'I feel safer with them on a cruise ship': Families share tips on how to take a cruise with kids

When OJ Stapleton's daughters were 4 and 3 years old, he and his wife, Becky, took them on a cruise for the first time.

"We thought, we'll try out a cruise and see how it goes," the newspaper editor from Russellville, Kentucky, told USA TODAY.

After trying out a few different cruise lines and itinerary lengths, the Stapletons figured out what worked for them as a family – from which amenities Emily and Molly liked most, to which school breaks fell at the best times for cruising.

Stapleton, 46, said that as they grew up, "pretty much every year we went on at least one cruise with them."

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They are now 18 and 16, and the family has taken a dozen cruises together. And while cruises can make for great family vacations, taking a voyage with kids may require extra planning, from the type of cruise you choose to the items you pack.

"There's just definitely more to think about when you're traveling with kids," said Jen Campbell Boles, founder of the travel agency Explore More Family Travel, who has taken her twin boys on a family cruise. USA TODAY spoke to travelers and travel experts who have sailed with their kids to get their tips.

How to choose a family cruise

When booking your cruise, Boles said, consider whether you want to prioritize the ports and excursions offered or the activities on board.

"You know, a kid that might be really into whales might care more about the programming around whales in Alaska versus if there's a big water slide on board," Boles said.

If your kids are under 12, Boles recommended Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line, "because those are just better set up for kids."

Heidi Allison, editor-in-chief of AllThingsCruise.com and president of the cruise-finder website CruiseCompete.com, echoed Boles' recommendations, adding that Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises also have programming for kids but "it's not going to be the water slide and everything crazy where you're never going to see your children." She also noted that some lines don't allow children at all.

Stapleton suggested booking at least a four-day cruise.

"Anything less than four days, you're getting into a lot more of a booze cruise, just kind of party atmosphere," he said. In the case of a child that is getting antsy, Boles said booking a cruise with minimal days at sea is probably best.

Boles recommended booking a room with extra space, like a balcony, as well, so you can have some alone time if the kids are winding down or fall asleep early.

What to do, pack before a cruise with kids

Think about what you need to bring and what you can get on board, Boles said. For instance, she said, "Will your kids sleep in any Pack 'n Play? Can you use the ones provided by the ship, or do you need to bring your own with you?"

If your child still wears diapers and you run out, however, Boles said family-friendly cruise lines offer those and other supplies, such as baby food.

Leslie Harvey, founder of the family travel blog Trips With Tykes, said in case of seasickness, she brought Sea-Bands for her daughter and son when their family went on a Disney cruise.

If you are planning to make frequent use of the kids clubs on board, Kristi Marcelle, senior travel adviser at family-focused travel agency Ciao Bambino!, urged passengers to pre-register their children, so they will be ready to use the facilities at the start of the cruise.

She also suggested asking for its weekly schedule – or the schedule of kids activities – as some require you to sign up.

"I missed sign up for a 'Ratatouille' cooking class for my then 5-year-old on a Disney Cruise, and she still remembers that ... and she is 16 now," she said in an email.

Boles also recommended bringing items a deck of cards or books, and downloading digital games, shows, or movies ahead of time as Wi-Fi may not be reliable, to help keep kids entertained if you have a day at sea for instance. "Be prepared," she said. "What if it rains? You can't be in the pool that day."

Tips to keep kids safe during a cruise

Allison, whose sons have been on at least 15 cruises with her, and now have kids of their own, said she's "kind of a nervous mother, grandmother," and got her oldest granddaughter a GizmoWatch, with features like a GPS tracker and voice calling when she started preschool.

"I want to know where everybody is," she said. She said passengers could invest in that or an Apple Watch, or give their kids walkie-talkies.

She also recommended going over any safety rules with children, and using the buddy system if you have a larger family.

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Boles suggested steps including making sure kids know where to go in the event of an emergency on the ship and how to identify a crew member for help.

"Just have that little talk at the beginning so it's fresh in their minds, because sometimes you take for granted what your kids remember about safety because you don't think about them being separated from you in an unfamiliar environment," she said.

Stapleton, for his part, has found that cruise ships offer a means of both bonding as a family, and giving his kids some independence as they got older.

"I feel safer with them on a cruise ship than I do with them going to Sonic at 11 o'clock at night or whatever," he said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to take a cruise with kids from travelers who have done it