Family Vacation Tips

Brandy wants to know -

I've never used a kids club before and have a few questions. How long are your children allowed to be there for, is there set hours? Do you have to pre book them in or just drop them off? Do you have to stay in the resort or can you leave? Please tell me all I'll need to know :)

Hi Brandy – Glad to help!

I'm not talking about those tempting telemarketing calls or mailbox timeshare scams. I'm talking about a real deal, legit, free cruise on pretty much any ship you want to sail on. It's true and possible so you're invited to follow along here...

One of my favorite activities that I look forward to every day is answering all of the "ASK MOM" questions that appear in my inbox.  This week I came across a very thought provoking question that I'd like to share about family vacations with three kids...

Family cruises can seem rather enticing when you see advertised prices "From $75 per person per day". It sounds like a great deal and generally it is. There is a ton of great value in a family cruise vacation. Still there are also plenty of insidious opportunities to spend a lot of extra money on a family cruise.

UPDATED January 2019 

The short answer is ... No.

Falmouth, Jamaica has changed dramatically in recent years. If you've never visited or if it has been a while since you have vacationed in Jamaica, you might be surprised how much Falmouth has changed. It's now very a popular tourist destination offering plenty of family friendly activities.

  Ever since the details were released about what is coming on Royal Caribbean's new ship Quantum of the Seas, there has been all sorts of buzz about this ships new features. All the advertising about Quantum of the Seas says "Prepare to be WOWED". The Quantum of the Seas will be sailing out of Bayonne, NJ (across the Hudson from NYC) starting in the fall of 2014.

This week Vacationkids staff attended a training seminar specifically about the details of this brand new ship. We found ourselves in a room full of travel agents. There was a room full of travel agents gasping and applauding at all the new features like sky diving on deck, the northstar observation pod or bumper cars and rollerskating in the new seaplex. Vacationkids staff found they were the only ones cheering when the single studio staterooms were announced. We don't care. Several of us were single parents at one time or another and we think this is one of the most AMAZING new features Quantum of the Seas has to offer.

Royal Caribbean has just annouced the newest, most innovative addition to their fleet...

If you're planning to take a family cruise with a teenager you're in for a fun time. OK, there may be just a hint of sarcasm behind that opening line.