Family cruises: Best shore excursions for kids

By Susan Jaques

updated 2:54 p.m. ET July 14, 2006

Back in the early days of leisure cruising, when the only thing to do all day was sit on a deck chair or play shuffleboard, the ports of call were almost a second thought. Fast forward to today, when families make up a significant and growing chunk of the cruise market, and the shore excursions are a crucial ingredient in the cruise experience.

Water sports for youngsters, dolphin encounters for animal lovers of all ages, and kid-friendly sightseeing are among the offerings that tantalize today's families as they pore through their cruise documents and ponder their selections.

But experienced cruisers know that the quality of the shore excursion can make or break the vacation, especially when little ones are involved. So how do you weed out the good from the bad choices, keep everyone happy, and avoid wasting money in the process?

We have selected some of our favorite shore excursions, organized by activity, along with some tips to keep in mind at the outset.

• Know your kids. A lengthy catamaran ride and snorkeling tour may look great on paper, but if you know Johnny or Susie suffers from motion sickness (which may not be a problem at all on the large cruise ship), think twice. Ditto with long "scenic" bus trips.
• Check out the lengths of shore excursions before you book. An eight-hour island tour is a great way to pack in a lot of sightseeing, but if your children have short attention spans and tend to get squirmy after a half hour, opt for a shorter outing.
• Keep your children's interests in mind. Shore excursions vary by destination, so the Caribbean, Hawaii and Alaska are obvious favorites, whereas long trips to exotic destinations or fall cruises to New England will likely have fewer kid-friendly options (and fewer kids on board). This doesn't mean you can't have fun on those itineraries (see below), but do your homework before you book.
• Consider the ages of your children. Alaska is growing in popularity for families, but for someone too young to appreciate the spectacular scenery, it's, well, no day at the beach.
• Check to see whether the ship's children's program and/or group baby-sitting are available. In the case of young children who may need to stay onboard while you're in port, make sure the hours line up. A children's club that opens a half hour after the last shore excursion leaves the ship isn't going to do you any good. And even if baby-sitting is available, ask if it's guaranteed. Otherwise, by the time you're ready to book, there may not be anyone available.
• Ask if snacks and/or lunch are available on longer shore excursions. If not, consider tucking a single-serving cereal box or a piece of fruit in your backpack to stave off temper tantrums later on. And, of course, bring plenty of sun screen, a hat or visor and even an extra sweater in case you need it.
• Book early. Once you have decided on your shore excursions, book them immediately upon boarding or, better yet, online before you go. And keep in mind that itineraries can change -- especially in hurricane season -- so be prepared with plan B.

Kayak or snorkel
With all this in mind, here are a few of our favorite kid-friendly shore excursions:

Snorkeling from a boat. School age children can usually handle snorkeling from a boat (check to see if there is an age limit), and adults who have never tried it can learn in a few minutes. The equipment is provided (in a variety of adult and child sizes) and children are required to wear personal floatation devices. Best of all, kids who do have trouble getting the hang of it can float on the surface with their heads out of the water and still see the colorful fish below. The Bahamas and the Caribbean are perennial favorites for snorkeling, and generally the skipper of your boat will anchor where the best coral and fish are. If a wind kicks up, try holding hands with your young snorkeler as you float to keep him or her close by.

Guide to family cruises What to know before you go Best shore excursions for kids Best cruises for teens Controlling your kids at sea Best staterooms for families

Snorkeling from shore. If your kids are tiny or you aren't sure you're going to like being in the water for your whole excursion, try snorkeling from shore. The option is usually available on the cruise ship's private island or at resorts and beaches at various ports of call. This way you can flop down on the sand and relax at any time during your excursion, and little ones can practice using their masks in very shallow water.

Snuba. Not ready for scuba but want to be underwater where the (marine) action is? Consider this alternative, which hooks an air line to your mask -- connected to a scuba tank that floats above you -- and allows you do swim below the surface breathing comfortably. While some programs allow kids as young as 4 to participate, gage your child's comfort level with masks before you go.