Now do not get me wrong; the cruise was a lot of fun and there were plenty of things on the boat to ensure that everyone was constantly having fun.

For instance, during the daytime they always had something to do every hour, such as playing silly games by the pool, going to an acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine session, playing Bingo, line dancing sessions, and more. Some of their bigger events included Chocoholic Night (where they opened up one of the dining areas and served us all the chocolate we could ever want), White Out (a big dance party in the Galaxy of the Stars), and a 70s themed dance party.

To top it all off, they always had one big show going on every night. One was Argos, the magician from Greece, and he did a lot of big tricks. Some of these tricks included levitating his helper Heidi while she lay down, having Heidi stick her body through a rotating fan, cutting her in half, making her disappear and reappear from places, and more. The audience, of course, was very skeptical of his tricks, but he was entertaining nevertheless. One of his best acts was when he grabbed a woman from the audience who could not speak English. He put a jacket on her that allowed him to hide behind her and use his arms to make it look like she was doing the tricks, but really it was him. He did all of the standard magician tricks, such as pulling things out of a hat, producing streamers out of nothing, and more with “Nina” and it was all done in a funny manner.

Another show that was amazing was the acrobatic show. The acrobats were a married couple who had been dancing together since they were nine. They were absolutely phenomenal and they were so strong! It was so impressive, and they made it look so easy. They had a few other shows that were also very good, like some singers and comedians from Second City. Of course, aside from these shows there were always other people having mini-shows in various places on the boat.

So, don’t worry, if you go on a cruise, there will always be something to go to.

In the hectic pace of the modern world, airplanes have become the standard mode of traveling over long distances because flying can get you where you are going fast. Flight is the preferred mode of corporate travel; that is why so many credit cards offer points for airline miles. Vacationers fly often, as well, because the quicker you can get there and home, the more time you can spend “on vacation”.

If you are not in a hurry, however, train travel can be a rewarding way to vacation. While it is slower than flight, traveling by train offers benefits that airline travel does not. Check-in for trains is generally much quicker than for planes. Twenty minutes from ticket counter to platform and you are on your way. Unlike exorbitant baggage fees charged by airlines, trains will often allow multiple pieces of luggage per person at no additional cost. Destination for destination, tickets are generally less expensive, as well. Some flights, however, do offer package deals on travel, hotel and car rental combinations which can save you money over the course of your trip, so it is wise to comparison shop.

Other advantages of traveling by train include larger, more comfortable economy seats, chef-prepared meals at a full table in a dining car, and the luxury of seeing the countryside at ground level through large windows. One of my daughter’s favorite spots on the train when she and I rode from New Mexico to California was the observation car. Fully three quarters window, this car offered landscape views during daylight hours that were breathtaking, and at night we marveled at the brightness of the stars, not obscured by city lights, as we passed through stretches of undeveloped desert. It was our first train ride, and most enjoyable; we will likely take many more in the future.

Savannah’s River Street is just that: a long block that looks out onto the famous Savannah River (and on a bit further to Hutchinson Island). What makes this street worth exploring? You’ll find lots of shopping, dining, lounges, and unparalled views of the river. History buffs, families, art fans, and antique collectors love to shop River Street thanks to their fairly impressive collection of shops and galleries.  And with a cobblestone road, this neighborhood is actually best explored by foot, just make sure you bring good walking shoes, a  camera, and  a list of what you’ve got to see on River Street. Check out their website for more information. No matter what your plans are, here is a small list of River Street’s shops and restaurants worth checking out.

Savannah’s Candy Kitchen: This locally owned candy shop merits a visit as its considered the largest candy shop in the entire south! Whether you have kids or not, you’re going to love this shop’s old-fashioned flare and tasty treats. Another candy shop that is worth checking out? River Street Sweets is the city’s oldest candy shop and they serve more than just sugar confections!

Books On The Bay: Locally-owned bookstores are a rare breed, and this store has something that most bookstores don’t–a large collection of vintage reads, some of which date all the way to the 1700s!

Savannah Accents: This fabulous little gift shop is perfect for those who want to bring some of the south back home! This store sells everything from home decor to art.

