When my children were young, I drove a VW station wagon with a multicolored bumper sticker that read, "Where have all the hippies gone?" It took me a while but I finally have the answer: The hippies have gone cruising.
21.07.2023 - 08:30 / roughguides.com / Hayley Spurway
Taking the ferry is one of the most exciting ways to travel with young children. Mum of two boys under four, Hayley Spurway shares some top tips for crossing the sea stress-free.
Parents, let’s face it, you might as well shelve expensive, long-haul adventures until your children can remember the experience and not spoil every idyllic moment with raging tantrums. Look closer to home for your travel experiences and you can swap the slog of flying with children for the relative ease of ferry travel: food and facilities on tap, space for restless little feet to roam, the convenience of taking your car on holiday, and no luggage restrictions – so you can pile in toddler paraphernalia galore. There’s no formula for stress-free travel with two rambunctious tots in tow, but heed a little well-earned advice to make ferry crossings as smooth as possible.
Whether you travel by day or night, if the crossing is more than a couple of hours then a cabin is worth paying extra for. By all means explore the ferry, but having an enclosed space in which the children can play or nap while you put your feet up is invaluable. It also provides a safe place to leave your bags instead of lugging them around in the wake of wild toddlers, and somewhere for time out when your two-year-old is having a meltdown. Most cabins these days are en suite so, as well as the luxury of a private toilet (especially handy for potty-training kids), you’ve got the option of a shower and change of clothes before your onward journey.
Queuing for the ferry can take ages, so if you’ve been car-bound for hours before arrival, its wise to let energetic tots run off some steam on terra firma before boarding. Once you’re waved onboard you have to abandon your vehicle pronto – usually forgetting essentials such as baby wipes and boarding passes in the flurry. So, while you’re dawdling portside, ensure bags are packed ready for boarding (and not unpacked by overexcited children seeking snacks and toys). Backpacks are better than shoulder bags so you’re hands-free; if there are two adults pack one with nappies, spare clothes etc, and another with food and drink. Each toddler can carry a small backpack (containing a toy and extra layer of clothing) – preferably one with a detachable leash that you can grab in crowded areas and on deck.
Once you’ve waved goodbye to land, explore the boat. We like to head up on deck to get good blast of briny air, count the lifeboats and find the helicopter landing pad. Inside, most modern ferries are crammed with family-friendly features, so you won’t need to bring a whole toy box with you (I give each child one new toy to take onboard). As well as a shop and snack bars you’ll find the likes of cinemas, kids’ TV lounges, soft
When my children were young, I drove a VW station wagon with a multicolored bumper sticker that read, "Where have all the hippies gone?" It took me a while but I finally have the answer: The hippies have gone cruising.
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Laird Hamilton is best known as an American big-wave surfer and pioneer in the world of action water sports. In addition to his affinity for the water, Laird is labeled as an inventor, author, stunt man, model, producer, TV host, fitness and nutrition expert, husband, father, and adrenaline junkie. At 6’3” and 215 pounds, Laird is unique in the way that he balances flexibility and strength. A renowned innovator and guiding genius of crossover board sports including tow-in-surfing, stand-up paddle boarding and hydrofoil boarding, Laird is the essential Water Man, continuously pushing the limits and expanding all possibilities. Over the last decade, Laird has transcended from surfing to becoming an international fitness icon and nutrition expert. As co-founder and Chief Innovator of Laird Superfood, he has been able to take his nutrition expertise and create delicious, plant-based better-for-you food products that are accessible to all. Partnering with his wife, professional volleyball player and TV personality, Gabrielle Reece, Laird created Extreme Performance Training (XPT). XPT is a unique and powerful fitness training and lifestyle program featuring unique water workouts, performance breathing, recovery methods, high-intensity and endurance training for people of all fitness levels and backgrounds.
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