More and more families are opting for cruise vacations. Modern cruise ships are safe and fun for passengers of all ages. However, as with any family outing, parents need to be vigilant about assuring that their children remain safe.
One advantage of a sea voyage is that the entire crew is dedicated to the safety and enjoyment of all guests, and especially of the youngest ones. Most cruise lines provide children with color-coded wrist bands that must be worn at all times. This helps reunite lost children with their parents.
Ship railings are designed to be child-safe. They will either have horizontal bars too close together for a child to fit through, or the rails will be covered with thick plexiglass. Still, children love to climb. To be safe, don't ever leave your child to wander on the balcony unattended.
Most children easily adapt to life onboard. After the first day, kids will usually find their way around deck as easily as the adults. However, you should always walk your children from your cabin to the activity center and back, so that the entire family knows the way.
Children should spend their days either with adult family members or participating in the many adult-supervised activities on board the ship. Children's activities are typically scheduled to coincide with adult activities, so that the parents can have their own fun while the crew looks after the kids. Kid's pools, discos, and arcades are common features on today's ships. Babysitting services may also be available. Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2, for example, has children's nurses and English nannies on staff.
Before and during your cruise, discuss and emphasize safety issues with your kids. Be sure to warn them not to stray into "Crew Only" areas, which are strictly off-limits. So long as children remain under the watchful eye of an attentive adult, and heed all directions from the staff, their cruise experience is sure to lots of fun.
Recommended reading:
Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2010
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