Tips for crossings with children
Traveling by ferry with children can be less worrying if you know how to deal with it. Indeed, the issues relating to how to make him pass the time perhaps without disturbing the other passengers, the possibility of unfavorable marine weather conditions, the view of the sea, are not insignificant but can be solved by facing the crossing with due attention. In addition, the shipping companies provide in their respective regulations the procedures to be followed for minors, accompanied or, when possible, not. First of all it is advisable to bring games, notebooks for drawing, books, tablets, also depending on the age of the child; for seasickness it is better that they eat solid and salty foods and avoid drinking a lot, especially sweet and carbonated drinks; in the case of rough seas the remedies consist in positioning oneself as much as possible in the center of the ship both in terms of length and width, and if possible, taking a breath of fresh air outside and fixing a fixed point on the horizon; always accompany children both during embarkation and disembarkation operations and during navigation, without ever losing sight of them with even greater attention when it comes to external decks. Even if the outside temperature is high it is better to always wear jackets as it is precisely in these cases that the air conditioning, which is not always healthy, can be found inside at maximum power. On some boats, especially on board the so-called cruise ferries but now also on some of the local or medium-distance ones, special play areas can be accessible to entertain the little ones in a park with fun but also educational toys and moments of leisure together.
Rules for minors on ferries
In the transport conditions of many companies is precisely enshrined that minors under the age of 14 cannot travel alone and must be constantly supervised by their parents and/or adults who have their custody and cannot circulate on the ship without being accompanied. Shipping company are not liable for damage to minors when these directives are not respected. Passengers aged between the ages of 14 and 18 can travel alone if in possession of a written authorization from the parental authority. If a minor is entrusted to other people for the trip, a declaration will be required in which the parents, or whoever exercises parental authority, sign, with photocopies of the identity documents attached, to entrust the minor to a person who will be responsible for it. It is also necessary to prepare the documentation that should be requested by the Authorities in the port of destination. Furthermore, for international travel, when the minor travels with only one parent the authorization of the other parent is required. An identity card is also required for minors (validi for three years for minors under the age of 3; five years for minors between the ages of 3 and 18), which can be requested from birth. Generally, women who have been pregnant for several months or with complications must have a medical certificate authorizing the trip. As for rates, usually children under the age of 2 (infants) do not pay the ticket, from 2 to 12 years of age (children) pay a reduced fee.
Please note that each shipping company has its own specific rules which may differ or be additional to those described above; differences may emerge, moreover when it comes to international routes based on the country of destination.