Chart House: Enjoy fresh seafood while taking in views of the river. If you’re looking for a restaurant with a bit more local flavor, try the Cobblestone Conch House which merges Savannah cuisine with Caribbean influences. You could also explore the rest of the city to find even more authentic restaurants and cafes.

Preparing to visit San Diego in California? Don’t forget to include these museums in your itinerary!

San Diego Museum Of Art

The San Diego Museum Of Art is the region’s oldest, largest and most visited art museum with an annual average of 250,000 visitors. Located in Balboa Park, they have a permanent collection of Spanish and Italian old masters, South Asian paintings and 19th-century and 2oth-century American paintings and sculptures.

1450 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101; Tel. (619)232-7931; http://www.sdmart.org

Mingei International Museum

The Mingei International Museum focuses on collected and displaying folk art, craft and design from all over the world. The Mingei (which means “art of the people”) was established in 1978 and houses different collections of artworks from Mexico, India, China, the Middle East and Africa, among others.

1439 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101; Tel. (619)239-0003; http://www.mingei.org

Museum of Photographic Arts

Since 1983, the Museum of Photographic Arts has been collecting, preserving and exhibiting photographs, film and video. Through the photographic medium, the Museum seeks to address cultural, historical and social issues. Their permanent collection includes over 9,000 images from renowned artists such as Margaret Bourke-White, Alfred Stieglitz and Ruth Bernhard.

1649 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101; Tel. (619)238-7559; http://www.mopa.org

San Diego Automotive Museum

A renowned automobile collector and racer, Briggs Cunninghan first brought up the idea of opening an automotive museum in Balboa Park. In 1988, the idea finally became true when the San Diego Automotive Museum opened to the public. With a collection of world-class cars, the Museum is visited everyday by car enthusiasts all over the world.

2080 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101; Tel. (619)231-2886; http://www.sdautomuseum.info

San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo is a non-profit organization dedicated to the reproduction, protection and exhibition of animals, plants and their habitats. They operate the San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park and Institute for Conservation Research. The 100-acre zoo houses more than 4,000 rare and endangered animals, 800 species and subspecies and more than 700,000 exotic plants.

2920 Zoo Drive, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101; Tel. (619)231-1515; http://www.sandiegozoo.org

The word vacation often conjures thoughts of airplane travel, ocean cruises, or other long distance trips across the country or around the globe. After all, vacation is a time to get away, right? Well, yes, but “getting away” does not have to entail “going away”.

Vacation travel to distant lands is not only time consuming, but very budget straining as well. Plus, you have to worry about packing, passports and, often, vaccinations when traveling abroad. With the busy, hectic lives that most families lead today, the need to get away is as prevalent as ever, but the opportunity and the resources to do so are not. The solution is a vacation at home.

No matter where people live – urban high rises, suburban subdivisions, or rural countryside – there are often recreational places right in their own back yard that they have never seen, and may not even be aware of. The trick to effectively vacationing at home is to treat home like a tourist destination.

Almost every city and town these days has a website. Do some research online. Find out where people go in your town when they are on vacation from somewhere else.
State and national parks offer fabulous opportunities for hiking, wildlife watching, fishing, and sports like skiing, mountain biking, or rock climbing. For the get-away feeling, take a weekend camping trip and “rough it” at a local campsite, or even literally in your own back yard. Or book a night or two at a local hotel or bed and breakfast.

Visit local and nearby attractions such as amusement parks, theme restaurants or live music venues. Take the kids to museums, the zoo, the planetarium and observatory. Check the local news for any cultural events or ethnic festivals, like Oktoberfest, going on during your home-made vacation. Attending a culturally-themed event is not only educational; it can offer a “foreign” atmosphere without the need for global travel.

Here I am again, safe and sound from my family cruise from Boston to Bermuda and let me tell you, it was certainly an experience to remember. Now that does not mean that it was necessarily a great experience to remember, but I am sure that you will get the idea of my thoughts on the whole cruising lifestyle.

