5 Cruise Tips For Families With Kids

Cruising, especially aboard jewish heritage tours, is the perfect option for families with children of all ages. The variety of activities, food and entertainment makes it a great choice for multiple generations.

There's a reason why cruising is the fastest-growing segment in travel today. With an abundance of options and value pricing, it's no wonder that so many people are discovering that cruising is a fun and easy vacation choice.

Cruises are safe for children because they are confined to one area — the ship. You don't have to worry about your children wandering away or getting lost when you're on a cruise ship. This can be particularly reassuring for parents of toddlers and young children.

Cruise ships have become more family friendly than ever before with special activities onboard geared toward younger travelers. Many ships offer kids clubs where you can drop off your children in a safe environment while you enjoy some adult time, take part in shipboard activities or even go ashore without your little ones if you choose to do so.

Plan ahead for activities for your kids

Nothing is worse than being bored on vacation! If this is your first cruise with kids, think about what activities they would enjoy doing on land as well as at sea. You may want to plan an excursion or two so that there is plenty of variety during your trip.

Before you cruise, check out the ship’s youth activity program. Many cruise lines offer programs specifically designed for children from ages 2 through 17. The programs include activities such as games, swimming, arts and crafts, theme parties, movies and more. Some ships even have programs for infants and toddlers.

Consider your destination

Before booking your trip, spend some time thinking about where you’d like to go. Would you rather travel to a beach destination in the Caribbean or experience Europe? If money isn’t a factor, consider Alaska, or even Australia.

Some cruise lines cater more to adults, while others have kids programs and activities that appeal to all ages. If you want some alone time, make sure there are plenty of activities for your kids so they'll be occupied when you want to relax or go on an excursion by yourselves. If this is your first cruise, choose a family-friendly line and itinerary that you can use as a learning experience.

Think about when you want to go

Avoid holidays and school breaks to get better deals on your cruise fare and shore excursions. The weather can also help dictate when to travel — especially if you’re planning a trip to Alaska, which is best during summer months when the days are long and the weather is warmest.

While cruising is an excellent way to get away from the crowds and relax on your jewish vacation, it's important that you keep in mind the timing of your trip. If you're planning on traveling with young kids, then planning a cruise during school break might be an ideal time. On the other hand, certain times of year are more appealing for different reasons. For example, some cruisers prefer sailings during hurricane season because they can find good deals on itineraries to southern destinations like the Caribbean and Mexico. However, if the weather isn't something you want to risk dealing with during your trip, then choose your cruise dates carefully.

Know your ship

Some cruise ships are geared toward families with kids; others offer more of an adult-only experience. Before booking, check out the ship’s website to find out if there are age restrictions for certain areas of the ship, such as casinos or spas.

Cruise ships offer lots of activities for kids, so it's important to take the time to check out the daily ship activities calendar and help your kids choose which ones they'd like to take part in. Also, make sure you know where ship services such as laundry facilities and medical services are located in case you need them during the voyage.

You should get familiar with your cruise ship. Make sure you know where all the kid-friendly activities and areas are located, including the arcade, entertainment venues, and pools. If you want to be extra prepared, call customer service and ask what they have planned for the younger crowd on your cruise.

Choose your cabin wisely

There are many options for cabins on a cruise ship: staterooms that sleep two people all the way up to suites that sleep six or more people, and everything in between. Not all cabins are created equal. Some cabins feature additional space, as well as perks that make it easier for families to stay together for a memorable jewish vacation.

Cabin location is especially important if your kids are young. Even if they're on the cusp of being too old for diapers, it's best not to take chances on a cruise ship. A mid-ship location is best, because it's closest to elevators and stairs and has the fewest long walks to the dining room or deck. It's also the quietest section of the ship because it's farthest away from engines and other areas where noise is generated. The lower in the ship you go, the better — staterooms on higher decks are more prone to motion sickness and noise from deck chairs being dragged around.