The Best of Both Worlds - A Family Cruise to Bermuda

   

       When it comes to taking a vacation on a cruise ship, seasoned travelers seem to have strong opinions on the subject, both pro and con.  But there is no denying the impact the cruise industry has had on how families travel over the last several decades, and they're working overtime to appeal to kids of all ages.  More and more ships are being built with state-of-the-art kids clubs, water slides, arcades, climbing walls, sports courts, and other activities designed for kids and teens.  And it's working.  Families now account for the second largest segment of cruise passengers behind only the retires.  Yet, despite all the new family friendly features on the cruise ships, if you and your family likes to explore and get to really know each port of call; then booking a cruise may not be for you.  Arriving into port in the morning and departing later that afternoon - as most cruises do - simply does not leave enough time to explore.  However, one destination seems to be a notable exception, one where you can enjoy all of a ship's on board activities and facilities, and immerse yourself in the local culture: Bermuda.

       What is great about a cruise to Bermuda is that on a seven night cruise, in addition to the four days at sea, you are docked on the island for three full days at Kings Wharf.  This allow you plenty of opportunities to explore all the fabulous places and experiences that Bermuda has to offer in detail and at your leisure. Accommodations on the island are limited and can get pricey.  With this option, you don't have to book a hotel or worry about where to dine out: the ship takes care of all that.  (As someone who travels regularly with a family of four, I know how the expenses for lodging and meals can add up quickly).

       With three full days on the island you will find a treasure trove of of places and activities for the whole family to enjoy.  The beach at Horseshoe Bay is world famous for its pink sand and rainbow-colored reefs, and is a prime location for families to enjoy.  Snorkeling is an activity the whole family can enjoy together, and the ares around Church Bay and Tobacco Bay are among the best family-friendly options you will find in North America.  If the kids want a day away from the water, a trip to the Crystal and Fantasy Caves to check out the amazing stalactites and stalagmites is an awe-inspiring visit.  If their is a golfer in the family, renting some clubs and playing a round at one of numerous world famous golf courses is a must.  And just visiting the towns and people of the high class former British colony is a treat.  Scooters are a popular and fun way to see the island.  The local buses provide a good alternative, and you can buy a three day pass that will take you anywhere on the island.  If you want a more scenic view, hop the ferry to Hamilton or St. George's for a great day trip.

      Cruises to Bermuda are offered seasonally, with the summer months being the most popular.  With cruises to Bermuda being offered from New York, Boston, and Baltimore, by Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean Line.  Each line offers tons of on board family activities and multiple dining options, and some of the cruise lines are running their newer, and larger ships, which will offer plenty of company for your kids to enjoy the cruise with, ( during the peak summer months there will be 300-600 kids on board cruise to Bermuda).  For example, Norwegian Cruise Line places a great importance in family cruises to Bermuda by sailing their newest ship, the Norwegian Breakaway, seasonally out of New York City.  The Breakaway is the ultimate in family cruising; featuring a the Aqua Park with five multistory waterslides, a three level Sports Complex, featuring a rock wall, ropes course and a miniature golf course.  Other features for the kids Nickelodeon themed excitement and multi storied clubs for everyone based on age, and its all complimentary and supervised, so mom and dad can get some personnel time.  Add to that, three decks of daytime and nighttime entertainment, 28 dining options, with Norwegian's famous "freestyle dining", were no set dining time or formal dress up is require.  In addition the cruise has three family friendly Broadway shows and fireworks; you can see why Norwegian is targeting the family for a Bermuda cruise.  With a great island with perfect  weather to explore over multiple days; and great ships like the Norwegian Breakaway that offers endless shipboard activities for the entire family, this may be the perfect combination for a family cruise that everyone will love.

What's on Your Travel Bucket List?

 

Everyone should have a travel bucket list and everyone's should be different(life would be very boring if we all liked the same things). And certainly don't just copy one down from a travel magazine, base it on your own personal interests. My own personal list is rather eclectic, lots of historical site, those ooo ahh natural wonders that I want to see in person, locations that I have read about or seen on a television program.

Last summer I was able to cross Istanbul Turkey off my list. For history buffs, they also know this city as Constantinople which was a Roman/Byzantine capital till 1453. Touring the magnificent Haiga Sophia and thinking of it's long and varied history was an amazing moment for me, one that I will remember forever.

