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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
If you’re thinking of taking a family cruise this fall, once school has started and there is more availability on the ships, take a look at Disney Cruise Line. (After all, nobody does a party for kids like Disney, and if Halloween is a family favorite, you’re going to love what they have to offer this fall.) Here’s what the line says they have in store for a Halloween celebration! “Mickey’s Mouse-querade Party, a celebration in addition …
Crystal is well known throughout the industry for their spectacular shore excurstions, and now Crystal Yacht Cruises allows guests to extend their vacations with an immersive safari adventure. Here are details, straight from the line…. “Through Crystal’s popular “Extended Land Programs” – multi-night excursions that take travelers deeper into a destination, with all the details overseen by Crystal’s expert team – next year’s Crystal Esprit voyages in the Seychelles feature a post-cruise four-day safari through East Africa. The …
An inaugural cruise: The phrase conjures visions of champagne christenings, celebrity godmothers and brand-new ship facilities and amenities. Is it all it’s cracked up to be? Here are some issues to consider when deciding if to book an inaugural cruise on the newest and greatest ship: The concept of a maiden voyage can be confusing, as the cruise ship will have an inaugural season, during which there will be several maiden voyages of different itineraries – …
Congratulations to our AllThingsCruise Editor- At-Large Heidi Allison-Shane! She recently published the 2016 Family-Friendly Cruise Travel Planner, a free guide to family cruising. This guide details everything you could ever want to know about taking your family on a cruise, and the LA Times has taken notice! They published a glowing review here, which is copied in full below. What should you consider when planning a family cruise? This free guide tells all Mary Forgione Quick, what are the …
As autism awareness grows, it’s a welcome sight to see the leaps and bounds that the cruise lines are making to better serve those with special needs. Did you know that Celebrity Cruises has Autism friendly ships? Here’s information, direct from the line, on what that means: Autism Friendly Ships Celebrity Cruises® has achieved Autism Friendly Cruise Line status, having completed Autism Friendly Certification with Autism on the Seas™. Autism Friendly Certification is awarded to cruise lines …
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