1 adult, 1 toddler

• Sun protection that's wind resistant (floppy hat with chin straps, etc)
• Windbreaker
• Security blanket and/or lovie
• Play-in-place toys (cars or dolls)
• Sippy cups
• Wet ones
• Diapers and wipes
• Backpack (the kind you carry the kid in)
• Inflatable PFD (optional)

(for an older child, skip the diapers and add)

• Cards or portable games

This is for long ferry trips (4 hours or more).  You'll probably have luggage for your destination as well (heck, you may have your car), and unlike an airplane you can get into your luggage during the trip, but it's still nice to have the necessaries to hand.  You have a lot more space on a ferry, both at your seat and in general, so even kids who fling stuff are less likely to be a nuisance to other passengers.  Toddlers are often fairly happy to just walk and walk and walk around the ship, and there are public areas with tables for games.  There are also often (expensive) concessions for snacks and drinks.  Make sure to note where the child-size PFDs are kept; some ferries store them all together, rather than putting some at each muster point.

~ Rachel W.

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