Cruising With Kids 101

Cruising may be YOUR dream vacation, but keeping the children enthralled takes some planning.

“Mommy, what can I doooo?” demands my three-year-old for the third time in ten minutes. “And I don’t wanna color or look at a book,” he adds in anticipation of my reply. When I hear this familiar litany, it’s time to delve into my magic sombrero of tricks.

For a year my husband and I have cruised Central America aboard Boisterous, a 41-foot Cheoy Lee, with our five boys ages 3, 8, 10, 12, and 14. There have been blissful days exploring deserted islands, Spanish forts and exotic cities, but there also have been–inevitably–bored, cranky kids, and days when the rain dampens spirits as well as decks. These times call for some judicious jury-rigging.

“What’s that?” Parker asks suspiciously. His four older brothers look over with mild interest to eye what I am pulling from a plastic sack.

“This,” I announce triumphantly, “is Panamanian ivory.” The kids look unconvinced. I explain, “They are Tagua seedpods; you can carve them like the local children.” ...

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