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Family cruise gear 101
What: Fisher-Price Kid-Tough Digital Camera
Why: Allows children to create their own memories
Who: Kids ages 3 and up
How much: $55
Why not allow your children to create their own memories during your next cruise? This camera is a great choice for kids who like to take pictures on their own but aren't old enough to be trusted with an expensive digital camera. My six-year-old uses this camera constantly with great success, but even younger children can easily use it because the controls are simple and don't require reading. The camera has a color LCD preview screen that lets kids instantly see the pictures they've taken, and over-sized buttons that make it easy for small hands. And this thing is durable — ours has been dropped dozens of times and still works fine. Many parents opt for disposable cameras for the kids on a cruise and that's definitely an option, but this one's more fun. When we get home, our son can upload, print or email the pictures he took himself.
What: Medibuddy First-Aid Kit
Why: Convenient, compact cruise size
Who: Kids of all ages
How much: $20 for a four-pack
Even if your daughter has worn the same pair of sandals two dozen times, you know the day she wears them ashore for an hour of sightseeing, they'll give her a giant blister — and incidentally that will be the same day you forget the Band-Aids. The Medibuddy First-Aid Kit is a great idea for cruises because it's small and lightweight enough to throw in any purse or bag, and contains just the most commonly used items kids need. The Medibuddy kit contains 40 kid-friendly first aid items — 15 red, blue and yellow crayon bandages, a knee and elbow bandage, a sting relief pad, four gauze pads, three antiseptic wipes, burn relief cream, antibiotic ointment, and 12 stickers. There are lots of compact first-aid kits, but this one is kid- and cruise-friendly. Plus: All products are latex-free, all of the plastic used is 100 percent recycled and every purchase gives back to the disabled community.
What: Solio Universal Hybrid Charger
Why: You'll hear about it if the iPod dies
Who: Kids (and grownups) of all ages
How much: Under $100
Older kids and grownups will love this portable and convenient solar charger for all those gadgets that you simply can't leave behind. The Solio Universal Hybrid Charger is a great little pocket-size charger designed to solar charge your Apple iPod, iPod Mini, iPod Nano, PDA, GPS, game players, digital cameras or cell phones (using the correct adapter tips). It's perfect for a cruise for obvious reasons: charge while you lounge on deck! Just one hour of sunshine will give you 40 minutes of MP3 music. The Solio Charger can also store energy from a wall socket.
What: Coppertone Kids Continuous Spray
Why: Spray-on sunscreen beats messy creams any day
Who: Babies and kids of all ages
How much: About $10
It's a necessary, and often messy, evil. We know they need it, they know they need it — but getting kids to sit still while you lather on the sunblock can turn into an unpleasant event. Coppertone Kids Continuous Spray sunscreen takes most of the pain away simply because of the easy application process. Shoppers have a choice of a variety of spray sunscreens, many of which are also good. But Coppertone is the house favorite here because it doesn't bother my kids' eyes when they rub them, it sprays at any angle, and it's hypoallergenic. It goes on clear, and best of all, it smells good.
What: Mommy I'm Here Child Locator
Why: Know where your child is at all times
Who: Young children
How much: $30
I know some parents swear by them, but personally I could never bring myself to use a child harness — something about it just feels too, well, canine. But I can easily appreciate the need to know where your child is at all times. Whether you and your family are wandering an unfamiliar and crowded street, or if your child is just playing quietly in the kiddie pool nearby on the ship, this child locator will allow you to find him quickly in the event he wanders off or becomes lost.
This product is really easy to use: You just attach the teddy bear receiver (which comes in pink or brown) to your child's shoe or belt, and then attach the transmitter to your key ring or put it in your pocket. If your child becomes lost, press the button on the transmitter and the bear emits a series of high decibel beeps, allowing you to track down your child right away. It works for distances of up to 150 feet, even through concrete walls. Both the transmitter and receiver are water and shock resistant, and come with long-life batteries already installed.
Have your own favorite? Drop us a note at and we'll update our story with some of your best recommendations.
Carrie Calzaretta is Family Travel Editor for The Independent Traveler, Inc. The New Jersey-based mother of two has traveled extensively with her children, Tess, 1, and Tyler, 6.
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