Best Place Travel

Your One-Stop Travel Information Source

 

Travel VacationTravel Vacation - Cruising KidsThree Most Popular Cruise Destinations for Kids

Decadent buffets, VIP service, round-the-clock entertainment, and exotic shore excursionsits easy to see why more Americans than ever before are shelling out big bucks for long, relaxing cruises on ships the size of small cities. Kids love cruising, too, on the right ships heading to the right places and parents are booking cruises for their family vacations. Everyone knows that if the kids arent happy on a family vacation, then the parents arent happy either. Thats why its best for parents to do their research and figure out before they book an expensive cruise to New England whether or not their kids will be miserable with their decision.



Remember that cruising is as much about the experience at sea as it is about the outings and destinations. Finding cruise ships that cater to children young and old will help you relax between ports of call. Three cruise ships that are family friendly are Disney, Royal
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
Caribbean, and Princess. As for destinations, the Caribbean, Hawaii and Alaska are perennial favorites for children and are reachable by the aforementioned ships that cater to children and offer family friendly shore excursions.

Disneys ships, Magic and Wonder, stop at various ports of call in the Caribbean, and they cater both their shore excursions and on-board activities to families. For longer 7-day cruises, families stay at a resort three days prior to boarding the ship and have an opportunity to visit theme parks in the area. Families are transferred by land to the ship, which docks in Port Canaveral, and visit a variety of ports, including St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Nassau, and Disneys own private island Castaway Cay. The stop in Nassau, for example, offers both children and adults a number of shore excursions that explore the old historic town and the pristine blue waters and abundant ocean life. Children can sail through the water on a catamaran, power boat, or glass bottom boat, cavort with sting rays or dolphins, or snorkel through the aquatic reefs. While adults take the opportunity to shop or gamble, kids can have their hair braided into dozens of tiny cornrows. Dont forget that, after late December 2006, all cruises to the Caribbean will require visitors to have a passport.

A cruise to Hawaii is another tropical adventure that kids will enjoy if the shore excursions are family friendly. Both Royal Caribbean and Princess cruise lines offer trips to the Aloha State that the whole family can enjoy. Cruises often stop at islands as diverse as Honolulu, Kona, Oahu, Hilo, and Maui. Kids can visit Waikiki beach, swim in Hanauma Bay, or see aquatic life in a submarine or a glass bottom boat. They can swim with the dolphins, snorkel with the sea turtles, or go whale watching. On dry land, they can go horseback riding, learn about Polynesian culture, or witness volcanic geology firsthand, watching molten lava roll into the sea. Adults may even enjoy introducing their children to kayaking and sport fishing. The opportunities for adventure in Hawaii are as diverse as the island itself, but they can be pricey. Plan ahead what you would like to spend your money on, and consider the option of seeking excursions on your own while you are in port.

Alaska, the land of glaciers and ice, may not be quite the same as a tropical island in the Caribbean or Pacific, but, given the right ship, it offers unparalleled adventures for both children and adults alike. Both Princess and Royal Caribbean offer family friendly cruises to Alaska. Active families can kayak in Prince William Sound, bicycle around a glacier fed lake, or hike through an Alaskan rainforest. For an educational experience, kids can visit a wildlife preserve for eagles, take a wildlife safari, or go on a whale watching excursion. As beautiful as Alaska is, however, younger children might not be able to appreciate the scenery, so keep your childrens age in mind.

Whether you decide on a cruise to the Caribbean, Hawaii, or Alaska, its important to be aware of a few simple suggestions to have the best shore excursion possible. Remember your childrens strengths and weakness; dont book a catamaran ride or lengthy bus ride for children prone to motion sickness. Make sure the shore excursions arent too lengthy, and remember to bring snacks along. Finally, once you decide on the perfect excursion, book it as soon as possible, either online or right when you arrive, and dont forget to arrange babysitting beforehand for young children who may need to stay on board. Whatever your family decides to do, whether you pan for gold or take a horseback ride to a glacier, your kids are sure to have an once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Pedal to the Metal Have a Racecar Holiday Dream Come True
If you're a racing fan, a racing holiday might be in your best interest. The speed, the exhilaration, the overwhelming desire to watch those famous races you've only heard broadcast on the television are all great reasons to make your next vacation...

