Taking a cruise with children is not for the faint-hearted. Even if you’re going on a family-friendly cruise, there is still a lot of extra planning to do. Nevertheless, cruising with your kids is an exciting and rewarding way to see the world as a family. And you can always take additional steps to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Here are six packing tips you should follow when going on a cruise with kids to ensure a memorable experience:
Pack the Carry-On First
Your carry-on is the most important bag you’ll take on a cruise ship. Checked luggage can often take hours to arrive at your cabin, so you need a carry-on to keep the kids happy and entertained in the meantime. Pack the following in your carry-on:
Essential documents: This includes passports, birth certificates, boarding passes, and a copy of your excursion details.
Swimwear: Kids want to hit the pool as soon as they come aboard, and it makes sense. Pack swimwear for the whole family in the carry-on.
Sun protection: Pack sunscreen, sun hats, and glasses to keep everyone protected from sun damage.
Involve Your Kids
Packing for a cruise with kids doesn’t have to be exhausting. Consider involving the kids in the packing process, especially if they are 3 or 4 years old. Kids want to have a say in what they wear, so offload this task.
You can also turn packing into a counting lesson, corresponding the number of cruise days with the number of pants and shirts.
Prepare for All Occasions
Cruising means your child will be swimming, building sand castles, and attending a theme party all in one day. Our advice? Get a detailed itinerary from the cruise and take a closer look at all the activities your kid will partake in. Then, you can pack essential clothing, such as daywear, swimwear, formal attire, and layering pieces.
Moreover, consider the weather when you pack. For instance, when packing for a cruise from Sydney, you might include jackets or raincoats.
Don’t Forget Medical and Hygiene Essentials
While most cruise packages come with medical assistance, it’s best not to solely rely on their store of items. Add the following medical and hygiene essentials to your pre-cruise checklist:
- First aid kit – this should include adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, and fever-reducing medicine.
- Motion sickness remedies.
- Toiletries. This includes child-specific shampoo, soap, body wash, and toothpaste.
- Hand sanitiser
- Baby wipes
Pack Loads of Snacks
Let’s be real — no matter how many snacks a ship has, it won’t have that one necessary item to stave off a toddler tantrum. This is why it’s recommended to go above and beyond with pre-packaged snacks.
Pack your child’s favourites, such as granola bars, fruit pouches, and puffs. Snacks will save you from a picky-eater meltdown.
Leave Room for Souvenirs
Write this down — your luggage will expand when you return from a cruise. If you’re barely able to zip up your luggage before leaving home, how will you do the back-to-home packing? Leave a little space in each suitcase for souvenirs and other items.