Some Great Family Cruise Tips…if I do say so myself!
One of the websites I support with advertising is http://travelmamas.com.
I’ve been a long time follower of the site and really appreciate Colleen Lanin’s
(editor) time and insights especially for travel with the very young. Colleen and I
definitely see travel as one of the most valuable gifts you can give your children and
being able to do that affordably, and without extra stress, is important too.
Recently Colleen asked me a question regarding group cruising that lead to another
question, and then some more discussion and suddenly she had an idea for an article.
I am always happy to talk about the family travel, and especially the value of family
cruising!
You’ll see many of my favorite tips for family cruising and I have others to share
so watch for a follow up post here on my blog soon.
Coming soon as well, a look at Royal Caribbean’s mega-ships, Oasis of the Seas and
Allure of the Seas.
Hope everyone is enjoying the summer travel season with your families!
Check out these prices for a family of f
Check out these prices for a family of four… (Yes …. the price is for FOUR IN A CABIN) on these Gulf port sailings from Royal Caribbean. http://ow.ly/5rn90
Falling off the Face of the Blog…
Well you can start with the best of intentions and then….life happens. I will admit to trying to superstart my social media world and “doing it all”. Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Hootsuite…and though tools are there to help all of these places connect in one fell swoop…it is still, dare I say, overwhelming for the social media “newbie”.
And so…it’s been almost two months since I’ve posted a blog.
Almost two months since I’ve tweeted.
Almost two months since I’ve updated my Facebook….
And honestly I’d like to tell you that there was some monuental event that caused this precipitous fall-off. But there wasn’t. There were just a million little things that when you add them all up, become your life and there are times that you simply can’t manage to get it all done.
The good news is that it wasn’t for lack of business on my part and truth be told, that is why most of us have a blog, and twitter and a facebook fan page. We are looking to get the word out about our expertise, our passion..and for many of us, our job! Sort of ironic, but when you are really busy doing your job, you have little time to write about it.
I will be catching up here in the next few weeks. I have managed some travel, and am about to head out to a conference and week long cruise on Oasis of the Seas. It will be my opportunity to see if the megaships are my cup of tea..if they are as great a family vacation as they look to be…and hopefully get caught up on some blog posts. Well I’m not really going to spend a lot of time worrying about my blog, but I will share my experiences because some of you may actually want to know about the ship. And at the very least, I am a very competent cruise agent, though social media manager may not be a part of that package.
Have a great day!
Romance on a Family Vacation? Why Mom and Dad love Cruising!
With Valentine’s Day this week, it got me in the mood for love..ok well it got me thinking about how hard it is to find time for love with our family’s schedule.
And I know we aren’t alone. Finding couples time is hard enough when you are at home, and when you take the kids with you on vacation…well, romance can be challenging.
UNLESS…you take your family on a cruise!
Whether your kids are toddlers or teens, or anywhere in between, there are plenty of childcare options
aboard a cruise ship that let Mom and Dad enjoy time with the kids, and time to themselves as well. All major lines have kids programs, and when you combine that with great things to do for adults; you have a win-win situation.
Here are some of my favorite romantic places aboard ships that have great activities for kids as well.
1) Palo aboard the Disney Wonder~
This is simply one of the best restaurants at sea. Beautiful and tasteful as well as superb food and excellent service…and no kids are allowed! Do this after a couples
massage on Castaway Cay for the ultimate day of romance.And who better to entertain the kids while you’re eating than Disney characters and kids club staff.
2) Moderno Churrascaria on NCL Epic~
There are so many great dining options onboard Epic. And with reasonable upcharges for many of them, having great meals together in romantic spots is easy. Moderno is
great and so unusual that I think it should be on the list, but also great are La Cucina, Cagney’s Steakhouse and Wasabi Sushi Bar. Follow it up with a night “out on the town” enjoying great entertainment, casinos and dancing at Bliss.
All this while the kids are enjoying one of the most modern kids clubs at sea.
3) Pinnacle Steakhouse on Carnival Splendor~
Wonderful food and nice atmosphere with standard upcharge for good steakhouses. Enjoy dinner here after a leisurely sunbathing session on the Serenity deck while
your kids are entertained at Camp Carnival, Circle C or just hanging out on deck playing minigolf and sliding down the Twister waterslide. At night head to one of the best Piano Bars
at Sea.
These are just a handful, but there are many and cruising with your kids is a great way to find romantic time and family time all in one vacation.
Have a great day!
MollyW@thefamilytravels.com
A Cruise that really works for everyone in the Family!
I get asked at least once a week, which is my favorite cruise line? What is funny to me about that is that I get asked by so many different types of people!
But they all think that there is ONE answer. Of course that isn’t the case and truly, I like all of the cruise lines for different reasons. My favorite part of my job is sharing the knowledge I’ve gained about the lines and specific ships and helping people pick the right cruise for them.
When that becomes a more challenging proposition, is when you are looking for a family reunion cruise that needs to appeal to many ages and stages. One of my favorite client success stories happened with a family reunion cruise that eventually landed on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas. There were time considerations, price considerations, and size considerations. There were family members who wanted the latest and greatest,and family members who just as soon stay in one spot at a resort. And of course there were family members who wanted it to be the most cost effective vacation they could find.
