Cruise Tips & Port Guides for Families

Cruise Travel Blog

Tips, tricks, and inspiration for unforgettable family cruise adventures!

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Travel Tips

Thatched palapas and loungers on the white sand at a Mahahual beach club in Costa Maya Destinations

Nohoch Kay Beach Club, Costa Maya

What is included, how far it is from the pier, whether the water suits young kids, and who should pick somewhere else.

Read More →· 6 min
A family playing in the calm clear turquoise shallows at West Bay Beach in Roatan Destinations

Is Roatan Safe for Families?

Honduras has a reputation and Roatan is a different conversation. What the picture actually looks like for cruise families.

Read More →· 6 min
Children playing in a shallow splash pool with colourful slides at a Bahamas private island Destinations

What to Do at CocoCay with Kids

The free tier at Perfect Day is unusually good. What costs nothing, what the Thrill Waterpark adds, and how to plan by age.

Read More →· 6 min
Parents on a sunny cruise ship deck with a baby in a sun hat, the open ocean beyond the railing Travel Tips

Cruising with a Baby

The minimum age rules that get families denied boarding, what nurseries really offer, and what changes on a port day.

Read More →· 7 min
A family walking the palm-lined boardwalk at Mahahual village beside calm turquoise water Destinations

Mahahual with Kids

Is the village worth the taxi from the Costa Maya pier? The beach, the boardwalk, what beach clubs cost, and when to just stay at the port.

Read More →· 7 min
Hands arranging cruise photos, shells and stickers into a scrapbook album Journaling

Cruise Scrapbook Ideas

Twenty creative ways to turn cruise photos, ticket stubs and souvenirs into a keepsake your family will actually look at.

Read More →· 6 min
A boy leaning on the ship railing watching the open ocean go by Travel Tips

Do Kids Get Bored on Cruises?

An honest answer by age group, plus what actually keeps children engaged across sea days, port days and evenings.

Read More →· 7 min
Kids cruise outfits laid out for a family sailing Packing

Kids Cruise Outfits

What to actually pack for your child to wear, broken down by day, evening and formal night, without overpacking.

Read More →· 6 min
A child writing answers to journal prompts in a spiral-bound kids travel journal Journaling

50 Travel Journal Prompts for Kids

Age-organized writing prompts for cruises, road trips and family vacations that turn any trip into a keepsake.

Read More →· 5 min
Cruise Tips for First-Time Families Travel Tips

Cruise Tips for First-Time Families

What to book in advance, how embarkation day actually works, and the mistakes first-timers make that are easy to avoid.

Read More →· 7 min
How To Survive A Cruise With Toddlers Travel Tips

How To Survive a Cruise With Toddlers

Real talk on nap schedules, swim diapers, port day logistics, and what actually keeps toddlers happy on a cruise ship.

Read More →· 8 min
Cruising With an Autistic Child Travel Tips

Cruising With an Autistic Child

How to plan a sensory-friendly cruise vacation — accommodations to request, what to prep in advance, and how to handle port days.

Read More →· 9 min
Avoiding Seasickness on Your Family Cruise Travel Tips

Avoiding Seasickness on Your Family Cruise

Which remedies actually work, the best cabin locations, and how to handle it if someone still gets sick mid-voyage.

Read More →· 5 min
Dining With Picky Eaters on a Cruise Travel Tips

Dining With Picky Eaters on a Cruise

Why cruise ships are actually one of the easiest places to feed a picky eater — and how to find the options that work for your kid.

Read More →· 6 min
Cruise Ship vs. All-Inclusive Resort for Families Travel Tips

Cruise Ship vs. All-Inclusive Resort for Families

A round-by-round honest comparison — who wins what, and which one is right for your specific family.

Read More →· 6 min
How Much Does a Family Cruise Cost Travel Tips

How Much Does a Family Cruise Cost?

The real all-in number for a family cruise in 2026 — base fares, hidden fees, what affects the price, and how to spend less without ruining the trip.

Read More →· 6 min
The First Thing To Do on Your Cruise Travel Tips

The First Thing To Do on Your Cruise

The single move most families skip on embarkation day — and why doing it immediately sets the whole trip up for success.

Read More →· 4 min
6 Things Parents Forget to Pack Travel Tips

6 Things Parents Forget to Pack for Their Child’s First Cruise

These aren’t the obvious ones — they’re the items parents kick themselves for leaving at home after their first sailing.

Read More →· 5 min
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Activities

A modern cruise ship family deck with a curving water slide, splash pool, mini golf and sports court, families enjoying a sunny sea day Activities

Things for Kids to Do on a Cruise Ship

Modern ships are floating theme parks. The full breakdown by age, from kids clubs to waterslides to teen zones.

Read More →· 7 min
A child writing in a colourful spiral-bound kids cruise journal on a sunny ship deck with the ocean behind, with the headline Kids Cruise Journal Activities

Kids Cruise JournalNew

The Passport Pal cruise journal system explained — free base journal, port-specific Port Packs, and everything kids ages 6–12 need to document the whole trip.

Read More →· 8 min
Creative Activities for Sea Days Activities

Creative Activities for Sea Days

25 activities that keep kids genuinely engaged between pools and shows — most need zero supplies and all work for different ages.

Read More →· 8 min
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Coming Soon

How to Use the Kids’ Club on a Cruise

What’s actually included, how drop-off works, which cruise lines have the best programs, and how to get your kid excited about going.

Coming Soon
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Coming Soon

What to Do on a Sea Day With Kids

A full sea day itinerary for families — how to plan the day, what to book ahead, and how to keep energy high from morning to evening show.

