Family Travel Tools and Tips

Tools and tips to make your adventures easy

It’s not always fun traveling with the family and the kids. There are so many international details to research and insufficient time to do it. Kids Sea Camp thought we would put together a page for as many family travel tools and tips as we could think of. The tips and tools are too long to list, so enjoy and we hope this page helps make your scuba diving vacation with us easier.

Passports & Documentation

All travelers must have a passport, adequate funds to support themselves, and a return airline ticket to travel out of the USA. You must have a critical valid for six months from entry to any foreign country. You are responsible for ensuring they have the proper documentation to travel into each country for your itinerary and for re-entry and return to their country. Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond the date you plan to leave the country. 

Please check with the appropriate consulate and your chosen airline carrier to ensure you have the proper documentation. Always check your passport and visa requirements. US citizens may visit the US Department of State website at www.travel.state.gov for more information.

Traveling with a child

The website also has information for consulates by country to assist with requirements. There are special requirements for children leaving the US, and many countries have adopted special needs for the protection of children. If you are traveling with a child that is not your own, a single parent with a child, a child with a different last name, or traveling without the child’s natural parents, you will require documentation proving your right to travel with children. Since regulations vary by country, contact your consulate or embassy of your country and visit the immigration site of the country you are traveling to for the requirements. Kids Sea Camp Reservation Office and staff will not assume responsibility for passengers not having the correct documentation.

Travel Advisory & Visas

Travel Tools

Travel News

Reference Links

Airline Baggage Restrictions

BEFORE YOU TRAVEL TIPS: Email yourself your travel Itinerary and documents. Scan a copy of your passport, credit cards, and itinerary, including air, hotel, and car, and keep a folder you can access with your phone if any documents are lost or stolen.

PROPER DOCUMENTATION FOR TAKING KIDS ON INTERNATIONAL TRIPS: There are restrictions and laws for documentation for traveling with children who are not yours or have different last names, even with only one parent traveling. Make sure you check with your airline and immigration.

ENROLL IN AIRLINE FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAMS: Memberships can include extra baggage and weight allowance. Enroll in Global Entry for faster transit through long lines.

CHECK YOUR DATA PLAN FOR YOUR SMARTPHONE: Your Phone will cost you unless you buy an international data plan.

CHECK YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE: Ensure you include international coverage for travel, health, dive accidents, etc. Make sure you have copies of your cards and that someone else knows where they are. Dive accident insurance DAN (to include medical evacuation) is mandatory for divers of all ages on all our trips. Please bring your certificate as proof of Travel insurance (CFAR); trip cancellation insurance (including storm coverage where appropriate to the type of dive vacation booked) is strongly recommended. Since COVID, we recommend all our clients get (CFAR) “Cancel for any reason” travel insurance.

EMERGENCY CONTACT Communicate to your emergency contact what, where, and when your travel plans are.

Airport COVID Travel Tips: DON’T FORGET YOUR FACE MASK & HAND SANITIZER. We all know that airports can be a hassle these days, but a little planning and preparation can make a big difference. Try these tips to help you breeze right through.

Plan your packing before the trip.

It’s important to pack appropriately when traveling with kids on long hauls.

  • Check your legal names and itineraries for seat assignments, and make any necessary ticket changes.
  • Handle any special needs you might have before you get to the airport.
  • Check to make sure the contact information we have for you is correct.
  • Check the expiry dates for passports or visas and review any essential travel documents, waivers, and vouchers you might need well in advance.
  • Please check flight confirmations, times, and schedules 72 hours before travel. Then, check in for your flights on time, get your boarding passes, and check your bags.
  • Use airline online Check-in or self-service kiosks to avoid long lines at the airport.
  • Know your airport’s check-in requirements and travel restrictions. New laws and rules are in place due to COVID-19.
  • Know the requirements for the security checkpoints where you’ll be traveling and arriving. Check with the local immigration site of your travel country for travel restrictions and rules.
  • Ensure you have the documentation required by your airline and the country you travel to.
  • During Your Trip: Check the display screens and monitors in the airport to find your gate. Arrive at the gate early with your boarding pass and eTicket receipt. Keep an eye on our gate display screens in most airports. Listen closely for announcements at the gate. 

