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Planning May 18, 2020

Benefits of Booking Your Vacation Early!

Does booking my vacation early benefit me or the travel companies?

Over and over you see travel companies saying “Book Now” or “Don’t wait any longer, book that vacation today.” Do you wonder, “Is this just to get me locked into a vacation? Is it just to get my money?” My answer to the question, “Should I book my trip now?” is YES. There IS a benefit to you, the traveler, to booking that trip earlier rather than later and not just the travel company. So, read on to discover the benefits of booking your vacation early.

Can’t I take a last minute trip??

Please don’t get the idea from this blog post that you shouldn’t book those last-minute, spur-of-the-moment trips or even 6-9 months ahead (this is my usual booking window). Last-minute trip planning can be super exciting and fun. Instead, I just want to show you the benefits of a little planning ahead, like a year or more.

Planning during the Pandemic

I am writing this in the midst of the Pandemic. We aren’t able to travel right now and for many that can be really hard. When this all started, we had just come back from vacation. So, we weren’t planning on going anywhere for a while, but, I still have the feeling of being trapped simply because I can’t travel. SO, since we cannot go, I feel that planning for a vacation is really important. Having something to look forward to brings hope in difficult times.

But, traveling costs money which might be in short supply right now! Continue reading and I will address this as one of the benefits of booking your trip early.

At the end of this post there will be a FaceBook live that I did a few months ago about the benefits of booking your vacation early.

Benefits of Booking Early

Definition of booking early–Booking a trip a year or more ahead of time. Now, many companies are booking well into 2021 with some going even into 2022.

Best Selection when Booking Early

Cruises

Stateroom Selection–As you know there are only so many staterooms on a cruise ship. And then, there are only so many staterooms in a certain category or the location you want. If you want connecting cabins, cabins right across the hall from each other, or some of the few larger cabins that sleep 5 or 6 then booking early will help get the perfect stateroom. Want one of the few suites or one of DCL’s Deluxe Family Oceanview split layout staterooms? Booking early is imperative! Especially if you want the one and only, super amazing, super awesome (and super expensive) Royal Caribbean Ultimate Family Suite which is booked up at least a year out.

River Cruise ships are small (100 staterooms or less) and definitely have a limited selection. Some boats have only 1 or 2 single rooms, a handful of the economical window, french balcony or lower balcony staterooms.

For those needing an accessible room booking early gives you the best selection as these are usually limited in number.

Cost–Often Cruise lines offer their best prices when they first release their cruise dates about 15-18 months out. This is especially true of Disney Cruise Line. The cost will then go up for a while and only go down a few months before with a Guaranteed fare so you cannot pick your own cabin (and that is often to the same fare as the time of release).

Dining–The main seating time in the main dining room is always the first to go. We booked our cruise 9 months ahead. Our family was able to get a main seating reservation only because we had children but the whole rest of our party was relegated to the second seating. We had to wait and wait and wait to see if our party could eat all together.

Excursions–There are some excursions and activities that are limited to a certain number of people. Once the numbers are filled you are out of luck. Cabanas on private islands are one example. Booking early is essential to securing a cabana for the day. Another is the water park on Royal Caribbean’s Coco Cay. The capacity of the waterparks is significantly lower than the capacity of the ship. If that is a must-do for you then early booking is important.

Resorts

Most Resorts aren’t in as much danger of booking up like cruises except at busy traveling times such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter/Spring Break. Popular smaller resorts might get booked up during the summer. So, there are some resorts that benefit form early booking.

Disney World–Disney World definitely is a place that benefits from booking your vacation early. Value and Moderate resorts are some of the first to fill up all year round but especially during the busy seasons. Getting a 5th sleeper at Disney’s Caribbean Beach or Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside becomes incredibly challenging if you wait too long. These rooms are the least expensive way for a family of 5 to stay on Walt Disney World property and as such, they are in great demand.

Dining reservations at Disney World–Advance Dining Reservations can be made 6 month ahead. In order to get the time you want to some of the most popular restaurants (Be Our Guest, Cinderella’s Royal Table, Le Cellier) need to be reserved at the 6 month mark.

Guided Tours

You cannot go on any tour, any time of year. Guided tours are scheduled at specific times and they are limited both in the number of travelers and the number of expeditions. Sometimes there might be only one trip to a country. Getting to go where you want, when you want is a big reason to book a tour early.

Ability to Budget Your Vacation

The ability to accurately budget for you vacation is another one of the benefits of booking your vacation early. Once you plan and book your vacation you know exactly how much it will cost. Some companies allow you to pay a deposit and then make the final payment at a certain point before you depart. This gives you the opportunity to make yourself a monthly budget in order to have the vacation paid off before you go. You can ask your travel advisor to set up a payment schedule for you to help you stay on track.

Companies that work well for budgeting:

Disney Parks–$200 deposit and final payment due 30 days ahead
Disney Cruise Line–20% deposit and final payment 3 or 4 months ahead depending on length of cruise
Adventures by Disney–10% and final payment due 4 months ahead
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line–$250/per person deposit and final payment 3 months prior (does depend on length of cruise above for 6+ days)
Norwegian Cruise Line–Same as Royal Caribbean
AmaWaterways–$400/person deposit and final payment 3 months ahead
National Geographic Journeys by G Adventures–$500 or $750 (some $2000) deposit depending on length of journey and final payment due 3 months ahead

This list certainly is not exhaustive. There are quite a few other companies that have the same deposit and final payment options. So there are lots of vacations you can plan early and be able to budget easily. Yippee!

Groups Get Choices You Want

If you are coordinating a group (or your travel advisor is–so much easier for you) a huge benefit to booking your vacation early is to get the features you want–rooms together, cruise dining times, excursions, dinner reservations, etc. We traveled with family for a reunion cruise and because we booked 15 months ahead we were all able to have main seating dining and we had a better selection choosing staterooms closer together. Groups usually take up quite a bit of room and it is best to book when there is a lot of selection available. One group of 10 couples on a river cruise ship could take up 10% of the staterooms. One extended family could fill an entire guided tour so if you want your choice of dates you have to book early.

Something to Look Forward To

I actually think that this is an important reason to book early. Studies show that it is good for your psyche if you have something good on the horizon. For me, when I don’t have a specific planned I feel a little at loose ends. Even if that vacation is a year or more away I feel better. Also, if you know for sure you are going on a trip it sometimes makes it easier to scrimp and save.

If you have any more suggestions you have experienced about the benefits of booking your vacation early just comment below!

Happy travels to you…Until we meet again!

Links you might be interested in reading:

5 Reasons to Book Your 2020 Disney World Vacation NOW (still applies to booking for 2021)
It’s Tulip Time! Explore the Netherlands and Belgium–Start planning for Tulip Time next year
Planning a Family Reunion? Consider a cruise!–Planning ahead is very beneficial when planning a group trip.

Ama Waterways May 8, 2020

Make the Holidays Merry–Explore Europe’s Christmas Markets!

I know it is only May but if you are considering taking a vacation during the Christmas holidays now is definitely the time to begin planning for Christmas 2020 or 2021. Even though you cannot travel now you definitely can start planning and booking future vacations. Plus, AmaWaterways has a very nice promotion for vacations booked before June 30, 2020.

Explore the magical European Christmas markets with an AmaWaterways Iconic Christmas Market Cruise.

But first, let’s learn more about the beautiful cities and towns on the Danube River that are part of AmaWaterways Iconic Christmas Markets cruise!

Sail the AmaWaterways Iconic Christmas Markets Cruise

There are a few fantastic Christmas Market Cruise itineraries of AmaWaterways that I could have chosen to share with you today. But I loved the classicness (I just made up a new word 🙂 ) of this one. I guess the “Iconic” in the name says it all! Come with me and learn all about AmaWaterways Iconic Christmas Market tour on the Danube River as we travel through Hungary, Austria, and Germany.

