As a mother of two boys and also having become a travel agent, I have learnt the importance of a value packed vacation with great opportunity for site seeing, endless hours of natural beauty and perfect moments spent with all my boys – My husband, my kids and my pets ( All males )
Knowing how important it is to take that much needed break with loved ones regardless of the economy – I thought it might be advantagous to pull together a list of what I feel are the top family destinations within the United States. I also compiled a list of the top National Parks in the country for your enjoyment as well.
After all, regardless of the economy – we all need a vacation right? Given money is tighter than normal, these best bets that are below may suffice for this next summer’s vacation. They provide an opportunity for a cross country adventure by car alleviating the extra expense of an airline ticket.
I would love the opportunity to help you plan your next trip so please keep my services in mind for your next adventure! You may contact me at www.terivtravel.com. In the interum – Enjoy the list and enjoy the links!
I have just returned from a wonderful four day inspection touring four magnificent cruiseliner ships in Miami, Florida.
As a travel agent, I had an unforgettable priveledge to photograph the staterooms and common areas of four major cruise lines.
This coupled with an exquisite dining experience wrapped up my overall synopsis of the following ships -Carnival Cruise Lines Destiny, Holland America Line’s Westerdam, Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sky. All photos can be seen via my You Tube Channel for your enjoyment.
All four ships are truly unique. Each cruise line upholds a set of standards that are consistent to their line of ships and each one caters to a different market of guest travelers. All four cruise lines were adequate for family travelers of all age ranges - Royal Caribbean exceeded this standard in my opinion for the tween/teen traveler with the onboard Flowrider, H20 Waterpark, Miniature Golf Course, Ice Skating Rink and Rock Climbing Wall.
Norwegian Sky was originally born & christened Norwegian Sky in 1999 – A member of the Sky Class of ships. After four years chartering the Canadian waters, she was then christened the Pride of Aloha in 1994. She engaged many travelers sailing the Hawaiian waters for four consecutive years. Finally, here in Miami, now in 2008, she has been christened one last time to her former name - Norwegian Sky.
In her days as Pride of Aloha
After 9 years of service, she is now heading up the Bahamas itinerary for Norwegian with 3 & 4 day itineraries out of the Port of Miami. Rates start for as little as $99/PP depending upon your cabin, dates to travel & length of travel – These rates do not include taxes, fees and fuel surcharges – These would all be additional.
She carries 2002 passengers and has ten passenger decks. She has 429 inside rooms and 572 outside rooms. Six restaurants serve Freestyle Dining – dining where you want & when you want. There are 3 pools, the Body Waves Spa, a 24 hour fitness center, jogging track, volleyball court/basketball court and shuffleboard.
They have an adorable childrens program called Kid’s Crew that takes in junior passengers from as young as 2 years old.
The overall decor of the ship felt nautical yet traditional in taste. The inside cabins were a little tight – However, for the price, a great deal. Staff was very friendly and when inspecting the rooms, they were all ready for our arrival. A good sign. A great experience overall.
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My second ship inspection was with Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas. WOW! Did I say WOW for FUN!!! This ship is loaded with entertainment venues all around. She has a Indoor iceskating rink – Studio B – that doubles for an evening show venue and a full size Everlast Boxing Ring. Also onboard, a jogging track, 9 hole miniature golf course, a rock climbing wall with 11 challenging courses, an H2O Zone waterpark with ground geysers, and a Flowrider to surf!
Liberty of the Seas is second in the line of the Freedom class ships with Royal Caribbean. She set sail for the first time in 1997 with a promotional sailing from Southampton, England to Cape Liberty Cruise Port, New Jersey. She holds 4370 passengers (double occupancy) with 15 passenger decks – 561 inside cabins and 1254 outside rooms.
Eight restaurants give numerous options for gourmet dining. Dining in the main dining room is a feeling of being in a Renaissance Era. Each of the three main floors are named after famous artists - Michelangelo, Botticelli and Rembrandt. Main seating times are 6:30 & 8:30 p.m. My personal dining experience was excellent – The food presentation very nice.
Other daily entertainment include Casino Royale outfitted with over 300 slots and 18 tables, a Day Spa and a fitness center. there are 2 main pools – One for swimming and the other’s main attraction is sports.
Adventure Ocean is the childrens program accepting young travelers into the program as young as 3 years of age. They also have a special program for the littlest tots ages 6 to 36 months old with the fun of Fisher-Price Aqua Babies and Aqua Tots interactive playgroup sessions. This program was developed by early childhood experts at Fisher-Price. A great family vacation on this vessel!
