Baby on Board! Everything you need to know about travelling with children
Travelling with your children can be a fun experience that creates treasured family memories – but when you’re not prepared, you may want to have a temper tantrum. While travelling by ferry may mean you hear “are we there yet?” often, you and your family will get to experience the adventure of travelling with Marine Atlantic and all that it has to offer.
Here are some tips and helpful reminders to keep in mind when travelling with children.
Identification
Children five years of age and older require identification while travelling with Marine Atlantic. When travelling with your children, you can present either one piece of government-issued identification with a photo or two pieces without a photo.
A Place to Rest your Head
Travelling with a baby or toddler who can’t yet sleep in a bunk? Some parents may wish to bring a portable pack and play style crib with them to give their child a space of their own. If you plan on doing this, please contact our Customer Relations team to ensure your cabin has the space needed to safely set up the sleeping arrangement that best suits your needs.
Pack Accordingly
Travelling by ferry means you’ll be away from your vehicle for at least 7 hours depending on your route. Passengers are restricted from visiting the vehicle deck during the duration of the crossing. We recommend all passengers pack personal bags of items they’ll need during their travels. With children in tow, your packing list of essentials may be a little longer.
Suggested packing items include:
Identification
Medications (if you or your little one are prone to motion sickness, be sure to bring motion sickness medication!)
Toiletries
Any electronics you may like to use, along with their respective chargers
Any toys or activities your child may like to have on hand during your travels
A change of clothes and a pair of pajamas if you’re travelling overnight.
What you can do when you hear “I’m Bored”
We get it – travelling by ferry may feel endless for some of our younger passengers. Which is why we offer amenities to make their crossing go by in a flash. All of our vessels feature play areas where children can have fun. These spaces feature comfortable seating areas so parents can keep an eye on their children. For those looking for some old-fashioned fun, a variety of board games and cards are available at the Reception desk on Deck 7. And for those who wish to pass the hours watching a tv show or movie, we proudly offer On-Demand video on all our vessels.
Something for the Pickiest of Eaters
The majority of our crossing times overlap with meals, which means you and your children may be looking to enjoy some food during your travels. Our vessels offer meal and snack options which can be enjoyed by all. If your young traveller has something more specific in mind, passengers are welcome to bring their own food and snacks on board.
If you’re travelling with a child that has a food sensitivity or allergy, advise our Customer Relations Department in advance of your crossing so our team can work to have acceptable meals available for your particular crossing.
Ready to hit the road with the kids in tow?