Ask KidTravel
In this column, Nancy Schretter, Managing Editor of the Family Travel Network, answers real family vacation questions from some of our readers.
Q. We want to take the family on another week-long cruise to the Caribbean this winter, but we're tired of the usual ports and typical Caribbean cruise. Any recommendations for great family cruises that will take us to someplace different this year? K.H., Louisville, KY
A. The cruise industry has heard this request frequently over the last few years and is delivering some exciting new itineraries featuring less-frequented ports of call. Many of these are on cruise lines and ships that cater to families with a wide variety of programs and shipboard amenities. Here are three of my favorites for a 7-night cruise:
Cruising from a U.S. Port: The Norwegian Spirit offers family-friendly 7-night sailings featuring exotic ports of call and a relaxed, freestyle approach to cruising. The ship departs from New Orleans, and its ports of call include Roatan, Honduras; Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala; Belize City, Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico. www.ncl.com
Cruising from a Caribbean Port: The Crown Princess features two exciting Southern Caribbean itineraries this winter. Both innovative sailings depart from San Juan, Puerto Rico. If you've previously visited a number of Caribbean ports, the itinerary that may be most interesting is the one that visits St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; St. Kitts; Grenada; Bonaire and Aruba. www.princess.com
Cruising with an International Flair: Costa's Italian style might spice things up for your family a bit and the line offers some new and interesting ports of call. The Costa Mediterranea sails from Fort Lauderdale to San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic; and Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos. www.costacruise.com
Q. I would like to take my kids on a ski vacation this winter, preferably to someplace out west. We don't want to spend a fortune, though. Could you suggest a good place for a family on a budget? D.E., Chicago, IL
A. Consider choosing Salt Lake City, Utah as your ski vacation destination. Salt Lake City offers 7 world-class ski resorts within 30 to 45 minutes from Salt Lake Valley and plenty of reasonably priced lodging. Discount air carriers, such as Southwest Airlines and others, fly into Salt Lake City daily, allowing you to save money on your airfare. A variety of hotels in the area put together value-oriented winter packages including accommodations, lift tickets, and even transportation. In addition, the budget saving Ski Salt Lake Super Pass provides day passes at Alta, Snowbird, Brighton or Solitude and can be used for up to six days of skiing and riding. The pass even includes free round-trip transportation on UTA city buses, ski buses and TRAX light-rail. A Junior Super Pass is available for children.
For more information on what the area offers, visit the Ski Salt Lake website at www.Ski-SaltLake.com. The "Hot Deals" section of this site provides information on special deals and packages available in the area.
Q. My husband and son are avid sailors and they would like to do a sailing vacation this winter. We do a lot of sailing during the summer and the rest of the kids and I don't want to be stuck on a boat. Can you suggest any vacation options that will make all of us happy? P.W., Boston, MA
A. The Bitter End Yacht Club in the British Virgin Islands fits the bill perfectly. Bitter End Yacht Club is a family-friendly luxury watersports resort fronting the protected waters of Virgin Gorda's North Sound. The resort enjoys year-round trade winds and is an excellent place for families to enjoy sailing. The resort provides its guests with access to a fleet of over 100 well-maintained boats as well as windsurfing and sailing schools, regattas, diving programs, snorkeling excursions, fishing, and more than 15 weekly excursions to islands, reefs and wrecks around the British Virgin Islands. In addition to watersports, families staying at the resort can enjoy a full service spa, three beaches, a fresh water pool, and a variety of activities and programs for children and adults. Bitter End offers a Junior Watersports Program for teens ages 13-17 and a Kids Camp for 5-12 year olds. I particularly like the resort's Blue Water Excursions which takes guests on day long trips to the unspoiled island of Anegada, Norman Island, The Baths, the Coral Gardens at Great Dog Island, and other sites. For more information, visit the resort's website at www.beyc.com.
The Sunsail Club Colonna located in Antigua might also be another good option for your family. This location provides an excellent sailing venue for intermediate and advanced sailors, particularly from November through April. Guests have free access to dinghy sailing, catamaran sailing, windsurfing and canoeing, and scuba diving, day yacht sailing and Logic motor boats are available at an extra charge. The resort offers a nursery and children's program for kids, tennis, a spa and fitness area, a swimming pool, two small sandy beaches, and a variety of games and sporting activities. For more information, visit the Sunsail website at www.sunsail.com.
