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Family

Family Avoid these family cruise mistakes
1. Selecting an old or mid-aged ship
The newer the ship, the more family-friendly facilities it will likely have. And the facilities will have been custom built (rather than modified) for children use. Moreover, cabins and public areas will likely be more spacious.
 
2. Not monitoring your child's onboard spending
Some parents at the end of the cruise are hit with unexpected charges totaling hundreds of dollars in internet, phone, video games, among other expenses. It's wise to set a child's daily budget and monitor the charges at the purser's desk.
 
3. Not setting rules and enforcing them
Before you book, be sure your children understand and accept your and the ship's rules. They include keeping you abreast of their whereabouts - and maintaining good behavior. Running or shouting in public spaces disrupts the vacation experience of other passengers. There have been instances of families being kicked off ships (without refunds) because of badly behaved children. Unfortunately, some people relax their parenting responsibilities when they board the ship.
 
4. Being blind to the teenager issue
Teenagers are twice as likely to become bored and disgruntled on a cruise ship than tweens and tykes. This negativity could dampen your vacation. The best defense is to involve your teenager in the cruise selection process. And, once aboard, encourage him or her to attend the first teen socializing event where they can meet and make new friends. Wait and the other teenagers have already formed their friendship groups.

5. Booking too late
Though you could possibly nail a money-saving last-minute cruise fare, you risk getting a bad cabin location or discovering that the cruise is sold out.

Moreover, if you're flying to the port, the flights might be fully booked. If you do find seats, they could be appreciably higher priced than previously (airlines often jack up prices as the departure date nears). Or, you will have to make time-wasting flight connections instead of flying nonstop or direct to and from the port city.

You also want to book the popular shore excursions and onboard activities before you board. If that's not possible to do on the internet or through your travel agent, do it as soon as you board the ship.
 
6. Not arriving at the departure port a day early if you are flying in.
Your boat could sail without you because bad weather or mechanical failure canceled your flight, delaying your arrival.
 
7. Neglecting to buy trip cancellation insurance
Sometimes travelers have to cancel their trips due to unexpected sickness, family death, whatever. If you have a non-refundable ticket and buy the proper trip cancellation insurance, you willl get your money back via the insurance company.

8. Being uninformed about food & beverage issues
Some cruise lines unilaterally assign you for the duration of the cruise to a set dinner period (early or late) and at a specific table. If you don't like the arrangement, talk to the restaurant maitre d' soon after you board. Chances are the staffer will be able to change the assignment to your satisfaction.

Make reservations to the popular alternative restaurants as soon as you embark. Seats are limited and reservations go fast.

Adults enjoy 90-minute sit down dinners, but few children do. Be sure the ship has casual restaurants where your children can eat with you or their friends.
 
9. Insufficiently scrutinizing a cruise ship's children program and facilities
Factors include how narrowly or broadly a ship defines its age-specific groups. For instance, your 16-year-old will be more eager to participate if there are both 13-to-15 and a 16-to-17-year-old groups as opposed to a generic 13-to-17 group.
 
10. Booking a single stateroom for a family of four
Space will be cramped and privacy lost because the vast majority of standard staterooms average about 200 square feet. Think of four people staying in a 10-by-20-foot hotel room. Unless you are on a dire budget, the added cost of booking two connecting cabins (one for mom and dad, the other for the kids) is worth it.

Family More family cruise tips & insights
Popularity
You won't be alone. More than a million passengers per year take family cruises.

Popular destinations
The top two for families are the Caribbean and Mediterranean, followed by Mexico and Alaska.

Cruise length
The average is seven days, though some cruises are as short as 2 days and as long as 10 or more days.

Travel agents
A good, well-connected travel agent can often get you a lower price and/or a better cabin than you probably could do on your own. They also offer you sound advice based on years of experience.

Air travel
If you choose a departure port within driving distance of your home, you can eliminate the expense and hassle of family air travel.

Know the real total cost
While most advertised cruise fares include your cabin, food, and entertainment, they don't include tips, alcohol, alternative onboard restaurants, laundry, transportation, shore excursions, among other extras. They collectively represent a tidy sum.

Multi-generational cruises
I've known people who selected their cruises based solely on their children's desires. Those of the parents and grandparents should count, too.

FamilyPopular onboard activities
Different cruise lines and ships offer different sets of onboard activities. Use my list to determine your child's preferences. Then, consult it when checking out the offerings of individual cruise lines and their ships.
Popular onshore activities
These pursuits can be the focus or a part of an organized or do-it-yourself shore excursion. The options vary from port to port.
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