Large Family Vacations - Fun, Fear, and Facts

Multi-generational travel is the new buzz word in the travel industry these days.  People have limited time in this fast paced world so they want to slow down and enjoy moments with family and friends.  Sounds good doesn't it ..... well if you peruse through a number of travel discussion boards there are countless horror stories about traveling with family.  Tales about family not getting along, fist fights, last minute cancellations putting others at financial risk, not enough to do for the whole family, and the list goes on and on.  Our family has done some of these on a smaller scale with some success.  At times too much togetherness, family members crossing boundaries, and people not sharing their part of the travel responsibilities can all be issues (I hope my family is not reading this).  But it also can be a lot of fun. Thinking of taking the plunge?  Here are some tips ...

* Plan Early - If you have a large gathering you want to make sure you can get that rental on the beach or those connecting hotel rooms at Disney.  For a cruise, booking early can get you some great group rates and amenities!

* Have a Family Discussion - Make sure everyone has a say in the decision making process.  Have an understanding of everyone's roles and responsibilities.  You do not want to create a 10,000 page health care bill, but you do want to have some ground rules set.  Who does the dishes? Who sleeps on the pull out sofa?

* Money - Nothing creates trip stress like money worries. Traveling can be expensive, and even though pooling resources among family members can save you money, it still involves a discussion about who will pay for things, and how expenses will be divided up during your travels.  Cruises are great because it is inclusive and a great vacation value.  No need to worry about who pays for dinner that night or how to split up the grocery bill.

* Patience is a Virtue - Grandma wants to play bingo and the kids want to go to the waterpark - What do you do?  Some family members might like activities all day and others might want to lounge around the pool.  How to you balance family time with enough alone time so that everyone does not get on each others nerves? Cruises offer the ability for everyone to have the vacation they want with plenty of time and venues for  families to spend time together.

* Celebrate Togetherness - For young children and grandparents, spending time together on vacation fosters their special relationship, which can focus on fun and even learning opportunities about family history and each other. For adult children, the multi-generational adventure can offer the chance to do activities on the same level as their parents. On a cruise there is ample time for that togetherness - dinner every evening in the dining room, a pre-planned shore excursion, a day relaxing at the cruise lines private island with a family cabana. The options are endless.

* HAVE FUN - This after all is what it is all about. Do not sweat the small stuff (and for those who know me they are asking "who is this guy?" right about now).  You only have one family and a short time on this earth to enjoy it.

Happy Cruising !!

12 Trips to Take Before You’re Twelve

Travel and Leisure recently had a great article (which I will borrow and add my own commentary) regarding ‘must do’ trips to take while the kids are young.  Well our oldest is 12 and almost 13 (yikes I am getting old!) so it got me thinking how many more places we have to hit before our 10 year old hits the teen years.  Our boys are blessed to be able to travel and with a rough count they have visited 15 states or territories.  After this summer they will have visited 7 different countries.  I think when I was twelve I had been to only 3 (FL, NH, and PA).   Let’s take a look at experiences that are on the 'to do' list – these are also fantastic for those young at heart!

Costa Rica’s Rain Forest - has a wild frontier, primitive thicket of jungles, and beaches ripe for exploring.  Add to that tree climbing, zip lining, and repelling down waterfalls – it’s a paradise for the adventurous kid.

Skiing in Colorado – In my teen and early adulthood years I have skied the ‘ice’ of the New England Mountains.  But nothing beats the western mountains for skiing.  Being so close now to the Rockies we might have to venture west down I-70 for some winter fun. – if my knees can handle the slopes.

Kauai by Land, Sea, and Air – This one we are hitting next spring break!  I am looking forward to a helicopter tour to explore the awe inspiring settings for Jurassic Park.  Visiting Waimea Canyon the ‘Grand Canyon’ of Hawaii is high on our to-do list.

Disney Done Right – You knew this one had to be here!  I think our boys are now fully qualified to give guided tours of all the parks and resorts.  For the full Disney experience staying at a Disney Resort such as the Animal Kingdom Lodge or Polynesian Resort cannot be beat.

Maine Family Camping – We enjoyed a lot of camping when we were living in New England.  Being out in the mountains with the campfire and a night so clear you can really see the stars.  From staying in tents all the way to our now sold ‘condo’ on wheels it was a blast!

A Great Urban Getaway – New York City, Washington DC, Chicago, and Kansas City (ok I added that one).  Need I say more?

Yellowstone Adventure - We have done a great trip to the Grand Canyon but Yellowstone might trump that for kids. More than 300 gushing geysers; multihued ‘paint pots’ that look like melted Popsicles – only steaming; and America’s Big Five; bears, bison, bighorn sheep, elk, and wolves.

