Why You Should Take Your Family On A European River Cruise

Parents and grandparents want to plan extraordinary family vacations,creating shared memories that will last a lifetime.  Iconic destinations help to generate these kinds of enriching vacation experiences.  Europe is a popular destination for family and multigenerational vacations, offering a rich tapestry of cultural, adventure and learning experiences for families with kids of all ages.  While European river cruising used to be viewed as primarily for adults, parents and grandparents have recently discovered its family appeal.  River cruising offers a relaxing way for families to enjoy Europe and make memories together.

Many of the major river cruise lines have created cruises that are now geared toward families.  Their designated multigenerational  cruises feature exciting family programs and special excursions, a dedicated Family Host to supervise kids' activities, attractive family pricing and more.  If your considering taking the kids to Europe, here are the best reasons to choose a river cruise for your family's next vacation:


1.  Effortlessly Explore the Heart of Europe.  In contrast to some other family vacation options, river cruises offer families a stress-free way to experience the charms of Europe.  Being on a river cruise is like vacationing aboard a floating family-friendly luxury boutique hotel.  Unpack once and let Europe's most picturesque villages and cities arrive at your doorstep each morning.  Because ships generally tie up in or close to town, families can experience these destinations in a relaxed manner.  It's usually easy to  stroll off the boat and walk to local shops, attractions and cafes.

2.  Extraordinarily All-Inclusive.  The price of these family river cruises includes nearly everything you need for a great European vacation.  Most cruise packages cover all scheduled airport transfers, some shore excursions with a variety of personalized options, all gratuities for onboard crew and local guides, all meals, some forms of unlimited beverages of every kind, ship-wide Internet and WI-FI access, free use of bicycles and much more in the price of their river cruise vacations.  This allows families to fully enjoy their vacation without worrying about logistics and budgets.  Some extra services are also available, such as spa treatments and additional optional shore excursions.

3.  Easy To Plan.  The all-inclusive approach of a river cruise makes planning European family vacations simple.  The cruise lines also offer very appealing  pre- and post-cruise packages for those who would like to stay a little longer and Explore Europe's cities and attractions in more detail.  It's very helpful for families to arrive a day or two before the cruise to cope with jet lag and potential travel delays.

4. Engaging Itineraries and Attractions.  River cruise lines offer family-friendly departures on the Rhine River, the Danube, the Seine River and other European waterways.  The itineraries have proven so popular the the major river cruise lines have tripled their family-friendly sailings in the last several years.  These multigenerational river cruises provide the kids with mind-expanding travel experiences, with the opportunities for families to spend quality time together while they experience some truly unique events.  The itineraries families can experience include exploring authentic medieval castles along the Upper Rhine River Valley, walk along the wing of a Boeing 747 airplane at Speyer's Tecknik Museum, take rides across vineyards and along scenic winding canals, enjoy hands-on exhibits and tasty chocolates in Vienna, and much more.

5.  Entertaining for Kids.  On multigenerational cruises, many lines have a Host is onboard to supervise the children and accompany exclusive family shore excursions.  They also design fun activities that will be engaging for both kids and family members.  Many of the family activities includes cooking demonstrations, tours of the wheelhouse with the Captain, and dedicated family excursions to a castle or a town.

6.  Excellent for Multigenerational Vacations.  Today's grandparents want to make lasting memories and share enriching new experiences with their families.  A relaxing river cruise is the perfect vehicle for achieving those goals.  The shore excursions feature exceptional guides who expertly will bring their cities and towns to life for guests of all ages.With a European river cruise, parents and grandparents will expose their children to the wonderful cultures of Europe in a fun and intimate way.

Are you ready for a stressfree way to see Europe with your parents & the kids?

There are Times to Call A Professional

When I meet new people and tell them that I work as a travel professional, there are often a lot of questions to come up. From asking “do travel agents still exist?” to hearing stories of vacation disasters that were easily preventable, I’ve heard it all.

What I have realized is that there are a lot of misconceptions about working with a travel professional, and I’d like to set the record straight! Here are just a few of the questions, and misconceptions I hear most often...

Do travel agents still exist? Can't I do it all myself online?

The internet has brought all kinds of fantastic information right to our fingertips, and for the most part, that can be an awesome thing… but sometimes you still need a professional!

It may sound crazy to say, but I feel like the internet is part of the reason why travel professionals are not only still relevant but can make the difference between a plain vanilla vacation and a swoon-worthy dream vacation.

It's easy to fall into information overwhelm or to discover too late that the information you relied on when planning your trip is hopelessly outdated and just plain wrong. Travel professionals know better!