So based on a recommendation from other clients, they contacted me with their list. I went to work looking for a great option that in my opinion would offer the best overall investment for their vacation. It took some convincing, mostly because it wasn’t the least expensive option available, but the family sailed on the Oasis of the Seas this past December. I chose Oasis because of it’s outstanding activities, the newness of the ship, the overwhelmingly positive press it receives, and a WOW factor that I thought the family would appreciate. 
Happily I can tell you that like 98% of the people who sail on her, all 18 members of the extended family thought it was their best vacation ever. Of course I was able to block group space, (with less than 8 cabins) which saved the family some money. I also helped with hotel ideas and in Fort Lauderdale, as well as third party options for shore excursions and that helped the budget overall as well. Mostly being confidentin my recommendation was what the family needed to make the reservation. My confidence helped everyone relax and focus on the ship. Once they were there, Oasis took care of the
rest!
Food for Thought–A family’s vacation food favorites
I’ve got four boys, well five if you include my husband, and eating is one of their
favorite pastimes. Our family vacations are a chance to enjoy eating food away from
typical home dinners, and experiencing different types of cuisine and restaurants.
We’ve eaten at so many great places over the years, and found such truly memorable spots,
that it seems impossible for me to focus on just one travel destination today.
I will confess to something that is a little strange as well…we have “taken” a menu from
every one of these locations. Now…we could ask for a menu as a souvenir,
and I think that most would be happy to oblige, but for better or worse, the hiding of
the menu and subsequently getting it to the car undetected, became a game that
was started almost 20 years ago now and is just as much a tradition as “eye-spy”
in our family vacation repertoire.
So..here are just a few highlights and recommendations for truly great family dining in no particular
order:
1) Disney Wonder: The first time my kids went on a cruise, they were hooked! And this was due in large part to the “free food”(their words of course). From Pluto’s Dog House, where they could literally get hot dogs, hamburgers and fries nearly 24 hours a dayto the waiter who went out of his way to bring my son a favorite dessert from Parrot Cay while we were dining at Animator’s Pallete, the Disney Wonder anchored the whole
cruise experience of 24/7 dining in my kids hearts, not to mention their stomachs. Side note-I often remind parents when taking a family cruise vacation, that this is one of the huge perks for kids. I’m not condoning over-eating or encouraging obesity, but
for a one-week time frame there is nothing more “fun” to kids than not having to ask for a snack and enjoying soft serve ice cream many times a day. 
2)Epcot-World Showcase: For four active boys, Epcot’s World Showcase has not always
made the must-do activites at Disneyworld. But that changed the last time we visited,
when we decided to tour the world, trying a small snack or treat from each country along
the way.There was a little adventure and a some safety to be found, from the giant warm
pretzel in Germany to some sort of Morrocan tabouleh that even I have to admit was
scary; it was a day filled with laughter and memories. There are great restaurants
in the World Showcase, and all over Disneyworld for that matter, much like a cruise
Disneyworld is a place to go to enjoy food all the time.
3) Some of our favorite restaurants all over the place–Blueberry Hill Cafe-La Grange, IL;
Harry’s–La Jolla, CA; The Trout House–Sunriver, OR; Heroes Bar and Grill–Fullerton, CA;
Breakers–New Smyrna Beach, FL; Waffle House–nationwide; Greasewood Flat–Scottsdale, AZ;
Mo’s–Newport, OR; Track Town Pizza–Eugene, OR.
A Review of Norwegian Epic–A Family Cruise?
I really don’t think that NCL bargained for such divided opinions on Epic; but they can’t be altogether unhappy with the amount of discussion the ship has generated! Epic has both impressed and puzzled cruisers with innovations and some decidedly weird design elements. (Just google Epic bathrooms and I’m sure
you will understand.)
And now, I’ll add my perspective on the ship as an option for a Family Cruise.
I think Norwegian Epic delivers a great value for families based on 1) overall activities for kids and adults alike; 2) entertainment;
3) a generally hip, active vibe along with freestyle cruising and of course,4) pricing!
1)Overall activities–from Nickelodeon’s Slime Time Live, to the Epic Plunge and rock wall, there is no lack of activities for the kids to enjoy. For the adults, the casino, spa and fitness facilities, and abundant night life are a great recess for parents.
2) Entertainment–Blue Man Group, Cirque Dreams, Legends of Rock, Second City Comedy,along with magicians, dancers and comedians. Call it Vegas at sea, but no there is no
lack of good entertainment even if the BMG isn’t your thing.
3)The ship is very “hip”…curvy walls in the staterooms, studio lounge for singles,Spice H2O poolside theater, bowling alley and the Bliss lounge–this ship will ensure a parent’s coolness factor even amongst the eye-rolling teen set. (They won’t tell you
that but they will think it)
4) Pricing–this is where Epic really competes favorably with say Oasis or Allure…granted it’s not quite on the same par, but for the difference in price, Epic does present a great value!
