A trip on the ferry is often a big adventure for children. The excitement of sailing and discovering new places on board certainly adds to this. To make the journey more enjoyable for children, there are usually several facilities and entertainment options specifically for them on board. However, we recommend bringing along a few things yourself to make the journey even more pleasant.
The entertainment for children varies depending on the ferry. On shorter crossings, there may only be a play area for younger children, while longer crossings might offer activities for teens, such as an arcade, gaming consoles, a cinema, or even a swimming pool. Although this sounds promising, the options are often limited and aimed at specific age groups. In our experience, the play areas are small, the gaming consoles are often occupied or out of order, and you usually have to pay for the arcade games.
So, don't rely entirely on the ferry's entertainment options. Bring extra items, such as a colouring book or a tablet, and download films in advance, as internet at sea is often limited or expensive. A board game is also a great idea, especially as it provides fun for the whole family, including the parents!
Not keen on pizza or chips? Bring your own food!
On board, you'll typically find less healthy meals that most children enjoy. Pizza, burgers, chips, and chicken nuggets are usually on the menu. If you’d prefer to avoid these, check in advance if (healthy) child-friendly meals are available on the ferry. If not, bring your food – it’s healthier and often much more affordable. There’s usually a buffet restaurant with some healthier options as well.
Bring warm clothing if you plan to spend time on the deck.
Fancy enjoying the fresh air on deck with the family? Make sure to pack extra warm clothes.
This will help the little ones stay out longer. It can be pretty windy at sea, making it feel chilly on the ferry's outer deck. However, it can be great fun to spot dolphins, whales, or other sea creatures with the kids from the deck.
Choose good accommodation for longer crossings.
For longer crossings, you can often choose between reclining seats and cabins. A cabin might be a better option for young children, as it offers a quiet place to rest or sleep. You can even book a cabin on some daytime crossings. The beds are often bunk beds. Above, you can see an example of a four-person cabin.
A bed rail might also be useful for sleeping!
Taking a night crossing with young children? You can request a bed rail at the reception on board to prevent children from rolling out of bed during the night. For the very little ones, a travel cot or sleeping tent might be a good idea – these usually fit in the aisle or on the bed. A baby carrier can also come in handy if the little ones have trouble falling asleep.
Take your belongings out of the car beforehand.
The car deck is usually not accessible after departure. Make sure to take everything you need for the children with you when you leave the car.
Have a pleasant journey!
The photos you see on this page are from crossings we’ve personally taken. We’ve gained quite a bit of experience with ferries and travelling with children. Do you have any great tips of your own? Everyone travelling with kids will certainly appreciate your input! Wishing you a pleasant journey!
Meet Jelle, the creative mind behind FerryGoGo, all the way from the Netherlands. His journey started when he was planning a big trip around the world. But there was a problem – he couldn't easily find information about ferry crossings. So, Jelle decided to take matters into his own hands and create FerryGoGo. Now, he's making it simple for tourists like you to find ferry routes and explore the world's waterways. Join Jelle on his mission to make ferry travel a breeze with FerryGoGo! 🌍