Map of AmaWaterways Iconic Christmas Market Cruise — Map of the AmaWaterways Iconic Christmas Market Cruise

Christmas Traditions to Experience

Part of the treasure of the touring the Christmas markets in Europe is learning about holiday traditions that are so different from the United States. Different fascets of Christmas are important in Europe than they are here.

How Santa differs in Europe

Let’s take Santa Claus for instance. Countries in Europe don’t have the same Santa Claus tradition that we do. They have something similar but yet, very different. There are no chimneys, trips around the world with flying reindeer, or the North Pole. In the Czech Republic and Austria, you will find a similar character to Santa Clause. Austrians call him St. Nicholas and the people of the Czech Republic call him Mikulas. Each country has differing traditions on how he arrives bringing small gifts to children on December 6th with his companion Krampus (who gives coal, onions, or potatoes to the naughty children). Traditionally, the real gift-giver, Baby Jesus, (Christkindl in Austria and Jezisek in the Czech Republic) comes on the 24th.

Christmas Markets

As you travel down the Danube River from town to town you are delighted by the different traditions you come across, the food, decorations, music, and of course, the Christmas Markets! During the holidays, from early/mid-November to late December, these wonderful outdoor markets come alive. Some cities even have quite a few options. As you wander throughout, from booth to booth, enjoy the smells, sounds, and sights of the season.

Special Traditions Onboard

Of the boat is not the only place you will get to experience some holiday traditions. The AmaWaterways staff wants to create the most magical holiday possible. A couple of activities you might get to participate in are:

Leaving out your shoes for St. Nick
Trimming the tree
Christmas cookies on Christmas Eve
New Year’s Countdown

Iconic Christmas Market Itinerary

Day 1 & 2–Budapest, Hungary

Guided options in Budapest

If you choose to join the included “Queen of the Danube” tour you will be treated to the best of what Budapest has to offer. You will visit Buda Castle, Heroes’ Square, and the Great Market Hall. You will see what makes gives Budapest its name by visiting the Buda (hilly) side and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. And since this is a Christmas Market cruise you will be given some time to wander through the oldest and most spectacular market in Budapest, Vörösmarty Square. This tour will give you a great overview of the city. It might even spark some desire to head back someday for a longer stay.

On your own in Budapest

If you would like to venture out on your own don’t miss some of these iconic sights:

Vörösmarty Christmas Market in Vörösmarty Square.
Chain Bridge near Buda Castle. It is gorgeous lit up at night. The current bridge is an exact replica of the bridge from 1849 that was destroyed during WWII.
Castle Hill–Home to Buda Castle, Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest History Museum, and National Széchényi Library. This historic quarter is also home to Sandor Palace (official residence of President of Hungary), Hungarian National Archives, and the beautiful Gothic Matthias Church. Tunnels and caves underneath are for the adventurous. You could spend a whole day just on Castle Hill!
Buda Castle Funicular–A tram ride up the hill. You must have tickets before you go and they can only be purchased at select Budapestinfo Offices.
Hungarian Parliament--The third largest in the world and modeled after the Parliament in London
St. Stephens Basilica–One of the most important ecclesiastical buildings in Hungary and a major attraction. It can seat up to 8000 people.
Dohany Street Synagogue–Tied with Amsterdam Synagogue as the largest in the world
Andrassy Avenue ending in Heroes’ Square, the gateway to City Park.
Sczechenyi Thermal Bath and Swimming Pools–It is one of the largest bathing complexes in Europe with 21 pools. Wow!
Margaret Island–Otherwise know as “Budapest’s Central Park”

Oh my goodness! There is so much to see and do in Budapest. Way more than a day so it is a wonderful thing you are staying overnight in Budapest. The nice thing about a river cruise is you will get a chance to spend a little time in Budapest and see what you might like to come back later and do. If you are traveling on your own, even for just the day, you might be interested in a Budapest Card. Pay one price and have free admission and discounts for many Budapest attractions.

Day 3–Vienna, Austria

The next stop on the AmaWaterways Iconic Christmas Market cruise is the breathtaking city of Vienna! What could be more magical than strolling through stall after stall laden with traditionally handcrafted treasures, magnificent aromas of gingerbread, piping hot waffles, and mulled wine and listening to open-air concerts or Mozart as you shop. Start the day with the choice between two different excursions.

Guided Options in Vienna

The “Imperial Vienna” tour–Revel in the beauty of the Vienna Opera House, the former Imperial Palace of the Hapsburgs and end up in the gorgeous historic city center. Then, off to take in the sights, sounds, and traditions of the Austrian holiday at the Rathaus (Town Hall) Christmas market.
A bicycle ride through the city of Vienna taking in the sights at a little slower pace.

During the afternoon you may choose to join the visit to Schonbrunn Palace (former Imperial summer residence) and the magnificent Christmas market. Don’t miss the giant, sparkling Christmas tree.

End the day with Vienna all lit up and shining at the Maria Theresaplatz Christmas market in the heart of the Ringstrasse. Also, visit the illuminated Rathahus, Vienna’s Largest Christmas market.

On your own in Vienna

The day they have planned for you gives you a wonderful taste of Vienna as well as the Christmas markets, the focus of your cruise experience. But, if you want to go out on your own and focus on just a couple of places, here are some suggestions:

Hofburg Palace Complex–And I do mean complex! It is 2.5 million square feet with 18 wings, 19 courtyards, and 2,600 rooms. Phew! Don’t miss the Imperial Apartments, Sisi Museum (dedicated to Empress Elizabeth of the late 1800s), and the Silver Collection.
Schonbrunn Palace–The summer residence of the Imperial Hapsburgs. If you are touring both palaces purchase a Sisi ticket to save some money.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral–A gorgeous mishmash of architectural styles. The tile pattern on the roof is astounding!
Museumsquartier–Even though this area looks baroque on the outside, inside the more than 70 museums, galleries, theaters, cafes and restaurants you will discover Vienna’s vibrant contemporary art scene.
City Hall (Wiener Rathaus)–Built in the 1800s in Neo-Gothic style. Located nearby is a fabulous Christmas market.
Enjoy Wiener Schnitzel at Schnitzelwurt.
Ride Wiener Risenrad, Vienna’s giant ferris wheel.

Day 4–Melk, Austria

Guided options in Melk

Melk, Austria is a small, picturesque little town watching over the Danube right where it enter the Wachau Valley. This little town is best know for the impressive Benedictine Abbey perched above the Danube. The magnificent Baroque monastery is one of the most revered in Europe. The inside is as magnificent as the outside and also houses a famous library with more than 90,000 volumes and rare manuscripts. Touring this beautiful monastery is one tour option for this stop. The other option is a guided bike ride through the Old Town, many building date back to the 1700s.

This lovely laid-back little town surrounded by gorgeous landscapes and countryside will be a wonderful respite from the busyness of Vienna and Budapest.

Day 5–Passau, Germany

Passau, Germany is situated at the confluence of three rivers–the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz. This city, which is considered by some to be the most spectacular city on the Danube, has been around for 2000 years. The combination of the gothic and baroque architecture creates a enchanting atmosphere as you walk the cobbled streets.

Guided options in Passau

Your day in Passau will begin with a possibly difficult choice. All of the included tour options are fantastic. Here are your options for your day:

Join the “City of Three Rivers” walking tour through this 2,000-year-old city renowned for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture. A stunning centerpiece of the city is St. Stephen’s Cathedral which houses one of the largest organs in the world. After the tour, the rest of the day is for you to explore on your own.
Option two is a full-day excursion to Salzburg, in the Austrian Alps and the birthplace of Mozart, for a walking tour of UNESCO-designated Old Town, spectacular cathedral, and of course, Christmas market. The Hellbrunn Palace inner courtyard is the romantic backdrop for one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets in Austria.
The third option is a guided bicycle adventure along the Danube.