Three Ways to Grab Those Cheap Travel Discounts
Every year middle class American families put off traveling because theyre too busy or too tired or they just dont have enough money. And, in some ways, theyre right. Traveling can be expensive. But by taking the time to learn about discounts...

Beach BummedHow to Choose a Beach House Rental
Is your idea of a perfect vacation just the sight of sand and water? Relaxing on the beach, listening to the ocean waves as they gently wash up on the shore? If that is the vacation youre looking for then renting a beach house might be for you. ...

Travel Guide vs. Going SoloWhich Way to Go
Is going solo in an unknown area the right way to go, or do you want a tour guide to show you the highlights? I think that you can combine the two ways in one trip and have the best of both worlds. One trip we recently took was to Washington D.C. ...

Holiday Home Exchange - What exactly is it?
Anyone who has a home can participate in the holiday home exchange. You dont have to compare values of the house, or find a swapping partner with a home just likes yours; you just need to find a home that you and your family would be most...

Travel Vacation : Are you ready for a great vacation in a sunny, warm, and possibly sandy area? Ingredients for a hot holiday youll remember for a lifetime are easy to plan. Here are a few to keep in mind...

 
Budget Travel
Budget Travel Tip | Bargain Vacations: Your Dream Getaway on eBay
Budget Travel Tip | Beat The Heat In Australia!
Budget Travel Tip | Bed and Breakfast Inns: Useful Information
Budget Travel Tip | Best Ski vacation spots
Budget Travel Tip | Best Theme Park Destinations
Budget Travel Tip | Budget adventure travel
Budget Travel Tip | Budget backpacking
Budget Travel Tip | Budget Busters: When You Want to Splurge!
Budget Travel Tip | Budgeting eating tips
Budget Travel Tip | Budget tips for international car rentals
Budget Travel Tip | Budget travel and free flights - how to get yourself bumped
Budget Travel Tip | Budget travel and getting around
Budget Travel Tip | Budget travel and the summer ski resort
Budget Travel Tip | Budget travel in an RV
Budget Travel Tip | Budget travel in the country's national parks
Budget Travel Tip | Budget travel in the fall
Budget Travel Tip | Budget travel - is hostelling right for you?
Budget Travel Tip | Buying a Timeshare? Essential reading for a new buyer
Las Vegas
Red Rock Canyon Rocks
Quench your Thirst with These Hot Places to Grab a Drink
Popular FYIs about Las Vegas
The Bellagio Beautiful Waterworks for Free
Take a Side Trip from Vegas and Have Some Fun
Trips
Universal Studio
Disneyland
Ski Vacations
Aspen
Newport Beach
San Diego
Travel Vacation
Don't Get Snowed Under Packing Tips For Your Winter Vacation
Experience the Ice Hotel Quebec Canada on your Next Vacation
Five Basics to Choosing Your Bed and Breakfast Vacation
Five Most Requested Vacations by Children
Four Ways to Avoid Montezuma's Revenge
Holiday Home Exchange - What exactly is it?
Honeymoon Haven - Four Most Popular Vacations for Honeymooners
Summer Travel
Amusement Parks - Perfect for Family Vacations
Canada - Ideal for Summer Vacation?
Caribbean vacation - Ideal for the summer vacation
Choosing the right summer Camp for Kids
Enjoy a Jeep Trail Tour this Summer
Enjoy Saltwater Fishing this Summer
Enjoy Scuba Diving this Summer
Enjoy Skiing this Summer
Enjoy Whitewater Rafting this Summer
European Summer Vacation Tips
Virgin Island Travel
Many Virgin Island Cruises Stop at the US Virgin Islands
Popular Resorts in US Virgin Islands
St. John, Virgin Island: Indeed, the Best Caribbean Destination
St. Martin, Virgin Island a French and Dutch Way of Lifestyle.
Mexico Vacations
Top Rated Mexico Beach Resorts
Top Tourist Sites in Mexico
Touring the Mexican Jungle
The Benefits of Scheduling a Mexico Vacation
Montreal