Maybe you are a Downton Abbey fan and would love to go to England to see Highclere Castle, but there are other "stately" homes that might interest you also. Blenheim Palace, the only non Royal palace in England is the home of the Duke of Marlborough. It is also the birthplace of Winston Churchill.

courtesy of blenheimpalace.com

Consider heading up to Derbyshire to Chatsworth House, home to the Duke of Devonshire's family since the 16th century.


courtesy of peakdistrictinformation.com

 

 

Is Nature is more your thing, staying close to home you have the wonders of the US National Parks, from Acadia National Park in Maine to Denali National Park in Alaska, these are wonderful choices for awe inspiring vistas right in our own "backyard". Of course an African safari in the Serengeti/Masai Mara offers you the largest concentration of wild animals you will ever see and landscapes that have inspired Hemingway and other great authors.

 

It's great adding items to your travel bucket list, but get off the sofa and go! I can't think of a better way to end this blog then to add these words of travel wisdom from Vicki Freed of Royal Caribbean,

 You never know what tomorrow’s going to bring, so travel whenever you can. Plan it into your life—it’s not going to happen by itself. So many people make excuses to put off their vacations. Not this year. Maybe when the kids are away. Just waiting for things to ease up at work. Every excuse is another obstacle between you and that feeling of wonder from being somewhere new, the thrill of exploring different cultures and the unforgettable memories that come with each new discovery. Don’t wait until it’s too late—fill up on those amazing memories now. I promise you won’t regret it.

 

 



Mediterranean Cruise Travel Tips

             The idea of a Mediterranean cruise brings to mind blue waters, sunny beaches, major cities and small villages, world famous museums, ancient churches and ruins, great food and interesting cultures.  For the enterprising traveler, a cruise ship - which cuts down on travel time, and essentially provide you a floating hotel - a creates a convenient way to experience the Mediterranean and all the history and culture and beauty she has to offer.  Its no wonder that after the Caribbean and Alaska, the Mediterranean is the most popular cruise destination for Americans year after year. Traveling on a cruise to the Mediterranean at first look,  may seem a little daunting, with the different languages and cultures.  But with a little planning  and understanding your options, you can ensure you will have the most satisfying cruise experience.


When to Go
       Weather in the Mediterranean is marked by warm dry summers and wet winters.  So summer is the traditional season for Mediterranean cruises, when the sun is warm and the weather makes shore excursions enjoyable, but also the season for of the highest demand by far.  If you go in the summer book your cruise as far in advance as possible and use transportation where available when on shore.  If you can't deal with the crowds at the Colosseum in Rome during the summer heat, you can avoid the crowds and the heat by booking cruises early in the season - April and May -- and later, after Labor Day till early October.  You will save money on cruise fare and airfare by traveling in shoulder months.

What Itinerary to Choose
       Routes in the Mediterranean depend on the cruise line you select and the length of your stay.  The cruise lines separate the Mediterranean into two areas, east and west.  Western Mediterranean cruises stop in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and France.  They tend to offer a wider variety of on-shore options, ranging from sunny beaches to cultural and historic hot spots.  You should pay attention to the size of a ship cruising to the western Mediterranean.  Big ships tend to focus on the largest ports, while smaller ships dock in more out of the way towns and villages.
       Eastern cruises travel to Greece, Turkey, and Croatia.  Most of them emphasize Greece for its combination of ancient culture and inviting islands; other destinations in the area focus more on museums and ruins, with less attention on the beaches.  Because the Mediterranean offers so many options, focus on a few specific areas you absolutely want to see and book the cruise that covers those areas, leaving the remainder of the region for another trip.

