Franklin Dean
Planning a honeymoon with a child in tow can be challenging, but it is possible to find the right balance between family time and romance. From resorts with childcare services to cruises with kids' clubs, there are plenty of options for couples who want to enjoy some alone time while keeping their little ones entertained. Whether it's a beach getaway in the Caribbean or a European city break, the key is to manage expectations and embrace the modern family way of honeymooning.
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What You'll Learn
Child-friendly resorts
There are many child-friendly resorts that you can choose from for your honeymoon. Here are some options:
Cruises
The majority of cruise lines are well-equipped to host families with children on their honeymoon. Babysitters and counsellors work in children's play areas and shallow pools, ensuring that children are occupied and cared for while parents can enjoy some alone time. AmaWaterways has partnered with Disney to offer selected itineraries and tour guides geared towards multi-generational family groups. They are even building new ships with interconnecting rooms so that parents and children can have direct access to each other.
Beachcombers, Mauritius
The Beachcombers resorts in Mauritius are a great family-friendly choice, with gorgeous resorts that have supervised childcare services and kids' menus.
Sandals' PG-rated Beaches resorts
Sandals' PG-rated Beaches brand of all-inclusive family resorts offer parents amenities such as locations along great beaches, multiple restaurants, unlimited food and drinks, golf, water sports, and other activities. Children can be kept occupied with supervised, age-appropriate activities from morning until night.
Ritz-Carlton Hotels
Many Ritz-Carlton properties in sunny resort locations offer services for adults on a honeymoon with kids, including certified nannies, child-appropriate registration, summer camp sessions, and a kids' meal plan.
Hilton Hawaiian Village, Waikiki Beach
The Hilton Hawaiian Village on Waikiki Beach offers a programme called Camp Penguin for kids ages 5 to 12, which immerses them in the culture of Hawaii with stories, games, arts, crafts, and music. They also have a dedicated wedding chapel, so you can have your wedding and honeymoon in the same place.
Lux* Le Morne, Dubai
This resort has children’s menus and high chairs in its restaurants, a babysitting service, and all the childcare equipment essential for a baby’s stay. There are also two kids' clubs.
Private reserves in South Africa
There are several private reserves in South Africa that are completely malaria-free, with child-friendly lodges and tailored kids' activities.
Luxury Family Hotels, UK
The Luxury Family Hotels group in the UK provides Ofsted-registered crèches, a babysitting and listening service, and games rooms and cinemas for older children, as well as spa facilities and romantic dining options for adults.
Mark Warner Holidays
Mark Warner Holidays offers a balance between the demands of travelling with children and enjoying adult time. You can enjoy sun-drenched Sardinia and Corsica in the summer or snow-capped ski resorts in France and Austria in the winter.
Disney
If you're looking for a high-energy trip, consider a journey to Disneyland Paris or Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Provence
Provence is ideal for romantic and family trips. You can discover Camargue and the Alpilles on horseback, with professional supervision, or even by flying over them in an airplane. There are also kid-friendly horseback excursions. The Domaine Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort, located in Tourrettes, welcomes couples with or without children.
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Cruises
If you're looking for a honeymoon cruise with your child in tow, there are a variety of options available. Cruises can be an excellent option for a family honeymoon, offering a range of activities and entertainment for both adults and children. Here are some things to consider and some specific cruise lines that may cater to your needs:
Choosing a Cruise Line:
- Family-Friendly Options: Most major cruise lines are well-equipped to host families with children. Look for cruise lines that offer babysitting services, children's play areas, and shallow pools for kids. This will ensure your child is occupied and cared for while you get some quality alone time.
- Itineraries and Destinations: Consider cruise lines that offer a variety of itineraries and destinations to suit your family's interests. For example, if you want to explore Europe, look for cruises that include the Mediterranean, Greece, Scandinavia, or the Baltics.
- Dining Options: Foodie couples and families should consider cruise lines known for their specialty dining experiences. Some cruises feature restaurants by world-renowned chefs, such as Celebrity Cruises' Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud or Oceania Cruises with menus curated by Jacques Pepin.