On your own in Passau

If you would like to sightsee on your own you might like:

Veste Oberhaus–A fortress atop the hill built-in 1219 meant to display the power of the Roman Empire. Overlook the city from this high vantage point and also enjoy a bit of history and art in a small museum.
Weihnachtsmarkt–A Christmas Market in the Old Town with the glorious St. Stephens Cathedral in the background.
St Stephens Cathedral–A gorgeous baroque-style cathedral with one of the world’s largest organs. If you are there on a Wednesday or Saturday you can attend an organ concert from Noon-12:30 PM.
Passau Glass Museum–Holds the world’s largest collection of European glass with over 30,000 exhibits spanning many centuries.
New Episcopal Residence (Bishop’s Palace)–Behold the display of riches of Passau when it was the capital of the largest dioceses of the Roman Empire. The Rocco stairway and the frescoes of the gods of Olympus are two special exhibits in the Museum of the Treasure of the Cathedral.
Wander down to the outside wall of City Hall and look back at the levels and years of past floods that have covered the lower parts of the city.

Day 6–Regensburg, Germany

Regensburg Germany historic center small

Regensburg Germany Walhalla building 2 small

Guided options in Regensburg

Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities awaits. And it marks another day that begins with a difficult choice of how to spend your day. You will have three excursion options to choose from or go out on your own. Your choices include:

You might want to take a nice overview tour of the city on foot. You will see the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria. To cap off the tour you will be able to explore the Old Town Christmas Market.
Today might be a good chance to sample some of Bavaria’s specialties. You don’t want to leave Germany without trying some of the local beer, sausages, or pretzels.
For active travelers, an option for you might be bicycling to the base of Walhalla, a neoclassical white marble temple inspired by the Parthenon in Athens that houses the German Hall of Fame.

Later in the afternoon, you will be able to visit one of Bavaria’s most beautiful and romantic Christmas markets at Thurn und Taxis Palace, a former monastary converted into an opulent palace for a family who earned their fortune in the postal business. This Christmas market is a fascinating place to watch artisans make their unique arts and crafts.

On your own in Regensburg

But, maybe you just want to strike out on your own. Some things that could interest you might be:

Old Stone Bridge–A marvel of engineering built in the 12th century and spanning over 300 meters. This pedestrian bridge was the only bridge across the river until the 1930s. There is an interesting statue to see at the hump of the bridge.
Regensburg Museum of History–Track the cultural history of Regensburg from the Stone Age to the 1800s.
Patrician Towers–In medieval times, to show wealthy families built their home up and not out. Many houses were erected from the competition to show off wealth. The attention-grabbing Goliathhaus has a mural of David and Goliath painted in 1573 on the side (this building has the restaurant David on its upper floor overlooking Regensburg). Fortress-like patrician house, Goldenes Kreuz, lines Haidplatz, the triangular “square” in the middle of Old Town that hosted medieval jousting tournaments. The tallest building at 50m is Goldener Turm and now houses university students.
Porter Praetoria–A 2nd-century rough-hewn stone gate for the northern wall that was absorbed into later buildings.
Altes Rathaus–Regensburg bright yellow 13th century Old Town Hall that has been incorporated into the later baroque new town hall. Much has been left, unchanged from the 14th and 16th centuries.

Day 7 & 8–Nuremberg, Germany

Wake up early in the morning to enjoy the scenic sailing down the Main-Danube canal as you cross the Continental Divide and Nuremberg comes into view. Nuremberg is a lovely town that has weathered many momentous events from the time of the Holy Roman Empire to the 20th century and is the last stop on AmaWaterways Iconic Christmas Market tour. The Altstadt (Old Town) is still surrounded by walls and is overlooked by a Roman Empire era castle on the north side.

Guided Options in Nuremberg

After docking you have a couple of choices if you wish to join the included excursions.

Take the city tour of WWII highlights then down the cobblestones streets to the Imperial Castle and 900-year-old ramparts. Nuremberg is home to the courthouse which held the Nuremberg Trials to judge Nazi personnel. When court is not in session it is possible to see inside the courthouse.
Option two is a gastronomic delight with Franconian specialties–bratwurst, rotbier (red beer) and lebkuchen (gingerbread).

Later in the day, you can visit Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt, one of the world’s oldest, largest, and most famous Christmas Markets.

On your own in Nuremberg

Kaiserburg Castle–Explore the towers, circular staircases, courtyards, courts and deep well bored into the sandstone. The observation deck boasts the best panoramic view of the city.
Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds–A congress hall built in the 1930s as part of an unrealized plan for the city. It now houses an exhibition on the Nazi regime.
Nuremberg Trial Memorial–Courtroom 600 of the Justizpalast can be hard to view because it is a currently working courtroom. The top floor of the building has been turned into a museum highlighting the Trials and their impact until today.
German National Museum–An enormous collection of German treasures from its cultural past in over 25,000 exhibits.
Albrecht Dürer’s House–He was possibly Germany’s greatest painter (early 1500s). This 5-story home is the only example in Europe of an artist’s home from this time period. It is one of the few burgher houses left from Nuremberg’s 15th century.
Schöner Brunnen–An amazing 19m Gothic fountain crafted in the late 1300s in the main market square. It resembles a church spire and within is carved many figures representing pilars of the Roman Empire and Church. Truly a marvel to behold. During WWII they wrapped the monument in concrete and in emerged after without a scratch.
City Walls–Take a walk along the city walls for an interesting jaunt through history.
Nuremberg Toy Museum–Just the building, the Renaissance Hallerschess Haus, is a sight to behold in the Altstadt (Old Town). Inside celebrates toys! You will find pre-War games and toys and an impressive model railway on the first three floors. Toys from 1945 and beyond (think lego, Playmobil, and Barbie) are on the top floor along with a place for kids to play.

Since Nuremberg is where you disembark the ship you can plan to take a little more time to explore this fascinating city. Or another possibility is to extend your trip with an additional 3-night excursion to Prague to explore another wonderful European city with spectacular Christmas markets, interesting history, beautiful architecture and so much more.

Phew! That is one action-packed week of wonderfulness! I hope that you enjoyed learning about this fantastic AmaWaterways Iconic Christmas Market cruise. If you have any questions please let me know! I am here when you are ready.

AmaWaterways Triple Holiday Savings!

Earn Triple Savings on your holiday cruise when you book categories BB and above. The promotion applies to select cruises.

$1,000 savings per person
$50 per person onboard credit
Complimentary category upgrade

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

Disney World vs. Disney Cruise: Which is best for your family?

Of course, the best and the most fun option would be to go on a Disney Cruise and also have a great time at Disney World. But for many families, both is not an option. So, decisions need to be made to figure out which vacation is best for your family. Trying to decide between Disney World vs. a Disney Cruise can be tough but my goal today is to give you some things to think about to help with your decision.

I do give my opinion of which I think might be the winner in each circumstance. But, the winner truly depends on your family’s needs so that is why I say “possible winner.”

At the end of this post there is a link to a FaceBook Live I did on this subject but the opinion slants a little toward DCL.

Let’s look at some aspects that you might want to consider:

Location of the vacation

Disney World is in Florida and it always will be.

But your Disney Cruise vacation can begin in quite a few different locations. Money can definitely be saved being able to drive instead of fly or just have less driving time. Plus, you can save a lot of time in transit before and after the vacation if you leave from a port closer to home.

What are the places that Disney Cruises depart from?

Vancouver, BC, Canada
San, Diego, CA
Galveston, TX
New Orleans, LA
New York, NY
Miami, FL (while only 5 hours from Orlando this port is closer for those near Miami)

Possible winner: Disney Cruise

Vacation Accomodations

At Disney World, there are a host of options for your family. There are possibilities from smaller rooms at Disney’s All-Star resorts to 3-bedroom club level suites at the Deluxe Disney resorts. In addition, these rooms are at all different prices that fit budgets for every family. Need a kitchen for your family? Want extended family to stay with you? Or, just want your family to have a bit of room to move around? At Disney World, you can book suites to accommodate these desires. Disney world has thousands of room options available to suit just about any family and just about any need.

