too many clothes. I was looking forward to dressing up for dinner, but there is only one “Captain's Night” (2 tops) where you get to dress “fancy” and take pictures. A cocktail dress is appropriate for a formal evening. You should also bring one or two extra formal outfits (in case you spill something on one).
Keep the rest of your outfits simple and comfortable “beachy,” such as shorts, t-shirts, and swimwear. In fact, if there's one thing you should go a little crazy with, it's bathing suits, because you'll be wearing them every day (and sometimes more than once a day). Depending on where you're going, you might also want to bring a sweatshirt for cooler nights.
Remember that rooms are small, so don't bring anything you don't really need. Most cruise ships, for example, provide bath and beach towels that you can take with you when visiting the islands. Also, unless your children (or you!) are extremely attached to a specific pillow or blanket, leave those at home as well.
3. Determine what is and is not included.
Many people think of cruises as “all-inclusive” vacations, but there is a lot that isn't included. The good news is that you can live without most of those extras. A typical cruise fare includes buffet meals, unlimited basic drinks (tea, water, coffee, iced tea, some juices, and so on), some snack options, and 24-hour room service (usually with a limited menu). Almost all on-ship activities, such as shows and nightclubs, are included in your fare. The inclusion of the LEGO club was also a huge plus!
Things like a chocolate bar or an ice cream shop were not included on our cruise. Soda and alcoholic beverages are not included, but you can usually purchase a drink package if you wish. That is something we did not do. On some days, my husband and I will buy a bottle of wine to share at dinner. On other days, I'd settle for a margarita or a gin and tonic.
It's not worth it to spend the extra money if you're only going to have one or two drinks a day. Drink packages typically range from $35 per person per day to $80 per person per day for premium cocktails. Consider this: on a 7-day cruise, the basic package alone will cost you an additional $245 per person! Water is far superior to soda in terms of health!
4. Stick to the ship's buffet or main restaurant.
The buffet and an a la carte restaurant are the two main dining options on most ships (typically with just a few options each night). Our ship was enormous, with two main buffets! There were also specialty restaurants for a fee. We skipped those because we were pleased with what we had.
While you should definitely dine at the main restaurant at least once (especially on Captain's Night), the buffet is a great option for families with children. First and foremost, you do not have to sit and wait for food to arrive. Second (and even better), the buffet provides an excellent opportunity for children to experiment with new foods. My kids tried so many new foods from both the restaurant and the buffet, but the benefit of the buffet is that they can see items that might appeal to them better than they can on a menu.
5. Don't overbook your port of call activities.
It may be tempting to plan a specific excursion for each stop on your trip, but you will miss out on the chance to explore on your own. The majority of Caribbean islands have beautiful white sand beaches and clear blue water. Spending the day there is more than enough and will not cost you anything except transportation! Make the most of the opportunity to get a nice family photo.
If you do plan an excursion, make it either early in your stop or late in the day. That way, you'll have plenty of time at the start or end for your own exploration.
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