Cruise Etiquette: How to Plan Your First Family Cruise
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Cruises seem almost purpose built for families. They’re self-contained, with a variety of amenities to suit a variety of tastes. Families large and small, comprising one generation or several, can have an enjoyable vacation thanks to the plan-your-own-adventure activities and excursions available both onboard and off. The flexibility ensures quality time together—and when needed, quiet time apart.
Family cruises take a number of different forms. There’s the traditional parents-take-the-kids trip, or the multigenerational trip where the grandparents join their kids and grandkids, or what’s known as “skip-gen,” where the grandparents take just the grandkids. However you slice it, the variety offered by many cruise lines can set the stage for that rare attainment in family vacationing: everyone getting exactly what they want.
But cruising as a family—particularly with younger children—has planning hurdles. Several Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialists have extensive experience booking cruises for families, so we asked them for their top tips and things to watch out for. Below, what to know before booking your first family cruise.
Selecting a cruise line
When it comes to traveling with children, the same three cruise line names came up during conversations with our specialists. Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian are always family favorites, and each for their own distinct reasons. Even if it’s just a “vibe check” on the tiny differences in kids’ programming or babysitting policies between cruise lines, CNT Top Travel Specialists can put their encyclopedic knowledge of cruise lines to work for family cruisers.
Mary Helen Law at Mini Mouse Counselors notes that while Disney and Royal Caribbean both have great children’s programming, she feels Royal Caribbean has a “slight edge” for having more adult-themed entertainment (like a casino) that Disney foregoes. For the most enjoyable family cruise, she suggests taking everyone’s travel tastes into account, not just your kids'.
Michelle Allen at Travel Magic is a Disney-recognized expert for theme park and cruise vacations (though she also sells other cruise lines). According to Allen, Disney and Royal Caribbean are some of the best-suited cruise lines for families with babies and younger toddlers. Both cruise lines have facilities and babysitting available for kids under three, compared to many other cruise lines that only have programming for toilet-trained children aged three and up.
As for the differences between the two lines, Allen says Disney Cruise Line is more focused on storytelling and making family memories, while she finds that Royal Caribbean caters to higher-energy families with more action-oriented activities. She also notes that little things, like each lines’ room service hours, may not seem like a dealbreaker upfront but can make all the difference when out at sea. On Disney, room service is mostly free all day and night, while on Royal Caribbean, only continental breakfast is included in the fare (hot breakfasts and other meal periods are surcharged), for example.
Jennifer Greene at MEI Travel says Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at Coco Cay is a standout for families: “It really is a true island oasis with something for every age in the family from a private beach club, to a waterpark and the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean,” she tells Traveler. Law is also a fan of Coco Cay, noting it’s a “more lively” waterpark atmosphere than Disney’s private islands, which offer “more relaxing beach experiences" instead.
Cruise Center’s Tom Baker says not to count out other cruise lines entirely when traveling with children. For example, MSC Cruises has a Kids Sail Free offer, allowing up to two children under 18 to share a cabin with their parents at no additional fare. He also says MSC and Norwegian are well-liked for their “ship-within-a-ship” products which have been popular among family cruisers.
Baker also says families preferring a more upmarket experience can book cruise lines like Celebrity, Princess, or Holland America Line. These cruise lines also offer children’s programming, although not quite as overly family focused as Royal Caribbean or Disney.
Linda Bendt with Pique Travel Design also says families should also consider expedition cruising, noting that lines like Silversea, Lindblad, and Quark Expeditions are big hits among teens and older children for their small ship, wildlife-focused cruises—think whale watching off Baja California or searching for polar bears in the Arctic.
As far as booking tips, Law advises her clients to “choose the itinerary, cruise line, and ship based on aspects that appeal to the entire group, such as ports of call, excursions, dining options, and onboard activities," she tells Traveler. "Every cruise line and ship offers accommodations at varying price points—from interior cabins all the way to suites with large verandahs and even additional concierge amenities.”
So, if the grandparents want a suite and their kids and grandkids prefer an adjoining stateroom, they’ll be able to book the categories they like on a ship that has all the amenities they want.
How to book a family cruise
Each of the specialists advised families to book early, as cruise lines adjust pricing as they sell cabins. Baker notes that larger groups in particular have difficulty booking the cabins they want closer in, and Law shares a reminder that discounts can typically be applied retroactively, so there’s “no penalty for booking early.”
Larger family groups, Greene mentions, can inquire with their travel specialist about group rates, which often come with extra perks. Booking with a travel specialist can also be a good value for multiple family groups traveling together, as their specialist can often cross-reference their reservations to ensure their cabins, dining assignments, and shore excursions are booked together.
Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler
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