One of the best ideas for your next family vacation is a week-long cruise. Often overlooked as they are thought by many to be too expensive, cruises are a great way to spend time together as a family with most or all costs covered upfront and keeps all activities and amenities together in one central place. One major benefit of a cruise is that you get all of the entertainment of a normal vacation without worrying about additional transportation; you don’t need to drive to any restaurants, pools, theme parks, etc. from a hotel, and don’t need to worry about paying for parking. For an extra bit of luxury on a family vacation, consider chartering a jet from a company like Access Global to the destination your cruise is departing from.

Taking a cruise with young children can be stressful, so here are a few mom-approved tips to make sure your vacation is smooth sailing.

Research Entertainment Options

While many cruises have options for family-friendly entertainment or activities designed just for kids, some cruises are more family-friendly than others. Choosing an option like a Disney Cruise that is designed for children and their families will ensure that your children are included and able to be entertained the entire time they are on board. You should look into a cruise’s options for entertainment ahead of time, to ensure that they will appeal to your child. For example, some ships have kids clubs that feature a play area or video game station where children can interact with one another and play in the same room, whereas others have go-karting or rollerskating rinks onboard. Many cruises have performances like a circus or live music show, and others have character meet and greets with characters from their favorite shows, Think about the kinds of activities your child enjoys most, and choose a cruise accordingly.

Get the Right Dining Plan

Many cruises allow (or require) you to reserve specific meal times in advance. When doing so, it is helpful to consider your child’s behavior and eating habits. Try to plan your child’s meals around the activities they know they want to participate in, to avoid being in any time crunches or in a rush during what should be a relaxing trip. Also, be sure to pack lots of snacks. Although snacks are usually included in your cruise’s meal plan and the ship will likely have any food you desire, having your child’s favorite snacks on hand can come in handy during long waits for food or activities or early mornings/late nights when onboard cafes and stores might be closed.

Pack Light

Taking a cruise unfortunately means living in close quarters due to the small room size and lack of extra space onboard. While you want to make sure that you have everything you could need for a week of traveling, be careful not to overpack. Try to stick to basics, and plan to wear an outfit or two on board to save space. Also, keep in mind that if you forget something you end up needing, it is likely that it will be available in an onboard convenience store; although paying for something you have at home is frustrating, it avoids taking up space with things you might not end up using.