Choose the Right Cruise for Your Family

When clients come to me looking for a “fun for the whole family” vacation with lots of activities for the kids but still gives Mom and Dad time for relaxation, a family cruise is almost always among my list of recommendations.


Cruises are an excellent way for families to see the world and have a ton of fun along the way. Cruise ships have become almost like a destination unto themselves… and they take you to some pretty exciting and scenic locations as well.

There are so many fantastic ships and itineraries out there that it can be hard to pick the one that is right for you.


Here are my top tips for things to consider for your first family cruise…


Get the kids involved in planning.

Find out what your kids feel is the most important part of a cruise vacation. Are they excited by the activities on the ship or by the adventures they can have in port? Are there specific things they want to experience or are looking forward to? There is something for everyone but knowing where everyone’s priorities lie will help you sort through the options.


Does size matter?

When it comes to choosing the right cruise ship for your family, size does matter. Smaller cruise ships feel more intimate, and your family may have an easier time finding your way around on board. You’ll have more interaction with the crew as well, but you may be one of the few families onboard. On the other hand, the larger “mega ships” have more activities and more options for dining. There may be more extensive kids programming available on the larger ships if that is something that is important to you.

Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class Ship

photo ©Royal Caribbean International

Short trip or longer escape?

Whether you are looking for a long weekend or a two-week holiday, there are cruise options available. Consider the amount of time you have for your vacation. Longer cruises allow for more sea days in addition to your days in port. Don’t underestimate the importance of having some time to explore and enjoy your cruise ship. Sea days often provide the relaxation that you are hoping to get from your vacation.

Relaxing on a Sea Day

How important are the dining options?

For many of my clients, dining is a huge part of their cruise vacation! Cruise lines can vary widely in their approach to dining. From the atmosphere to type of cuisine, the options are just about endless. Do you want traditional cruise dining with an assigned dining time, dining room and table where you get to know your wait staff and table mates? Or would you prefer a system with multiple dining options where things operate more like a restaurant where you can either make a reservation or show up when you are ready to eat and wait for the first available table? Do you want a ship where all of the dining options are included in the cost of your cruise, or do you want the opportunity to pay a nominal fee for specialty or premium restaurants on board (though free dining options are always available as well!)?



What type of accommodations do you want?

A cruise ship may feel like a floating hotel, but the type of rooms available are much less flexible. Many staterooms are only set up to accommodate 2 or 3 people with a limited number of rooms designed for 4. Families of 5 are even more limited in their choices. While some ships have a handful of larger rooms for groups of 5, others do not have options for more than 4 people. Are you looking for rooms that connect with a door between them? Those can be limited as well. You may need to book early to make sure you can get connecting rooms.


Stateroom considerations go far beyond just occupancy. How important is the view outside your room… or are you okay with sacrificing a view at all to save money? For some families, the ability to relax on your balcony while you have breakfast is non-negotiable. For others, an inside stateroom with no window at all is perfectly fine, but that saves hundreds is absolutely fine. And where do you want to be on the ship? Is proximity to the “action” like the dining rooms, kids’ clubs, and other activities important to you? Is anyone in your party susceptible to sickness? If so, your cabin location becomes very important.



Top Tip… Get Help from an Expert

An expert travel planner knows the right questions to ask to match your family to the perfect cruise ship and itinerary. They will also guide you through the process of selecting a stateroom that meets all of your needs and expectations and will assist you with planning activities and shore excursions that will be fun for all members of your travel party.


Travel professionals often have access to special pricing or amenities that are not available to the general public. Whether or not your selected sailing has special pricing available, a travel professional such as those here at Cruise Planners-Unique Family Adventures are well versed at ensuring that you get the best possible pricing for your cruise. They can advise you on your best options for everything from pre or post cruise hotel options to travel insurance and shore excursions. We have agents who have cruised as children and now are cruising with their children.

5 Trips You Should Take If You Win The Lottery

Admit it you buy Powerball or Mega Millions tickets when the jackpot is some huge amount. And then dream about what you would do if you won. Pay off your mortgage, make sure your parents are taken care of, put money in college accounts for the kids. Take a trip. Because money isn't an issue here are some trips that you may want to put on your list.

1. Around the world by private jet- You will do it in 26 days, not 80 and fly in Abercrombie & Kent's private  Boeing 757 with lay-flat seats and only 50 passengers. Dedicated flight crew with you the whole trip and tour directors. Visit in one trip, cruise the Amazon River and visit Easter Island are few of the highlights along the way. On some trips you will be joined by A&K's founder.

2. Cruise to Antarctica- It is an ultimate bucket list trip, the scenery and wildlife will be etched in your memory forever. There are ships that cater to more adventurous travelers and others that are pure luxury. All will have polar experts on board that will allow you to gain more understanding of this continent.

