| A family cruise vacation is a great way to get away | | | | supervisors for your kids. Know the qualifications of |
| and spend time with your children. Almost of the | | | | the care giver. For instance, on the Queen Mary II |
| cruise lines offer packages that cater to families. Surf | | | | they have licensed nannies. |
| the web for the right family cruise vacation that will | | | | If you will need a cot or crib find out if they are |
| cater to all of your needs. Better yet, talk to a cruise | | | | available and if there is a fee. Sometimes these need |
| travel agent. Make sure they are a member of CLIA | | | | to be reserved in advance of the family cruise |
| (the industries organization) and have taken many | | | | vacation. The size of the cabin should be noted. If |
| cruise vacations on several cruise lines. The cruise | | | | the cabin is too small, you will be cramped. If you are |
| travel agent will be able to steer you to the cruise | | | | not taking toddlers it is best to book cabins across |
| lines that have children's programs that are age | | | | from each other. You and your spouse take the |
| specific, have trained youth counselors and will fulfill | | | | outside cabin and give the one across the hall from it |
| your desires on your family cruise vacation. | | | | to your children. This not only affords you privacy |
| The great thing about these programs on the cruise | | | | but the kids will feel "grown up" with their own cabin. |
| lines is that your children will be with qualified people | | | | Check to see if they have a kids menu. A lot of kids |
| all day, doing all kinds of activities and you are free | | | | don't eat a variety of foods. If they are particularly |
| to do your own thing with no worries. | | | | picky it is nice to know that the cruise lines offer |
| A family cruise vacation takes you to many | | | | food for kids, like hamburgers and hot dogs. Almost |
| destinations without the rigors of packing and | | | | all cruise lines offer hamburgers and hot dogs at lunch |
| unpacking. A cruise vacation will also alleviate the | | | | around the pool but what about dinner? Find out in |
| stress of airport security. You might have to fly to | | | | advance of your family cruise vacation so you know |
| your port of embarkation but after that there will be | | | | everyone will be happy. |
| no more checking in and long security lines. | | | | If anyone in your family has special needs make sure |
| The cruise ship will take you to many ports where | | | | your cruise travel agent asks the ship if they will |
| you get off the ship and enjoy your day on shore. | | | | provide for them. There may be two or three formal |
| Before you leave on your family cruise vacation | | | | nights. If you do not feel comfortable participating in |
| research the ports you will be visiting. Plan what you | | | | them with little children, find out what kind of |
| want to do in each port ahead of time. Since it is a | | | | alternative dining the cruise line offers. Many ships |
| family cruise vacation, discuss this with all your family | | | | have alterative dining rooms for just this purpose. |
| members. You can find out what the cruise lines | | | | Some of the cruise lines have kid's dinners where |
| offer in the way of tours on their website. In many | | | | only the children and the caregivers can attend. If this |
| cases the cruise lines let you book tours online or by | | | | coincides with a formal night it would be nice to |
| fax. | | | | know. |
| Here are some guidelines to help you choose the | | | | Some of the children's activity that are offered on |
| perfect family cruise vacation. | | | | cruise lines are scavenger hunts, pizza parties, disco |
| First find out if they allow kids in your children's age | | | | parties for teens, arts and crafts and pool parties. |
| group. Cruise lines may limit the amount of children in | | | | The cruise line will bend over backwards to keep |
| certain age groups. This applies especially at times like | | | | your children entertained. They want you to come |
| Easter or spring break | | | | back. |
| Do some digging to find out what kind of children's | | | | So call your cruise travel agent and start planning the |
| facility the cruise line has. You will want to check | | | | perfect family cruise vacation. It will be one vacation |
| what the activities will be, are there play areas, and | | | | that you and your kids won't forget. |
| baby sitting available. Find out the rules for placing | | | | Happy Cruising! |
| your children in the child care center. Most times you | | | | Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved. |
| must sign your child into the play areas and the kids | | | | This article may be distributed freely on your website |
| will not be allowed to leave until you sign them out. | | | | and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, |
| It is important to know the ratio of counselors to | | | | copyright notice, links and the resource box are |
| children. You want to know that there are adequate | | | | unchanged. |