Do you dread getting on another flight with the whole family? A ferry can be a great alternative, offering plenty of activities and more space to spread out than the usual in-flight experience. Here are a few tips to make the most of a family ferry trip.
Travel Tips – Doing the Ferry with Your Kids
Splash out for a private cabin
When you buy ferry tickets, you’ll often have the option of reserving a private cabin or general seating. It may be tempting to save a bit of cash and just spend your voyage in the public areas, but if the journey’s longer than a few hours it’s definitely worth spending a bit more for privacy. That way, you’ll have somewhere to put your belongings, and may even get to have a nap if you’re lucky.
Burn off energy before boarding
Try to get to the ferry port a little bit ahead of schedule. This not only allows you to deal with unexpected boarding requirements and security, but you can let your little ones run around before it’s all aboard time. They’ll be more likely to sit still if they’re tired.
Bring your own entertainment
Lots of boats offer onboard entertainment, whether it’s a full activity program, a basic games room, or just an observation deck. Try to scope this out as soon as you board so that you can work out a plan of attack. However, it’s also a good idea to bring a few favorite toys just in case there aren’t too many options. Similarly, you should plan to bring some of your own snacks or kid’s meals, because the options may be limited to vending machines for shorter journeys. You don’t want any upset stomachs here, which leads us to the next tip…
Be prepared for seasickness
Even with a smooth sea voyage, the nature of boats means that some children (or adults!) can start feeling a bit nauseous. Be prepared with a few changes of clothing, as well as sick bags, anti-nausea tablets, or motion sickness wristbands. A packet of ginger cookies can also help take the edge off.
Enjoy the journey
With a bit of planning, you’ll be able to sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery. You can view potential routes at www.ok-ferry.com to start planning your next family adventure. If you’ve ever traveled with the whole crew before, you probably already know that things don’t always go to plan – so the final tip is to just go with the flow!
