Cruise Checklist: Packing for Kids On A Cruise

Family+cruisesFamily cruises are the perfect family vacations!  Follow this cruise checklist for packing and you wont forget any essentials your kids will need while on the family cruise vacations.

Title: Packing for Kids on a Cruise

Author: Ryan Sevale

Cruises are becoming an increasingly popular vacation choice for  families. There are many cruise lines that cater to families.  They offer child care for the little ones, clubs filled with  activities to keep school age children occupied all day long,  and teen lounges where older kids can play on gaming systems,  use the Internet, listen to music and watch movies to their  heart's delight.

With all of these amenities specifically geared for kids, it
would seem that parents shouldn't need to worry much about
bringing anything more than a few changes of clothing for their
children. However, the child care rooms, kid's clubs and teen
lounges aren't open 24/7, and kids do end up spending down time
in their rooms with their families. When packing for kids on a
cruise, there are many things that parents need to remember to
bring in addition to their clothing.

For Infants and Toddlers: * Diapers, swim diapers and wipes
(pack more than you think you'll need - you may be able to
purchase them in the cruise ship's store, but you'll pay a hefty
premium) * Pacifiers - bring a few extra * Ziploc type bags to
dispose of diapers - the trash in your room is only disposed of
once a day * Plastic bottles/sippy cups * Hand sanitizing lotion
* Port a crib; booster seat for dining; stroller for on board or
off board excursions - the cruise line may provide these or rent
them, find out before hand * Night light * Disposable bibs * Sun
hat * Children's sunscreen * Prescription and over the counter
medications * Thermometer * Band-Aids and antibacterial ointment
* Favorite stuffed animals, books, coloring books, crayons and
toys * Inflatable swim aids * One or two more outfits than you
think you'll need * Portable dvd player, extra batteries, and
movies

For Grade School Children - At this age, children should have a
hand in the packing of their own entertainment items:

* Night light * Sun hat * Sunglasses * Children's sunscreen *
Prescription and over the counter medications * Thermometer *
Bandaids and antibacterial ointment * Favorite stuffed animals,
books, coloring books, crayons and toys * Travel board games *
Inflatable swim aids * One or two more outfits than you think
you'll need * Portable dvd player, extra batteries, and movies *
Portable gaming systems such as Game Boys or PSP's * Portable
music devices such as MP3 players or CD players * A disposable
camera or two to allow kids to take pictures of whatever they
want * A journal

For Teenagers - At this age, teens should handle the
responsibility of packing for themselves. Help them to make a
packing list so they don't forget anything important and check
their bags once they are packed:

* Protective sunscreen * Sunglasses * Prescription and over the
counter medications * Thermometer * Bandaids and antibacterial
ointment * Favorite books and travel board games * Portable dvd
player, extra batteries, and movies * Portable gaming systems
such as Game Boys or PSP's * Portable music devices such as MP3
players or CD players * A digital or disposable camera to allow
teens to take pictures of whatever they want * A journal * Cell
phone - especially if you will be going on excursions off the
ship

Making sure that you have these extras will ensure that you have
supplies in case of an emergency, protection from the sun, and
plenty to entertain your kids on the ship.

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We hope you enjoyed this article about packing for kids on a cruise.   We wish you oceans of family fun!