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Hi, I’m Sheri from CruiseTipsTV.
Today I’ve got tips for cruising with kids
Our first tip is probably the best advice we can give. Get your kids involved long before
you set sail. Plan and research port trips together. Let them chose some things they’d
like to do and see. This helps them know what to expect and gets them excited about the
discovering and exploring new places. And always keep your kids informed about what’s
happening and how long it should take. After all, who wants to be in an unfamiliar place
with no idea what’s happening? A good time to employ this tip is the muster drill, or
embarkation.
And that leads us to the next tip. Embarkation can get pretty hectic and tiresome, especially
for youngsters. Once you’re on the ship they’ll want to start enjoying it immediately.
The odds are you’ll beat your luggage to your stateroom. So pack your essential “fun
gear” in a carry on bag. Here’s a quick list to get you poolside long before your
luggage finds it’s way to your stateroom. Bathing suits, sunscreen, sunglasses, shorts
and never forget your camera.
And while we are poolside, here’s my next tip. Inflatable toys are super easy to pack
and so inexpensive that if they are damaged or lost you really won’t mind leaving them
behind at the end your vacation.
The next tip will be a snap. Turn your kids into ship photographers. Outfit your child
with a disposable, or inexpensive digital camera and head out for a photo safari on
sea days. Create a sort of digital scavenger hunt. Get creative with a list of things to
photograph. Kids like to feel in-charge and included. Promoting them to ship photographer
will give them a whole new view of the cruise.
Another good idea is to set limits ahead of time. Unlimited access to ice cream, sodas
and other temptations can lead to problems on a cruise. Outline the rules in advance
and you’ll spend less of your vacation fighting about food. It’s okay to let them indulge
a little on vacations, but give them clear limits and you’ll all be happier.
Next, don’t assume your child will be happy in the Kids Clubs. Kids Clubs are great for
some families, but they’re not for everyone. A cruise is a fantastic opportunity to learn,
explore and grow as a family. How often do you as a parent actually have the time – free
from work and other day-to-day distractions – to give your child 100% of your attention?
If you’ve got a “Kids Club” kind of kid, then by all means, get them in there.
If not, then cherish the time together.
Okay, last tip; Dining. This is tough one. It’s hard for kids to sit still for any
amount of time, let alone an entire dinner. We haven’t figured out a foolproof strategy
yet, but here are a few things to try. Get them involved with selecting a few items from
the menu. Sometimes even asking what they would recommend is enough to make them feel
“invested” in the event. Bring a small puzzle or notepad to keep them occupied while
waiting to be served. Discuss events of the day. Ask “what was your favorite part of
today so far?” Sometimes this can get them talking, and again feel “invested” in
the event. When all else fails, get up and take them on a short walk, or –sigh- break
out the smart phone.
That’s it for this episode. If you like these tips, please like and subscribe. We
have more tips on the way.