When Are We Going on a Homeboat Again? A Family’s Guide to Cruising with Kids
- Sarah Symbalisty
- Oct 15
- 9 min read
We never set out to become a cruising family, but over the years, it’s become our number one tradition. With kids in tow, we’ve sailed with Princess Cruises, Holland America, Norwegian, and MSC Cruises, through the South Pacific, around Asia, across Northern and Southern Europe, and even transatlantically from Italy to Florida.
Each cruise line offers something a little different, but the core magic is the same: we unpack once, settle into a rhythm, and wake up somewhere new each day while the kids are safely entertained and someone else handles the cooking.
When Millie was just two, she started calling cruise ships “homeboats.” And we regularly hear, “When are we going on a homeboat again?”
If you’ve ever dreamed of a vacation that combines adventure with ease, where your kids are thriving and you're actually relaxing, a cruise might just be the answer.
Why Cruising with Kids Feels Like the Perfect “Home Base”
One piece of advice I regularly share with families who want to travel more is this: younger kids do better with a home base. That’s what makes cruising such a smart option.
The ship becomes their familiar place, even as the scenery changes. For little kids, this means they can nap in the same bed, fall asleep surrounded by familiar toys and blankets, and wake up knowing what to expect. It’s a huge help when trying to keep sleep schedules on track or prevent meltdowns during transitions.
Older kids benefit, too. After a day of exploring temples, they love coming back to “their” cabin and unpacking their souvenirs, grabbing a snack, flipping on the TV, and relaxing in their own space. That balance of adventure and recovery time makes a big difference in how enjoyable the travel experience is for the whole family.
On a cruise, the home base moves with you. That means fewer bags to pack and repack, fewer transitions to manage, and more stability for kids without giving up variety and exploration.
Family-Friendly Entertainment Onboard: More Than Just Screens
From the moment we step on board, my kids feel like they’re in their own floating theme park. Bunk beds in the cabin? Instant excitement. Towel animals waiting at bedtime? They race to guess what creature it will be. Soft-serve ice cream on tap 24/7? A daily ritual, especially when grandparents are around.
There’s bingo that welcomes kids, magic shows in the theater, pools and waterslides, and even scavenger hunts for rubber ducks, an unofficial tradition we’ve found on more than one sailing. Some ships offer mini golf, bowling alleys, or rock climbing. Others host kids’ talent shows, family game nights, and themed dance parties.
When we cruised with Norwegian Cruise Line from Rome to Cape Canaveral, we bought the arcade package for our daughter London, and it was worth every penny. When the weather was bad crossing the Atlantic and the water slides were closed, we spent a lot of time there as a family. I beat 13 levels on one arcade-style car racing game before realizing my family had left me.
Most major cruise lines offer complimentary kids' programs divided by age group, and they’re often better staffed, safer, and more imaginative than you’d expect. Millie spent her afternoons in a bright, supervised playroom crafting sea creature masks and listening to pirate stories. London thrived in the tween lounge, playing video games and enjoying late-night sessions while we tucked Millie into bed.
On Holland America, all the movies are free and streamable in your room, ideal for quiet evenings or early mornings. And even with a huge selection, if your kids are anything like mine, they’ll choose one to watch on repeat - and suddenly, you’ll know every word to Luca.
Dining Made Easy: Stress-Free Meals When Cruising with Kids
Feeding kids while traveling can be stressful. On a cruise? Surprisingly manageable.
We opt for early dining to avoid the overtired zone. It doesn’t take long for the staff to remember Millie needs an entire bowl of ketchup with any meal. Sometimes the girls eat before our entrees arrive, and one of us whisks them to the kids’ club quickly so we can enjoy dinner in peace.
When a sit-down meal doesn’t fit the mood, the buffet is always an option. Sometimes it’s quicker, quieter, and you don’t feel the need to overdress after a long day battling crowds in tourist areas. Buffet dining rooms often have more window seating, too, and watching the world float by while you eat is its own kind of calm.
Room service is clutch for those nights when everyone needs to decompress. Pajamas, cartoons, and chicken tenders in bed - no shoes required. Flexibility is key. Eat early, eat late, by the pool, in your cabin, or dressed up in the formal dining room. And no one blinks if your child brings a coloring book to the table. Everyone gets it.
Shore Excursions for Families: How to Plan with Kids in Mind
From snorkeling in Australia to visiting Komodo dragons in Indonesia, our port days are always memorable. I carefully vet and book excursions in advance to avoid disappointment or overbooking.
But we’ve also learned where to compromise. Wine tastings in Italy? Not yet. A day on Green Island at the Great Barrier Reef? Absolutely.
Understanding our kids’ travel styles has made excursions smoother—and prevented public meltdowns in the middle of foreign countries.
One of the great perks of cruising is that you don’t have to plan every detail yourself. Excursions can be booked directly through the cruise line or through third-party sites like GetYourGuide and Viator. In some ports, you can even skip the tours entirely and simply explore on foot. We’ve tried all of the above, and here’s the rule of thumb I’ve landed on: if the port day is short or the tour involves a long bus ride, I always book through the ship. But if we have a full day and I find an independent tour that only takes a few hours, I’ll go that route. It usually saves money and gives us the freedom to explore on our own afterward. Still, there’s real peace of mind when booking through the cruise line, because if a tour runs late, the ship will wait for you before departing. That reassurance alone can be worth it when traveling with kids.
For families new to cruising, I always recommend booking excursions through the ship at least for your first trip. It gives you a feel for how port days run, without the extra worry.
Creating Real Family Memories at Sea
There’s almost always an art gallery on board, and London loves to stop and admire the artwork. She especially looks forward to the free art prints they hand out, and she makes it her mission to collect them all.
