Which type of vacation is guaranteed to offer something for everyone? A family cruise! And on a Carnival cruise, FUN is guaranteed, —no wonder they’ve been named ‘Best Cruise Line For Families by U.S. News & World Report.’ A Carnival cruise has dedicated facilities for kids and teens, retreats for parents and exciting shore excursions, all ages are catered to in every way. To help you make the most of your family-friendly cruise, here are our 5 top tips for cruising with kids.

Tip # 1 Packing For The Whole Family 

One of the best things about a family cruise vacation is that you only have to unpack once. To ensure you take everything you need, first make a list of the essentials you use at home.
For the first day of your cruise, pack carry-on bags for easy access to essentials, including:

• Important travel documents such as passports, birth certificates and visas
• Prescription medication
• A change of clothes
• Necessities for babies and toddlers
• Sunscreen and personal toiletries

For the duration of your cruise, you’ll use a carry-on bag or backpack for shore excursions as well, so make sure it’s adequate for all of your needs. In terms of clothing for children, pack versatile items to suit all weather. For young children, a favorite book, toy or night light contributes to happy downtime in your stateroom.

Tip # 2 Choosing The Right Stateroom

On a Carnival cruise, family-friendly staterooms can easily accommodate up to five people, with some offering extra bathrooms. You can also book connecting rooms, which are perfect when you’re cruising with older teens or relatives. For extra convenience, Family Harbor staterooms are situated near the exclusive Family Harbor Lounge, which offers all-day snacks and fun activities like games and family movies. Choosing the right stateroom for you is easy, with plenty of options available to suit the size of your family and individual needs.

Tip # 3 Enjoying Kid-Friendly Meals

Do you have finicky eaters in your family? When you’re on vacation, it can be hard to satisfy everyone’s taste buds. You’ll be happy to hear that a Carnival cruise offers so much choice that eating is always a highlight of the day. Onboard, kids can even start each day with a very special breakfast.

The Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast™ not only delights with tasty treats like Horton’s Cereal-Crusted French Toast, but kids get to eat in the company of some of their favorite Dr. Seuss characters. For lunch, the whole family will love burgers from Guy’s Burger Joint, or maybe that all-time Italian favorite, Spaghetti and Meatballs, at Cucina Del Capitano®. For families with diet and food restrictions, you won’t miss out either, as many dishes cater to your needs.

Tip # 4 Choosing Fun Supervised Activities

The best cruises for kids offer a wide range of fun, supervised activities so they can make friends and learn, while you relax by the pool. Camp Ocean™ gives your little ones the chance to meet friends in different age-based groups, from 2 to 11 years old.

Under the supervision of experienced counselors, they’ll enjoy arts and crafts, singing, movies and mealtime menus featuring all their favorites.
Circle “C”™ is where teens ages 12 to 14 go to make new friends and enjoy awesome dance parties, scavenger hunts and movies, all supervised by staff. Older teens ages 15-17 are invited to hang with friends at Club O2™, where they can watch movies, play sports and video games, have karaoke jam sessions and more.

Tip # 5 Choose Popular Onboard Activities For Kids

One of the most important cruise tips for families is to ensure there are plenty of fun onboard activities to suit each of you. All you need to do is check out the options on select ships and choose your favorites!

For example, if you’re a family of thrill-seekers, WaterWorks is available on most cruise ships, with the high-speed Twister Waterslide, racing action on the Speedway Splash, and much more.

Other options include:

• SkyRide® – where you can bike high above the deck
• Sky ZoneTM – an indoor trampoline park and challenge zone
• Ropes Course – navigate this obstacle course with incredible ocean views
• BOLT™ - the fastest — and first! — rollercoaster at sea on Excel class ships. Strap in and zoom your motorcycle-style speed machine around an open-air course high, high above sea level.

Are games more your thing? Take part in playing mini golf, foosball and basketball at SportSquareTM .

With fun onboard attractions and spacious staterooms, a cruise vacation gives you the opportunity to reconnect and bond as a family. That means more time to sit back, relax and make the most of your special family cruise.
 

For more information on booking the perfect family vacation contact your Travel Advisor!