We could not inspect the rooms the day we inspected – So I can not give any personal insight. I do know these following facts for your consideration though – 842 of the nearly 1817 cabins have balconies. That’s nearly 1/2. All cabins are peach and teal decor, and equipped with desks, safes, hair dryers, Wi-Fi Internet access, mini-fridges and flat-screen TV’s. The beds are multiple configurable & are fitted with 250-count bedsheets. The TVs in the rooms can accomodate Playstations & Wii’s – If your little ones choose to bring from home.
Interior cabins start at 152 square feet and oceanviews are about 161-200 square feet in size. Family oceanview cabins are 293 square ft. and include a sitting area, two twin beds that convert into a queen, and a sofa and/or Pullman. Balcony cabins start at about 177 suare feet and go up to 189 square feet. Plenty of choices here along with some Suites that are spectacular.
She alternates with 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries out of Miami, Florida. Rates start at $399/PP depending upon your cabin, dates of travel & length of travel – These rates do not include taxes, fees and fuel surcharges – These would all be additional.
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Ok, onto another truly remarkable ship. The Holland America Westerdam.
The service on this ship was second to none – Superior by far – Making this one my favorite overall for gourmet dining and top notch service.
Holland America Westerdam
The MS Westerdam is third in the line of the Vista Class of ships thru Holland. Westerdam in Dutch translates to the western direction on a compass and the other three ships in this class of ships – MS Oosterdam, MS Zuiderdam, & the MS Noordam are all representative of the other three directions.
The overall theme of this ship is Dutch by style with an emphasis on Dutch artwork and ships of the Dutch era. Here again, a very nautical feel to the environment with wood veneer throughout.
Holland America also ranked high in my book when I witnessed the fresh flowers and plants throughout. A very beautiful display and a very warm inviting feeling – Yet a very simple touch to add.
She was christened in 2004 in Venice Italy and has 11 Passenger decks made available to passengers. She has the capacity for 1848 passengers.
The staterooms here were excellent as well. 74% of all outside cabins have balconies. The average size of these rooms is coming in at 254 square feet. Even the inside staterooms are large averaging in at 170 square feet. The largest stateroom, the Penthouse Verandah Suite, was something I soon will not forget. There are only 2 on this ship!
It was 1,318 square feet and filled with every bell and whistle – Even with your own butler pantry with fridge and microwave, and a dining table for eight. The enormous marble bathroom with gold etching throughout features a full-sized whirlpool tub . The balcony/deck is expansive with its own hot tub. WOW!
Another nice amenity to having a suite in general onboard this vessel is that passengers can utilize Neptune Lounge, a private room with concierge, which serves various snacks – light breakfast to hor d’oevres during cocktail hour. The concierge can book dinner reservations and shore tours as well.
Now onto dining. Our luncheon that day was, by far, the best meal I ever ate – “You must have been really hungry that day”, One would say. No, seriously, it was an experience in true gourmet delight.
We were served Filet Mignon accompanied by a rich scalloped potatoe side dish and it was yummy to say the least. In my opinion, if every meal onboard this vessel was as good as that one, I would want for nothing…. Had to capture a photo of my happiness after eating the best meal I ever tasted
There are 3 dining restauraunts onboard – In the main dining room, meals are served one of four times – 5:15, 6:15, 8 and 8:30 p.m. Holland America will eventually be phasing all ships into a program called As You Wish dining where passengers can opt for pre-set seating and dining time or try out a new option at dinner. Breakfast & lunch are already open seating.
Entertainment on this ship is very nicely done as well. There is a Vista Lounge where evening shows consist of production style entertainment. The Crow’s Nest observation lounge also serves as a nightly disco. There is a casino and also a spa called the Greenhouse Spa and Salon.
They’ve introuced a new Culinary Arts Program with show kitchen for demonstrations and classes. There are 2 pool areas. One has a sculpture of leaping dolphins – This same sculpture can also be found on other ships.
Holland America did not forget the youngest travelers either. They offer a childrens program called Club Hal available to children ages 3-17. The program runs on supply and demand though – One counselor for every 30 children. KidZone is an area dedicated the youngest child – Whereas, Wave Runner is a teen dance, video and movie area.