Coming Soon
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Destinations

Cozumel Mexico Family Cruise Guide Destinations

Cozumel Mexico Family Cruise Guide

Snorkeling, beach clubs, Mayan ruins, and how to plan the perfect Cozumel port day with kids.

Read More →· 7 min
Cozumel Snorkeling with Kids Destinations

Cozumel Snorkeling with Kids

The Mesoamerican Reef is world-class. Where to snorkel, what kids will see, and everything to bring.

Read More →· 5 min
Cozumel Mayan Ruins with Kids Destinations

Cozumel Mayan Ruins with Kids

San Gervasio and mainland ruins made fun for kids. Which ones are worth it on a cruise port day.

Read More →· 5 min
Do You Need a Passport for a Cruise? Destinations

Do You Need a Passport for a Cruise?

A port-by-port guide covering CocoCay, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Nassau, and more. Plus the rules for kids and babies.

Read More →· 8 min
Best Caribbean Cruise Ports for Families Destinations

Best Caribbean Cruise Ports for Families

Every major Caribbean cruise port ranked honestly for families — highlights, watch-outs, and Port Pack links for each destination.

Read More →· 9 min
Things to Do in Jamaica with Kids Destinations

Things to Do in Jamaica with KidsNew

Dunn’s River Falls, Dolphin Cove, resort day passes and everything families actually love about Jamaica on a cruise port day.

Read More →· 8 min
Things to Do in Nassau with Kids Destinations

Things to Do in Nassau with Kids

Nassau rewards families who plan ahead — here’s what’s actually worth your time with kids, from Atlantis to Cable Beach to swimming pigs in Exuma.

Read More →· 9 min
Things To Do In St. Thomas With Kids Destinations

Things to Do in St. Thomas with Kids

St. Thomas is the Caribbean with US convenience built in. No international fees, USD everywhere, and Magens Bay waiting 20 minutes from the pier.

Read More →· 8 min
Things to Do in Cozumel with Kids Destinations

Things to Do in Cozumel with Kids

The reef, the best beach clubs, and everything families actually need to know for a Cozumel port day with kids.

Read More →· 8 min
A family wading in the calm turquoise cove at Labadee, Haiti, blue loungers under thatched umbrellas and a cruise ship at the pier, with the headline Things to Do in Labadee with Kids Destinations

Things to Do in Labadee with Kids

Royal Caribbean’s private resort in Haiti — what’s included, the best activities for families, and how to make the most of your day ashore.

Read More →· 7 min
Things to Do in Roatan with Kids Destinations

Things to Do in Roatan with Kids

Is Roatan safe for families? Yes — and West Bay Beach plus the Sloth Sanctuary make it one of the best port days in the Caribbean.

Read More →· 6 min
Things to Do in Costa Maya with Kids Destinations

Things to Do in Costa Maya with Kids

Why Costa Maya is the most underrated family port in the Caribbean — free pier pool, calm beaches, and Mayan ruins without the crowds.

Read More →· 8 min
Why Costa Maya is the Most Underrated Family Port in the Caribbean Destinations

Why Costa Maya Is the Most Underrated Family Port in the Caribbean

Free pier pool, calm beaches, and Mayan ruins without the crowds — here’s why Costa Maya deserves way more credit than it gets.

Read More →· 8 min
Best Costa Maya Beach Clubs for Families Destinations

Best Costa Maya Beach Clubs for FamiliesNew

Honest reviews of Maya Chan, Tropicante, Nohoch Kay, and the free port pool — which one suits your family best.

Read More →· 7 min
Costa Maya Snorkeling with Kids Destinations

Costa Maya Snorkeling with KidsNew

Is Costa Maya good for snorkeling with kids? Honest answer by age group, best spots, what to bring, and what they’ll actually see.

Read More →· 7 min
Costa Maya vs Cozumel for Families Destinations

Costa Maya vs. Cozumel for FamiliesNew

Costa Maya vs. Cozumel compared honestly for families — beaches, snorkeling, ruins, crowds, and which port wins for your specific family type.

Read More →· 7 min
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Coming Soon

Things to Do in CocoCay with Kids

Royal Caribbean’s private island — Thrill Waterpark, South Beach, and everything worth doing when you have a day at CocoCay with the family.

Coming Soon
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Coming Soon

Things to Do in Grand Cayman with Kids

Stingray City, Seven Mile Beach, and everything else worth doing when you have a few hours ashore with the family.

Coming Soon
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Cruise Lines

Is Royal Caribbean's Labadee Closed? Cruise Lines

Is Royal Caribbean's Labadee Closed?

Royal Caribbean has suspended all Labadee visits through 2026. What it means for your itinerary and which ports replace it.

Read More →· 7 min
Royal Caribbean's New Private Beach Clubs Cruise Lines

Royal Caribbean's New Private Beach Clubs

Royal Beach Club Cozumel, Paradise Island Nassau, Perfect Day Mexico, and more. Every new destination replacing Labadee.

Read More →· 7 min
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Coming Soon

Best Cruise Lines for Families with Kids

How Royal Caribbean, Disney, Carnival, Norwegian, and MSC actually compare when you have kids in tow — ranked honestly.

Coming Soon
Coming Soon

Royal Caribbean for Families: What to Expect

The most popular cruise line for families — what’s worth booking, what’s overrated, and how to get the most out of your sailing.

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Coming Soon

Disney Cruise Line vs. Royal Caribbean for Families

The two most-compared family cruise lines — an honest breakdown of price, kids’ programming, ports, and who each one is actually best for.

Coming Soon

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