Cruising with kids can be tricky. Obviously you want to relax, so it’s very easy to send them off and allow them to entertain themselves. However, kids left to their own devices can mean them running amok on the ship – kids in the pool, kids in the dining room, in the theatres, in the hot tub, in the elevator…they can really take over the place! However, people agree that this isn’t the children’s fault. Many agree that the parents are to blame, not the children when people are being disrupted by kid’s behaviour. There’s a certain code of conduct that parents should consciously follow on cruise ships – it’s an unspoken code, but it should be followed all the same. Let’s take a look at how parents and children should behave on a cruise:
Know Where Your Kids Are
You should know where your kids are at all times, and if they’re running around the ship unattended, shouting, and running amok, you should stop them immediately. Just because a crew member hasn’t said anything doesn’t make this behaviour acceptable, so make sure you put a stop to it before it gets out of hand. It doesn’t look very well on you when you’re relaxing in the sun and your kids are taking over the elevators!
Monitor the Pools
If the ship has a family pool and an adults only pool, make sure you don’t let your kids swim in the adult’s pool, or the hot tub. It’s just plain rude! Oh, and if they need the toilet…take them to the bathroom. Peeing in the pool is never acceptable!
Respect the Dress Code
You don’t have to dress your kids in tuxedos and tiaras, but respect any formal events that the ship puts on. A lot of cruises, like those offered by Cruise1st, put on formal dinner events. Dressing the whole family up for a formal night will be a nice change!
Make Sure Your Kids are Respectful
Your children should always remember their manners and say please or thank you when spoken to. Table manners should be taught too, to avoid any embarrassment when dining.
Put Kids to Bed At Night
If you’ve got tired kids, it isn’t going to be fun for anyone making them sit through a show or dinner at nighttime. If they’re exhausted, but them to bed or check to see if the ship offers babysitting or a night nursery.
Have Respect for The Facilities
Make sure your kids show respect for the facilities on board. Kids have been known to run amok, graffiti on things and break certain equipment. Make sure this is not your children!
Think About Safety
You should always think about safety – the safety of your kids should be your top priority! Make sure you know what your kids are doing, who with, and where at all times. It’s your duty as a responsible parent to keep them under control. It isn’t just your break – there are hundreds more people on board, all of which your kids could be disturbing. Your kid’s behaviour is a reflection on you, so have a little consideration as you enjoy your cruise!