3. African Safari- There are so many options here, the traditional Kenya/Tanzania trip to see the Great Migration and South Africa if you are not wanting to spend 2 weeks in the bush and see Cape Town and some of the great South African Vineyards. You can tag on trips to Uganda/Rwanda to see the Silverback gorilla, Botswana for Chobe National Park, one of the largest concentrations of game in Africa and Okavango River Delta. And don't forget Victoria Falls on the border of Zambia/Zimbabwe. Scheduled safaris are usually small groups since the camps are not large. And safaris can be tailored made to fit what you want to see.

4. Galapagos Islands- If you are in to wildlife this is the trip for you, because the majority of species only live here and the best way to see the islands is by cruise ship. These are smaller more intimate ships where you go off in small groups to explore the islands. Galapagos Giant Tortoise, Galapagos Iguana and the Galapagos Penguin. Once again these cruises have experts on board to enhance your experience.

5. World Cruise- Unpack once and see the world, that's what you can do on a world cruise. The typical world cruise is around 100 days and departs in January, great way to get out of the snow for us Northerners. Many cruise lines offer these types of cruises, from the familiar Princess, historic Cunard and the ultra luxury ships of Crystal & Regent Seven Seas. 100 days too long, you can book segments of the world cruise that concentrate on a  region that interests you.

These are my top 5 picks, what are your top picks for money is no option travel?





















































































© Micro10x | Dreamstime.com - Woman Holding Lottery Ticket Photo

Great Ideas for a Fall Family Vacation

Okay, maybe your job or the kids sports or band camps are keeping the family from taking a traditional family summer vacation.  But that doesn't mean you can't take a family getaway.  Just because summer is over, doesn't mean the fun is over.  There is no better time than the fall to get away for a few days or even a week to savor our kids, laugh with our spouse and just enjoy time as a family.  Here are some great Fall getaway ideas that the whole family will love and always remember.

Exercise Your Ski Legs at Mountain Resorts

Before the snow falls, mountain resorts have lots of activities and lodging bargains, making them a great choice.  Mountain bike, hike together and leave some road trip time to watch the aspen change color.

Aspen, Colorado is the place to hike, mountain bike, fly fish, golf, disc golf on the highest disc golf course in North America and indulge at a spa when hotel rates are as much as 50% off in one of the most spectacular times of the year in Aspen.  Check out the guided hikes at the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, enjoy yoga on Aspen Mountain, and enjoy some of the best food and shopping around.

This fall make Sugarbush Resort in Warren,VT part of your scenic foliage getaway.  Daily activities include golf at Sugarbush's Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed course, lunch and apres at Hogan's Pub, and hiking  along the Long Trail in the majestic Green Mountains.  Weekend and holidays through Columbus Day bring scenic lift rides on top of Dadd Peak, disc golf on two 18-hole courses and over 20 miles of lift-served mountain biking.  Kids activities include splinting and bouncing - both on the bungee trampoline and in the inflatable course.

Jackson, Wyoming is the gateway to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and fall is an ideal time to visit - after the summer crowds are gone.  Unlike other snow resorts, Jackson is busier in the summer the the winter.  Explore Grand Teton National Park with an expert from the Teton Science Schools and see the wildlife in Yellowstone.  Go horseback riding and experience the authentic Wyoming ranching culture.  Ride the tram up at Jackson Hole snow resort and mountain bike or hike down.

Kick Back at a Island Resort

You'll find top values, warm weather, world class beaches, and fun seasonal festivals on the major Caribbean islands, and lower cost flights in the shoulder season between Labor day and Thanksgiving. The combination makes traveling to the islands a great family getaway, whether for a quick weekend or even for a week during a fall school break.

With three locations in Turks & Caicos and Jamaica, Beaches Resorts is the ultimate family getaway with waterparks, XBOX Play Lounge, the Scratch DJ Academy, exclusive Kids Camps, teen nightclubs, Certified Nannies, Butler service, and Red Lane Spas.  Beaches has been partnered with Sesame Street - little ones can spend time with their favorite friends from the Sesame Street gang with daily activities and weekly stage shows.

Take the whole family for a long weekend in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands - no passports are required.  A little closer to home, the city of Nassau in the Bahamas is serviced from most major U.S. airports, and allows you quick access to world class Atlantis Resort, which offers something great for the entire family, and is located on Paradise Island.  For something more exotic, head for an outer island of the Bahamas and  "Two Fly Free from Nassau".

Just be mindful that Fall is also the height of the Caribbean hurricane season.  Don't let that ruin your family vacation plans. Check what kind of hurricane plan your hotel has, and look into purchasing low cost travel insurance; which will cover your costs if something did happen.