On a Disney Cruise, your choices are limited. There are some staterooms that can sleep 5 but most are only for 4 or less. If you have a larger family you must book multiple staterooms (some can connect which is nice) or a suite. Staterooms are also limited in space and don’t provide much room for a family to move around. Extended families might end up booking rooms all over the ship.

Other special considerations: Children under the age of 17 must be booked in a room with an adult over 21. Children cannot be even booked in a connecting room (inside door) to the parents. So, for instance, if a single parents of 4 children wants to book a stateroom they would need to book a suite. This also means that extra thinking if you want to bring a under-21 childcare provider or childrens’ friends you might not want sleeping in the same room.

Possible winner: Disney World

Ease of Communication

Communication at Disney World is pretty simple if you have a cell phone. You can easily text or call your family at any time (as long as you have the proper cell service and battery life).

On a Disney Cruise, communication is quite costly since you are outside of the United States. In order to use your cell phone for calling you must purchase a plan through your cell phone company or onboard the ship. Through the Navigator App you can text other passengers for free but only while onboard the ship.

Possible winner: Disney World

Childcare

While the Disney World parks are super fun for kids there aren’t really any options for your kids to be taken care of while the adults go out and play.

A Disney Cruise is amazing for childcare throughout your whole vacation. Let me list the ways:

During the day children can have fun in the kids club appropriate for their age group
At dinner children can eat in the kids club or eat with the adults and then half way through be taken to the club so adults can have dinner together.
In the evening, kids clubs are open for parents to enjoy the nightlife
On port days kids can stay in the kids clubs while parents go on an excursion or just explore the port.
At Castaway Cay there special options for kids too

Another thing to consider is that the level of service on a Disney Cruise is fantastic and cannot be quite compared to Disney World resorts. This is definitely something to think about when you are comparing value resorts with even an inside cabin.

It isn’t always true but generally, a Disney World vacation comes out a little less expensive than a cruise.

Possible winner: Can’t say. Too many possibilities.

I hope that giving you these things to think about will help you with your decision. Trying to decide Disney World vs. Disney Cruise can be challenging but I am here for you if you have any other questions! Please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Here is a link to a FaceBook Live I did on this topic (slants a little to DCL)

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

Here are some other links you might be interested in:

River Cruise April 27, 2020

It’s Tulip Time! Exploring the Netherlands and Belgium

This week we are going to take a journey to celebrate spring in the Netherlands and Belgium. We will experience the colorful canals, the whimsical Kinderdijk windmills, the medieval architectural treasures of Belgium, and of course, the food–chocolate, waffles, and cheeses. Please enjoy this Tour of the Netherland and Belgium during Tulip Time.

It's Tulip Time! Explore the waterways of the Netherlands and Belgium with AmaWaterways.

Experience the Netherlands and Belgium through the Dutch and Belgian Waterways on an AmaWaterways River Cruise!

Each city on my tour is included on an AmaWaterways Tulip Time River Cruise. This cruise itinerary sails during March and April when the flowers are abundantly blooming.
River cruises are a wonderful way to see this area as you sail through the Dutch and Belgian waterways. Since you mostly sail at night and are in port all day long you have plenty of time to tour each city and town.

One of the cool things about AmaWaterways included excursions is that they have different activity levels for excursions. They have options for active guests like biking and slower ones for those want just be along for the ride. Sometimes they even have an option for those who want to sleep in. Of course, you can always tour all on your own!

The AmaSerena is one of the river cruise vessels that sail the Tulip Time itinerary. I have included some pictures below.

Now, sit back and enjoy the Tulip Time Tour!

Explore the Netherlands and Belgium on an AmaWaterways Tulip Time River Cruise. — Tulip Time Itinerary with AmaWaterways

Day 1–Keukenhof Gardens near Amsterdam

It’s Tulip Time!! Springtime in The Netherlands comes alive with gorgeous color from millions of vibrant crocus, daffodils, hyacinth, and of course, tulips. Most tulip farms are located in Noordoostpolder which is about an hour east of Amsterdam. Only 15 minutes from Amsterdam, the world’s largest flower exhibition, Keukenhof Gardens, which is only open 9 weeks a year is an absolute must-see. With 80 acres and around 7 million flowers, this is an amazing location to experience Tulip Mania!

Keukenhof gardens tulips red yellow small

Day 2–Middelburg, Netherlands

Middelburg, Netherlands is one of the oldest towns in the Netherlands. Visiting this town of canalside houses, twisty alleyways, gothic architecture, historic buildings, and shipyards will be a highlight of your visit to the Netherlands. If you leave Amsterdam on the train you will arrive in Middelburg in about 2 1/2 hours. Entering Middelburg you would never know that this little town had been ravaged by bombs in 1940. Much of the town was recreated in order to retain its quaint character and historic elements.

Adventures in Middelburg:

Wander into the center of the old town to the 15th century gothic Town Hall. The interior was completely burnt during WWII and only but the exterior was left standing. The Town Hall has undergone a massive restoration to bring it back to its original beauty.
Climb the 207-step Lange Jan abbey tower for fantastic views of Old Town
Enjoy the town market on a Thursday
Bike or walk through the alleyways past 1200 landmarked buildings and houses. Look out for house names from a time before houses had numbers.
Peruse the two main shopping streets, Lange Delft and Langeviele
Revisit the Golden Age of Holland and the Dutch East India Company at the Middelburg Abbey and Zeeuws Museum
Visit Delta Works–The Netherlands’ flood defense system that has been called one of the seven wonders of the world

Middelburg Netherlands house bicycle small

Middelburg Netherlands house flowers bicycle small

Day 3–Ghent, Belgium

A visit to Ghent can be done on a nice day trip and you will be able to see quite a bit of this charming town. But if you really want to take in the character and vibe, a few days will be so much better. Worth every minute!

Ghent, Belgium came into being in the 7th century and was considered one of the most important European cities from the 11th-16th centuries. This town is crammed full of history and character.

What could you do in Ghent?

Visit Gravensteen Castle (it even has a moat!) to be transported back to life in the 10th century. Don’t miss out on the armory museum, former torture chamber, and gorgeous panoramic views of the old town.
Go shopping at Korenmarkt which is the largest pedestrian shopping area in Europe.
Climb the belfry in one of the many cathedrals and churches to overlook the town.
Take a walk down Graslei or Korenlei on either side of the canal in the heart of the city which is arguably one of the prettiest parts of Ghent.
Float down some of the canals that surround the city.
Food and beer are not to be missed. The Belgian Waffles in Ghent are reportedly “to die for”!

Day 4–Bruges, Belgium

Bruges, Belgium is a breathtaking medieval fairytale town. Bruges historic center has been named as a UNESCO World Historic Site because of its preserved examples of a medieval European settlement. This is an absolute must-see! Walk the cobblestone streets enjoying the architecture, the shopping, and cafes in this charming square.

Things to do in Bruges:

Climb to the top of the Belfry for awesome views.
Wander through Burg Square and view the many neo-classical and gothic buildings. The Main Hall inside City Hall is jaw-dropping!
Float down the canals of the town that is also called the “Venice of the North.” Don’t miss Rozenhoedkaai where the Groenerei and Dijver canals meet for a breathtaking, picture-perfect spot.
Visit a museum. Some of your choices include a Frite Museum (fried potatoes), a Chocolate Museum, a Beer Museum, a Lamp Museum, and even a Torture Museum. I am sure you will find some fabulous art museums too.
Visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood, a 12th century Roman Catholic basilica vibrant with history.
And, since you are still in Belgium, indulge in some delicious Belgian waffles and beer

Bruges Belgium Rozenhoedkaai canal small

Day 5–Antwerp, Belgium

Antwerp, Belgium is the second-largest city in Belgium. This city is rooted in a deep history but is also embracing the future. On a trip to Antwerp, you can experience the old and the new like nowhere else!

