Going on a cruise is one of the most coveted and sought-after vacations by travelers and tourists. With the thrill of being on a magnificent, luxury-filled boat combined with being surrounded by the gorgeous deep blue ocean, it’s not surprising that children love being on a cruise ship as well. According to a survey conducted by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), cruises rank as one of the highest vacation destinations that kids prefer, second only to Disneyland.

Make your vacation on a cruise ship become a memorable and an enjoyable experience for you and your kids. Extra care and attention are needed anytime you travel with babies or small children. These are especially vital when on a cruise ship or any water craft for that matter. Listed below are some traveling tips when going on a cruise trip with your kids.

Inquire with your travel agent or direct with the cruise lines first about their provisions for children. Check if the ship is designed with children safety in mind. Smaller vessels let you watch over your children by keeping them within eyesight while larger vessels have taller guardrails to keep children from accidentally going overboard. Know where the clinic is located and where the fire emergency exits are the moment you get on board.

Some cruise trips are strictly adults only and do not allow children on board. Know if the cruise trip you have chosen is child-friendly. On the other hand, there are cruise trips that are made especially for families with children. Some children-friendly cruise ships have amenities like a swimming pool, a water theme park, and even a full sized movie theater accessible on the ship. They also typically include fun, wholesome, and safe activities available for children to participate in and enjoy with their parents.

Whenever you go on a vacation that involves any body of water, make sure that your children are provided with child-sized lifejackets. Adult-sized lifejackets are not appropriate as these are too big for children and would just slip over their heads when used in water. If you are not provided with lifejackets, bring along your children’s own.

Every time your children go in the water, keep them safe by having them wear their lifejackets and/or flotation devices. The water poses many dangers to your children like currents, riptides, jellyfishes, and depths that are too deep for your child to swim in. Also have your children wear sunscreen lotion with high SPF and clothes that will protect them from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Always keep an eye out for your children. Never let them go off on their own even if the cruise ship is a limited area. Children could still easily get themselves into trouble and have accidents that you don’t want to happen. There are other people on board who are also vacationing so let them enjoy their time by being responsible for your own children. Keeping your children near you will not only ensure their safety but will also let you enjoy each other’s company.