Cruise From a Home Port Near Your Home

You have some 30 ports to choose from and you can go for a long weekend or  a week, whether you want to head to Bermuda from New Jersey, up to Canada from Boston or New York, the Caribbean from Galveston or Florida or Mexico from California.  Check with your travel professional; great shoulder season deal are available and you might still be able to snare a deal for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

And whether your kids are not in school yet or you're looking for an adult getaway, opt for a cruise  on a luxury liner instead of a driving trip to see the best of the fall foliage.  With luxurious dining, accommodations, entertainment and activities in the price, it is an experience you will truly love.  Many of the major cruise lines sail special New England and Canada itineraries at this of year.  Princess Cruises offers great and really memorable 7 on the Regal Princess and 10 night itineraries on the Caribbean Princess from New York in the Fall.

Norwegian Cruise Line is a great way for a family to enjoy a cruise.  The cruise line's newest ships; the Norwegian Breakaway sailing from New York to Bermuda and the Caribbean and the Norwegian Getaway; sail year-round from Miami to the Caribbean are made for families.  Both have some of the largest water parks at sea complete with a splash zone for the littlest cruisers, huge sports complexes, Broadway productions, Nickelodeon Characters and over two dozen different dining options.

Disney Cruise Line sets the standard for family cruises.  Sailing from Galveston as well as Florida and the West Coast some at certain times during the Fall.  You'll find a nursery at sea, all the characters and princesses your kids want to see and first-rate kids and teen facilities and programming including for Halloween this year.  Plus you get the accommodations and service which Disney is known for, and everyone loves Disney's private island.

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.

Ringing in the New Year with a Princess

After much debating, which goes along with just about every trip in my house, we decided to go on Princess Cruises' Crown Princess over New Year's week, sailing her 7 night Mexican Rivera itinerary out of Los Angeles. The ports we would be visiting were Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán & Cabo San Lucas, along with three sea days.

This is not my first time on Princess, I have been sailing with them since 1980 and as a whole they did not disappoint me again. Even though it was a holiday sailing and the ship was at capacity the Crown Princess handled the crowds well. But if you are not used to sailing during busy holiday times, and dealing with a full ship with plenty of children it could be a shock to your system.

Embarkation: Princess Cruises is now doing "progressive check in" based on what deck your cabin is located. So no need to show up really early unless you like to sit and wait. Relatively smooth considering we were probably sailing with every extra berth filled. One of the "Princess Pluses" is when you get on the ship your stateroom is ready and you can drop off your carry on instead of lugging it around with you.

Staterooms: We had a balcony and an interior across the hall for the kids on the Caribe Deck(Deck 10) aft. Our stateroom steward, Jobert did a fine job, even dealing with a cabin of teenage boys that wanted to sleep in! Princess stateroom's are functional with enough storage space. Big thumbs up for the queen size pillows.

Food: Well this is a subjective subject, so take this for what it is worth and we only went to the main dining room for dinner. I enjoy Princess's dining room food, and was happy with what I ordered, usually taking our waiter's suggestions. Had traditional dining at 6 and Alberto & Noel took great care of us, poor Noel was kept busy keeping sodas coming for my sons and the 2 boys at the next table. We are fairly simple breakfast eaters, so the buffet worked well for us and lunch usually meant grabbing some of the best pizza at sea and a salad. The International Café in the Piazza is open 24 hours and has breakfast & light lunch/dinner items along with sweet treats.

Piazza

And other than the gelato, the food is included in your fare. We passed on the specialty restaurants on this sailing.

Entertainment: Princess gets some of the funniest family friendly comedians I have ever heard. Princess sticks with traditional production shows, the Motown tribute really showcased the talented singers. The solo shows, featuring a tribute to Billy Joel and a magician were worth going to see. The 2nd show of the evening is the best to go to as it isn't as crowded. New Years' Eve there were two main party areas, pool deck and the Piazza. We went to the pool deck party and the best thing was no one had to worry about driving home after midnight.

Ports & Excursions: Princess excursions were excellent. The snorkel trip to the Marieta Island, off Puerto Vallarta gave us bonus whale watching, excellent snorkeling, blue footed booby sightings and a chance to swim to the hidden beach

swimming to the hidden beach

. Great crew on the boat and a good lunch with adult drinks on the way back to the dock. Cabo San Lucas whale watching, that was the nicest whale watching boat I have ever been on (have done excursions in Alaska & Maine), unlimited drinks(hair of the dog on New Year's Day) and chips and salsa.

El Arco de Cabo San Lucas

The excursion we booked privately to Copala  was interesting, the town was founded in 1565 but was glad we did it with a smaller group in a van. I would definitely book something else next time in Mazatlan but it did give the kids a view of life outside the main tourist zone, which is more of the "real" Mexico.

