Let’s get one thing straight: cruising with kids is amazing. It’s one of the few vacations where parents can almost relax. No cooking, no commuting, no cleaning. But if you’ve ever stepped onto a cruise ship with your little ones, you may have had this strange feeling that you’ve done this before. That oddly familiar chaos?
Yep. It’s basically like moving into a new house, but with ocean views and a 24-hour ice cream machine.
Here’s how, and what it can teach you about actually moving into a new home with kids.
1. You Bring Way Too Much Stuff
When you go on a cruise with kids, packing light is a fantasy. You bring outfits for dinner, outfits for pool time, backup outfits in case someone spills juice (they will), plus toys, bedtime stuffies, noise machines, and maybe even your own snacks (because, picky eaters). In our case, Alaska’s weather was such that we had rain gear, boots, long underwear, swimsuits... TOO MUCH STUFF.
It’s exactly like moving into a new home, except instead of loading up a U-Haul, you’re trying to cram your entire life into two oversized suitcases and a stroller with hidden compartments. This is why, when moving, giving yourself time to purge is key. Give away items that others can use. Not only do you feel good, but it's less to move, organize, and find a new home for. There are many Buy Nothing groups or nonprofits that would love to take donations.
Tip for real life: Let kids help pack and choose a few favorite things—especially comfort items. For a list of nonprofits actively taking donations, please reach out to us.
2. You Spend the First Few Hours Unpacking and Organizing
The moment you get into your cruise cabin (or new home), the mission begins: Where do the shoes go? How do we avoid tripping over each other? Why is the toothbrush already missing? The second you get to your stateroom, the “settling in” phase begins. You start figuring out where to stash swim diapers, plug in sound machines, and hide snacks from the kids. You assign bedsides. You mentally calculate how many square inches each child can claim without causing World War III.
It’s exactly like moving into a new home, except you’re doing it in 180 square feet and trying not to trip over rain boots. I loved my organization technique above and highly recommend it.
When moving into your new home, engage your children in the packing process. Let them have a voice and feel heard. It can help the adjustment so much. Label the boxes and have a plan for where the movers should place the items. You may not have hired the unpacking service, yet they are there to set up beds and can assist with placing boxes in the correct rooms. We have children who share a room, so setting expectations about how the space is shared ahead of moving day was critical for our success. Even breaking out the old label maker was fun for them to personalize the shelves in the closet.
Tip for real life:
Turn unpacking into a game. Play “organize the room” or let kids be in charge of decorating a corner. It helps them feel ownership and eases transition anxiety. When moving, label their boxes clearly and unpack their room first. Having their space set up early gives them a sense of control and comfort.
3. The Kids Immediately Claim Their Territory
In both settings, kids rush to choose beds, argue over drawer space, and declare seemingly random corners as “mine.”
Tip for real life:
If possible, let kids tour the new home ahead of the move to pick their rooms or visualize where their stuff will go. Even small choices, like curtain colors or which shelf is theirs, make a big difference in how they adjust. Our children loved picking out the color of their rooms and adding their personal touch to it all.
4. You Have to Learn Where Everything Is
On a cruise, you spend the first day getting lost. In a new home, you spend the first week asking, “Where did we put the forks again?”
Tip for real life:
Create a “family essentials” box and keep it accessible. Include snacks, chargers, favorite toys, toilet paper, and a nightlight. Think of it as your land-based travel survival kit.
5. You’re Suddenly Very Aware of Noise
Whether it’s hearing your neighbor on a cruise ship or realizing your new home's floors creak like an old ship, your ears are on high alert.
Tip for real life:
Every home and location has new experiences and noises that play a role in the transition. Our daughters had a few nights when they were scared of the new sounds. Reinforcing and validating their feelings is important. Establish quiet zones or “calm corners” in the new home and while traveling. This allows all family members to rest and reset, especially after long days. Use sound machines or soft music to mimic familiar sleep environments.
6. You Create New Routines (Quickly)
Kids thrive on routine, even when everything around them changes. On a cruise, you make a new rhythm fast. Our middle daughter really struggled the first day of the cruise because it was out of her rhythm. Discussing the schedule and new options with her was critical to helping her feel safe and comfortable. We reminded her that even though we weren’t home, there were still familiar things and foods. Soon enough, she was running around enjoying all the moments the trip had to offer. The same goes for a new home.
Tip for real life:
Stick to core routines—like bedtime, mealtimes, and screen-time limits, even if everything else feels chaotic. Familiar routines in a new space help kids feel grounded.
7. The “House” Comes With Unexpected Perks
Cruise perks? Waterslides, pizza at 10 p.m., towel animals. Was there even a bedtime? New home perks? A bigger backyard, a playroom, or maybe a new friend next door.
Tip for real life:
Help kids find the “cool” in the new home. Highlight small joys like a cozy reading nook, a chalk-friendly driveway, or a nearby park. Focus on what they gain, not just what they left behind.
8. You Dread Leaving Because You Finally Made It “Yours”
By the end of the cruise, our tiny cabin felt like home. And when you move into a new house, it can take a while, but soon, it’s the place your kids will remember as their home. We do recommend, if you are doing any work to the home, to complete it before moving in. It is the easiest time and best way to complete that checklist. We have wonderful referrals for vendors if you need them, just ask!
Final Thoughts
Cruising with kids is a joyful kind of chaos, and so is moving into a new home. Both come with some stress, some mess, and a lot of adjustment, but also a fresh start, new memories, and the chance to grow closer as a family.
So whether you're walking up a cruise gangway or carrying boxes into a new living room, just remember: it’s not about how perfect the space is. It’s about how you make it feel like home.