We have a saying among travel experts… the internet is for looking, but travel agents are for booking.

Doing some homework online is a great place to start but working with a travel professional to plan all of the details and get your vacation booked is the best of both worlds. It will save you hours and hours spent sorting through info online and will make sure that you are getting the best value for your vacation dollars.

It’s sort of like the difference between using Web MD or going to visit your doctor. The information online is a good start, but you need a professional to truly get the best advice.

When does it make sense to use a travel professional?

All trips are not created equal and yes, there are times where it may make sense to do-it-yourself.

Are you planning to go to your cousin’s wedding in Dallas and all you need is a hotel room near the ceremony and reception (no activities, dining recommendations, other travel arrangements required)? That sounds like the perfect time to turn to the internet!

Planning to spend two weeks touring London and Paris this summer and you've never been there before? That calls for a professional! Someone who can direct you to the best places to stay, the "can't miss" dining locations the locals love, arrange private tours without the long lines and crowds to the must-see attractions, and make sure that your time (and money!) are spent experiencing the "best of the best" while you are there.

Think of it this way… when you are planning a Saturday spent running errands and maybe seeing a movie at the local cinema, you do your hair and makeup yourself. But if you are invited to a black-tie event or special occasion, you’ll plan on having your hairdresser do something special for you and may even book an appointment with a makeup artist to be sure you are looking your best, right? It’s the same with travel plans. When all you need are the basics, going the do-it-yourself route is fine, but for something special… you’ll have a better experience working with a professional!

You may even find that you enjoy the extra attention to detail and service you receive from a trusted travel expert so much that you allow him or her to take care of all of your travel planning, no matter how simple it seems!

Do travel agents have access to things that I don't? Sold out events… better rates at beautiful hotels… airline tickets I can't find online?

The answer to this one is yet es… and no.

Travel professionals develop relationships within the industry that can often open doors that, at first glance, may appear to be closed. They may be able to find tickets to a sold-out event… but don't wait till the last minute and expect those tickets at rock bottom prices!

Through our partnerships, we often have "buying power" that an individual consumer can't match. Sometimes that means better rates at the resort you are interested in, sometimes the price may be the same, but we can get access to upgrades or included amenities that are not available to the general public!

Quite often we can get our clients options like room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, room credits, free transportation or other "extras" all for the same price you would have paid if you booked it yourself.

It's crucial to understand travel agents don't own the resorts, entertainment venues, cruise ships or airplanes. They sell available inventory (rooms, tickets, spaces on an excursion, etc.), but they can't create new inventory if it doesn't exist. If your heart is set on an overwater bungalow at a resort that only has 20 available, or orchestra seats to see Hamilton on your anniversary, it's always best to plan well in advance and give your travel professional time to pull all the available strings in your favor!

What happens if something goes wrong? Does having a travel agent mean I can’t get things fixed right away?

Quite the contrary! When things go wrong, having a travel professional means having an advocate in your corner to help get things sorted out as quickly as possible.

We are often aware of potential “hiccups” in a travel itinerary before you are. It’s not uncommon for a travel professional to have already worked out a solution before you know that a problem exists.

When flights get delayed or canceled most travelers will be standing in line frustrated and stressed waiting to get their flights rebooked. Savvy travelers who booked with a travel professional will be relaxing at dinner while their agent works behind the scenes to rebook their flights and rearrange all of their planned activities to accommodate the schedule change. Which sounds more enjoyable?

Since we work with large numbers of travelers, our travel partners often give us access to priority service and make sure our clients are taken care of quickly.

Does it cost more to book my vacation with a travel professional?

The short answer to this question is no. While travel professionals are paid a commission from the suppliers we use to book your vacation, that commission is based on published pricing and fares. In plain English, that means the price for your vacation is the same whether you book it yourself or you use the services of a travel professional.

In fact, because of our connections and relationships, travel agents are often able to find a better value for your vacation dollars than what you see on your own. Whether it is a more beautiful resort for the same pricing or complementary upgrades, you might find your budget goes further when working with a travel expert!

When is the best time to contact a travel professional?

As soon as you are serious about planning your trip. The sooner, the better. Whether it's last minute or planned 18 months in advance, the more time you can give us, the better!

It's Time to Go! My Favorite Tips for Family Travel

It's getting to be that time of year that families start packing their bags with spring break upon us and summer fast approaching. So I would like to offer some tips to make this year's family vacation memorable and stress free.

