| 7 Blue Seas is committed to offering you the most comprehensive online cruise information available. As part of our dedication to serving you we offer this single source of instant access to all the most frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Why should I take my kids with me on a cruise?
The better question is why not? More and more families are cruising with their kids because more and more cruise lines are providing all sorts of cool and imaginative onboard fun and activities that kids love. Plus, you'll have more quality time to spend with them as a family because you won't be worrying about getting home late from work, or making dinner, or arranging games and activities, or just being too tired to do anything other than just watch TV. Plus, there's the big factor of money: your whole family can share the cost savings of an all-inclusive cruise vacation.
Are there any special deals if I bring my kids?
There are plenty. For starters, almost all cruise lines offer reductions for third and fourth passengers sharing a cabin with two adults. Some even let kids go for free during certain times of the year. And except for paying government fees and taxes, kids under the age of two travel free. Summer is off-season for travel to the Caribbean but because school is out, it's also a booming time for family cruise travel and a great time for special rates.
Things To Do
What can the kids do while onboard? Know this: they'll probably have even more fun than you will!
Most cruise lines offer age-specific, supervised activities that will not only keep them happy, occupied, and interested, but will also teach them a thing or two. Games, parties, treasure and scavenger hunts, talent shows, movies, arts and crafts, puppet shows, pool games, water slides, the list goes on and on. But check out this brief sampling:
Disney: Almost an entire DECK of activities -- activities room, theater, science lab -- plus a pool just for kids and one for families, too.
Norwegian Cruise Lines: "Circus at Sea" where kids learn and perform circus acts.
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Royal Caribbean: Explore marine life with real scientists in an atmospheric and oceanographic lab.
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Princess: The line offers special "behind the scenes" ship tours, slumber and deck parties, and stateroom TVs featuring Nickelodeon programs.
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Celebrity: A youth program focusing on theater where kids learn the ins and outs of acting, directing, and staging a real play.
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Carnival: Camp Carnival divides kids into several groups by age and their newest ships even feature high-tech video game centers.
Holland America: On selected sailings the line offers special shore excursions designed for the interests and abilities of children.
Are the onboard activities for children age-specific? Usually. If there are only a handful of children on a particular cruise, chances are there won't be much in the way of age-specific activities. But on cruises that are popular with families (3-7-night Caribbean cruises, for example) you can expect to see every ship ready with a long list of activities geared for different age groups. The groupings vary from cruise line to cruise line but you can expect to see three or four distinct "troops" from toddlers (around ages 3-4), juniors (ages 5-8), intermediates (ages 9-13), and teens (ages 14-17), for instance.
What's available for teens? Ships these days offer some of the hippest stuff made just for teens. Teens like to mingle with others in their age groups and have a place they can claim as their own. Clubs, discos, computer labs, soda bars, coffee houses and DJ booths are just a few of the places they can hang. Plus, most will get into the same things that appeal to some of the adults onboard: hanging out at the pool, in-line skating, ice skating, miniature golf, arcade games, feature movies, rock-climbing walls, Ping Pong, basketball and volleyball, to mention a few.
Since the cruise lines have so much to offer to their teen guests we decided to devote a section of our website just to teens and their families. Click on the 'Best for' pages on our main menu and there you will find the 'Best for teens' pages. You will be surprised how well teen and ships match
Are there children's programs year round It varies. Many cruise lines offer excellent year-round programs, such as Norwegian Cruise Lines Kid's Crew program (children must be 3 years or older to participate). However, some cruise lines only beef up kids programming during the summer and school holidays
What are the newest features for kids? Catering to active youth, Royal Caribbean's Voyager has gone over the top by building the first ever ice-skating rink on board! That's right, now kids can join in on their favorite pastime in a brand new setting
Are there cruises out there that fit all generations of my family? Yes. The larger ships (70,000 tons up) offer a variety of activities and services to suit your entire family -- from second graders to senior citizens. For instance, the kids can spend the day with the ship's youth counselors on a treasure hunt, while you get a massage at the spa or brush up on your stroke at a golf clinic. The grandparents can lounge by the pool, play shuffleboard, or watch a cooking demonstration by a gourmet chef. Then, at the end of the day, you can all meet for dinner and compare your day's activities.
Will my kids like the food? Yes, because the variety is almost endless, particularly on the buffet line. If buffets aren't their style, on some lines you can sit with your little ones during the designated kids dinner and then enjoy your own grown-up experience after they've eaten. Many cruise ships have pizzerias, ice cream shops, hot dog stands, and similar goodies on hand. Your Maitre 'd or cabin steward can help when it comes to special food preparations for infants or for getting special-made favorites such as tuna fish or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
My kids are too young to eat at fancy restaurants at home. What am I going to do with them on a cruise? You'll think of something. For starters, try a few of the following options. On most ships there's the buffet, the pizza parlor, the ice cream shop, and the outdoor grill. If those don't work, there's always room service.
Keep this in mind, too: a cruise experience is a perfect way to educate and expose your child to some of the rules of dining etiquette. If their attention (and your patience) is stretched too far, it's easy to just leave the dining room and head for the buffet!
Cruise Concerns
Will I be able to relax onboard without worrying about my kids? As on any vacation, you're going to be concerned with their whereabouts. But keep in mind that shipboard youth activities are directed and organized by a staff that has been specially chosen to work with kids. Many involved in the programs are highly qualified and educated in the fields of child psychology, child development, education, recreation or related fields. Cruises have strict requirements for staff and most require certification in First Aid and CPR. Some cruise lines even provide parents with beepers so they can be contacted at any time their children are under the supervision of the ship's staff.
