On family vacations and living with children on a sailing yacht

«Have you got small children in the family? Forget about traveling and long trips for at least five years!» — that is what the majority thinks. But if you put your fears away, you can go on a sailing cruise even with an infant!

Like many other young parents, we were told that there is no place for a baby on the yacht. But we think this is exactly his place! And the smaller the baby, the easier and more enjoyable your vacation will be. Our children have been on the yacht since four and two months old, but now I understand that even a newborn will feel comfortable aboard any boat.

First and foremost, it’s essential for kids to be close to their parents, and it doesn’t matter where you will be, even if it is in the Arctic Circle! The presence of both parents, their care, and calmness — this is what a baby needs in the first year and a half.

Yachts are soothing for babies: the yacht sways smoothly, and if there is a hammock on board, the baby will always sleep, and there will be no problems with putting him to bed. Kids do not have seasickness at all until they start learning to walk. This is how the infant organism works.

While our kids did not walk, we blocked one of the sofas in the cabin with a net, and during even rough crossings, the children were safe.

If the baby can sit already, then you can put him in a fixed car seat from time to time. We had this, and our older child really liked it.

There are many surfaces and secret corners on a yacht that a child can explore for ages. There are also mysterious marine devices that he can play with all the time. The child will never be bored here. The main thing is not to limit his freedom and allow him to be a little «pirate.»

For children of any age, a yacht is like a giant playground. We have never met a bored child on board. Here, he can always entertain himself with something: during moorings, he can explore new shores; swim in the «pool,» which is always at hand; explore the underwater world. Not only children but also adults love it! On a yacht, you can read, create, and explore your inner world. It is especially easy to do during crossings — at daytime, watching the change of landscapes on the shore, or at night, looking at the velvet sky with millions of twinkling stars.

On the yacht, you can learn a lot about your child. We have repeatedly noticed how «shy,» according to the parents, kids became bold and active, and then refused to return to their usual home environment.

To make the trip a pleasure for both children and parents, paying attention to some details is essential.

Safety

For young children, we always stretch the net near the bed, even at moorings. If the crossing is intense, then adults also rest on such a «protected» sofa, because otherwise the muscles work all the time to compensate for rocking, and if you take a short nap, it is better to relax as much as possible.

On the deck, we have a net stretched around the entire perimeter. It helps not to keep a close eye on the children when they play on the deck in the marinas, and during the crossings, it keeps everything that can fall overboard. You can make such a net yourself or buy it at a sports store. You can install it in fifteen minutes.

If children play some active games, then they should wear life jackets. Try to find a small non-automatic vest — it will be much more practical than a compact automatic one because the latter cannot always be recharged.

At night, at the anchorage, children can be on the deck only in the presence of adults, and during the crossings, even during the daytime, they can go to the deck only under supervision. At night, no one should walk on the deck, because safety is important and rules are the same for everyone.

Food

Children who already know how to walk can be seasick. To minimize this, you should leave all dairy products and protein (except seafood) out of their diet on a yacht. During the crossings, we seldom eat a lot at one sitting, and it is better to eat less and more often. For this, we have sandwiches, pickles, fruits, any cheese and lots of drinks. We prefer carbonated beverages, and in the cold weather — warm tea or coffee.

If you don’t have time to prepare a snack, you can make a protein shake — you will receive the necessary energy to cope with any stress.

Clothing

It’s always a little colder on the water than on land, and there is often a breeze at anchorage. When going on a cruise, take a windproof jacket and fleece sweater with you — even for summer sea adventures.

It is best to move around the deck in closed shoes so as not to hurt your feet.

Sunglasses are very useful in protecting children’s eyes from ultraviolet radiation and bright light: in the afternoon on the deck during the crossings, there is too much white.

Onshore, it is better to walk in light shoes so that you do not accidentally step on sea urchins and do not cut yourself on sharp corals.

Sun protection

In the morning, we apply creams with the maximum degree of protection against the sun and make sure that children do not stay under the scorching sun, and during the crossings, we put on long, light clothes.

First aid kit

In addition to the individual medicines for each child, you should bring along an antipyretic, something to treat poisoning and antihistamine medicines.

Jellyfish and why you need an antihistamine

The latter helps against the first. If the baby was stung by a jellyfish, then in addition to removing stinging cells on the shore with sand and moistening with lemon, you can give him an antihistamine to reduce swelling.

So, shall you take your child on a cruise with you? A million times — YES! For this, your child will thank you more than once!