Colonial Williamsburg – Where else can you go to a living museum and have fun learning about history.  Then also visit an awesome theme park!

Affordable Atlantis – The largest marine habitat in the Caribbean.  One of the best beaches this side of Thailand. A five- story corkscrew waterslide into a shark pool.  Is it any wonder Atlantis, on the Bahamas’ Paradise Island, is the ultimate long weekend extravaganza?

Ultimate Road Trips – These three itineraries showcase some of the most beautiful scenery in America:  The Florida Keys, Utah’s National Parks (the boys loved this one!), and Olympic National Park, Washington.

Alaska’s Inside Passage – Glacier carved wilderness has bald eagles, humpback whales, and Dall sheep all against a backdrop of snowcapped mountains and dramatic fjords.  I was a bit nervous for our trip a couple of years ago not knowing if the boys would like and appreciate it.  Well they have stated it was one of the best trips they have ever taken.

The Annual Destination – Having a cherished family tradition for vacation is something truly special.  Although we visit Disney almost yearly – Hilton Head Island is fast becoming our tradition.  We had to skip this year but after 5 years visiting this has become our tradition and we will be back next year!

Touring the Disney Dream w/Pictures

We always have a great experience attending our CruiseOne conferences.  One of the highlights is always experiencing a new ship or getting a behind the scenes tour as we did with the Disney Dream.  Having sailed on the Disney Magic when our boys were young we wondered how the new ships would entertain our now tweens and adults as well.   The Dream did not disappoint!

We were able to board the ship right after it cleared of guests departing and before new guests arrived.  Having the ship all to your self for a short while is a fun experience - pictures with no guests around!  Disney is absolutely a premium experience and their ships are more beautiful and detailed than we remembered.

The look of delight from boys and girls boarding the ship as the crew announces their family names to applause and cheers is priceless.  Disney provides one on one attention as each family is greeted personally by a crew member to answer questions and guide them to their first destination on board.





First stop was to view the staterooms before they were opened to guests.  We do not have many pictures as we were not allowed to take any of staterooms that were not 'show ready' yet.  It is not often we get to visit the most expensive staterooms on the ship and the Walt Disney and Roy Disney suites do not disappoint. With plenty of room for the whole family and filled with little details like authentic antique cameras that Walt would have used as decorative artifacts.  These staterooms even have a small kitchen for the butler!

For us 'normal folk' the Disney staterooms are well appointed and perfectly sized for a family of five.  Disney pioneered the family stateroom with a split bathroom so two family members can be getting ready at the same time.  Even the inside staterooms have a unique feature with a 'Magical Porthole' that shows you a high definition live picture of what is going on outside on your side of the ship.  It did look impressive - almost like a real window!

Of course Disney has the kids covered and the family facilities are incredible.   The Nursery is run with trained infant care specialists.  When our youngest cruised on Disney we utilized the Nursery and they did a fantastic job getting him to sleep as a worried parents left the crying child to go to dinner.

The school aged children are a huge focus with almost a full deck dedicated to this age group.  Disney handles this group a bit differently as there are no real pre defined age groups.  The kids can roam as they see fit with the counselors and they naturally fall into the activities best suited for them.  The kids also have GPS bracelets on so they can be located in the huge kids center!





So why would a teen want to go on a Disney Cruise?  Well I would say the awesome Teen Center with their own movie theater, lounge, dance club, hot tub, and out door activity area!  The hangout areas are all supervised by 'cool' carefully trained counselors and they are never left alone to get into too much trouble.

           

Disney has a unique approach to dining.  With multiple restaurants you dine in a different restaurant most nights.  When you move to a different venue your wait staff also moves with you.   I remember the food being wonderful on our first Disney cruise.  On our tour we were able to dine in the Cabanas Buffet.  I would say it was the best buffet on board a ship we have had in a while.  You could not beat the fresh seafood bar with crab legs, shrimp, and mussels!  You should have seen all the kids with huge crab legs on their plates!



I finally got to use the panorama feature on my iPhone to capture this picture of the Enchanted Forest restaurant.  This dining venue starts out as daytime and then as you dine turns into a wonderful nighttime bistro.   And the booths you see in the picture rotate.

My blogging time has run out and I did not even get to the pool area, AquaDuck Water Coaster, 3D digital first run movies and the best Broadway style entertainment at sea, and the only line to offer fireworks at sea.  And how can I forget as the ship leaves port the ship horn does not just blow but blows the first seven notes - When - You - Wish - Upon - A - Star.   We can not wait to sail on the Disney Dream or Disney Fantasy soon!