Which Cruise Line
       At the same time you're considering which countries to visit, check out the offerings of your favorite cruise  line.  In selecting a cruise line for a Mediterranean vacation, first-timers might ask themselves some questions about their expectations.  If your traveling with children, you might consider family friendly Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line or MSC Cruises.  If your more interested in good food, luxurious accommodations, adult activities, smaller ports and extended shore excursions; try a premium cruise line like Princess, or Celebrity, or luxury brands such as Oceania Cruises or Azamara Club Cruises.  Another decision you need to decide is on the atmosphere of the ship.  If you want more of an American themed ship, with English only language spoken and American themed meals and entertainment then sail on ships from American based lines like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, or Princess.  These lines run a limited number of ships on limited routes mostly on a seasonal basis.  If you want a more international cruise experience, with announcements made in multiple languages, and the blend of passengers more mixed, then a European based line like MSC or Costa Lines is for you.  Plus these cruise lines sail year round in the Mediterranean and offer more trip options than the American lines do.

Park City, Utah - A Great Summer Destination

       If your like my family, mention Park City, and the image of a world-class ski destination comes to mind.  Everyone in my family loves our annual ski holiday at one of the great ski resorts that surrounds the city.  From the perfect snow to the world class restaurants on Main Street, to the convenience of being located only a 45 minute drive from a major airport in Salt Lake City; to my family and thousands of other families, Park City offers the perfect winter holiday.  But those same traits, along along with some great new ones, make Park City a great destination for an unforgettable summer family vacation.

       In the summer, the city comes alive with great festivals and is a mecca for outdoor activities.  Summer lasts longer too, with moderate temperatures well into the Fall.  With quick and easy access from Salt Lake City International airport, Park City offers something most other western resorts do not - time savings -  in eliminating the hours waiting for a connecting fight at an airport, to reducing the hours of driving from an airport to arrive there.  Best of all, the hotel rack rates are drastically less than what you'd pay in the winter; including some world class facilities.

Outdoor Adventures
       From great and affordable public golf, with spectacular mountain views to hiking and biking, adventure parks to great mountain fishing, Park City has many ways to enjoy the great outdoors.  The Utah Olympic Park, where you can watch Olympic hopefuls training or enjoys activities including a bobsled ride on the actual Olympic course, or an alpine ride.   Don't miss the Flying Ace All Star Freestyle Show on Sundays, where the winter Olympic hopefuls zoom down ski ramps and land in the pool.  The three Park City City ski resorts, (Deer Valley Resort, Park City Mountain Resort, and the Canyons Resort), each offer many miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking surrounded by spectacular scenery.  If you want even better vistas for enjoying the view, consider a ride on one of the gondolas or chair lifts the resorts run during the summer.  The Canyons and Park City resorts also offer even more activities including ziplines, an alpine coaster, fishing and horseback riding.

Entertaining Arts
       Summer in Park City offer seemingly endless opportunities to enjoy the arts, surrounded by the great outdoors.  Festivals are held throughout the season, including the Park City Kimball Arts Festival, held in early August with over 200 artists exhibiting along with local artisan food tastings.  The always popular Deer Valley Music Festival features the Utah Symphony giving pop-style outdoor concerts.  Other great music venues include the Saturday Summer Concerts Series, running all summer at the Canyons Resort, and the Big Stars Bright Nights Concerts Series at Deer Valley, featuring world famous artists that reach across the music spectrum from Lyle Lovett to Mandy Patinkin.  If your a foodie, then the Savor the Summit, and the Park City Food and Wine Classic are for you.  These two events, both taking place on Main Street, are great outdoor dinner parties, with tastings and classes, showcase why Park City has so many award winning restaurants.  If you have ever wanted to attend the Sundance Film Festival in January, but can't make it, go to the Canyons Resort Summer Film Series.  Shown outdoors all summer beginning at dusk, the film series presents a selection of Sundance Festival films.

Main Street
       Even with three great resorts, and all the area activities, the heart of Park City can still be found on Main Street.  The street itself is lined with great local restaurant serving a wide variety of mouth-watering delights that will satisfy any appetite. Mix in numerous shops featuring local artists and plenty of artisan and craft bars, yes you can drink in Utah, and you have a great place to enjoy a relaxing day or evening and hiking the trails.  Don't miss the weekly Park Silly Sunday Market, held every Sunday, where Main Street is closed to autos and the street is open to pedestrians to enjoy local arts and crafts, activities for the kids, food vendors, and a beer garden with live entertainment that runs all day.  If you want to learn about the colorful past of Park City in the 1800's as a mining town, check out the Park City Museum or take a popular ghost tour of the old town.