A romantic cruise at sea doesn’t have to be an oxymoron when you bring your kids along.

Cruise ships do a super job of providing an enriching, fun-filled vacation experience for parents and children. The key is balance—you want to hang out with your kids, but you also need grown-up time with your partner. With a little planning and foresight, you can experience both. Here are a few tips for enjoying a perfect family cruise vacation.

Ask a pro for advice

It’s all well and good to research a family cruise on your own, but don’t be tempted to book your cruise online. Every cruise line caters to a slightly different demographic, and each individual ship has unique features that may make it a perfect choice—or not. Cruise specialists are pros at helping you choose the right ship for your needs. Having a professional guide you through the process of choosing a line, a ship, and an itinerary will ensure your family vacation is a hit from beginning to end. Ask friends who have cruised with kids to recommend a cruise expert.

Find the perfect fit

Choose a cruise line that matches your family’s needs and expectations. Many offer complimentary kids’ programs that include rock climbing, zip lines, skating, family shows, costumed characters, and more. Older kids can hang out in cool video game lounges, dance and sing karaoke, or shoot some hoops on a basketball court. As you research, beware that while children’s programs are generally free, babysitting for infants and toddlers usually incurs a fee. For parents with young children, Disney Cruise Line may be your best bet. They have fleet-wide nurseries and accept babies as young as six weeks old. Most others have minimum age requirements—ranging from 6 months to 5 years—so make sure you check in advance.

Book a connecting cabin

Space is at a premium on cruise ships, and sharing a room with rambunctious kids can be harrowing. While larger family suites address the issue of space, having two rooms can mean an extra element of peace and quiet. If you do decide to bunk in one room, get a balcony upgrade. That way Mom and Dad can enjoy peaceful moments on the balcony while kids roughhouse inside. Make sure balconies have locks that are out of reach of toddlers and younger kids.

Plan shore excursions together

Once you’ve settled on your ship and itinerary, sit down with your kids and talk about the kinds of shore excursions they would enjoy. These can range from historic and cultural excursions to soft adventure outings, like sailing, snorkeling, or fishing. Unless you’re on a luxury cruise line with shore excursions included, you will pay additional fees for these excursions, so make sure the whole family agrees on which ones have a wow-factor.

Be mindful of money

In addition to surcharges for shore excursions, most popular cruise lines charge extra for soft drinks, babysitting, spa treatments, internet, and more. Kids who are old enough to be on their own may be tempted to overspend, so it’s a good idea to provide limits to their extra expenditures. For example, consider buying a special soft drink package for kids who like sodas and discuss their spending limits in advance.

Vary your dining options

Most cruise lines offer lots of variety when it comes to restaurants, so even your pickiest eater will find something tasty to dine on. Kids’ menus offer everything from pizza to PB&J, and 24-hour room service is a great option when you don’t feel like going out to eat. For a special evening, dress to the nines, line up a sitter, and head out for a romantic dinner in one of the ship’s swanky dining spots. Don’t forget a moonlight stroll on the deck—just the two of you.

Find your inner child

Remember what it’s like to be spontaneous and just do whatever strikes your fancy? Now’s your chance, and the best part is you can be a kid with your kids. Watch a kooky show, swoosh down a waterslide, play some putt-putt—spending quality time with your children is what family cruising is all about. Ask your child what he or she wants to do with you instead of the other way around.

Finally, remember that you are on vacation, too, so relax. Don’t let occasional mishaps ruin your fun. Let the cares of everyday life drift away with the sea breeze and enjoy being in the moment. Bon voyage!