First things first, if you are going to go on a cruise, a 5 day cruise is not enough. Of course, if your main objective is to sit on the boat and enjoy what the boat has to offer, then by all means take that 5 day adventure, but to me, even the 7 day adventure seemed short. We only had two days on Bermuda while the people who had come in from Baltimore, Maryland had less than 24 hrs on the island. I personally think that is way too short; especially on an island such as Bermuda where it will take you 30-60 minutes to get to a destination other than the dockyard.

I must say that departing from Boston was definitely convenient. When we first got on to the cruise ship, we were not allowed to go into our staterooms because they were still being prepared. What that meant was that 2000+ guests were roaming around the 13 floors (floors 5+ were for the guests and floor 13 was the top of the boat). The boat was extremely crowded, but that was not what I was amazed about. What appalled me even more was how quickly people had settled into cruise mode. I am not kidding, as soon as people got on the boat, they had it in their heads that we were sailing away and that it was a beautiful hot summer day (which it wasn’t). People were already loading themselves up with tropical drinks and beers, tanning by the sea-water filled pool, tanning in the chairs on the roof, reading books, and pigging out at the lunch buffet. It was crazy to see how quickly people had settled in!

We eventually were allowed to go to our rooms and wow–so tiny! My parents had a balcony, which was definitely a necessity for their comfort, while we had a room without any windows. It was kind of weird to be in a room with no indication about the weather.

Speaking of the weather, we were extremely fortunate the whole trip through! Until next week…

What, if any, are the age restrictions and what discounts may apply for children?
Are there any shore excursions or other activities scheduled for children to enjoy?
What supervision is provided in children’s centers, and what is the adult:child ratio?
Do the staff working in cruise line children’s centers know child safety and first aid?
Will child-friendly foods be available in the dining room or other areas of the ship?

These are just a few of the questions you will want to consider when deciding on a cruise line for your next maritime family vacation. With more than 300 ships, on more than 60 cruise lines, to choose from, finding the right kid-friendly cruise could be challenging. A good rule of thumb is, the larger the ship, the more likely it will be to provide a wide variety of activities for all ages. Here are just a few suggestions:

Carnival Cruise Lines offers different kinds and levels of activity to entertain youngsters, tweens and teens. Their Camp Carnival has specific activities geared toward toddlers (age 2-5), juniors (age 6-8), and intermediates (age 9-11). Circle C game and activity center was developed specifically with 12-14 year olds in mind; and Club O2 provides a cool atmosphere including movies, music and dancing for 15-17 year olds. With a motto like, “Fun for All. All for Fun,” it seems hard to go wrong with Carnival.

Disney has long been a family favorite when it comes to fun, and cruises are no exception. Disney provides an abundance of youth and family activities including character greetings, where kids can meet their favorite Disney characters face to face. Pools, spas, and live entertainment all add to the magic on the Disney Cruise Line.

Whether for Slime Time, Spongebob, Dora, or any of the other entertaining kid-geared programming, kids of all ages love Nickelodeon. The popular children’s network teamed up this year with Norwegian Cruise Lines to bring families Nickelodeon at Sea. With lots of activities for every age group, this cruise offers fun-filled adventure year round.

It seems that everyone books their vacation time during the summer.  And while there is certainly nothing wrong with that, most people forget that autumn could perhaps be the better season to take a hiatus from life. Not only does fall travel create new opportunities you might not experience during the summer, its often cheaper (particularly if done before the Thanksgiving holiday begins). If you need ideas on wear to travel next season, here are a few places to explore.

Central Park in New York City is a slice of nature right in the middle of the large, bustling city. You can visit this park anytime of the year, but autumn is the ideal season considering the pleasant temperatures and vividly colored falling leaves that create such beautifully scenery.

Portland Maize in Portland, Oregon is a Halloween event that offers family fun activities like giant mazes, hay rides, pumpkin patches, bonfire, and more. This year the event lasts from September 4 to October 31. You can find out more on their website.

The countryside near Pittsburgh offers a lot for those who want to enjoy fall’s climate and beauty. You can explore numerous trails inside Pittsburgh proper, or you can explore the outskirts and countryside in Allegheny county.  Bring a camera.

