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FAMILY TRAVEL |
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Should we take the kids? |
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| Cruise and Resort books an extraordinary number of family vacations. More and more travel companies have begun to offer special incentives and kid-oriented activities. Nearly every major cruise line offers an abundance of special activities for kids and teens, and many resorts now offer their own kids' programs. Family vacations can become the core of some of your very best memories. Of course, not all cruises or resorts are suitable for young children. Feel free to ask your Cruise and Resort travel consultant the specifics of the kids' programs. |
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Do the kids cost as much as the adults? |
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| Usually, there is a big break in price when you bring the kids. Most cruise lines offer lower rates for third and fourth persons sharing a cabin, and many hotels allow the kids to stay in the same room for free. Some resorts offer families a second room for half-price. Sometimes the promotions can be a little misleading, so we navigate through the deals to find the one that works best for your situation. |
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What ID do I need to bring for my children? |
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| Passports are required for children traveling internationally. Parents should always check to make sure they have all documents necessary for entry and re-entry into the United States, for themselves and for their children. Passports should be valid for at least six months beyond the scheduled return date. For single parents traveling with children, you must bring a notarized statement from the other parent allowing you to travel outside of the country with the child. If the other parent is deceased, you will need to bring a copy of the death certificate. With most cruise lines, children traveling with neither parent cannot travel unless in possession of a notarized letter of consent signed by both parents or by the legal guardian. This is also a safe practice when traveling with children on any land-based vacation.Please call or E-mail Cruise and Resort if you have any questions regarding documentation. We don't want you to have any stress on your vacation! |
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What if I am a stepparent or guardian? |
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| You must have a notarized letter stating you are the stepparent or legal guardian. If you are a stepparent not traveling with the other parent, a notarized letter from the parents is required. You also must travel with the child's passport when going on any cruise. Please check specific document requirements pertaining to your vacation in plenty of time to make the necessary arrangements. |
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What about alcoholic beverages and gambling? |
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| If staying at a resort, the drinking age is governed by local law. On cruise ships, the requirements are usually similar to those in the United States. Usually passengers must be 21 or older, with proper I.D., to be served alcoholic beverages. There are some variations. For example, we were recently on a cruise where the legal age for hard liquor was 21, but beer could be purchased by anyone 18 or older. The gambling age on most ships is 21, but on some it is 18. If this is an important issue to you, please ask us to check out the requirements for your particular ship. |
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What about safety? |
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| Of course, you should take the necessary precautions. Most travel is quite safe, but there are things you can do to give you more peace of mind. |
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If on a cruise, always attend the boat safety drill and listen attentively.
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Never allow children to hang on, climb on, or sit on ship's railings. Although this seems like common sense, it should be reiterated to your children for their own safety.
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Make sure your kids memorize their room number and ship or resort name.
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Never allow younger children to wander without supervision.
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If your kids have allergies or other ailments, make sure you bring the necessary medication. While doctors are available on ships and in most resort areas, the medications they prescribe or have available may be quite different than those you have at home.
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What are the kids' programs like on cruises and at resorts? |
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| Many have extensive programs for the kids. Most are divided by age groups, for example 3 - 5 years old, 6 - 9 years old, etc. Usually the programs are supervised by a staff of highly qualified childcare professionals, many with degrees or experience in child psychology or education. Beepers are frequently provided to parents of the younger kids. Hours vary by ship and resort, but there are lots of fun things to do from movies, swimming and scavenger hunts, to ice-cream parties and computer games. Most ships have a three-year minimum age requirement to participate in their scheduled activities. All require the children be toilet-trained if they are being left in the kids' center without their parents. |
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What about the kids' activities on a cruise? |
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| Most kids love the activities available on a cruise! Besides the pool games, water slides, surfing simulators, rock-climbing walls, miniature golf, ice-skating, bowling, talent shows, pizza parties and scavenger hunts, many ships are now offering scientific adventures and education on the environment. |
| The programs and activities vary by ship and season. There is more to do on summer and holiday sailings when more children are onboard. Most of the large ships have children's and teen programs year-round. |
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I have teenagers. What does a cruise have for them? |
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| A lot! Many ships have discos just for teens, coffee bars, plush teen clubs, computer centers and teen-oriented movies. Of course, this is in addition to the regular activities available to all passengers like skating, miniature golfing, rock-climbing, volleyball, deck tennis, basketball and arcade games. |
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Are we going to feel cramped if our kids share our room with us? |
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| You might! Standard staterooms are often not much bigger than 150 square feet. Usually the kids occupy upper berths in the cabin. This might be fine with a couple of very small kids, but it is pushing it with a few teens. Four people sharing a single bathroom can become an inconvenience. Consider a larger room or suite in those circumstances, or even an adjoining or adjacent room. Many ships now have "family cabins" specifically designed to make a family vacation more comfortable. |
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What do the kids eat on a cruise? |
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| They can order anything from the adult menu, but many younger children prefer the kids' menu. The usual favorites are there; hamburgers, hot dogs, pasta, grilled cheese sandwiches, french fries and ice-cream sundaes. Many ships have pizzerias, and all have room service with snacks available 24-hours-a-day. |
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Can I bring a baby onboard a ship? |
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| The answer is usually yes, but the services available vary by cruise line. Minimum age limits vary from ship to ship, usually 4 months to 18 months. Some allow children as young as three-months-old. |
| Some ships offer infant babysitting (hourly fee), but many do not. Some have cribs and strollers available. Some provide infant formula and disposable diapers. We strongly suggest you bring your own stroller and favorite brand of diapers for your baby. If traveling with infants, please check with your Cruise and Resort travel consultant or with the cruise line directly, as to what services they have available. |
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Are cruises good for family reunions? |
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| They sure are. A cruise has something (actually, lots of somethings) for people young and old. Kids, parents, grandparents, cousins and all sorts of relatives can enjoy each other's company without having to enjoy all the same activities. While the kids are on the waterslide, a grandparent could be at a Bingo game, Mom could be at a wine-tasting event, and Dad could be winning the jackpot in the casino. They all get together for a family dinner and share their adventures with each other. Cruise and Resort arranges a large number of family reunions and will be happy to give your family the attention it deserves. |
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