Comparing the same week in November of 2011–Thanksgiving Week–a 7-night Eastern in a balcony stateroom
for four will cost you approximately $3250 on Epic, and on Oasis of the Seas, $5135!
For the difference in price, you are getting a lot of value on Epic. Now it isn’t the same
as Oasis of the Seas, and I know there are great reasons to sail on Oasis too…but for a difference
of almost $2000? Well..that’s a lot of difference in my opinion.
Now you won’t be able to sail on Epic in the summer months to the Caribbean…so check out the Oasis class then.
But for fall and spring, think Epic for a fun family cruise that’s a great value as well.
A Family Resort for all Seasons– A Review of Sunriver, Oregon.
I’ve traveled extensively with my family…which in and of itself is something of a feat these days, considering I have four boys! From the time the oldest was a baby, we have taken great joy in visiting family destinations all across the United States and beyond.
Still, the very best family resort that we’ve ever been to, is not that far from home. Right here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest is a family resort destination that is simply one of the best!. Beautiful Sunriver, Oregon is a 3300 acre planned, private residential and resort community 15 miles South of Bend, Oregon. 
An ideal location for both summer and winter recreation, Sunriver boasts 35 miles of paved pathways for both bicycle riders and pedestrians to use. It has two outdoor swimming pools, an indoor pool,
26 tennis courts and two parks, and a Village Mall that offers shops, restaurants and equipment rental businesses.
This is just the beginning for the active family! Summer at Sunriver means golfing on one of Sunriver’s four golf courses, canoeing or kayaking from the marina, horseback
riding, hiking, white-water rafting and visits to the Nature Center. For winter visitors, you can often find snow; there is always ice skating at the Mall, and it’s only a short drive to one of the country’s best skiing locations, Mount Bachelor, just 20 minutes away.
There are many lodging options at Sunriver. For our family, we find renting a house to be the most enjoyable. We can usually find something that is pet-friendly as well,
and so the whole family can be comfortable. The resort itself offers both rooms at the lodge, or private homes and there are several rental management companies offering short-term vacation rentals of condominiums and all-sized homes. For first time visitors, I would recommend staying in one of Sunriver Resort’s many offerings and perhaps take advantage of a great promotion.
For example a four night package from Los Angeles, for a family of four with air, lodging and a free lift ticket at Mount Bachelor will start around $2450.00 for a loft suite with kitchen! Don’t want to ski? Try a spa special or maybe the “Chocolate
Sensation and Relaxation” package.
No matter what you try, go see Sunriver this winter or start planning your trip for the summer. Either way, you won’t find a better family resort anywhere!
It’s no small task these days to find a “one stop shopping” vacation that can truly appeal
to all the different ages and stages of an extended family. But I truly believe that
with the right cruise, you can do just that. A family reunion cruise is a vacation that
will bring the family together, while allowing a little freedom as well.
Most of the group booking departments for the various cruise lines are great to work with,
and all of them offer benefits and discounts to groups booking at least eight cabins.
I’ve helped many clients travel together with grandparents, siblings and their own children,
on several different family reunion cruises and the thing
I hear most is that this is the first vacation
that everyone has been happy with.
My own extended family embarked on the Disney Wonder for a four night family reunion cruise a few years ago now.
I learned my lesson from that–as far as what’s important to the 20-something
crowd, and Disney wasn’t really it for them. They loved the food and the shows, but
were looking for a little more action, and a casino…so I remember that now
when working with my clients. There are so many great options available now that will
thrill the kids, entertain the 20-somethings and still give the over 70′s a place to relax
and unwind in relative peace and quiet.
Whether it’s a mega-ship or something smaller, each of the major cruise line offers a
children’s activities, entertainment, and night life all while traveling to different
ports of call where new adventures and experiences await. As a travel professional, I
recommend utilizing a family cruise expert who can recommend the right ship, and understands
the group booking procedures thoroughly. With an outside party there to talk to
all of the independent families, it frees up everyone to just focus on having a good time!
Have a great day!
Is it your DREAM cruise?
Have you heard? Disney’s newest ship the Disney Dream just sailed into Port Canaveral
on January 4th complete with it’s AquaDuck, Magical Portholes, two extra decks and digital
3-D movies! And inevitably, I will get asked the question…is a Disney cruise really worth it?
The “it” they are referring to, of course, is the price tag. Becuase it’s not cheap and it’s certainly more expensive than other cruise lines.
Well I’m here to tell you…yes..sailing on a Disney cruise is a family cruise very worth taking.
It’s a premium product, so no–it isn’t the cheapest cruise around. And it’s in high demand, with relatively low supply…so again, that drives the pricing as well.
But what you get in a Disney cruise is worth the price tag for most families, at least one time.
I would like to encourage you, especially if you have young children to sail on a Disney ship. You will enjoy premium dining, premium child care, premium accomodations and yes
there will even be some of your favorite Disney characters onboard as well. There are great times to be all together as a family, and relaxing moments for just adults as well.
While all cruises are a great value for families–not all are created equal. And a Disney cruise may cost you more, but yes–it will be worth it. 