Shouldn't I book two cabins instead of one? That depends on how big your kids are and how well you all travel together. A small cabin for four can be mighty tight, especially when getting ready for breakfast in the morning or preparing for a shore excursion. You'll certainly save money with one cabin but compare prices for adjoining or adjacent rooms. Disney Cruise Lines offers extra washbasins in even their standard cabins and Royal Caribbean offers larger "family" cabins that accommodate up to six.
Is one cruise cabin big enough for a family? That's your call. Consider that the average cruise cabin runs about 150 square feet (considerably smaller than a hotel room). Two adults with two small children may be comfortable in such quarters but if your kids are grown, you should consider a "family cabin" (extra space, extra wash basin, and/or separate sleeping area), a suite, or adjoining/adjacent cabins. Even if you feel the sleeping accommodations are adequate, consider getting your family up and out the door with just one bathroom
Is there anything special I should know if I'm bringing my stepchildren? Yes. Families with children from previous marriages must have a notarized letter from the absent parent granting permission for the child to travel.
Are there any general age restrictions on board? Yes, but nothing out of the ordinary. Passengers must be 21 or older to be served alcohol with a proper I.D. Passengers also must be at least 18 to enter the casinos and at least 17 to go in to most gym and spa facilities onboard. Guests under the age of 18 should be accompanied by an adult while in the lounges, showrooms, casinos, and adult discos. Most of these restrictions apply to all cruise lines.
What forms of ID are required for minors? Passports and ID cards are recommended for all U.S. citizens, including minors. Children 15 years of age and younger are required at least one of the following forms of identification: passport; original or certified copy of their birth certificate; any photo ID. Parents are responsible for bringing all travel documents that are required for boarding and reentry into the United States. Requirements for Canadians' travel are similar. For your protection, it is recommended that you check passport expiration dates so that none are due to expire while traveling. Check with us at 7 Blue Seas if you have any questions or concerns regarding required travel identification.
Are there any precautions I should take when bringing my kids on board? Yes, there are.
First, be sure to bring any medications or prescriptions (or favorite, over-the-counter medicines) your kids may require. Little kids can develop a cough overnight and they can make it rough on you if their favorite cough syrup isn't onboard with them!
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Be sure your kids attend -- and listen to -- the ship's safety drill. Take it seriously yourself and let them learn by your good example. Be sure your cabin has appropriately-sized life jackets and that your children know how to use them.
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Caution your kids about the ship railings -- never let them sit on or climb them. And be sure they are aware of the "staff and crew only" areas.
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Have your kids memorize the name of their cruise line, ship, and cabin number (or put a note in their pocket with this information, especially before leaving the ship at port).
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Arrange to have your older children help watch the younger ones whenever possible.
Never let very young children wander the ship without supervision
Miscellaneous Questions
Should I book in advance? Definitely. The most popular cabins for families (those holding three, four and five passengers) and family apartments are often the first to sell out, so book as early as possible when traveling with kids.
What's available onboard for my baby? Some cruise lines offer nurseries (Disney, for example) and most offer baby-sitting at variable hourly rates. Some cruise lines provide two-way baby monitoring devices, and most provide cribs, strollers, disposable diapers, baby formula, and other infant needs. Since services vary, it's best to call us for more detailed information before placing your reservation.
Keep in mind that it's a good idea to request a room with a tub since many infants are usually too young to shower and bathroom sinks may be too small.
Are there any minimum age restrictions for infants? Cruise lines (and even ships and cruises within the same cruise line) have varying minimum age limits. As an example, Princess Cruises' minimum age is 6 months on Caribbean, Mexican and Alaskan cruises, 12 months on Panama Canal cruises, and 18 months on European and "exotic" itineraries. Disney cruise line will allow babies as young as 12 weeks old. Carnival, like most other ships, welcomes infants older than 4 months. There are a few cruise lines that discourage infants and all reserve the right to restrict the total number of infants boarded on any specific sailing.
Do ships have baby sitters? Some do, but not all. For infants and very young children, certain ships provide in-cabin and group sitting at nominal fees. Most all others provide supervision for children 3 years old and up as long as they are "potty-trained." Many offer baby-sitting services while ships are in port so you can enjoy land excursions with the adults. Be sure to check with us on the specifics because services, fees and availability vary
Do I need to bring baby supplies? Yes, particularly if your baby eats only Gerber or wears only Huggies . The ships will have some baby items on hand but don't count on finding a large supply or wide selection. And be sure to bring a few of your baby's favorite toys or blankets
Do infants need special travel documents? If you are traveling abroad it is wise to include your baby's name on your passport. It is a good idea to also bring your infants birth certificate and inquire about any other travel documentation that you might need. Not having the proper paperwork might lead to unnecessary complications at overseas ports.
Do I need to bring my own crib? You can bring your own crib but most ships have them available for passengers when prior notice is given. If you'll need a crib, be sure to reserve a cabin large enough for your family's needs.
Do I need to bring my own stroller? Yes. You'll probably need it for your travel to the ship, anyway. Strollers are real benefits -- especially on large ships -- their corridors can seem endless. Disney, Carnival, and Norwegian Cruise Lines have strollers available for rental.
Can cruises accommodate kids with disabilities? More and more ships are broadening the amenities and facilities to welcome young people with disabilities and special needs. For kids with disabilities, Princess Cruises is at the forefront providing innovative programs, services, and facilities. Most Princess ships have a number of cabins that are wheelchair accessible, complete with roll-in showers, lowered closet bars and other amenities. Some cruise lines also cater to passengers with visual or hearing impairments. Guide dogs are welcomed with prior notification. It's important to note that any condition or disability that may require special attention should be brought up at the time the cruise reservation is made its fun facilities, Adventure Beach, video arcade, and teen disco and watch what happens.
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