How to Take a Homeschool Cruise

Taking kids on a homeschool cruise provides families the opportunity to travel with a group of other homeschool families. They learn through actual experience of seeing, walking, touching and being in educational ports of calls that serve as the kids' classroom. They study with their traveling group and make new friends. Planning is the key to making sure everything goes as intended by following these steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Start Planning

1. Book your cruise early. You will want to have plenty of time to plan and research itineraries and excursions off the ship.
2. Surf on the Internet to find information about the ports of calls on the cruises you are considering. Go over this information with your children. The more you know, the better you will feel about going to a new place and the better you will be able to choose the cruise that is most interesting to your family.
3. Check with the cruise agent for information or details you need to know for a safe and fun trip. Most cruise agents offer lists and helpful information packs.
4. Encourage you children to earn money or save money for the trip. Cruise ships have arcades that kids like and the ports of call provide great shopping opportunities to purchase items that will help your kids remember their trip.

Packing for the Homeschool Cruise

5. Check the weather conditions for your cruise to decide on the type of clothes to wear on the cruise. If you will be in a warm weather area, it is a good idea to bring a couple swimsuits per person with you. That way you will always have a dry suit to put on.
6. Make a list of what to bring on the cruise. Careful planning is essential to a successful trip.
7. Persuade your children to make their own list of what they should bring on the homeschool cruise. This gives them a good lesson in planning.

On Board the Homeschool Cruise

8. Board the ship early. Leave plenty of time to deal with traffic and other delays.
9. Check in together. Separating the husband to park the car and come back can cause double wait time for everyone.
10. Try to check in as much luggage as possible with the porter when boarding. You will have long lines to wait in as you board, and you don't want to be carrying assortment of backpacks and pillows.

Make the Best of the Homeschool Cruise

11. Make sure your children have a friend with them for learning excursions. A buddy system works well if the group is going from place to place. No one becomes lost or left behind.
12. Prepare for the children to stay up for the midnight buffet.
13. Keep extra cash in the porter's safe. Each child can place their money in an envelope with their name on it and place it in the safe. They need only to carry money that they will use that day.

Tips & Warnings

• Take your homeschool cruise with a local homeschool group. Traveling with a group works best when you have children. A buddy system must be included in the program.
• Most excursions off the ship are cheaper than ship sponsored excursions.
• Spend the extra money on an oceanview room. They are larger than interior rooms with a window and open space terrace.
• It is important to bring essential items on the cruise. Anything you forget to bring will likely cost you double in price in the ship's shops.
• Have the toilet lid closed when you flush it. The toilets on cruise ships make a horrific noise and might scare younger kids.
• Try to schedule meals with your children. Most kids want to eat with their friends.
• Bring a set of walkie-talkies for everyone in the family. Walkie-talkies are a great way to keep track of your kids and other traveling companions. Check the battery supply.
• If your children are sleeping in the same cabin in an upper berth, close the berths by pushing a button on the rear clasps.
• Encourage your children to tip their favorite staff on the ship. You might even want to create a family tipping envelope.