First time cruising with kids…

[TN-Mountains]

My husband and I have been on 5 cruises.  The only advanced (pre-boarding) reservations we make are shore excursions via 3rd parties.  I typically make same day reservations or walk-in for dinner depending on our mood.  That has worked well for us, since we were amenable to group or private tables and times.  In December we are taking our kids (ages 13, 12 & 10) on their first cruise.  Since there will be 5 of us, I assume we will be better off making dinner reservations in advance.  If so, how do we do that if we are in 2 cabins?  If it matters, one was booked via the casino dept and the other through onboard future cruise dept.  Also, do any of the kid activities need to be (or can they be) booked in advance?  Is there anything else I need to plan in advance for the kids?

[karatemom2]

Just be sure to have them link the two reservations for dining and then you can reserve a single table. With 5 people you should have no problem - we have traveled as a party of 5 on numerous occasions and they will seat you at your own table for six. Lots of nice options next to the windows in that size if you ask.

 

Your kids are great ages to cruise and I'm sure they will have a fantastic time. In December, the ships will be decorated for Christmas and if it's over the holidays there will be lots of other kids onboard and a full slate of activities for the younger set. Princess generally does a great job with the kid and teen clubs in our experience - our kids literally grew up on Princess cruises.

 

As far as planning in advance, there isn't anything you really need to book ahead of time for your kids, except maybe shore excursions you are taking as a family if you are booking them through the ship, but it sounds like you are doing private tours. Popular shore excursion tend to sell out, especially on holiday cruises. The only other things might be drink packages, but you can easily buy them onboard if you think you will need them.

[Albinroo]

For dinner reservations it's easy to linnk another cabin reservation to your reservation through the app. 

As far as I know, you sign up for the kids club onboard.

[Roatanfans]

We are a family of 5 and travel like this all the time.  Have your reservations linked then it's easy to book table reservations.  Also once you are on board  go have them give you medallion access to everyone (they only do it to your roommates unless you have them change it) that way you can track where everyone is with the medallion (this is super useful!)

[travelin.sisters]

you just need the reservation number(s) of the other cabins to make reservations for everyone in the app...you can still change once you are onboard either by cancelling for that day or telling the dining room staff the night before that you will be doing something else the next night so if you get on the ship & decide that you want to be more flexible you still can be

[TN-Mountains]

Thank you all for the advice.  I finally found the link in the App that allows me to add the other booking number.  I suppose it was there all along, but sometimes you need someone to point it out!  😉  Glad to hear I don't need to plan in advance (beyond meals) for the kids' activities.  The cruise is their Christmas present; I don't want to ruin the surprise by asking for their input!!  As for shore excursions, we will be doing San Diego on our own since hubby used to live there.  I'm still researching Ensenada. 

 

If we are cruising Dec 19th-23rd, will there be holiday activities beyond Christmas decorations?  

[travelin.sisters]

2 hours ago, TN-Mountains said:

Thank you all for the advice.  I finally found the link in the App that allows me to add the other booking number.  I suppose it was there all along, but sometimes you need someone to point it out!  😉  Glad to hear I don't need to plan in advance (beyond meals) for the kids' activities.  The cruise is their Christmas present; I don't want to ruin the surprise by asking for their input!!  As for shore excursions, we will be doing San Diego on our own since hubby used to live there.  I'm still researching Ensenada. 

 

If we are cruising Dec 19th-23rd, will there be holiday activities beyond Christmas decorations?  

we are on that cruise too, I have never done a holiday cruise with Princess, but would expect some types of Christmas themed activities...there may be things listed in the journey view on the app about a week out.

[karatemom2]

2 hours ago, TN-Mountains said:

Thank you all for the advice.  I finally found the link in the App that allows me to add the other booking number.  I suppose it was there all along, but sometimes you need someone to point it out!  😉  Glad to hear I don't need to plan in advance (beyond meals) for the kids' activities.  The cruise is their Christmas present; I don't want to ruin the surprise by asking for their input!!  As for shore excursions, we will be doing San Diego on our own since hubby used to live there.  I'm still researching Ensenada. 

 

If we are cruising Dec 19th-23rd, will there be holiday activities beyond Christmas decorations?  

Yes, there will be holiday activities. Probably caroling and ginger bread house contest, special activities on kids club - maybe card or ornament crafts. The ship will be decorated and festive. Since you will be getting off before Christmas you probably won’t get the Santa experience but who knows? Usually that’s reserved for Christmas Eve or Day in our previous experience. But no doubt there will be some fun, Christmas themed activities.