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