Q. We are a family of 5 and many rooms at hotels and resorts seem set up to only accommodate only 4 people. Do you have any recommendations or thoughts on this? It hasn't been as much of a problem while the kids have been younger, but now that they're getting older it's starting to be more of an issue. M.C., Van Nuys, CA
This is a very common concern for families and we're beginning to see more resorts and hotels addressing this concern. Here are some suggestions:
** Many hotels and resorts will allow a rollaway cot to be put in the room, sometimes at no cost and others charge an additional fee. There are two downsides to this solution, however. Sometimes the room can be so small the cot takes up too much room, while at other times a cot is not available when you arrive even though you requested it. If you are traveling by car, consider bringing along an air mattress and a sleeping bag in the car, just in case that happens.
** Be aware of the maximum occupancy rules for any hotel or resort room you may be considering booking. These maximum occupancy requirements are often stated in fine print on booking sites and they should not be overlooked. Usually, the occupancy requirements stipulate "double adult occupancy," or "two adults and two children." These requirements should not be ignored, as showing up with an additional child can result in extra charges or the cancellation of your reservation. This is particularly important when bidding on sites like Priceline.com. Hotel rooms on Priceline are guaranteed for double occupancy only, and it can be extremely risky to bid if you're planning to land a single room that will accommodate four or five people.
** All-suite hotels may be a good option for you, especially now that the kids are getting older. Hotel chains such as Embassy Suites, Homewood Suites, SpringHill Suites and others offer room for larger families to spread out. Most also include breakfast in their room rates. Embassy Suites also features the Kids-Eye View Passport given to children at check-in, which recommends must-do activities in the local area.
** Look for hotels and resorts that offer special packages with discounts on a second room for the kids. Many resorts and hotel chains offer these deals during the holidays, in the summer, and over school break periods. If you decide to book such a package, make sure that you are guaranteed to get connecting rooms or rooms that are right next door to each other, if that's what you want. Sometimes, requests for connecting or adjacent rooms are made on an "as available" basis only. This can result in a huge problem if you have younger children.
** Consider renting a vacation home, condominium or villa instead of staying in a hotel. Sites such as www.vrbo.com and www.homeaway.com are full of these types of accommodations in a wide variety of locations, and companies such as ResortQuest offer rentals in multiple locations as well. Many vacation home rental companies offer hundreds of rental home options in a particular area. Once you choose your vacation destination, do an Internet search for vacation rentals in that area. For example, ALL STAR Vacation Homes (www.allstarvacationhomes.com) offers a good selection of roomy vacation home choices in the Orlando area, complete with swimming pools, tennis courts and play areas.
** Work with a travel agent who understands your needs and can suggest options for larger families. For example, the VacationKids website has detailed listings of resort hotels that can accommodate families of five or more as well as articles with hints for booking accommodations for larger families. For more information, visit www.vacationkids.com.
Q. I'd like to go to an all-inclusive resort this winter with my husband and 4 year-old son. Is there something like this in the United States? D.S., Reston, VA
Although all-inclusive resorts in the United States are not plentiful, there are several great ones that would fit your needs:
** Club Med Sandpiper in Port St. Lucie, Florida, caters to families and includes all meals, most drinks, and a variety of sports and activities such as golf, tennis, water-skiing, and even a circus school. The resort is located on the St. Lucie River rather than the ocean, but there is a small white sand beach at the resort. Trips to an ocean beach located about 20 minutes away are also available. The G.O. staff members at this Club Med are excellent and your son could participate free of charge in the resort's Mini Club Med program for kids ages 4-10. www.clubmed.com
** The U.S. Virgin Islands offer all of the pleasures of a Caribbean location without the need for a passport. Located on the island of St. Thomas, the family-friendly Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa offers an all-inclusive option for guests, which includes all meals, all beverages, and activities including tennis, non-motorized watersports and the fitness center. Your son would receive free admission to the resort's Kids Klub which provides a full array of activities for children ages 4-12. www.wyndham.com
** If you are interested in a resort within driving distance, take a look at Woodloch Pines Resort in Hawley, Pennsylvania. Woodloch Pines has been named as "One of America's Best Family Resorts" by both Parent Magazine and Better Homes & Gardens. All of the resort's American plans include accommodations, meals, activities, use of the resort's amenities and entertainment. www.woodloch.com
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