Pack a small carry-on with just a few basics for you and the kids.

  • Food or snacks as allowed by your airline
  • Playing cards, books, puzzles
  • Drawing paper and markers
  • Small pillow
  • Comfortable socks
  • Toothbrush
  • Bring your favorite food and snacks to the hotel room. Remember, the island does not always have the food kids like. Pack some things like peanut butter, mac and cheese, cookies, etc.
  • Pack your medications and one day of things you can’t live without.

Adults travel tips

  • Contact solution (if needed)
  • Sunglasses
  • Eyeglasses
  • Sweatshirt for flight
  • All necessary medicines for you and your kids
  • Travel face mask, & hand sanitizer
  • Comfortable clothes
  • Travel documents
  • Passports: 1 day’s worth of clothes
  • Dive computer
  • Pack your valuables with you
  • Single parents traveling with kids outside the country or adults traveling with kids that are not their own need a notarized letter of “Consent to Travel” prepared before departure and need to check with the immigration site of the country.

Travel documents you need to remember

  • Passports required: Copies of Passports (have one set with you and leave one at home.)
  • Certification-Card for divers
  • Logbook
  • Airline tickets
  • Itinerary
  • Travel documents
  • Paperwork and Forms
  • COVID-19 negative document test may be required

Waiver forms:  Why all the forms? PADI requires this information to ensure your and your child’s safety for dive and dive-related activities. You will need a doctor’s note stating your child is approved to participate in the scuba program you chose. Be prepared. Read and download your forms before travel.

Carry-on travel tips

  • Travel face mask & hand sanitizer
  • One bathing suit a set of shorts, and a T-shirt
  • 1 set of undergarments
  • Eye care, if needed, drops and contacts
  • Dive regulator/dive computer
  • Vitamin B complex for bugs
  • Any item you need for the next 48 hours if your check-in bag gets lost.
  • Prescription medications

Packing for your scuba trip

  • Sun coverup
  • Level 30-45 waterproof sunblock for kids
  • Insect Repellent
  • Extra-Batteries
  • Camera (underwater) & memory stick for photos.
  • Converter for electronics. Voltage is generally 210-240
  • After-sun products, Aloe Vera
  • Small medical kit
  • Ear drops
  • Motrin/Benedryl or Zyrtec
  • Everything in the Kids Sea Camp goodie box
  • Sudafed
  • Covered shoes-sneakers
  • Sunglasses
  • Extra set of contacts
  • Wipes
  • Dive Gear(fins, mask, snorkel, BC, computer, regulator, wetsuit, and logbook)
  • Defog
  • Laptop to download photos
  • Socks for use inside of fins – Dive skins are handy

Passports and Visas

Passports: American passports are issued by the http://travel.state.gov. You can even download the forms there (be sure to read the instructions carefully to see which application form you should use; there are two forms, DSP-11 and DSP-82).

Each person traveling must have his/her passport; kids no longer can be in Mom or Dad’s passport. The most important thing you’ll need for a Passport is proof that you were born in the U.S. and a birth certificate (Americans born abroad or naturalized Americans will require different documents.

You will need to be aware of many details if only one parent will apply for a U.S. passport for a child under 14. The details are all available from the U.S. Department of State. Either both parents must appear together and sign the passport application OR one parent appears, signs, and submits the second parent’s written statement of consent authorizing passport issuance for the child OR one parent appears, signs, and submits primary evidence of sole authority to apply.

This U.S. government requirement does not change the requirement that other countries impose, which requires one parent traveling with a child to show proof of custody/permission to travel from the non-custodial parent. Check with the Embassy of the country you will be visiting.

Very important: You will need a passport valid for at least six months beyond the dates of your program for all travel to the British Virgin and Leeward Islands. US citizens can find downloadable passport applications and other helpful information on the State Department website. It’s a good idea to make a copy of your passport to keep at home while traveling in the Caribbean (or anywhere else).

Please note that any external links are provided for information purposes only: Kids Sea Camp can’t be held responsible for the content or accuracy of external sites.

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