We have all been there: family vacation, crying babies, kicking seat-backs on the plane, behaviour issues, routine and time changes, and endless regrets of wondering, “Man should I have stayed home?”

Well, there is no need for that with these checklists for travel success, turning what could be a stressful family vacation into a dream trip with fantastic memories.

Family vacation done right

• Buy air early and splurge for non-stops or at least routings that don’t include long layovers which will add more stress to you and your children.
• Going on a cruise? Choose a ship and destination together as a family. This allows all of the family members to “buy in” and get involved, building the anticipation for every family member.
• Make reservations as far in advance as you can. Adjoining and “across the hall” cabins become more difficult to find the closer you get to departure.
• Arrange a car or service to get you to the airport and reconfirm the day before. There’s nothing like a limo to make your family feel like celebrities and start things off in style.
• Fly in a day before the cruise. Travel schedules can be unpredictable and you could miss the cruise, but if you fly in a day early you can sit back and relax.
• Throw a swimsuit in the carry on! Who wants to wait for the luggage to be delivered when a pool or beach are available?
• Pack early! Reduce your stress by having the bags waiting by the door for a few days before departure. Plus, it’ll be a visual reminder of the fun that awaits the family.
• Going on a family vacation doesn’t have to be filled with second guessing.

Simple tricks when traveling with kids

• Always provide young children with their own luggage – preferably a backpack, not the roller wheel suitcase that can topple over or be difficult for them. Allowing them their own luggage will get them jazzed about the trip, packing their favourite toy, snack, and books. This will keep spirits high to avoid a moody meltdown while traveling.
• Try to go to a local dollar store with your child prior to going on the trip and have them select a new box of crayons and an activity book. It helps them have ownership and responsibility when packing their own bag.
• The key is to keep the children busy with activities be it a long flight or car ride. Simple trinkets and presents to open every hour is a creative way to pass the time. It does not need to be large or expensive – a small LEGO build toy or a hot wheel car, for example.

Forgotten items to be sure to pack

• Children’s Motrin/Tylenol
• Band-Aids
• Hand sanitizer
• Pepto-Bismol multi-purpose tabs
• Gum
• A snack for grownups too
• Ear buds for watching movies or if your children have electronic devices
• Battery-free activities
• Camera

Travelling with the whole family can be stress-free when you’ve got the best tips and expert advice you can trust that comes from working with a travel agent.

Contact us today for more information! Happy travelling!

This article has been submitted by Josephine Scebba who is the Manager of Expedia CruiseShipCenters, located in Village Grove Plaza., Tecumseh, ON.

Call her today at 519.956.8777 or email jscebba@cruiseshipcenters.com to book your family’s next vacation!