Happy Cruising !

Traveling With Teens

School has started (where did the summer go) and thoughts turn to Holiday and Spring Break vacations.  With two tweens now in our household we are getting a taste of what is to come when traveling with teens.
There are plenty of ways a family vacation can be ruined. Weather, illness, and natural disasters have all caused grief to families over the years. There’s one factor, however, that can truly ruin a vacation.  I’m referring to the thorn in the side of traveling parents everywhere: an unhappy teenager.

A cranky, bored, miserable teen has the ability to suck the fun out of just about any experience — making parents regret wasting their time and hard-earned cash on travel in the first place.  Side note: I am positive that I was NOT one of these teens when growing up!

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent having to travel with an unhappy teen (really, there are). Companies are paying more attention to this segment more than ever before and are designing travel experiences with teens in mind. Teen programs and teen-only lounges have become common place at resorts and on cruise ships.  If we can make a teen happy on vacation, we have come a long way to guaranteeing a rewarding family vacation.

There are a lot of choices when it comes to family vacations, but escorted tours combine many benefits of other forms of travel in order to please everyone in the family — even teenagers. For one thing, family travel is hard enough, so why wouldn’t a parent prefer to have someone else handle the logistics?
Traveling as a family on an escorted tour removes all the logistic hassles from the vacation so the family can actually relax and enjoy one another’s company and their destination.  All I can think of is Chevy Chase in European Vacation circling the roundabout in the UK yelling “Kids .. Big Ben .. Parliament”   “Kids .. Big Ben .. Parliament”   “Kids .. Big Ben .. Parliament”

Another benefit of traveling as a group is that the teens and all the children bond together as a group.  We travelled with Adventures By Disney to the Southwest a couple of years ago.  We were hesitant to travel with an escorted tour … but it was a trip of a lifetime.  We could have never planned out the logistics as well as Disney did.  The boys enjoyed all the experiences with their new found friends.  

As an example, all of the tour programs at Adventures by Disney emphasize storytelling and unique ways to experience a destination. For instance, guests see the pyramids in Egypt while riding a camel, learn about the architecture of Versailles from the seat of a bicycle or discover the natural history of Costa Rica from the harness of a zipline. This approach is especially popular with active teens.

Another benefit of escorted touring — is value.  Families can save up to 40 percent on an escorted tour versus putting the trip components together separately.

Cruising is also an excellent value and ideal vacation for families with teens.  Teens often are allowed a bit more freedom while on a cruise with their own teen club and activities.  Then there is the surfing simulator, water parks, pools, 4D movie theaters, ice skating, comedy clubs, bowling, mini golf, rock wall climbing, 24 hour food, and zip lining ….. all while onboard !!  What teen would not have an outstanding bonding with new friends and enjoying some of these activities?

The opportunity to travel with family and children before they move out on their own is a special one.  We know firsthand how crazy schedules can get, and a vacation may be the only time a family has to slow down and take the time to truly be together — not just rushing to a practice or quick meals at home,  but actually laugh together, have fun together and have real memories together.  Time is precious and children grow up so fast, there are very few opportunities in today’s hectic world to truly connect.   We fully understand how important these memories can be which is why we are diligent in finding the perfect experiences for our clients.  Do not wait – time is short - get out there and start planning that vacation (even with your teens!).

Happy Cruising!!

Are We There Yet?

For those with kids this is a familiar chorus while traveling during a spring break or summer vacation.  We are fortunate that we can travel so much with our boys.  We have travelled to places that they will remember for the rest of their lives whether it is Alaska, Grand Canyon, Mayan Ruins, or Rocky Mountain National Park.  We have also captured memories that are priceless.  We are a strong believer that travel opens up a child’s mind and helps with their school work and now our youngest want to see the Tower of Pisa and the Coliseum!    With summer coming upon us and some thoughts for next spring break … here are some value destinations for families (or that family reunion that you have wanted to plan).   Here we go in no particular order….

Europe with a Tour Operator

With the euro still presenting an unfavorable exchange rate having an affordable European vacation does take some planning and help of an expert, but it can be done.  With a tour operator they have relationships with vendors and attractions where they purchase services at a much lower cost than the average consumer.  Families also do not need to worry about transportation details or the ‘mechanics’ of the vacation.  They can spend valuable time exploring and learning about the fantastic destinations.   Many tour operators also have family focused tours that are a great vaule with everything that is included.

