They’re notable by the mini-vans in our Miami cruise parking lot: cruising families. Those brave individuals that decide family vacations are better on a boat. Where a cruise does present certain challenges for traveling families, they can be a memorable and affordable vacation option that offers a variety of activities for all ages. As the preferred option for Port of Miami cruise parking, we assembled our customer’s best tips for making a cruise with children an enjoyable voyage for everyone involved. Here’s what they told us:

  • Shop around. Make sure to get a kid-friendly cruise line; with the emphasis on FRIENDLY. Just because a cruise welcomes children aboard doesn’t necessarily mean that they have activities that appeal to them or have amenities that are set up for your younger counterparts. Make sure to check age requirements for both on board and shore excursions before booking.
  • Look twice at room inclusions. Traveling with smaller children often mean that you’ll need things that you didn’t first think of when just traveling as adults – like a bathtub, for example. Make sure to book the right room that includes enough space for all plus those added necessities.
  • Bring along a few toys. Don’t expect the ship to supply those items that are going to keep your child happily engaged. And if you repeatedly turn to the onboard gift shop for those items, you’ll pay a pretty penny. Pack inflatable rafts, beach balls, glow sticks and dive toys in your suitcase for full-on fun at sea.
  • Enroll them in the cruise’s kids clubs. On many of the top cruise lines, supervised daily activities are available to traveling parents. Take advantage of the free babysitting and avoid the humdrums that come from spending far too much time together and enjoy some kid-free relaxation yourself.