Travelling with a young one under 3 and would love to have some adult time? This is a tricky one because most kids clubs both on land and sea start at age 4 and require potty training. Of course Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean on certain ships have a pay for nursery for your youngest, but what about land? Beaches Resorts, with 2 locations in Jamaica and the Turks & Caicos has certified nannies with a ratio of 3:1 included, but after hours care is extra. Karisma Resorts' Generations & Azul brands offer babysitting/nanny service for a fee. Another idea, invite the grandparents along, if they are anything like my late mother, she would insist you go out to dinner every night while she fusses over those kids. And don't think you need to pack a suitcase full of diapers & other supplies, there are companies who will have your favorite supplies waiting for you.

Thinking about visiting my friend Mickey at Disney World? Have you made your dining reservations yet? How about making your FastPass+ selections and what colors did you pick for your MagicBands? Still want to plan this yourself? Our travel agency’s knowledge of Disney products has earned us the distinction of being named an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. We were given this special designation by Disney as a result of our agency’s ongoing focus and commitment to planning customized, magical trips to the Disney Parks, Disney Cruise Line® and other Disney vacation destinations worldwide. Plus my insider knowledge gleaned from our many land & sea Disney trips.

Sailing the seas this summer? My December Cruise Tips give some of my top tips for cruising, which are even more important when travelling with toddlers to teens. Let's face it at any age kids don't like to wait and they do less well than us adults having to wake up at some ungodly hour to catch that early flight to the port. So flying in the previous day can help with those sulks and tantrums waiting to board the ship. Since your big suitcases will be delivered to your stateroom later, make sure you pack those swimsuits in your carry-on, because those slides will be calling your kids before they even see them.

Have a family unit bigger than 4 people and you haven't booked your trip yet? Get to it now! Those types of accommodations book fast, so don't wait. Depending on your family make up of ages, consider 2 rooms/staterooms, come on mom & dad do you really want to squeeze into one room and not have your privacy and worse have to share a bathroom with teens?

Also if you can't afford to leave a favorite toy or blanket, make sure that is the first thing that goes in the bag. Trust me on this, we made it to older childhood and luckily didn't leave a blankie behind. But watch what goes in a carry on. One of our bags was given extra time in the x-ray machine do to someone's Godzilla & friends collection, our eldest was in charge of that bag. He assumes that it was Hedorah, who is shaped a lump that caused TSA to give the bag an extra look or the TSA agent was just checking out my youngest's  Godzilla collection. Silly as it maybe it's moments like this, as the kids grow up that you remember. They are only young once, don't miss your chance to take Godzilla to the beach!

Experiences Makes Us Richer

As a travel professional, I value great experiences. The moments spent in awe of a beautiful view, a priceless piece of art or the wonder and pure joy on the face of a child as they experience something new and exciting are worth far more than the price of admission.

We all have a limited amount of time and money, and we are often faced with the dilemma of what is the best way to spend – or to invest – both of those resources.

We can choose from an endless assortment of high-tech gadgets, sparkly things, and material luxuries that will impress our friends and family… for a short time at least. Our children have lists of the gaming systems, toys, and fashion labels they want for their next birthday or holiday gift.

But once we’ve bought the latest iPhone or the expensive shoes, how long do they last? How long will they continue to bring joy? And how likely are they to be truly treasured by those around us after we are gone?

Compare that to experiences… sure, they are short-lived, but they enrich our lives in ways a new flat screen TV just can't. Sure, watching the big game or the cliffhanger of your favorite tv show in 82" of 4K vivid-color awesomeness will be fun but is it likely to make a difference in your life? 

For my family now that the kids are older(22 & 17) we don't give Christmas presents anymore. We give the gift of time together, away from work and school. This year we left Christmas day and spent the holidays on the Big Island. We loved it on our first trip 8 years ago and vowed to go back someday. Well a year ago we decide it's time to go.

How about standing with your family above the clouds at the summit of a dormant volcano in Hawaii – the milky way sparkling above in the inky darkness when you first arrive and then watching as the first dot of red light first appears in the eastern sky and ribbons or red, yellow and orange light begin to flood the crater of the volcano in front of you till the sun fully rises and you can look out into the distance and see the beautiful and rugged coastline of the Big Island of Hawaii peek out from the clouds that are breaking up in the morning light?

End of Chain of Craters Rd, Volcano National Park, Hawaii

 Or what about spending the day wandering the European town or village your ancestors called home? Taking a cooking class in the home of a native of the town and learning to prepare a local delicacy… laughing with your family as you attempt to speak phrases from the language or at each other with flour on your faces as your hands roll out the sticky dough. Having a private concert for you and your shipmates(you are one of 684) in the ruins in Ephesus on your Mediterranean cruise, followed by a private tour of Rome with your own guide and driver, customized just for you and your personal interests. 

