Family

Family vacation planning, also known as guerilla warfare

by

Every year, I plan a family vacation, and inevitably, my mind drifts back to how easy it was, when I was a single adult- or even newly married- to plan a trip.  Pick your destination, pack a bag, and go! That’s hardly the case now.  Gone are the days when vacations were all about what I wanted to do.  (Honestly, the adage “If mama’s not happy, nobody’s happy” merely produces a sarcastic snort from me.) Much closer …

Read moreFamily vacation planning, also known as guerilla warfare

The Great American Cruise- American Cruise Lines keeps it domestic

by

Thinking of taking a cruise, but don’t want to fly internationally?  There are a large number of domestic ports, so most of us can sail on a cruise without ever having to fly.  (See a map of U.S. cruise ports here.)  From these ports, you can cruise close to home, or go almost anywhere in the world. If you really want to stay domestic, though, you might start taking a look at U.S. river/coast cruises.  There are …

Read moreThe Great American Cruise- American Cruise Lines keeps it domestic

The Best Things About Norwegian Cruise Line’s Ships- From a Teen Perspective

by

Like most parents, the main objective for our family vacations is simply to have a great time together.  The trick is finding options that appeal to both adults and children- things that are fun to do, hold our interest, and provide the opportunity to really enjoy our experience.  We’ve found that one of the best options in vacationing is a cruise- there are so many amenities aboard, they’re sure to please one and all. We’ve been looking …

Read moreThe Best Things About Norwegian Cruise Line’s Ships- From a Teen Perspective

Family cruising; small companies can take you “off the beaten path”

by

The large cruise line companies undoubtedly have a myriad of activities for all ages, and they are quite popular with families because of the variety they offer.  So, as a traveling family, is it worth looking at smaller ships for your next cruise vacation? Absolutely.  Smaller, more niche lines are great- and they cater to those of you wanting to take a more “off the beaten path” family voyage. Believe it or not, when it comes to …

Read moreFamily cruising; small companies can take you “off the beaten path”

Cruise lines and responsibility for children

by

Those of us who are involved in the cruise industry know that one of their major focuses over the last decade has been making their ships more and more family friendly.  In catering to this demographic, they have introduced bigger and better entertainment facilities, children’s programs, and shore excursions designed specifically with children and families in mind. The question comes to mind, then, what responsibility the cruise lines bear for the children aboard their lines.  In my …

Read moreCruise lines and responsibility for children

Everything you want to know about Disney Cruise Line

by

A close friend of mine recently traveled with her family on Disney Cruise Line; a quick 5-day jaunt from San Diego down into Mexico and back, and she said it was, hands-down, the best family vacation they’ve ever had. Given that Disney is perhaps the most recognized name in family entertainment in the world, it’s oftentimes the number one choice for families researching a cruise vacation.  And while you can find a wealth of information on the …

Read moreEverything you want to know about Disney Cruise Line

Our Family’s Visit to Disney and the Four Seasons Walt Disney World Resort

by

DISNEY- Just saying the word invokes so many feelings for so many people. It’s a magical, expensive, wonderfully tiring trip, that in the end, brings joy to the whole family! Growing up in Florida, I had many chances to visit Walt Disney World with my parents, and I wanted to make sure our girls got to experience the same magic that I remember loving as a child. So, on one of our annual trips to South Florida …

Read moreOur Family’s Visit to Disney and the Four Seasons Walt Disney World Resort

Norwegian Cruise line to employ certified lifeguards on select ships this summer

by

Norwegian Cruise Line today announced that the line will begin employing certified lifeguards at all of the family pools across their fleet. The first responders will be trained and certified by the American Red Cross in lifesaving rescue measures and will monitor the family pools during scheduled pool hours. The lifeguards will begin service this summer on the line’s four largest ships – Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Epic – and on the remainder …

Read moreNorwegian Cruise line to employ certified lifeguards on select ships this summer

Lifeguards or not: Safety first!

by

Dear Family Travelers: With little fanfare, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines has begun to implement a fleet-wide water safety program with lifeguards, coast guard approved life jackets, water safety signage and what I believe is a first — water safety activities in its organized Adventure Ocean kids and teens program. The goal is “to raise awareness amongst our guests about the importance of vigilance while enjoying water features on our ships,” the company statement said. At the moment, …

Read moreLifeguards or not: Safety first!

Taking the Kids Annual Family Cruise Guide

by

Kids are everywhere on cruise ships these days, whether you are in the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska or far-flung destinations like the Galapagos Islands and even the polar regions. According to the 2016 Portrait of American Travelers, more travelers who travel with kids (63 percent) as compared to those without kids (56%) are interested in a cruise vacation and, with a projected 25.3 million passengers projected for 2017, kids will indeed be everywhere. Welcome to our Taking the …

Read moreTaking the Kids Annual Family Cruise Guide