Activities in Antwerp:

Admire the Antwerp Central Train Station. A train station you say?! Yes! From the gothic architecture on the outside to the impressive Main Hall and multi-platform area this building is sure to take your breath away. It isn’t considered one of the world’s top 5 train stations for nothing!
Visit Rubenshuis, the former home of painter Pieter Paul Rubens. Restoration began in 1937 and now the home is a gorgeous museum to both his paintings and also the furniture and accouterments of the period.
Cathedral of Our Lady is an impressive building built in the 1100s and is the largest cathedral in Europe’s Low Countries.
Want a little less history? The MAS Museum is sure to please your modern tastes!
Go shopping at the Stadsfeestzaal Shopping Centre. While the building historic the fashion inside is definitely modern and edgy and the refreshment stand is a Champagne bar. This Centre is on Meir Street which is a one-mile-long pedestrian shopping district. OH MY!
Shop for some 💎BLING💎. Antwerp is the Diamond Capital of the world!

Antwerp Belgium Central Station inside small

Antwerp Belgium stadsfeestzaal shopping small

Day 6–Rotterdam, Netherlands

Rotterdam, Netherlands is not like the other towns you have been to already. It is a rather large city with around 600,000 people. Since WWII mostly decimated this city it has been rebuilt as a vibrant, edgy, innovative, modern city. Only a couple of historic buildings even remain. From Rotterdam, you might want to take a short trip to Kinderdijk, a nearby village with A LOT of windmills or Delft, the home of Johannes Vermeer and the Royal Delft Porcelain Factory and Museum

So, what’s there to do in Rotterdam:

Visit Markthal, a giant horseshoe-shaped building that contains a buzzing food market on the bottom couple floors and living/office space in the rest of the building.
Just across the road is Piet Blom’s Cube Houses. Most are private residences but for a small fee, you can look around one of these extraordinary homes and see architectural creativity in action.
Rotterdam’s Central Train Station is also not to be missed. Another architectural marvel inside and out.
Climb the Euromast for panoramic views of the cityscape.
Stroll by the Whitt Huis, the first high rise building in Europe, and the Church of St. Lawrence, a couple of the only remaining historic buildings in Rotterdam.
Bike through the city. Since they decided to fill in a lot of the canals there is a lot of roadways to ride.
Walk across the Erasmus Bridge, an engineering marvel that is lovingly nicknamed The Swan.
Take a trip to the Rotterdam Zoo, voted the best in the Netherlands
Find the Fenix Food Factory and gorge on your favorite Dutch foods and beers.
Want to see what Rotterdam looked like before the destruction of WWII, take a tram to the nearby district of Delfshaven.

Rotterdam Netherlands Erasmus bridge small

Rotterdam Netherlands central train station small

Rotterdam Netherlands modern building euromast small

Day 7–Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam, Netherlands is the largest city in the Netherlands with about 800,000 people and a million bicycles. Yep, more bicycles than people! A bicycle is the perfect method of transportation for you to experience the sometimes charming, sometimes modern and innovative architecture, the relaxing canals, centuries of history, fabulous art, the infamous Red Light District, and the tranquil public parks.

Other things to do in Amsterdam:

Visit the Ann Frank Museum and remember the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Purchase tickets online to avoid long entrance lines.
Explore Museumplein in the Oui-Zuid district–The Van Gogh Museum featuring Vincent Van Gogh and friends; Museum het Rembrandthuis shows off Rembrand’s home, paintings, and etchings; Rijksmuseum exhibits Vermeer, Rembrandt and other Golden Age artists; and the Stedelijk Museum presents the more modern Matisses and Mondrians.
After visiting the museums walk a couple of blocks over to the Vondelpark, a beautiful respite from the busy city.
Head to Dam Square and visit the Dutch Royal House, the National Monument of the Dead, and Madame Tussauds.
Bike or boat the main canals surrounding the city center–the Herengracht, Keizersgracht, Prinsengracht and the posh Singel–enjoying the beautiful architecture.
Stroll Monday-Saturday during the day down the open-air, street closing Albert Cuypmarkt on Albert Cuypstraat frequented by locals and tourists alike.

Amsterdam Netherlands street windmill bicycle small

Amsterdam Netherlands royal house dam square small

There are other River Cruises that visit this area too.

I truly hope you enjoyed this tour of the Netherlands and Belgium. They are two gorgeous countries. I did want to mention that other river cruise companies do cruise to these countries and while they don’t have the same itinerary they visit some of the same cities and towns. Viking River Cruises (only adults) has a 10-day itinerary, Avalon and Tauck have an 8-day trip.

You can book for 2021 itineraries!

While these trips are cancelled for this season, now is a great time to start planning for 2021. I would love to answer any questions you may have. Contact me today!

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

Here are som other links you might be interested in:

Cruising April 20, 2020

Planning a Family Reunion? Consider a Cruise

A Cruise is a Good Family Reunion Vacation!

Right now we are not able to travel, not able to see friends, not able to see family. While we are able to connect with family through online chats it is just not the same as being right there with them. This is a difficult time for so many people due to separation from loved ones, working in stressful environments saving lives, and uncertainty about the future. When we get through all this, and we will, you might want to plan a family vacation to reunite with the ones you love and have been away from. A cruise might be just the vacation you need!

The last couple of cruises we have taken have been with extended family from different parts of the country. Cruises provide an excellent opportunity for families to reconnect and make memories. Read on and discover why a cruise makes a good family reunion vacation!

Why a cruise is good family vacation option

What makes a Cruise Good for Family Reunions

Accomodations for every family size and budget

One reason a cruise is a good family reunion vacation is that there are many different types of accommodations to fit every budget. Every family in your group has the opportunity to book a room that fits their needs. For budget-conscious family members, less expensive inside cabins are available. For family members who like to be pampered on their vacations, they can choose concierge cabins or suites. Single, double and triple cabins are convenient options for smaller families. Large families might enjoy staterooms that sleep 5 or 6 which are on some ships. Plus there is always the option for each family to spread out a little while still being close in connecting cabins. The possibilities are vast and flexible.

A Good Value

Often cruises provide good value for your money. Everything is included for a wonderful vacation–exceptional accommodations, gourmet dining, and extensive onboard activities. Plus, cruise lines offer promotions at different times for free specialty dining, kids sailing free, or other perks.

Activities for Everyone

Ocean Cruises

Onboard ocean cruises there are activities of many different kinds that will appeal to all ages of your family. Having options for all different family members makes a cruise a good family reunion possibility.

For the kids, most ocean cruises ships have a specific program for them with their own area on the ship. The youth programs are even divided out by ages so teens and pre-teens don’t have to hang out with little kids. Age-appropriate events and activities are planned for each group.

For the adults, there is so much to do I can’t even list it all. Many planned activities during the day include deck parties, games in the sports courts, fitness classes, destination lectures, trivia, meet-ups, introductions to spa experiences, tournaments in the casino, bingo and so much more. In the evening, nightlife varies throughout the bars, lounges, theaters, and casino.

For families, there are scheduled events so families can have fun together. There might be games on the deck or sports courts, craft times, trivia or events in the youth areas. Each cruise line will have fun family activities but I will say that Disney Cruise Line puts a special focus on creating events and activities to bring families together.

River Cruises

River cruise ship activities depend on the cruise line. Some cater to families and therefore have activities for all ages (think Adventures by Disney with AmaWaterways) and some are only for adults (think Viking). But, on a river cruise the emphasis is on the ports and getting out to explore the country. Port excursions are included and on some lines (especially AmaWaterways) there is a nice variety of options that fit different activity levels.

