Child snorkeling on tropical beach. Kids snorkel. — Child snorkeling on tropical beach. Kids snorkel in ocean on family summer vacation on exotic island. Little boy playing with water and sand at sea shore. Toddler running in waves. Beach fun for kid.

Tips For Summer Travel With Kids

Simplify Summer Travel With Kids By Staying Prepared And Keeping A Few Tips In Mind.

By Charu Suri | Published on December 26, 2023

Summer travel with kids on a cruise can be an excellent opportunity for a change of scenery during the long school break. But learning how to travel with kids is more art than science. Keeping a few strategies in mind can help make this experience hassle-free, even if your little ones aren't used to being on the go. Apart from choosing the itinerary with the best stops for your family and figuring out the perfect balance of land and sea days, there are many options when it comes to finding the perfect stateroom or suite. Paying attention to the details on your ship (including your stateroom) helps ensure a cruise with your kids is smooth sailing.

Choosing the best summer family vacations doesn't have to be hard: Looking at the best places for kids means choosing destinations that you know will excite them. A young kid who loves animals might enjoy itineraries with a wilderness component, like cruises to Alaska. If your family loves history, consider itineraries that sail to historic ports — like coastal cities in New England or Europe. When it comes to choosing the right family cruise, it's all about exploring the options and seeing how they align with your interests.

How To Travel With Kids

Arcade Kids Playing Skeeball — Kids Trying to Beat the High Score on Skeeball

Traveling with kids is all about preparation. Plan to keep them entertained in ways that are convenient and stress-free for you.

One way to prepare is to have a backpack stocked with kids' essentials, from their favorite toys to any necessary medicines. You might even consider bringing along a journal so older kids can jot down highlights from the trip and capture the daily magic of traveling.

Before the trip, explain all the ship's amenities to get your family excited about the cruise. Explaining all the perks (including those in your stateroom) to kids before you set sail will help them prepare for the adventure.

Another good idea is to allow yourself more time to do everything than you think you need, from checking in to getting acquainted with your room. Rushing around rarely works with kids because it makes them frazzled; this applies to onshore excursions and onboard activities.

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Round up your passports and get ready to explore together! You may just find the best summer family vacation you've ever had on one of these cruises.

Why Choosing The Right Room Matters

Keeping larger families together on cruises is easy, thanks to connecting rooms. These adjacent staterooms allow families privacy with balcony dividers that can stay open and allow plenty of mingling. This option is also often more budget-friendly than booking a suite.

If you want a smaller, more economical option, some ships offer interior staterooms (a stateroom with no windows) that include a sofa, a convertible king bed that can transform into twin beds and a desk. This is an excellent choice for small families or a couple with one child who plan to spend minimal time in the room. Royal Caribbean's ships are remarkable hubs of activities and entertainment for all ages, so it's easy to spend your time out and about and just use your stateroom for sleeping.

For families with newborns, the ship provides cribs free of charge. Just inquire about the dimensions to make sure it'll fit comfortably into the stateroom you've chosen with plenty of room left to spare.

There's a space for just about every family member in Royal Suite Class, available on Oasis, Quantum and Quantum Ultra Class ships. These suites offer plenty of room for families of all sizes to unwind comfortably. The Ultimate Family Suite, for instance, features a private balcony jacuzzi, air hockey and even an in-suite slide.

Choosing the best summer family vacations doesn't have to be hard: Looking at the best places for kids means choosing destinations that you know will excite them.

Cool Places For Kids

Ultimate Family Suite Interactive Games Family Fun

Given the sheer variety of entertainment, there's no chance of boredom on any deck of a large cruise ship.

If you want more attention than you're used to getting with a traditional concierge, Royal Caribbean's Sky Class concierge — available with select suites — will attend to your every wish. Whether it's restaurant reservations at Giovanni's℠ Table or the luxury of breakfast in bed, your Sky Class concierge is on it.

There are plenty of staterooms with special perks, too: the Ultimate Family Suite available on the Symphony of the Seas^®, Spectrum of the Seas^® and Wonder of the Seas^® has its own jacuzzi on a private balcony, and it doesn't get much better than soaking in that tub while cruising between destinations. VIP perks like complimentary drinks and a dedicated Royal Genie who can create custom experiences for you and your family might be what you need to get that extra rest and relaxation.

For those looking to truly indulge on their vacation, the Ultimate Family Suite gives kids plenty of space with lots of activities, including a video game hub, an indoor slide and table tennis. At the same time, adults can head out to the expansive balcony for peace and quiet.

Keeping The Family Entertained

When planning summer travel with kids, you may want to start with easy-to-access destinations. For very young kids, three-night cruises might be the perfect length of time. Then you can extend your adventures to much longer sailings in Europe and Asia as they grow older.

A four- or six-night cruise is a happy middle that will please just about everyone in the family, and many of these itineraries sail to affordable spots throughout the Caribbean. If you crave beach time, some adventures in Labadee, Haiti — a private isle known for its unspoiled beaches and turquoise waters as well as its artisanal market — might be just the ticket. If you're traveling with children who love the outdoors, head to the oldest city in the north of the Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata, and experience a thrilling cable car ride through the jungle before enjoying views from Mount Isabel de Torres. In Puerto Plata, you can also tour cacao farms — an attraction not often found on other Caribbean islands.

Cozumel will please history buffs and beach lovers alike. Unwind with a beachside massage at Playa Mia after taking a dip in crystal-clear waters. Head to Cozumel Reefs National Park for the best snorkeling around, where you can easily spot dolphins and manatees. History fans will love getting to know Mayan culture better at San Gervasio, the largest ancient site on the island — it dates back to 300 A.D. And nature lovers will love the lush mangroves and vibrant reefs in Punta Sur National Park.

Winding Down At Night

When the family is back onboard, recap the day's adventures while you're in your pajamas, eating s'mores that your concierge brought over to you to wrap up the day or snacking on late-night pizza and fries.

Though you'll have plenty of options for in-room gaming and movies, going through photos on your phone and talking about which memories meant the most to everyone is the perfect way to end the day on a sweet note and look forward to more adventures the next morning.

If you're traveling with a young adult or teenager who wants to spend some time getting to know other cruisers their age, they can hit the ship's teen-only spaces (some ships even feature at teen-only nightclub). These cool hangouts have video games, movie nights and other programmed events for preteens and teens.

And don't let them miss out on the Broadway-style shows onboard — these tend to be crowd-pleasers for all ages and they're all included in your cruise fare.

Written By
CHARU SURI

Charu Suri is a freelance writer who has contributed to the The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Architectural Digest, Robb Report and more. She has lived in four continents, speaks several languages and is also a pianist and award-winning composer.

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