Hawaii


With careful planning, families can enjoy the islands while sticking to a budget.  Going in the off-season can make pricing considerably lower. We have access to partners that have affordable vacations that might include value coupons on dinners and activities as well as free stays and meals for children. Traveling between December and April can give you a free show of whales and dolphins playing off shore.

Thailand

If you thought of experiencing the exotic beauty of Asia then you should consider a trip to Thailand.  This destination is considered one of the world’s most affordable options thanks to a favorable exchange rate, affordable dining, and great hotels with great service. The Thai are incredibly friendly and consider children to be honored guests.

National Parks

There are 390+ US National Parks around the country that make for an affordable getaway, especially if you are road tripping and taking advantage of campsites and lodging available on site.  Families can also take advantage of packages that we have with preferred partners.  These maximize your time, handle all the details, and give you a lot of vacation bang for your buck.

Mexico and Jamaica

Heading to warm weather destinations is always a family favorite especially for winter or spring breaks.  Both Mexico and Jamaica are a great cost-conscious choice due to the quality of the many all-inclusive resorts.  Families can have a five-star experience while controlling costs.  Most resorts have several restaurants on site with a variety of cuisine.  Also, many activities are included in the rate, such as snorkeling and even scuba diving.  And do not forget the on-site kids’ clubs and teen centers, which provide entertainment to young guests at no extra charge.

Disney Package

‘Budget’ is not usually associated with Disney.  Although working with a Disney expert a Disney vacation can be made very affordable.  For example Disney offers ‘value’ resorts including the brand new Art of Animation Resort with rates starting at $82 per night.  Staying on site saves you money as you do not need to rent a car and you experience extra park hours as an on-site guest.  Lastly Disney occasionally offers a free dining plan that really makes a Disney experience affordable.

An Alaska Cruise

The best for last and our personal favorite!  The opportunity to visit one of the most awe inspiring destinations can be a great value.   Where else can you visit Alaska ports that are only accessible by plane or ship, watch whales from your balcony, and experience glaciers calving right in front of your eyes.  On an Alaska cruise you have a nearly all-inclusive experience visiting these multiple ports and only unpacking once.  A family of four can travel to Alaska from Seattle at a very reasonable cost, especially if you can travel in May or September.

Your Next Holiday at Sea?

As we gather for the holidays many times discussions turn to visiting exotic destinations with family and friends on a wonderful vacation.  Below are some great reasons to plan your next holiday gathering at sea!  This a sampling from Celebrity on what to expect on a festive holiday cruise.

All the holiday planning and preparations are done

• Chefs artfully prepare every meal
• Attentive staff make every moment carefree and relaxing
• Elegant holiday decorations onboard create a festive holiday mood
• Holiday entertainment and activities are taken care of—just relax and enjoy

Family togetherness

• Precious holiday moments are spent with family and friends
• Opportunities for individual downtime for everyone in the family; massages or dinner for two for mom and dad, while the kids enjoy age-specific activities in the kids clubs.
• Special holiday entertainment and activities for all ages

Outstanding dining with all the holiday fixings

• Sumptuous traditional Christmas menus
• The whole family will enjoy a Christmas Day brunch
• Delicious traditional Hanukkah holiday menus
• Midnight desserts—even on Christmas Eve, while waiting for Santa’s arrival

Holiday shows & entertainment

•  A spectacular line-up of holiday entertainment will exhilarate your holiday spirit

Special onboard holiday programming

• Professional singers caroling throughout the holiday season
• A gift-bearing appearance by Santa for the children
• A stunning New Year’s celebration with champagne and party favors

Holiday traditions

• Gingerbread houses created by teams of expert Pastry Chefs
• Perfectly trimmed holiday trees and dazzling decorations

Luxury accommodations

• Airy staterooms designed with all the right, tasteful details, including flat-screen TVs, down comforters and plush linens with twice daily turndowns.

Exceptional service

• Intuitive service with a keen eye for detail will let you escape daily routines.

Holiday escape from winter weather

• Enjoy tropical, blue skies, white sand beaches, and crystal clear waters, while enjoying the festivities of the holiday season together as a family

Happy Cruising !!

Youth Travel Pays Off

Traveling often supports kids' academic performance, leads to successful careers and increases the likelihood of continued travel throughout life - according to a survey conducted by the Student Youth & Travel Association and Explorica.

* 88 percent of respondents who traveled before the age of 18 received a college degree, with over a quarter going on to receive an advanced degree.

* More than 40 percent completed college with a GPA greater than 3.6

* Half reported a household income of more than $75,000, and almost a third at more than $100,000.

So the next time you worry about taking kids out of school for some travel wtih the family just think back to these eye opening statistics.

Excerpts taken from TravelAgent Magazine.