Family cruises are all about fun, relaxation, and sometimes surprises. Recently, we set sail on Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas with our family of six, and while we faced a few bumps along the way, it turned out to be a fantastic experience!
One of the biggest challenges we faced was our three-year-old getting a fever during the first part of our trip. Thankfully, I had packed a literal pharmacy, which really saved us a trip to the medical facility on board. For anyone heading on a cruise, let me stress the importance of bringing your go-to medicines—this is an absolute must!
Overall, the kids had a blast onboard and can’t stop talking about going back. My husband and I had a great time, too, but if I could give one piece of advice, it would be to keep your expectations low. I found myself comparing our current cruise to previous kid free cruises which was wrong on my behalf.
Traveling with kids means you need to go with the flow. Instead of getting upset about the activities we missed, I learned to slow down and savor the moments we could enjoy together. Naps with my little ones became a sweet part of our day, reminding me to cherish these special times—which won’t last forever.
Top 3 Items I Would Bring on Every Cruise
To help you prepare for your own adventure, here are my favorite three items that I wouldn’t leave home without:
1. Magnetic Wall Hooks: These little hooks saved us from chaos in our cabin! They helped keep things organized and made our space feel much bigger. I got both 80 lb and 110 lb hooks, and they were a game changer.
2. Travel Clothes Line: We chose an interior room for a cozy feel, but space was limited. This clothesline, combined with the magnetic hooks, was perfect for drying our swimsuits overnight without cluttering the bathroom. The shower isn’t the best drying spot anyway!
3. Royal Caribbean WOW Bands: These RFID bands made our cruise experience so much easier! They allowed us to unlock our rooms and pay for items without needing to dig through our bags. It was a lifesaver, especially when the kids needed our attention. You can even reuse these bands on certain ships—just remember to activate them at the front desk when you board!
Bonus item: As mentioned above, I will never travel without my little pharmacy. I am not a medical professional and cannot tell you what to bring. What I can advise is to make your own travel pharmacy based on the medications you and your family personally use. It is not easy to find medications in the stores on the ship and in the ports. Having this will give you a greater peace of mind.
Now, here are 3 items I wouldn’t bring on our next cruise:
1. Stainless Steel Water Bottles: While I thought having six water bottles would be a smart move, lugging them around was a pain, and my kids barely used them. There are water stations throughout the ship. Next time I will be opting for one larger rambler to keep in the stateroom paired with foldable silicone cups.
2. Personal Hair Dryer: I brought my Revlon One-Step Volumyzer, which turned out to be a mistake. The high wattage tripped the circuit and even set off the smoke detector, leading to an awkward encounter with the ship’s security. A lower-wattage hair dryer or the one supplied by the ship would have been a better choice.
3. Excess Clothing: Despite our best efforts to pack light, we ended up with leftover clothes that went unworn. A good rule of thumb is to pack your expected outfits and then remove half. After all, most of the time will be spent in swimsuits!
While this list may not cover everyone’s unique needs, I hope these insights help your upcoming family cruise experience. Remember to embrace the journey, be open-minded about things not going according to your plans, and enjoy every moment spent with your loved ones on the open seas!
Happy sailing!
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