Archive for March, 2010


How old do they have to be anyway to have their own cruise card?

Everyone has to have their own card in order to get on and off the ship – they use it for ID purposes.

The card is used like a credit card or debit card. All of your purchases made onboard can be charged to a credit card, OR you can put money on the card and have a declining balance.

If you don’t want a child to be able to make any purchases, just ask them when they give you a card. Tell them that you don’t want a credit card linked to the card, nor do you want to put any money on the card. Then they will only be able to use the card to get on/off the ship.

You could just put a small amount of money on the card to let them buy souvenirs or something. If there’s a credit card or money on the card, they can buy anything (except for alcohol).


Vacationing with your family seems to be the most looked-forward-to activities of the whole family. What better way to enjoy your free days than to spend it in a place that would be most enjoyable for you and your loved ones. Family vacation packages have become more fun-packed and affordable for most families.

Different hospitality companies have concocted packages that suit your taste and budget. Among the many packages offered these days is family cruising. If you have days to spare, why don’t you bring your family into a cruise in a ship that has facilities even for your children of all ages. There are ships that have amenities suited for your family’s needs.

Since you are traveling as a family, your children will usually travel at a discounted rate.

The price for family packages already includes all meals and snacks while on-board. It also includes your room, all activities and wonderful entertainment in the ship. Above all, it includes your tour to any place of your choice. Your choice of destination depends on what type of enchantment and culture you want to experience in your trip.

Cruising eliminates the hassles that accompany an ordinary vacation. The package is convenient as activities are planned for you each and every step of the way. No more worries of dinner reservations or even the nuisance of packing and unpacking.

With family cruising, you don’t have to worry about your children getting bored during the trip. Cruise lines have designed pleasurable activities for kids that are supervised by trained youth counselors. They can enjoy swimming, sports activities, film viewing, games and adventures to new places. You’ll be surprised at how easily your kids will adapt to life in a ship. You also need not worry that activities may be designed only for little children; even your teenagers have activities that are appropriate for their age.

Most ship lines have the following amenities and services: babysitting services, day or night for a minimal fee, teen centers, discos, playrooms, family cabins, movie houses, and arcades.

Family packages come in different themes. The most popular family cruises that have children in mind are Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney, Princess, Celebrity, Holland and Norwegian.

Let me describe briefly what you can expect from some of the cruises. Disney cruises will let you discover the amazing world of Disney-fashioned activities for all cruisers. Children ages 3 to 17 will have the time of their lives as they enjoy Mickey Mouse magic and real-fun activities like Detective School, Professor Goo’s Magical Experiment and so many others. Your teeners, on the other hand, can go to special hideaways where they could party with other teens till midnight. Areas are designed with video games, Internet access and music. Surely, your teens will love it!

Another popular cruise is the Princess cruise. Activities on-board are well-taken cared of by youth counselors. This cruise comes with a Youth Center that offers endless activities for your young ones. They can go splashing in its special splash pool. They can also enjoy an afternoon pizza or ice cream party or even a pajama party and many more. Teens can enjoy their own Jacuzzi, Karaoke and giant TV’s.

With all the fun-packed activities supervised for each of your child, you and your spouse could truly relish moments together alone as activities are also designed for your pleasure.

Family journeys may bring you to places that could serve as a perfect family adventure. Beautiful beaches and fabulous scenery can be found in CocoBay and Labadee. Your kids will definitely be thrilled with the Aqua Parks that are state-of the-art and the Splash Bash at Labadee. Parasailing and snorkeling are only some of the activities that can be enjoyed by your bigger kids. The whole family will love the land excursions to ancient ruins, museums and numerous sights in your chosen destination.

If you haven’t tried cruising before, this is the perfect time to vacation in a different way. Your enjoyment and convenience are primary concerns of all cruise lines. After all, it’s a vacation, you need not do the usual chores that you do while traveling aboard a plane or a car. This is going to be a thrill of a lifetime for your children and an endearing time of bonding for you and your other half.

Nathalie Fiset
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/family-cruising-may-be-the-perfect-vacation-for-your-family-74861.html


If you are looking for discount Christmas vacations, there are some simple steps you can follow to help you locate the best deals. Christmas is one of the busiest travel times of the year and you will need to plan ahead to avail of some of the best deals available.

Many of these tips for discount Christmas vacations are very simple, while others may require you to do some research to find just what you are looking for.

Plan Ahead- This is the number one thing you can do to locate discount Christmas vacations. The farther out you book your reservations, the more likely you are to get an outstanding deal. This can also prevent you running into availability problems during an area’s peak season.

Travel During the Week- Many airlines offer much cheaper fares when you travel on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. There are also other ways to save money, such as discount airlines, holiday specials, and weekend stays.

Look for Package Deals- Many of the best discount vacation deals are available in a package. These packages offer airfare or other transportation, accommodations, and even attraction tickets. Not only can you find great savings this way, you will also reduce many of the hassles involved with booking and purchases each part of your vacation separately.

Consider an Off the Wall Location- There are many destinations that are not normally high on a vacation list over the holidays and they typically make for cheaper holidays too. Cold weather climate destination, such as ice fishing or a winter hideaway cabin can cost much less than a week at a beach and also offer an entirely different avenue for fun.

Look for Out of the Way Lodging-If you are looking for a quiet getaway, consider lodging that is off the beaten path. You may find several hotels that have greatly reduced rates during the holidays.

Speak with a Travel Agent- Travel agents can be a good asset when you are looking for discount Christmas vacations. Since most agencies purchase blocks of travel for resale, you can often come across a great deal if the trip does not sell out.

Look into Travel Clubs- There are many travel clubs that offer deep discounts on holiday travel. AAA and AARP both have sensational travel packages. While you may find some dates are unavailable, you might luck into a great holiday deal if you plan ahead.

Consider a Christmas Cruise- Some of the cruise lines have difficulty booking enough people during the holiday. You could stumble across a really nice deal if you do your research.

Research is definitely the key to finding amazing deals on discount Christmas vacations. There are many great travel websites that specialize in discount vacations. You can also talk with friends and family members to see if they can suggest a destination or activity. Some of your best vacation memories might be of a vacation where you didn’t do the “normal” activities.

Huzaili Aris
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/8-tips-for-discount-christmas-vacations-steps-to-planning-the-perfect-holiday-688373.html