How can families communicate onboard?

:hearteyes: My kids will need to communicate with their on the ship. How is that done?

what line/ship?

a few have an on board text feature for a set price per phone. others do not provide that without also purchasing he on board internet packages.

most people find a simple white board is plenty,. or going over the days schedule at breakfast and making set times for them to come find you and check in.

younger children may not check themselves out of the kids club in many cases. older ones can. so you lay down the rules BEFORE boarding and enforce the consequences if they fail to do as instructed.

:hearteyes: My kids will need to communicate with their on the ship. How is that done?

The old fashioned way. Pencil and paper and also a required designated meeting point.

DON

You mean, besides TALKING to each other? That's the best way. At meals, or whenever you're together, everyone should tell the others their plans for the day. That way, you'll know where to find the others in your party. Depending on how old the kids are, will depend how often you need to physically SEE them. I wouldn't rely on a text for confirmation they are ok. Tell them where you will be, and have them come and find you when they change their plans and do something else. Have "meet up" times...so you can see them and approve their upcoming plans.

Leave notes on the cabn mailbox.

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Decide if you want your kids to have a phone with them. Water and electronics don't mix. We'll use a pic of our ship card as our lock screen and wallpaper.

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It is not that hard an never been a problem with our family. If the kids are young they can spend a lot of their time in the kids clubs - well structured and supervised and with well published schedules. If they are older, talk and make plans each day regarding where they will be and what they will be doing if not with you.

Set times and places to meet to check in. Leave post it notes on the stateroom doors, leave voice mails on the room phones, go look for them at the places they will tend to be during the days at sea. Off the ship in ports of call I would assume you would all be together. Also the same at lunch and dinner.

The ships are not that large that you won't be able to stay in touch. If you have to relay on cell phones - which we never did - look at the cruise line's internet plans to communicate. It really is not that difficult.

But please, what ever you do, don't bring walkie talkies to use on board. First of all, most of them don't work well on the ship and don't provide a very reliable method of communication. But mostly they are more of a nuisance to the other passengers around you that have to listen to you try to use them than they are a benefit to you.

Grease board in cabin, pre arranged meeting times, have kids go over the Dailey program and decide where they will be and when. Meet up at lunch. Repeat in the afternoon.

PS Walky talkies don't really work because of all the metal in the ship.

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As others have said we would have meeting times/location in advance.

Also we do leave messages on the phones and notes but always best to have set times/locations to meet up.

Keith