The Coliseum before the crowds with our private tour

 Maybe you are more the adventurous sort, and your family dreams of trekking to see Dian Fossey’s beloved mountain gorillas in Rwanda. Having the unforgettable experience of sitting with them, hearing them communicate with each other and looking into their eyes. Following that up with a safari to see “the big 5” in their majestic natural habitats and maybe even ending the trip with a relaxing stay on one of the most picturesque and idyllic beaches on the spice island of Zanzibar.

Those experiences may be short-lived themselves, but they change us for the better. They create memories that will live in our hearts and minds forever and will live on as our loved ones say “remember when…” long after we are gone.

That’s a pretty tall order for an Apple watch that is going to be outdated in 2 years!

Even if your family’s vacations aren’t as elaborate as these, the time you spend together relaxing and enjoying each other’s company without the distractions of everyday life will be worth far more than any gadget ever will. The memories you create will be truly priceless and will be treasured more dearly than any physical possession ever will.

Should You Pass on Travel Insurance?

And no it's not a travel pillow

Think about the last time you rented a car.

Did you take the optional insurance?

Do you see that insurance as a good investment or a waste of money? It seems like a good percentage of travelers say no to this optional upgrade for a variety of reasons.

The most common reasons are that they believe themselves to be a “good driver” and that they have car insurance at home that will cover them in a rental car… or that the credit card they used to pay for the rental offers additional coverage as well.

I don't have strong opinions on rental car insurance, but when it comes to travel insurance, I'm always ready to hop up on my soapbox and let my clients know what I think!

I, like any travel professional worth their salt, recommend travel insurance to each and every one of my clients. Unfortunately, most travelers don't understand what the policy covers and when they really should be spending the extra money to purchase travel insurance.

“We know we aren’t going to cancel so we don’t need cancellation insurance.”

If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard a client speak those words, I’d be jet setting the world and probably writing this from a luxury over the water bungalow in Bora Bora!

Let me be clear, travel insurance is so much more than cancellation insurance! In fact, as a travel professional, it’s my opinion that the “cancellation” part of your policy is one of the least important things to consider!

While there are simple cancellation insurance policies available, true travel insurance covers so many things that you probably aren't even thinking of when you book your vacation. Things like travel delays, lost luggage, lost or stolen valuables, medical emergencies (for a member of your travel party or a loved one at home), dental emergencies, evacuations, lost travel documents, and more.

“We have health insurance coverage so we’ll be fine.”

That's another comment I hear often, and while that may be true if you are traveling within the US, more than likely it isn't going to help for international travel.

It is highly unlikely that your regular health insurance will cover anything at all if you are outside of the US. Check your policy carefully before you decide to rely on it for international travel. Even if it provides some coverage, you will probably be required to pay for any treatment or medication out of pocket and then file for reimbursement when you return. A good travel insurance policy will usually allow the doctor or hospital to bill them directly up to your coverage limitations.

There are certain situations where I believe travel insurance should be considered a must. I feel so strongly about this that I ask my clients in these situations to sign a waiver if they choose to decline to purchase a travel insurance policy.

·       International travel – A medical or dental emergency abroad can be financially devastating. Many hospitals will collect your passport at admission and will not return it until your bill has been paid. Do you have the financial resources to handle a medical emergency should one arise?

·       Cruises – While there is a doctor on board every cruise ship, the ship's infirmary can only handle simple things. Should you have a medical emergency, you would need to be evacuated off of the ship by helicopter. Onboard a cruise ship, a medical emergency can be something as simple as a broken ankle. The cost of evacuation from the ship is typically in the tens of thousands of dollars… and it won't be covered by your health insurance even if you are evacuated to a US port.

·       You, a travel companion or someone at home has a chronic medical condition – Travel insurance will cover cancellation for illness or injury of a member of your travel party or a family member at home. The decision to stay home and lose potentially thousands of dollars in nonrefundable fees can make an already stressful situation even worse. Better to be able to get those fees reimbursed and plan your travel for a better time. (NOTE: make sure to check your travel insurance policy for any pre-existing condition terms. There are policies available that waive these clauses if purchased within a specified time frame after booking).

Travel is an investment. You’ve likely saved for your vacation for quite some time. Be sure you are making a smart decision in how you want to protect that investment! Take the time to review and discuss your travel insurance needs before each trip.