- Onboard Activities: Opt for cruise lines with a range of onboard activities for both adults and children. This could include fitness classes, spa treatments, lawn clubs, and adult-only areas for when your child is being cared for by the ship's babysitting services.
- Shore Excursions: Choose a cruise line with a variety of shore excursions that cater to different interests. For example, Princess Cruises offers tours in partnership with Discovery, immersive experiences with fellow passengers, and local excursions led by experts.
Recommended Cruise Lines:
- Virgin Voyages: Virgin Voyages is known for its luxurious experiences, including perks like champagne and thermal spa passes. They offer itineraries in desirable destinations such as the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and Australia and New Zealand.
- Disney Cruise Line: Disney cruises offer a unique blend of family-friendly entertainment and adult-exclusive experiences. Their cruises to the Bahamas provide a mix of pristine beaches, historic towns, city sights, and lively nightlife. They also have a private island, Castaway Cay, which features a kids-free zone for honeymooning couples.
- Princess Cruises: Princess Cruises offers a range of entertainment options, including movies under the stars and street performer-like shows. They also have child-free spaces like The Sanctuary, where adults can relax. Princess Cruises also partners with Animal Planet to offer shore excursions that let you get up close with friendly animals.
- AmaWaterways: AmaWaterways has partnered with Disney to offer itineraries and tour guides geared towards multi-generational family groups. They are building new ships with interconnecting rooms, making it convenient for parents and children to access each other's rooms easily.
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$19.09 $24.95
$32 $32
Short-haul flights
Firstly, when booking your tickets, select your seats so that your family can sit together or as close as possible. If you have the option, choose priority boarding, which gives you extra time to settle in before the plane gets busy. Some airlines also offer a special window for families with young children to board early. Take advantage of this if you think you'll need the extra time to get organised, but if your child would benefit from extra time to stretch their legs before the flight, you may prefer to board last.
If your child is under two, be aware that they won't need their own seat, but the airline may charge a fee for them to sit on your lap. If you want to guarantee your child has their own seat, you'll need to purchase a ticket for them, which may be offered at a slightly discounted rate. This will also allow you to use their car seat on board if you prefer.
When packing, remember that you can bring liquids for your baby, such as breast milk or formula, through airport security. You can also bring other baby essentials like bottles, wipes, and food. For your hand luggage, use clear ziplock bags for liquids, and consider packing your child's outfits in individual ziplock bags to make it easier to find what you need during your trip. Pack quiet, compact toys and books to keep your child entertained, and if they're old enough to eat solids, bring snacks that will take a while to eat, like dry cereal or raisins.
At the airport, allow plenty of time to get through security and to the gate. If your child is on solids, try to time a feed to coincide with the descent to help with cabin pressure earache. If they're still drinking from a bottle, check the restrictions on the type and amount of milk you can bring on board.
Finally, remember that travelling with children is different from your child-free days, and it's important to manage your expectations. Be prepared for things to go differently than planned, and adopt an 'anything goes' attitude to help you adjust.
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Babysitting services
If you're looking for a honeymoon destination that offers babysitting services, you've got several options to choose from.
Cruises are a great option for families with children. Many cruise lines, including AmaWaterways, offer babysitting services and counsellors who work in children's play areas and shallow pools, ensuring that parents can relax and enjoy some quality alone time. AmaWaterways has partnered with Disney to offer itineraries and tour guides geared towards multi-generational family groups, and they even have interconnecting rooms so you can easily access your children's room.
If you prefer a land-based vacation, there are several resorts and hotels that provide babysitting services. The Ritz-Carlton, for example, offers certified nannies, child-appropriate registration, summer camp sessions, and a kids' meal plan. Similarly, the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Waikiki Beach in Hawaii has Camp Penguin for kids ages 5 to 12, where they can learn about Hawaiian culture through stories, games, arts, crafts, and music while you enjoy some child-free time.
In addition, there are resorts that offer kids' clubs with supervised activities for children of various age groups, allowing parents to enjoy some alone time. Sandals' Beaches Turks & Caicos, for instance, provides age-appropriate activities for children from newborns to teenagers, giving parents the opportunity to indulge in the amenities of a romantic couples' getaway while their children are entertained.
