Family Feature: Why Our Family Keeps Coming Back to Cruises (Even with Three Kids Under Five)

If you've ever wondered whether a cruise is worth the money, worried about traveling with young children, or assumed cruising would be more stressful than relaxing, you're not alone.

As parents, it's easy to picture crowded ships, overtired kids, and a vacation that feels more like work than fun.

But for Ohio mom Kristi Carte, cruising has become one of her family's favorite ways to travel—and she's here to share why.

Meet the Carte Family

Kristi, her husband (Austin), and three kids (Kinsley, Blake, and John)

Kristi and her husband Austin are parents to three young children: Kinsley (4), Blake (3), and John (2). While Kristi has personally been on eight cruises, the family has now taken two cruises together and continues to plan more.

Living in Ohio means every cruise starts with a long drive to the port, but Kristi says the excitement begins the moment they see the ship.

"We usually drive to the cruise port. It's a long drive, but the moment we pull up and see the massive cruise ship, it instantly makes the trip worth it."

And once they step onboard?

"From the moment you step onboard, it truly feels like vacation has begun."

Why Cruising Works So Well for Families

One of the biggest misconceptions about cruising with kids is that it will be overwhelming. Kristi's experience has been the opposite.

"What we love most is how relaxing and easy it is. Even if you don't plan every detail ahead of time, you can still have an amazing trip without ever getting bored."

For families, that's a huge advantage.

Meals are readily available, entertainment is built in, and there are activities for nearly every age group. Parents can choose to spend every moment together or take advantage of kids' clubs and childcare options available on many ships.

While the Carte family hasn't used the children's programs yet, Kristi remembers loving them as a teenager.

"My brothers and I loved spending time in the gaming rooms and kids' areas."

These days, with toddlers in tow, their cruise routine is a little different.

"When the kids nap from about 1–3 p.m., my husband will often nap too, and that becomes my time to relax by the pool and enjoy some quiet time."

And honestly, isn't that what every mom dreams of on vacation?

Choosing the Right Cruise for Your Family

When it comes to booking a cruise, Kristi has one piece of advice many first-time cruisers don't consider:

Focus on the ship, not just the destination.

The Carte family has consistently chosen Royal Caribbean because of the family-friendly atmosphere, cleanliness, food options, and activities available onboard.

"Different ships offer different activities, especially for families with young children."

Newer ships often feature splash pads, playgrounds, family entertainment, and kid-friendly dining options that can make a huge difference when traveling with little ones.

Before booking, spend time researching the actual ship you'll be sailing on—not just the ports you'll visit.

Read the Fine Print When Traveling with Babies

One lesson Kristi learned the hard way involved age restrictions.

An eight-night Caribbean cruise had been booked as a Christmas gift from family. A few months later, Kristi discovered she was pregnant.

Unfortunately, Royal Caribbean requires babies to be at least six months old on embarkation day, meaning the family could no longer take the trip.

While they were eventually able to use a future cruise credit and rebook, it served as an important reminder that every cruise line has different policies.

"We had previously cruised with MSC Cruises when Blake was almost two months old and Kinsley was 18 months old, so every cruise line truly does have different policies."

If you're traveling with infants or toddlers, be sure to carefully review age requirements, childcare policies, and health regulations before booking.

The Secret to Successful Group Cruises

The Carte family often cruises with extended family, which creates incredible memories—but also comes with challenges.

On their last cruise, there were six children under the age of six traveling together.

Kristi's biggest tip?

Communication is everything.

Since cell service is often limited at sea, having designated meeting locations and a basic daily plan helps everyone stay connected.

The family typically shares breakfast and dinner together each day. Dinner is easy thanks to assigned dining tables, while breakfast requires a bit more coordination.

One morning in Puerto Rico, a simple misunderstanding led to family members searching the ship for one another while everyone was actually heading to the same restaurant.

Today, they laugh about it.

But it taught them an important lesson:

"If someone is late, it's usually best to stay at the meeting place instead of going out searching for everyone."

How They Structure Their Cruise Days

One of Kristi's biggest parenting travel tips is surprisingly simple:

Keep the kids on a schedule.

While vacations don't need to be rigid, maintaining familiar rhythms helps everyone enjoy the experience more.

A typical sea day might look like:

Morning walk or workout

Breakfast

Exploring the ship

Pool and splash pad time

Lunch

Afternoon naps

Relaxing before dinner

Evening entertainment and shows

On port days, the family gets off the ship early to maximize sightseeing before nap time rolls around.

Keeping a little structure in place helps prevent overtired meltdowns and makes the trip feel more enjoyable for everyone.

Why They Book Excursions Through the Cruise Line

While independent excursions can sometimes save money, Kristi prefers the peace of mind that comes with booking through the cruise line.

"If there's traffic, delays, or transportation issues, the ship will wait for cruise-sponsored excursion groups to return."

For families traveling with young children, that extra security can be worth the additional cost.

The family has had positive experiences with excursions through both Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises and appreciates how organized and stress-free the process feels.

Cruise Packing Tips You May Not Have Thought Of

When asked about cruise packing must-haves, Kristi shared several practical tips:

Bring More Dress Clothes Than You Think You'll Need

Many cruises include formal or "dress your best" evenings.

"It's nice to have outfits that feel a little more put together."

Pack Reusable Water Bottles

Having water readily available during port days can make a huge difference, especially in warm climates.

Grab Snacks Before Leaving the Ship

One simple money-saving and sanity-saving trick?

Pack snacks from breakfast to take on excursions.

With kids, snacks can save the day.

Consider a Wagon Instead of a Stroller

One of the family's best travel decisions was bringing a wagon.

"It worked especially well in Puerto Rico, where we had a lot of walking to do. The kids could rotate in and out whenever they got tired."

How to Cruise Without Breaking the Budget

Cruises have a reputation for hidden costs, but Kristi says planning ahead makes a huge difference.

Her advice:

Book excursions before sailing

Purchase drink packages in advance if desired

Budget for Wi-Fi ahead of time

Plan for gratuities before boarding

Bring cash for port days

The good news?

Most of your vacation expenses are already covered once you board.

"The nice part about cruising is that once you're onboard, most of your food, drinks, desserts, entertainment, and activities are already included."

For many families, that predictability actually makes budgeting easier than traditional vacations.

The Advice Every First-Time Cruise Family Needs to Hear

When asked what she wishes someone had told her before her first family cruise, Kristi's answer was refreshingly honest.

"Family vacations are amazing, but they can also be exhausting—especially with little kids."

There will be moments when schedules get complicated. Someone will probably miss a nap. Plans may not go exactly as expected.

But that's not what your children will remember.

"The entire purpose of a family vacation is simply to be together and make memories."

For Kristi, one of the greatest gifts of cruising is the opportunity to unplug.

Without constant distractions and endless daily responsibilities, her family can focus on what matters most: spending time together.

"There is something incredibly special about waking up in a new country with the people you love most, seeing the ocean, palm trees, sunshine, and experiencing it all together."

And perhaps that's the biggest reason families keep coming back to cruising.

The planning is done. The meals are handled. The entertainment is built in.

All that's left to do is enjoy making memories together.

Final Thoughts

If you've been nervous about taking a cruise with your kids, consider this your sign to start researching.

Will everything go perfectly? Probably not.

Will your kids remember every detail? Probably not.

But they will remember exploring new places, splashing in the pool, watching the ocean from the deck, and spending uninterrupted time with the people they love most.

And sometimes, that's exactly what a family vacation should be.