June 17, 2016
Summer Cruises Come in All Shapes and Sizes
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| | Summer is here. Plan your family vacation with our 50-plus great ideas |
Dear Family Travelers:
There's nothing that says summer like getting out on the water, whether the ocean, a lake or a river. You can save hundreds of dollars and untold stress by avoiding flights and cruising from a port near your home. You have more than two dozen U.S. ports to choose from. Cruises are good bets whether the kids are preschoolers or grade schoolers (plenty of organized supervised activities) tweens or teens (more freedom than at other vacation destinations, all the food they can eat and plenty of  new friends) and grandparents coming along (plenty of their own space.) We've partnered with FamilyTravelForum to offer you the best 2016 family vacation ideas, including ways to get on the water you may not have considered: - HOUSEBOATING is easy, economical, and a great option when you want to travel with family and friends. Share a boat and your houseboat vacation is even more economical. You can also houseboat elsewhere, of course. Some houseboats start at under $500 a week.
- A WINDJAMMER cruise in Maine is where kids have the opportunity to time travel back and explore the spectacular coast for a few days on a historic schooner. Imagine eating just-caught lobsters on a deserted beach, exploring tide pools teaming with sea life, berry picking and hunting for sea glass. The kids can help sail historic vessels and learn traditional skills like knot tying, steering, hauling sails, polishing brass, rowing, cranking ice cream. This isn't luxurious though; windjamming is like camping at sea.
- SAILING CHARTERS are great fun for adventure-loving families, whether in Maryland, Florida or the Caribbean. We've "bareboated" which means we've sailed ourselves around Caribbean islands although you can get a captain and crew to do all the work.
- A DIFFERENT KIND OF ALASKA CRUISE-like I did on the 12-passenger Seawolf where we kayaked every day in Glacier Bay, or into the Alaskan wilderness on a 78-passenger boat.
- ADVENTURE TRIPS are memorable as well as relaxing when you let an outfitter do all the work, whether you want to go to Costa Rica, the Galapagos or Alaska. AdventureSmith Explorations is one company that can arrange it all, where off-ship activity in wilderness areas takes center stage. Company founder Todd Smith, who frequently travels with his two young sons, helped pioneer the concept of wilderness cruising that combines the comforts of a small cruise ship with the adventure of sea kayaking, hiking and exploring remote wilderness areas seldom associated with more mainstream cruise itineraries. The best part: Unpack once, and your family is set for a week of adventures together on small-capacity, adventure-oriented ships around the world from Alaska to Costa Rico, the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon and other family-friendly locales.
- Celebrate the National Parks Centennial this year on a family adventure vacation with O.A.R.S. Since 1969, O.A.R.S. has offered VIP access to Canyonlands, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton and five other National Parks and more than 10,000 families have trusted the company with their vacation in the last 10 years alone. Be one of the first to book your 2016 family adventure and save up to 10% on most trips! Request your free copy of the 2016 O.A.R.S. Family Adventures Catalog Here's what I wrote about rafting on the Yellowstone River.
- Volunteer in the Dominican Republic on Carnival's newest brand, Fathom , that are designed for families, combining fun with on going social service projects that families can work on together. Inaugural season fares start at $499.
Bon Voyage!
Find out what local and visiting kids have to say about nine great American travel destinations through our Kids' Guides Series from Globe Pequot Press.
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