Football season is almost here and there is no better town to visit during this season than the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. The Dallas Cowboys is one of the nation’s best known football teams, and for good reason (they won 5 Super Bowl games in the last century). If you and your family love football, make a point to go visit Dallas to catch on of their home games. You can check the 2010 schedule here for more information.

Here’s a list of Seattle museums you can include in your to-visit list when in Seattle.

Experience Music Project

One of Seattle’s newer attractions, the Experience Music Project is an interactive music museum that features popular American rock’n'roll artists and musicians. The brainchild of Paul Allen, Microsoft co-founder, its mission is to inform and inspire all visitors about the past, present and future of American music. The EMP is home to about 80,000 artifacts, including stage costumes and instruments of Bob Dylan and Kurt Cobain.

325 5th Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109; Tel. (206)770-2700; http://www.empsfm.org

Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame

The Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame is the United States’ first and only museum dedicated to science fiction. Its mission is to promote awareness and appreciation of science fiction as well as encourage visitors to envision new futures for humanity. There are four different galleries, Homeworld (looks at the history and heritage of science fiction), Fantastic Voyages (features the elements of science fiction, including weird planets, spaceships and imaginative technologies), Brave New Worlds (about the culture and politics in science fiction) and THEM! (features the non-human characters of science fiction).

325 5th Avenue North, Seattle WA 98109; Tel. (206)770-2700; http://www.empsfm.org

Tacoma Art Museum

Founded by a group of volunteers in 1935, the Tacoma Art Museum wants to connect people through art by exhibiting and collecting Northwest Art. Their permanent collection includes the premier collection of Dale Chihuly’s glass artwork on permanent public display.

1701 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98402; Tel. (253)272-4258; http://www.tacomaartmuseum.org

Museum of Glass: International Center for Contemporary Art

As one of only three museums dedicated to contemporary glass art in the world, the Museum of Glass opened to the public in 2002. The Museum of Glass features ongoing glassblowing demonstrations in the Hot Shop Amphitheater. The museum is part of the Tacoma Museum District, which is connected by the Chihuly Bridge of Glass, a 500-foot-long pedestrian bridge linking downtown Tacoma to the city’s waterfront.

1801 Dock St. Tacoma WA 98402; Tel. (253)284-4750; http://www.museumofglass.org

Pacific Science Center

The Pacific Science Center was initially known as the United States Science Pavilion during the 1962 Seattle’s World Fair. When the World Fair ended, it was changed into the Pacific Science Center, a science and technology museum. They feature interactive exhibitions and demonstrations for all members of the family, as well as an IMAX Theater and Laser Shows.

200 Second Avenue N, Seattle WA 98109; Tel. (206)443-2001; http://www.pacsci.org

When you think of “getting away from it all”, one of the first places that often comes to mind is the wilderness. Wilderness can have different connotations to different people, but it generally indicates any outdoor environment that is away from populous areas and the hustle and bustle of urban life. It may be the mountains, or a serene valley or a lakeside cabin, but two things that almost always represent wilderness are scenery and solitude. One place you can always find an abundance of both is Alaska.

Denali National Park and Preserve has it all. Situated away from major urban centers, it is about 240 miles north of Anchorage and 120 miles south of Fairbanks. Denali Park has as its centerpiece the tallest peak in all of North America, Mt. McKinley. Around the massive mountain are six million sprawling acres of wilderness to explore. Open year round, Denali offers activities for all seasons. In summer, visitors can go hiking or cycling on numerous trails, camping in one of several well established campgrounds, fishing in any of Denali’s many lakes and streams, climbing Mt. McKinley, and much more. Winter visitors can enjoy snowmachining, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and dog mushing. Of course, wildlife on the Preserve is abundant and can be viewed all year long.

If Denali seems too far afield, visitors to Anchorage can cross the city line directly into Chugach State Park. The majestic mountain range spanning Chugach State Park is the ever-present backdrop for Anchorage. At just under half a million acres, this scenic getaway always offers areas of true solitude, even with its nearly one million visitors each year. Also open all year, the park offers excellent wildlife-watching, camping, hiking, skiing, rafting and other wilderness activities for those who venture in to discover the natural beauty of Chugach.