Time together and time apart

Ocean cruise ships offer the opportunity for families to have as much time together and time apart as they wish. This is another benefit that makes a cruise a good family reunion vacation option. Part or all of your family can plan activities together during the day, plan to hang out in the same place, or just expect to see each other in passing throughout the day. You can arrange to eat all your meals together or only one a day as a time for everyone to catch up. In the evening, you can all attend the featured show together and then go your separate ways for the rest of the night. How much togetherness is all up to each family and what fits for them. Even on port days you can plan excursions together each stop, some stops, or separately. There is so much flexibility. This makes a cruise so fantastic for family reunions!

River cruises are similar but a little bit different. Each day is a port day. Every river cruise line differs but most plan a variety of shore excursions each day depending on activity level or interest. This is a fantastic opportunity for family members to have the outing each person (or family) wants and then everyone can reconvene for dinner that evening to share about their adventures.

Effortless Dining

So often it is very difficult to eat all together as a family. A cruise makes it so easy! Your family is assigned to the same tables in the same dining room each night (except Disney Cruise Line which as rotational dining). In the main dining rooms, they have very large tables that can seat 10, 12 or sometimes more. Plus, tables are fairly close together so if you need a few to seat your whole family you still within a nice distance. Another great feature is the diverse menu which can satisfy all members of your family. And, there is no having to deal with splitting up the bill.

Just so you know, eating in the main dining room each night is not required. The main dining room just guarantees a place for your family to be all together. The decision is up to each family.

Convenient Family Communication

If you are out of the country at a resort, communication between families can be difficult and expensive. Depending on your cruise line, ship communication with families aboard can be really easy. Cruise lines have apps that travelers can download and use for free while onboard. Often they have a communication feature that allows you to send messages to other family members. Currently, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity offer this free on select ships. Disney Cruise Line, Holland America and Princess also have this feature at no additional cost. Norwegian and Carnival have a nominal fee to enable the messaging feature to their apps.

Easy planning

Well, planning is easy if you use a travel advisor. Your travel advisor will help you to pick the best cruise for your family based on the cruise line, destinations, promotions and Once you finalize the ship and itinerary, your travel advisor will also help by keeping track of the needs of each family. Often your travel advisor will create a particular group so that everyone can communicate important information before the cruise.

Do you have other reasons you enjoy a cruise for your family reunion? Let me know in the comments!

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

Welcome to the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

In March, I was able to spend some time at Disney World. Spending time at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival has been a dream of mine for quite some time so I was thrilled when I realized that my planned trip coincided with this festival. Woohoo! I am so excited to share some pictures (well, quite a few actually) with you to give you a glimpse of Epcot during this time.

Explore the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

What’s the Flower and Garden Festival all about?

The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival celebrates the beauty of flowers, plants and farm-fresh foods. Master gardeners plan all year to magically transform Epcot with beautiful topiaries, garden play areas, landscaping masterpieces and beautiful floral displays. This year (and maybe every year) there was a butterfly garden for visitors to learn about and enjoy the lives of butterflies. You might even have one land upon your head!

When is the Flower and Garden Festival?

Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival runs every year from the beginning of March through the end of May (sometimes a tad into June).

What’s new during the festival?

Amazing topiaries of Disney characters
Beautiful floral arrangements
Rest and play area gardens
Inventive/very creative landscaping
Garden scavenger hunt ($6.99 for map)
Easter egg hunt of Disney themed egg (during the couple weeks before Easter–$6.99 for map)
Guided tours of the gardens and the planning behind the beauty (additional cost)

Click here for a full list of the topiaries and gardens!

Let’s not forget the food!

Outdoor kitchens are another important part of the Flower and Garden Festival. You will find all different kinds of foods focusing on the delicious flavors of farm-fresh specialties. Enjoy flavors from around the world and local cuisines (such as yummy citrus and honey). These cute little booths dot the perimeter of the World Showcase Lagoon. Below are some pictures of a couple of the booths. You can see the 2020 menus here but every year you are treated to something different.

French food booth at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival — Delicous snacks in France

Serving up yummy honey snacks was open the next day.

Plant-based selections from Impossible Foods

Pictures from Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2020

Topiaries at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival — Bo Peeps Play Area over by the Test Track

A lovely garden play/rest area on the way to the World Showcase

Beautiful flower garden at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival — A garden on the way to the World Showcase

See Tigger and Friends in the England Pavillion

Each animal of the Zodiak was crafted out of beans and seeds. So fascinating!

Butterflies lead the way to the Butterfly Pavillion

Inside the butterfly pavillion at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival — Encounter hundreds of butterflies and learn about their life cycle.

One more thing–The Music!

Get your groove on in the American Garden Theater at the American Pavillion with the Garden Rocks Concert Series. Below is a schedule of the 2020 concert series. Each year has different performers and they schedule sometimes changes during the festival.

Rick Springfield — April 19 and 20
Christopher Cross — April 21 through 23
Plain White T’s — April 24 through 27
Don Felder – Formerly of The Eagles — April 28 through 30
Don McLean — May 1 and 2
Casting Crowns — May 3 and 4
Ambrosia with Peter Beckett — May 5 through 7
Thelma Houston — May 8 and 9
The Allman Betts Band – -May 10 and 11
Air Supply — May 12 through 14
Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone — May 15 through 18
Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot — May 19 through 21
Claudia Leitte — May 22 and 23
Daughtry — May 24 and 25
Marshall Tucker Band — May 26 through 28
Crowder — May 29 and 30
Survivor — May 31 and June 1

Want to guarantee great seats for the concert? Book a Garden Rocks Dining Package! Dining is available at the Biergarten Restaurant, The Coral Reef Restaurant, The Garden Grill Restaurant, or the Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room. There is an additional cost or you can use 2 Table Service credits. With the package, you are able to choose one of three concert times for the evening. When you arrive at the concert you will be escorted to your special seats. What a great way to rock the night away!

Well, I hope that your imagination is brimming with excitement to see the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival for yourself someday. It was a fantastic visit for me and I am sure it will be for you too!

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

5 Fabulous US Passport-free Vacation Destinations

**While now is not the time to travel, it is the perfect time to start figuring out when and where your next vacation will be. Check out our upcoming posts for some stunning travel inspiration. I hope that this post spurs your imagination and your bucket list. Read on to learn about some fantastic passport-free vacation destinations. **

Have you ever wanted to just jump on plane and get away to a relaxing beach? Did you have to think twice because you remembered that you didn’t have a passport? Well, pack those bags because there are a number of wonderful, relaxing tropical vacation destinations that you will not need to pack your US passport.

This blog will introduce you to 5 US Territories that would be fantastic options for your next vacation.

#1 U.S. Virgin Islands

Passport free vacation destination of St John U.S. Virgin Islands — St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

This gorgeous Caribbean island group, which is just a few hours from Florida, thrives on tourism. The U.S. Virgin Islands has created a vast array of opportunities to satisfy any vacation style. Travelers can visit St. Croix, St. Thomas or the smaller St. John and explore white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, legendary diving and snorkeling, secluded coves, rainforests, world-class shopping, diverse dining, and so much more (or nothing at all). St. Croix and St. Thomas, the bigger islands, have a little more “action” where St. John strives to keep the civilization blending with nature. Accessible only by ferry from the larger islands, St. John is a little quieter especially since much of the island is set aside as a US National Park.

#2 Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a passport-free vacation destination — Old San Juan, Puerto Rico street scene.

This Caribbean island is another excellent choice for a quick getaway or a longer stay as it is also just a few hours from Florida. Puerto Rico boasts stunning beaches, rainforests, and nature to explore, exciting nightlife, delicious food, vibrant culture, and fascinating history. A smorgasbord of activities for every visitor is available on this wonderful island. Check out this blog post for more about Puerto Rico.

