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9 Tips for Small-Ship Cruising With Kids

By U.S. News & World Report

On a small-ship cruise through Panama and Costa Rica aboard UnCruise Adventures’ Safari Voyager, you can spot dolphins playing in a protected inlet, enjoy snorkeling with stingrays and sea turtles and hike through a tropical jungle to discover a family of capuchin monkeys in a single day. If that sounds like the vacation of a lifetime, you may prefer cruising on a smaller ship that enables you and the gang to visit hard-to-reach locations and enjoy bucket-list experiences rather than sailing on a larger, 3,000-plus passenger megaship. And if a cruise vacation that prioritizes uncrowded, private access to destinations over shipboard amenities and buffet spreads sounds like a fit for your family, a sail on a small ship might just fit the bill.

Small-ship cruising is generally defined as a cruise with 100 or fewer passengers. Because of their smaller ship size, vessels in the small-ship category can offer access to remote destinations across the Caribbean and Alaska, among other locales. Plus, small-ship operators often partner with local experts and naturalists who can lead in-depth tours. When exploring kid-friendly small-ship cruise options, look for the following indicators of a stellar small-ship cruise operation.

Search for Strong Ties to Local Resources

When researching potential cruise companies, look for operators who offer onboard expedition leaders as well as local experts that teach passengers about the native flora and fauna, along with unique cultural and historical backstories throughout the journey. For example, UnCruise has a partnership with national parks on their itineraries, which allows its guests to enter parks before other tourists and optimize their time with experienced guides.

Pick a Child-Friendly Cruise Itinerary

Most small-ship cruises are highly active, and offer few onboard entertainment options. As such, many companies require that cruise guests are ages 6 and up. Also, keep in mind that some itineraries are more kid-friendly than other sailings, and you can expect most voyages to be populated primarily by adults. Call your cruise company before booking your vacation and ask for the best date and itinerary for kids, and after booking, call again to find out if other children are booked on your dates. Some cruise companies, including UnCruise, provide family-specific cruise dates, during which additional expedition guides dedicated to children are available onboard.

Consider a Cruise Ship With an EZ Dock System

These onboard systems allow cruisers to depart the ship directly on the water, via small zodiac-type boats or skiffs. Plus, these ships allow families to kayak and paddleboard directly from the ship. As a rule of thumb, an EZ dock indicates a highly active itinerary with many opportunities for kids to go off the ship, making it an ideal choice for active groups.

Choose a Cruise Itinerary With Evening Educational Programming

Small-ship cruises will keep you busy from breakfast through dinner, but during those after-dinner hours, you won’t find Vegas-style entertainment or onboard swimming pools. To provide entertainment beyond a deck of cards or a board game, look for a cruise that offers a nightly eco-talk or cultural programming. Even young kids will enjoy learning more about the places they visit especially since the presentations are typically conducted by engaging expedition guides.

Find a Cruise That’s Truly All-Inclusive

A coveted feature of small-ship cruises is their inclusive pricing. Most, though not all, cruise vacations include absolutely everything (think: meals, lodging and onboard activities) with the exception of gratuities, alcoholic beverages, airport transfers and excursions. Know what you’re getting before booking to avoid sticker shock later on.

Pack Smart

Selecting what to pack depends largely on your destination and trip itinerary, but many small-ship cruise lines send guests detailed packing lists ahead of their departure. In general, families can expect a casual, yet luxurious onboard experience with many leading small-ship cruise operators, which translates to packing comfortable and pants, shirts and dresses. There is little need of formal wear or even a tie on most small-ship cruises. Always bring essential items, such as rain gear and extra layers, and use the space you would reserve for dressy clothing for an extra pair of walking shoes or boots.

Also keep in mind that small-ship cruises feature small cabins. Families will want to take advantage of in-room storage such as below-bed drawers and hooks for jackets and sweaters, and will need to remember that clothing will likely get dirty on hikes and other excursions. Don’t expect laundry service, and bring plenty of options. No matter the destination, sun protection is almost always a must.

Manage Your Expectations

Don’t anticipate your small-ship cruise to feel anything like sailing aboard a megaship. Instead of grand entertainment and exploring multilevel promenades by day, families on small ships will enjoy an open bridge (yes, let the kids steer the ship for a while) and cozy lounges with games and books. Instead of multiple dining venues and bars, families will find top-notch cuisine served in an intimate dining room and drinks prepared by a bartender who knows your name and preferred cocktail.

Plan for a Mix of Activity and Relaxation

Do expect your small-ship cruise to be highly active. Of course, families can opt for as much or little physical activity as desired, but on most small ships, a morning and afternoon excursion to different venues is the norm. In the morning, families may take a guided hike through a forest, and in the afternoon, they may visit a cultural center or meet local natives to learn a new skill. On a subsequent day, passengers may have the option between kayaking amid seals or paddleboarding in the surf. Aim for a mix of adventure and down time.

Get Ready to Mingle With Other Guests

Expect to get to know your fellow passengers. As on most small-ship cruises, seating is not assigned at mealtimes, and passengers mingle at cocktail hour and during excursions.

More from U.S. News

The Noncruiser’s Guide to Choosing a Cruise

7 River and Small-Ship Cruise Lines to Watch in 2017

Splurge or Save? Which Cruise Add-Ons are Worth the Price?

9 Tips for Small-Ship Cruising With Kids originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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