Another favorite tradition? The daily jewelry shop charms. Most ships hand out a different charm each day, and London never misses a stop with her Nana to collect them. By the end of the week, she’s proudly gathered a full set.
Cruise photographers are often set up around the ship during dinner hours, offering to take family photos in front of sweeping backdrops. These snapshots become fun keepsakes—especially the time we booked a formal family session and ended up with a goofy group shot that captured everyone’s personality in full glam garb.
Why Families Keep Cruising: Balance, Adventure, and Rest
One night, after a formal dinner, I watched as London confidently twirled on the dance floor while the band played Christmas music. On another evening, we enjoyed laughs with the table beside us as they couldn’t contain their giggles watching Millie put on a full performance of her best silly faces. It was one of those unexpected, joyful moments that make travel with kids feel less like a challenge and more like a gift. These are the slow-motion memories we hold onto.
But traveling with kids isn’t always smooth sailing. Like the time London broke her arm just 14 hours before we were supposed to board the cruise ship, we still made it, but just barely - and then spent the next 16 days figuring out how to navigate ports, pools, and daily activities with a sling. The truth is, there are moments of chaos and stress mixed in with the magic. And maybe that’s what makes the magical moments shine even brighter.
Cruising with kids offers something rare… Structure and freedom. Excitement and calm. The kids get adventure and independence. Parents get moments of rest, romance, and a break from logistics.
For military families like ours, cruising is the perfect tradition. We don’t always know where we’ll be stationed next year, but we know we’ll cruise again. Because it works. It gives us the space to reset, breathe, and grow together.
At home, life is a blur of school, sports, and dinner. But on a cruise, time slows. We tuck in each night to a gently rocking cabin, knowing tomorrow will bring something new - and familiar.
So when Millie asks, “When are we going on a homeboat again?”
We all smile.
Because we know the answer is: soon!
Cruising Tips for Parents: What to Know Before You Go
Cruising with kids can be magical, but even magic needs a little prep. Here are my tips:
Book a balcony if you can. Naps are easier when parents can step outside and still enjoy the view.
A first-aid kit with sea bands/motion sickness patches and over-the-counter meds is a must. Don’t forget the Band-Aids.
Download the cruise app. It has daily activity schedules, menus, and check-in options for the kids’ clubs.
Bring reusable water bottles. You can refill them anytime in the buffet areas.
Laundry service is a convenience worth paying for.
An inexpensive, clear over-the-door shoe organizer organizes more than just shoes and fits over most doors.
Ask about military discounts directly with the cruise line or through travel agents familiar with military rates. Most cruise lines offer a 10% discount.
Military Travel Resources
Aircraft and Personnel Automated Clearance System
Theater Travel Requirements, Travel Tracker/Individual Antiterrorism Plan (TT/IATP)
US Department of State Travel Advisory
Beyond the “Homeboat”: More Family Travel Adventures and Cruise Tips
One of the best things about sharing our cruising life is realizing just how many different ways there are to experience travel as a family. Over the years, I’ve written about everything from tips for cruising with kids to our incredible 16-day Australian and Indonesian cruise with kids and even the nitty-gritty of what to pack for a cruise—because let’s be honest, the right preparation makes all the difference when traveling with children.
The shore excursions we’ve taken have been some of our most unforgettable family memories. From trekking with Komodo dragons in Indonesia to exploring the charm of Port Vila, Vanuatu and snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, each adventure reminds us why cruising is such a special way to see the world as a family.
And while cruising is a huge part of our story, it’s not the only way we’ve explored together. I’ve also shared travel experiences right here in United on the RoK Magazine. From a luxury layover in Dubai to South Korea’s Dulle Trails, our adventures often balance family-friendly fun with cultural discovery. Closer to home, we’ve loved writing about Pyeongtaek’s Buraksan Skywalk trail, the colorful Songtan mural walk, and even my favorite café that connects nature and community, Prefer in Forest.
Travel is woven into every chapter of our lives, whether it’s through global Girl Scouts camps or finding creative ways to explore our own backyard here in Korea. No matter where we go, whether it’s a faraway cruise port or a hidden café down the road, we carry the same belief: family travel should be meaningful, memorable, and just a little magical.
Because when the kids ask, “When are we going on a homeboat again?” the answer always comes with a smile… and often, a new adventure waiting just around the corner.
FAQ About Cruising with Kids
What is the best cruise line for kids?
Many major cruise lines are family-friendly, but Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and MSC Cruises are especially popular with kids. They offer kids’ clubs, entertainment, and activities designed for all ages, making cruising with kids easier and more enjoyable.
How do you keep kids entertained on a cruise?
Cruise ships are packed with activities that go beyond screens. Kids can enjoy swimming pools, waterslides, scavenger hunts, arcade games, kids’ clubs, and nightly shows. Having built-in entertainment means parents can relax while children are engaged and having fun.
Are cruises good for families with young children?
Yes! Cruises are ideal for families with toddlers and young kids because the ship becomes a familiar “home base.” Children can nap in the same cabin each day while parents enjoy stability and convenience, even as the destinations change.
What should I pack when cruising with kids?
When cruising with kids, bring essentials like motion sickness bands, reusable water bottles, a small first-aid kit, and comfort items such as favorite toys or blankets. Packing light but smart helps make the cruise more stress-free.
Do cruise lines offer discounts for military families?
Yes, many cruise lines offer military discounts. It’s best to ask directly when booking or check with a travel agent who specializes in military family travel. Cruising with kids can be more affordable when you take advantage of these offers.
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