#3 American Samoa

The Pacific Ocean is not without some terrific options for a vacation without an American passport. One such option is American Samoa. This island nation is one of the least touristy and most remote options, a 13-hour flight from Los Angeles. American Samoa is probably better for adventurous people. There aren’t any chain resorts but instead a small variety of nice family-run accommodations of different sizes and experiences. Relaxing the days away is one of the best activities on American Samoa. If you need a little more then there are some island tours, shopping, and dining that really immerses guests in the Polynesian culture. You can also explore the most remote US National park and the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa. Since American Samoa is below the equator the hottest months are December and January and the coolest is July.

#4 Guam

Guam a Pacific Ocean passport-free vacation destination — A beach on Guam.

Due to the military presence, Guam is a relatively know destination but not usually considered for a vacation. But don’t let that stop you from booking your next vacation to this intriguing locale just a few hours from the Philipines. Guam is a fantastic place to experience another distinct culture and also wonderfully preserved World War II history. Combine that with the beautiful beaches, resorts, colorful marine life, many attractions, vivid entertainment, nightlife and places to eat and you have a recipe for one very exciting passport-free vacation destination!

#5 Northern Mariana Islands

Raise your hand if you have heard of the Northern Mariana Islands. This one is new to me but definitely now on my list. Even though they are a collection of 15 islands, 3 are the most popular- Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. There is so much to see and do on these little islands. Resorts and country clubs dot the spectacular beaches looking out over the vast ocean awaiting divers, snorkelers and other marine enthusiasts. Casinos, nightlife, activities, shopping, and dining also make up the civilized area. Head out of town a bit and discover untouched beauty. If you enjoy learning about history and cultures you can not only experience World War II artifacts and remnants but also the long archeological and prehistoric history of the Chamorro people.

Bonus Destinations

There are some other destinations that I would like to mention as great tropical destinations you obviously don’t need a U.S. passport because they are actual states:

Hawaiian Islands
Key West, Florida
Sanibel Island, Texas

Cruising Without a Passport

I also want to mention that there are a number of cruises that passports are not necessary for American citizens. If you have a closed loop cruise–meaning they cruise begins and ends at the same U.S. port–certain itineraries are made up of countries in the Caribbean that do not require passports.

IMPORTANT NOTE: I DO NOT recommend doing this but it is possible. I always recommend you cruise with passports because if something happens while you are in one of the countries you are unable to fly back to the U.S. without a passport.

I hope this post has kick-started your imagination with these 5 beautiful and relaxing passport-free vacation destinations. We will travel again someday so enjoy dreaming as you wait!

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

Disney Vacation February 24, 2020

Disney World Monorail Dining Possibilities!

Starving? Choose a Restaurant on the Monorail Route!

Disney World Dining near the Monorail — The Monorail at Disney’s Polynesian Resort

Walt Disney World abounds with choices to fill a hungry tummy. But, since the Disney World resort is HUGE the restaurant you might want to go to could be a long way away. Consequently, a little preparation goes a long way! Read on to find out your Disney World Monorail dining possibilities!

When to choose a Monorail Restaurant:

Eating at a restaurant that is on the Monorail route is an excellent choice if you are staying at or visiting Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Bungalows, and Villas or Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Villas and Spa. All three of these resorts have the Monorail running right through them so the access to the restaurants is super easy.

Playing at the Magic Kingdom? The Monorail station is just outside the main gate. At the station, board the Resort Train if you would like to eat at a Monorail restaurant. This train stops at each resort.

Note: Eating at Epcot is not out of the realm of possibilities because the Monorail connects to Epcot through the Tickets and Transportation Center. But, due to further distance, extended travel time from the Monorail track, and having to enter another park, the Epcot Restaurants will be covered in another post.

Magic Kingdom has fantastic restaurant options but those also will be saved for another post.

Monorail Restaurants

Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower

The Wave…of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

The California Grill (2TS) Brunch, Dinner–Fine/Signature Dining–Savor the flavors of the Pacific Coast at this gourmet restaurant on the 15th floor for brunch. Delight your taste buds with sushi, seafood, and American cuisine. Plus, enjoy an extensive wine menu. Dinner
The Wave…of American Flavors (TS) Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner–Serving up delicious American breakfast a la carte or buffet. Enjoy delicious sandwiches, burgers, and salads for lunch and dishes such as beef tenderloin and seared potato gnocchi for dinner.
Chef Mickey’s (TS) Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner–Join Mickey Mouse and friends at this delightful character meal. Serving up the classics for breakfast/brunch (don’t miss those Mickey waffles) and chicken, seafood, and kid’s favorites for dinner.
The Contempo Cafe (QS) Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner–Perfect for those in a hurry with many grab and go items. A diverse menu includes flatbreads, hot and cold sandwiches, salads, and yummy, yummy cupcakes.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Bungalows and Villas

The Kona Cafe at Disney’s Polynesian Resort

Ohana’s (TS) Breakfast, Dinner–Meet Lilo and Stitch at a fun-filled character breakfast serving classic American breakfast food (bring on the Mickey waffles). Dinner is an all-you-can-eat feast of Polynesian cuisine. During your meal kids and kids at heart enjoy games, music, and dancing.
Kona Cafe (TS) Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner–American favorites with a hint of the South Seas. Home of the breakfast favorite, Tonga Toast. Try an inventive Hawaiian-style, Ruben, for lunch. Dine on sushi rolls, poke bowls or other deliciousness for dinner.
Captain Cook’s (QS) Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Late Night–Have a hankerin’ for a quick meal of Tonga Toast to start your day? Get some here along with sandwiches, salads, and flatbreads for lunch, dinner and late-night snacks.
Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show (2TS)–An entertaining luau in true Disney style complete with dancers, drummers, and FIRE along with a family-style classic Polynesian feast.
Pineapple Lanai (QS) Snacks–This is not a restaurant but it is the only place outside of a Disney Park to enjoy Dole Whip. YUM! They have Pineapple and Lime flavors. Double YUM!!

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Villas and Spa

A delightful atmosphere for a special character dining.

Citricos (2TS) Dinner–Award-winning wines pair fabulously with the carefully crafted Mediterranean inspired menu in this vineyard inspired Old World restaurant.
Narcoossee’s (2TS) Brunch, Dinner–Savor the innovative selections of fresh seafood or delicious beef. While eating you may enjoy the fireworks from the Magic Kingdom or the Electrical Water Pagent on the Seven Seas Lagoon.
Victoria and Albert’s (Superior Fine Dining) Dinner–This is one of the preeminent restaurants at Walt Disney World and has earned the AAA Five Diamond award since 2000. Choose to dine on extraordinary cuisine in the Dining Room, the Chef’s Table or the private Queen Victoria Room. This meal is not just dinner but an extra special event you will remember for years to come.
1900 Park Fare (TS) Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner–Join favorite friends at the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast (Mary Poppins, Alice, or Winnie the Pooh and friends*) or Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner (Cinderella and family*) at this delightfully fun character meal. Meals are served buffet-style with classic American breakfast choices in the morning and seafood, salad, pasta, and beef for dinner. *Characters are subject to change.
Grand Floridian Cafe (TS) Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner–Casual American dining with beautiful views of the Rose Garden and courtyard makes this restaurant a convenient, hidden gem.
Gasparilla Island Grill (QS) open 24/7–This is the perfect place to have a quick sit-down meal or grab something to go before heading out for a day in the park. The menu consists of grill favorites such as burgers, and sandwiches as well as pizza, salads, and snacks.

As you can see your dining options accessible from the Monorail are vast in experience and flavor! The decision can be a bit overwhelming if you are deciding when you are hungry and ready to eat. Therefore, my suggestion is to familiarize yourself with the menus at the restaurants above to see if they fit into your Disney plan. If you click on each restaurant in this list you can find out more details about each dining venue and its current menu.