Church of San Jose, Copala

Disembarkation: Since I made arrangements for a private transfer and we only had 3 bags, we signed up for express walk off. This is where you take your own bags off the ship and are the first ones off. I made this decision for several reasons, I like getting off asap, we can handle our own luggage and being a holiday cruise the airport would likely be crowded. Well, the express walk off, due to the number of locals on the ship was way more than was expected and with only 4 U.S. Customs officials working the line did get backed up. There are a few things that I noticed that Princess could have done to ease the congestion, but with a full ship and not enough Customs workers people would have still had to wait.

In conclusion, it was a successful New Year's trip, no problems with flights, weather was good in Mexico, and everyone had fun.

The Best Short Cruises for 2015

   

  When most people think about taking a cruise, they envision a full week sailing on a cruise ship to some exotic locale.  For many travelers, this exactly what they are looking for.  But for many others who would love to take a cruise, the thought of being on a ship for a full week will actually discourage them from taking a cruise.  Whether you do not having enough vacation time, or your lifestyle does not allow you to get away for a full week, or maybe you're a first-time cruiser who does not want to commit to a full week at sea; it does not mean you can't do a cruise.  The cruise lines get that you can't do a seven-night cruise, and the result is they are offering an increasing number of shorter cruise options.

       The three-, four-, or five-night sailings are often affordable priced, and travel to many popular destinations, especially in the winter/spring sailing season.  The cruises tend to be on older ships that have smaller cabins with fewer balconies, and lack many newer amenities like specialty bars and restaurants or water slides.  While these short cruises have had a reputation for attracting a party-hearty crowd looking for cheep fun, the cruise lines are now focusing more on attracting families, and travelers want the features and quality experience that a newer cruise ship has to offer.  The cruise lines are now offering some of their newer ships, and want to give the family or the cruiser for a better quality ship experience, the ability to enjoy a cruise experience in a shorter time frame.

Here are some winter and spring short cruise highlights for 2015:

Disney Cruise Line:  The cruise line who wrote the book on modern family ships operates 2 ships for shorter cruises.  From Port Canaveral, FL. (near Orlando); the Disney Dream sails on 3 and 4 night sailings to Nassau and Disney's private island , Castaway Cay, in the Bahamas.  Sailing from Miami, the Disney Wonder, in addition to 4 night sailings to the Bahamas is doing 5 night sailings to the Western Caribbean.

Princess Cruises:  Offering 4 and 5 night itineraries to the Eastern and and Western Caribbean on the Caribbean Princess from Fort Lauderdale, and sailing from Los Angeles, the Crown Princess visits Mexico on 4 night cruises.  These modern, innovative ships offer new dining and ship experiences in a casual yet elegant environment.

Royal Caribbean Line:  Offering newer and recently completely reconditioned ships, Royal Caribbean offers modern conveniences on a number of their short cruises.  From ships offering majority balcony cabins, to water slides and rock climbing walls to flexible and specialty dining to state of the art entertainment: these ships offer something fore everyone.  The Enchantment of the Sea does 3 and 4 night sailing to the Bahamas, including a stop at Royal's private island of Coco Cay, from Port Canaveral.  From Fort Lauderdale, Liberty of the Sea; and from Tampa, Brilliance of the Sea, both sail on 4 and 5 night adventure to the Western Caribbean.

Celebrity Cruises:  The Celebrity Constellation sails 4 night cruises to the Bahamas and 5 night cruises to the Western Caribbean.  The ship offers its guests modern and elegant sophistication with world class dining for people who want a little more in their travels.

Princess Cruises Adding a New Ship

       Led by Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean; the cruise industry has seen an explosion of new state of the art ships entering service over the last several years.   Even thou Princess Cruises has added two new ships since 2013, the Royal and Regal Princess, the parent company of Princess, Carnival Corporation,  has been late to the game adding new ships to its other North American based lines.  This is being addressed as both Holland American and Carnival Cruises will be adding a new ship into service over the next several years.  The new Carnival ship, the Carnival Breeze, is expected to offer both a revolutionary design and features.  It was thought that Princess would be left out of getting any new ships for the the next decade as Carnival Corporation was expected to focus new ship building on Holland America and Carnival.

       So it came as a surprise to the cruise industry when Princess announced this week, it will add a third ship of the Royal class.  The ship will be delivered in 2017, and will be slightly larger than her sister ships, a 143,000 ton vessel with a capacity to carry 3560 passengers.  It assumed she will have more enhancements than either the Royal or Regal, and their are rumours that the design changes may be more radical, in line with new Carnival Vista; in order to better compete with the cutting edge designs of Royal Caribbean's Quantum and Anthem of the Seas.