Cruising family style - what to know BEFORE you go! Review

I believe that for any family vacation to be a success, knowledge and preparation is the key and so I have put together a series of Q&A that will hopefully help clear up any questions or concerns about cruising

What documents do we need to have to board?
All U.S. citizens (including children and infants) need a passport. In some circumstances, a visa may also be required. If you do not have a passport, order one as soon as you book your cruise as it can takes weeks for it to arrive.

How long will the check in take?
This varies for each cruise line but be prepared to have a long wait time! You will first need to stand in line to check in with your tickets, ID and luggage. After checking your documents, you will be given a passenger card (one for each family member) that will get you into your room and serve as your identification for boarding and re-boarding the ship. This will have your photo attached - either right on the card, or coming up on the screen when scanned. It is also connected to a credit card for all yours ship purchases. After checking in, you will wait to board in a large room which hopefully has refreshments!

We are ready to board, now what?
After your boarding photo (smile, this is the first of many) there will be crew-members, who will direct you to your cabin. I would suggest you take in the lunch and then start familiarizing yourselves with the ship before joining the cast off party.

You will be offered a drink, remember ANYTIME you sign for something, it comes off your credit card! Soda is $1.50, drinks much higher! If you drink a lot of pop, buy a soda card or bring it onboard with you.

What about the kids?
There is no minimum age to bring a child on board.

Most lines offer at least a seasonal program for ages 3 (potty trained) and up. These are drop in groups where your child can attend as little or as often as you both want. The activities change daily, a next day list will be delivered to your room nightly. Parents are given a beeper so they can be paged if needed.

Most lines also offer by the hour babysitting. Check at the front desk for any crew members available and what they charge.

What about dinner?
This applies to ships that serve the two seating's with assigned tables:
I would suggest that you choose early dining since most families will dine at that time. When you book be sure to ask to be seated at a table with other children. There will be children's menus available. The main menus are available outside the dinning rooms daily.

.This applies to ships that have freestyle dining:
My family prefers freestyle dinning and we usually choose lines that have it. With freestyle (or anytime dinning) there are no assigned tables or dining times. There are the main dinning rooms as well as 2 or 3 additional restaurants (with different menus) to choose from. What makes it even sweeter, is there is no dress code other than no jeans, shorts or hats! A major plus for luggage weight!

On ALL ships, you have the option of the buffet which allows a more casual dress (shorts are OK) and you can just drop in. And don't forget you can order room service any time you (or the kids) are hungry!

What about tipping?
Tipping is a BIG question and often a shock to first time cruisers! It is a personal matter and most lines have their own guidelines. A general rule is $10 per guest, per day and half that for children under 8 to 12 depending on the line.

Some lines will give you envelopes pre-stamped (room steward, waiter etc.) and you place the CASH (only) inside and give them to the individuals. Many lines now just take the standard amount automatically off your credit card.

Either way, please remember these people are in the service industry, and therefore, the passenger tips make up the largest percentage of their income! It is important to add this cost into your cruise budget.

Spa treatments, room service and the kids' staff are also normally tipped if you use their services.

Kristy's Final Viewpoint: (and hints)
** Check out the ships layout BEFORE you book. Stay away from rooms next to the stairwells, elevators and any service areas. The middle of the ship moves the least. Not to mention letting you find your way around faster.

** If your children are not yet in school (or are home -schooled), consider traveling when school is in. The prices will rise considerably the closer to summer you get.

** Don't over pack! Cabins are SMALL with little area for clothes. For a small charge you can have clothes washed and back in your room the next day.

** If you are traveling with a very young child, a small portable playpen is great to hold the baby safety (or let him nap) while you are lounging by the pool.

** Note that shore times are often short and excursions can take the whole time (as well as be very costly). Sometimes the best way to see and enjoy the area is to explore on your own. Exploring the ports online BEFORE leaving will help you choose what works best for your family.

** Save money when in port - eat before you leave, sightsee, go back to the ship for lunch (and naps) and then go back for more sightseeing. Make sure you know what time the ship departs and keep your boarding cards with you.

** Have the entire family dress up at least one night -- you can get family photos taken and who knows when you all look that great again! Bring your camera and have the next guest in line snap an extra!