I hope you find this information useful! Here are some other links you might like:

Celebrate the Holidays at Disney World–It is not too early to start planning!
How to Save Money on Food at Disney World

Cruising February 16, 2020

Is a River Cruise Right For My Family?

While a river cruise might not be the perfect vacation for every family, it is definitely a great option for many! Whether you are traveling with just immediate family or a multi-generational expedition and river cruise just might fit the bill for every member. Read on and find out if a river cruise is right for your family!

Who might love a River Cruise:

Families with older children (usually about 8 and up) unless choosing family-specific cruise/cruise line with planned children’s activities
Adult families
Families who love the ease of unpacking only once, and ease of disembarking the ship in port
Families who love to spend a few days in one country (rather than one day) to be able to explore more of the history, culture, and geography
Families wanting to visit small towns and local life as well as major tourist attractions
Families who want to engage more with the places they are visiting and not on ship activities
Families who want to be part of a “family” on their vacation and get to know the other families who are traveling with them
Families who desire incredible food with options from the local area
Families who would like an included excursion to introduce the area before going out to explore on their own
Families who want to choose the activity level of their excursions
Families prone to motion sickness (river cruises have very little movement when compared to an ocean cruise)

Who might not love a River Cruise:

Families with young children
Families wanting vast children’s programming and babysitting
Families who thoroughly enjoy participating in a host of activities onboard the ship
Larger Families who need/want to stay in the same room
Families who really want a pool deck with a large pool

A very important part of a family river cruise is picking the correct cruise line and itinerary. Some lines cater to families better than others with specifically designed activities on specific sailings during the year.

Cruise Lines that might be a fantastic option for your family:

Adventures by Disney (on AmaWaterways) is an amazing river cruise option. Disney certainly knows how to elevate a vacation experience from great to out of this world! They carefully craft the itineraries with special activities onboard and onshore that kids and adults will love. Every detail is taken care of so that you can truly relax and enjoy your family. For adults who want to experience the top-notch Disney customer service and pampering but without children can book adult-only Adventure by Disney river cruises. Note of caution: Don’t expect to see any Disney characters just some very funloving Adventure Guides.

AmaWaterways is another nice option. Some of their ships have 3 and 4 person staterooms for families and features that will appeal to the younger set. They provide excursions of different activity levels so families can tailor their adventures to their needs. These cruises are probably more enjoyable for families with children 8 and up.

Tauck’s Bridges family journeys offer hugely popular river cruises during school breaks–summer and Christmas. These family designed river adventures can take you through much of Europe, or to the Galapagos. They also have land journeys on which you can experience Latin America, Africa or Alaska.

Uniworld might corner the market for luxury river cruise travel but that doesn’t mean they don’t know how to make a cruise fun for kids. Family-oriented cruises are scheduled around school breaks. Activities are designed to help children engage with the culture and country around them as well as being a lot of fun. They get pretty creative with their adventures for kids. Also included are kid-friendly menus, a special dinner table just for young travelers on specific nights, Young travelers lounge, movie nights and “learn the lingo” activities. To top it all off Uniworld offers a 25% discount for kids (ages 4-17) fares.

Have more questions about whether a river cruise is right for you or your family? About which cruise line would be best?

Contact Alaska to Mickey Vacations for answers!

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

What Makes a Disney Cruise Special–Part Two

Hopefully, you have read Part 1 of this blog post giving you five great reasons that a Disney Cruise is worth the cost. (Click here if you missed Part 1) This post will give you seven more. Yes, there are seven more things that make a Disney Cruise special!

Rather watch a video? At the end of this post there is a link to a live video I recorded on what makes a Disney Cruise special. The post and the video aren’t identical.

Disney Characters

Yes! Disney Cruise Line is the only place at sea that you will still get to see Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Minnie, and Daisy. What could be better than spending your vacation with the Fab 5! But that’s not the only characters you will see. You might see Joy, Stitch, the Princesses, Elsa, Anna, Kristof, Dug, Boo, Mr. and Mrs. Incredible, Spiderman and even more. And get this! You don’t just see them in the awesome shows and deck parties. Nope! You can actually shake their hands, get pictures and autographs and tell them about your day. Woohoo!!!

Castaway Cay

Sure, other cruise lines have private islands so that doesn’t make Disney any different. BUT, what does set them apart is what they INCLUDE on their island experience. The really cool water slides and splash pad, INCLUDED! The tram around the island, INCLUDED. But since there is so much to see in the way of fantastic Disney Imagineering, walking is recommended. Special kids area with supervised youth activities, INCLUDED. Beach games and activities for the family, INCLUDED. Want to run a race on vacation? The Castaway 5K is, you guessed it, INCLUDED! There are so other really cool things to do but they will incur an additional fee. Any way you look at it though, your day at Castaway Cay will be AMAZING even if you don’t spend an extra dime!

Kids Clubs

Disney Kids Clubs have some of the longest hours at sea. Plenty of time for your family to have time together and time apart. The kids club is even open on port days if you should choose to use them. You can even choose to have your children eat dinner with you or relax without them while they enjoy the dinnertime kids activities. Or, opt for the best of both and have your kids go with the cast members halfway through dinner.

The counselors are all specially trained to work with children so you don’t have to worry. They are not just glorified babysitters but cast members who are there to interact with your children to give them the best vacation possible.

The kid’s zones are separated by age and they are quite strict about the cutoffs for the safety of all the children. Each area is themed to create an atmosphere geared toward that age group. The security measures are also dependent on age. Children under 12 must have a parent check them in and out. Tweens and teens get to decide when they come and go. Be careful, you kids may never want to leave!

It’s a Small World Nursery–ages 6 months to 3 years old
Oceaneers Club and Lab–ages 3-12
Edge–just for tweens (about 11-13)
Vibe–just for teens (about 13-17)

No Casinos

While for some this might not be a benefit for others it is definitely no casino makes for a better cruise experience. For those of you who love to win money or prizes on vacation, never fear! They do have Bingo almost daily!

No Beverage Package

This is another feature that some might love and others might not. The fantastic benefit of Disney Cruise line is that they include soda with all their meals and there is a beverage station on the pool deck. The beverage station is open all day long for everyone to enjoy as much as they want. Not only is there soda but also coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. My daughter and I loved the hot chocolate machine on our Alaska Cruise (just don’t try and take it off the boat). For cruisers who love to relax with an alcoholic beverage, they are available onboard. There are multiple bars and adult beverage locations.

Excursions

Yes, of course all cruise lines have excursions. But Disney Cruise line sets itself apart with the number of excursions available with kids in mind. Their goal is that the whole family be able to experience things together so many exciting things are crafted to allow younger travelers. Plus, where else can you see Disney Characters on your shore excursion?

Disney Cruise line not just wants kids to enjoy experiences but everyone! They have also crafted accessible port adventures in 25 different countries. So if mobility is an issue do a little research (or have your travel specialist) to find out which cruise itineraries might work best for you.

ICE CREAM!!

I know, I know. There is complimentary soft-serve ice cream available on other cruise lines. BUT, on a Disney Cruise you can savor many more flavors than just chocolate and vanilla. On our cruise we had strawberry, mango, blueberry, and quite a few others. I think that there were new flavors every day to try. That was awesome!

Watch my Facebook Live post on this subject

Well, I hoped you gleaned a couple facts to help you to decide if a Disney Cruise is worth it to you. There are many more great things about a Disney Cruise but these were standouts for me. Do you have something different? Let us know in the comments below.

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

Links of interest:

Hi! I’m Tamara. I am a travel loving, Christ-following, wife of a wonderful husband and mother of 7.

Traveling is a passion of mine. I love to get away from home whether that is exploring our own gorgeous state, flying off to Disney (my favorite) or another exotic location (pretty much anywhere outside of AK)

My goal is to share travel tips and tricks to inspire your own family adventures.
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