When considering a honeymoon destination with babysitting services, it's important to do your research and reach out to the resorts or hotels directly to inquire about their specific offerings and availability. This will ensure that you can fully enjoy your honeymoon while your children are well cared for and entertained.
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Childcare facilities
When it comes to honeymooning with a child, it is important to choose a destination that offers childcare facilities and entertainment for children.
Cruises
A cruise can be a great option for families honeymooning with children, as they often have babysitters and counsellors working in children's play areas and shallow pools dedicated to kids. AmaWaterways has partnered with Disney to offer itineraries and tour guides for multi-generational families. They are also building new ships with interconnecting rooms, so parents and children can move between rooms without having to change out of their pyjamas. Disney cruises also offer almost round-the-clock childcare and kids' clubs, as well as adult-only restaurants, bars, and pools.
Hotels
When choosing a hotel, look for those that offer facilities for babies, such as high chairs, cots, toys, and crèche services. Some hotels, like the Ritz-Carlton, offer certified nannies, child-appropriate registration, summer camp sessions, and kids' meal plans. The Hilton Hawaiian Village on Waikiki Beach has Camp Penguin for kids aged 5 to 12, which immerses them in Hawaiian culture with stories, games, arts, crafts, and music.
Resorts
Many resorts are now child-friendly without compromising on luxury. The Beachcombers resorts in Mauritius and all-inclusive resorts in the Maldives, such as Atmosphere Kanifushi and Centara Grand Island Resort, offer supervised childcare services and kids' menus. Sandals' PG-rated Beaches brand of all-inclusive family resorts offer locations along great beaches, multiple restaurants, unlimited food and drinks, and activities like golf and water sports. They also provide supervised, age-appropriate activities for children from morning until night, so parents can enjoy some alone time.
Self-catering
Self-catering cottages or villas can be a good option for families as they offer a home-from-home experience. Classic Cottages has baby-friendly properties in Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset, while Sykes Cottages is another option for families happy to explore the Lake District or Yorkshire Moors. For villas in Crete, Cachet Travel is a good option, and Vintage Travel offers properties in Mallorca, including villas with fenced pools, which are ideal for babies who are crawling or learning to walk.
Other tips
When travelling with children, it is important to pack busy bags with toys, colouring books, and stickers to keep them occupied. Schedule flights and activities around their nap times and consider the time zone and your child's sleeping habits. Don't forget the sunscreen and insect repellent!
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Frequently asked questions
There are plenty of child-friendly honeymoon destinations to choose from. If you don't want to travel too far, the UK is a good option, with Luxury Family Hotels providing Ofsted-registered crèches and babysitting services. You could also consider a beach resort in the Indian Ocean, such as Mauritius or the Maldives, which offer supervised childcare services and kids' menus. Alternatively, Hawaii is a popular choice for families, with many hotels offering special services for children, such as the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Waikiki Beach, which has a dedicated kids' club.
There are plenty of family-friendly activities to keep everyone entertained on your honeymoon. If you're looking for a more relaxed pace, consider spending time at the beach or pool, or enjoying a meal at a child-friendly restaurant. For something more active, you could try water sports or a trip to a water park. If you're looking for cultural experiences, Hawaii offers immersive activities for children, including Hawaiian stories, games, arts, crafts, and music.
Balancing your time as a couple and as a family is important on your honeymoon. Consider choosing a resort or cruise that offers child programs and adult-only areas, such as a Disney cruise, which has adult-only restaurants, bars, and pools. You can also plan for some family time and schedule romantic evenings for just the two of you. If you're staying at a resort, take advantage of their childcare services and plan a romantic dinner or a day at the spa.
The length of your honeymoon with a child depends on various factors, including the age of your child and your own preferences. Some couples choose to take a shorter "minimoon" of around three to five days, while others opt for longer honeymoons of one to three weeks. Consider your child's needs and your own comfort level with leaving them for an extended period. If you have supportive family members or friends who are happy to help, you can also plan for overnight stays or ask them to join you for part of your honeymoon.
