Why Kids' Places Sell Out on Family Christmas Cruises (and How I Still Got One Family to Barbados)

On Monday, the daughter of one of my long-standing clients got in touch. She had seen a family Christmas cruise in the Caribbean advertised and wanted to book it.

In the short time it took the family to decide, the ship reached its limit for children on that sailing. The cabins were still there, but the kids' places were not. I was unable to confirm the booking, and that is a call I really don't like having to make.

It is something many families don't realise can happen, so here is why it does, how I still got this family away for Christmas, and what you can do to avoid it.

Why kids' places sell out

A cruise can have cabins available and still be unable to take another child. Several limits sit behind that.

• Family cabins are limited. Most cabins are built for two. Cabins with a third or fourth berth, or interconnecting rooms, are a small share of the ship and go first in school holidays.
• Kids' clubs have a capacity. Cruise lines staff their children's clubs to safe ratios, so they control how many children sail to protect the experience for every family on board.
• Infant numbers are capped. Many lines set a minimum sailing age and limit how many babies and toddlers they carry on each departure.
• Christmas is peak demand. Festive sailings in the sun fall in the school holidays, so every family is chasing the same small pool of places at the same time.

The result is that child places can sell out well before the ship itself is full, sometimes within days of a sailing being promoted.

How the booking was saved

Tuesday and Wednesday were spent working with the cruise line to see if anything could be done. At the same time, I looked at other ways to give the family Christmas in the sun. Nothing came close to what they wanted, and the kids' places were still not available.

I kept checking. At 21:30 on Wednesday evening, the perseverance paid off. A place opened up and I confirmed the booking straight away, on the exact cruise they wanted, with the kids' places secured.

Making that phone call to tell them they would be flying to Barbados for Christmas was an amazing feeling.

How to avoid missing out on a family cruise

1. Book early for school holidays. Christmas, Easter and summer sailings are where child places go fastest. Planning a year or more ahead gives you the widest choice.
2. Decide quickly once you have found the one. If a family sailing is being promoted, others are looking at it too. A short delay can be the difference.
3. Ask about the children's ages up front. Infant limits and kids' club age bands vary by cruise line, so check before you fall in love with a ship.
4. Be flexible where you can. A different cabin type, deck or nearby date can open up options when your first choice is full.
5. Don't give up on the first no. Availability changes. Someone who knows the cruise lines and keeps checking can secure a place you would never see online.

Why it matters who you book with

When you book with me, I will do everything I can to get you the holiday you actually want, not just the closest alternative. Travel is my passion, and because this is my own business, every client matters. Going the extra mile is simply how I work.

I am an independent cruise and travel specialist with GoCruise & Travel, part of Fred. Olsen Travel, and I hold CLIA Master accreditation. Every booking is backed by ABTA (J5035) and ATOL (0944) protection. I have cruised on more than 40 ships with over 15 cruise lines since 1997, so I know what makes a family cruise work.

If you are thinking about a family cruise for Christmas, summer or beyond, get in touch early and let me do the legwork.

Call: 01489 661199

Email: rich.rochester@gocruiseandtravel.co.uk