Going on a cruise is an easy and fuss-free way to enjoy some time outside of Singapore without having to do too much planning. After all, your meals, accommodation, and planning will all be taken care of. There are lots of cruises departing every day from Singapore Cruise Centre.
If you plan to travel with your kids, fear not—cruising with kids is a lot simpler than going on a free and easy trip with them.
Here are some tips to make your next family cruise a memorable one.
Check for kid-friendly activities before booking your cruise tickets
The great thing about cruises is that they’re a one-stop-shop for all kinds of entertainment. Some cruises even have ice skating rinks, swimming pools, and tennis courts!
Before booking your tickets, check what entertainment and activities are available, and pick one that has enough to keep your kids occupied for the entire duration of the cruise. You don’t want to sign up for a cruise with little else but a casino.
If your kids are old enough, consult them to see which activities they’d like to participate in and involve them in the planning. For instance, if they’ve expressed an interest in rock climbing, that’s a good case for picking a cruise with a rock climbing wall.
Check if there are childcare options onboard
Traveling with babies or toddlers who need constant supervision? Then you might want to check if there is a childcare option on the cruise.
Some cruises do have childcare facilities or babysitters onboard. There might also be special kids’ programmes that children can participate in unattended by their parents.
Bring along some seasickness remedies
Most children do not get seasick on cruises due to the stability of the vessels, however, it is a good idea to bring along some seasickness remedies just in case.
Get your doctor to recommend seasickness tablets suitable for kids and bring along remedies like acupressure wrist bands on the off-chance that one of your family members needs them.
Make sure your kids apply sunscreen
Being on a cruise, you might not feel like you’re in the great outdoors, but sunburn is common when you’ve been on deck all day.
Don’t forget to have your family members wear sunscreen, and reapply liberally throughout the day.
Make the rules clear
When you’re on a cruise, it is easy to get lulled into a false sense of security. Just because your kids technically cannot get lost in the outside world doesn’t mean you should not establish certain age-appropriate rules and make sure they are understood before boarding.
If you have older kids who are allowed to wander around as they wish, it’s a good idea to set a time and location for meetings throughout the day so you can check in on them and see if there are activities you’d like to participate in together.
Younger children who need supervision should be told not to wander off anywhere without informing the adult watching over them and be given steps to follow in case they get lost.
Finally, it goes without saying that all kids no matter the age should be given strict safety rules aimed at preventing them from falling overboard.
Buy travel insurance
Before setting sail, protect your family with travel (cruise) insurance from HL Assurance. Do you travel often more than the occasional cruising? Then an annual travel insurance policy can offer year-round protection.
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