MS Westerdam currently is doing Caribbean itineraries – Alternating between Eastern, Western & the Southern routes out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Rates start at $449/PP depending upon your cabin, dates of travel & length of travel – These rates do not include taxes, fees and fuel surcharges – These would all be additional.
Overall, this ship really appealed to me. I will say though that most passengers that I saw were not with children – It was very elegant with refined music & I find it to be a ship for upscale and well traveled clientele.
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Our last day of inspecting the ships gave an opportunity to see Carnival Destiny up close and personal. She is by far the oldest of the vessels that I was able to inspect. Even still, the fun playful demeanor that Carnival is very well known for, won my heart over.
The cabin stewards that we met were, by far, the nicest that I experienced during my inspections. Always willing to share a smile and a Hello – How are you?
The Carnival Destiny was christened in 1996 and entered service doing Southern Caribbean routes taking in such islands as Aruba, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and the Dominican Republic. Today, most recently in September 2008, she now sails out of the Port of Miami and services 4 & 5 day Eastern & Western Caribbean itineraries.
Rates start at $149/PP depending upon your cabin, dates of travel & length of travel – These rates do not include taxes, fees and fuel surcharges – These would all be additional.
She is the oldest in the Destiny class of ships thru Carnival. When she came into service, she actually was the largest passenger ship constructed outside of the 1940’s Queen Elizabeth. A noted detail well worth giving Carnival Destiny recognition for.Camp Carnival was the best program for the youngest of travelers.
She just immerged in September 2008 from a two week dry dock refurbishment and now has the capacity to hold 3360 passengers on her 12 decks. Carnival Destiny’s inside staterooms are quite impressive - They average about 195 square feet. Outside cabins, without balconies, are a roomy 220 square feet. Balcony cabins are about 180 square feet on the interior and 40 square feet allowed for the balcony. She also is outfitted with some great looking Suites to accomodate traveler needs.
The overall decor on the Destiny was something that, in all honesty, did not appeal to my tastes. Her style is reminicisent of the 70’s with pink toned brass appearing walls and boxed lights on the passenger hallway walls. Even with this style distraction, I found I liked everything else about her. Most other decor was easily digestable and in good taste.
The two deck main dining rooms London and Paris offer two seatings for dinner – 6:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. with open seating for breakfast and lunch. World renowned French Master Chef Georges Blanc has become the signature chef for the Fun Ship Fleet.
Club 02 has become the hottest spot on the ship for the teen travelers offering an opportunity for dancing, playing games and mingling. Camp Carnival was the best program all round for the youngest of travelers. They accept children from 2 years and up and they do not need to be potty trained. Something for new parents that can be desirable when you just want to take a vacation and know your little ones are well taken care of.
Other entertainment onboard are the Palladium Lounge with a three level theatre for evening shows , a casino, a fully equiped Nautica Spa & Healthclub, 4 pools that include a 200 ft waterslide and an outdoor pool deck that showcases movies nightly on a gigantic movie screen. Nothing better than the sound of the ocean surrounding you while you watch a favorite film!
I could go on about the fun feel of this huge three football field long vessel – Howver time will not allow. I genuinely enjoyed my visit onboard the Carnival Destiny.
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After my days of inspecting the ships and fine dining for lunch, ( Boy it was rough – Ha! ) , I had my evenings free to take in the local Miami culture.
My hotel was very close to Biscayne Boulevard and I had heard so many wonderful things about Bayshore Marketplace, so I ventured to walk the short distance from the Hyatt. I crossed maybe three streets and there I was.
Now, I am from the Northern portion of the states near New York and I have seen Central Park. An awesome family adventure right? Well, Bayfront Marketplace was that and then some…
Perfect green lawns with spectacular views of the Bay and all the boats passing. A resident carousel and even a little Trapeze school were within the Bayfront Park area. Walking just beyond, one comes to Bayshore Marketplace.
This was a real gem of a location. Over 100 shops and local artisans line the open air center, and there is a little stage that sits right in front of the Bay. Local musicians are showcased here and you can dine on a local Latin favorite specialty while you listen to the mix of tunes.
I shopped for some little trinkets to take home to my family. I always need to return with something for my boys I happened to stumble upon what I felt was my best expereince in Miami altogether. A local siteseeing cruise tour company - The Heritage of Miami II . They offered a two hour tour onboard a two mast topsail passenger schooner.
I decided to take a chance and came aboard for $20. That was the best $20 I spent – My Captain, Captain Jim & his two crew – Ali and T.J., were so entertaining that I found myself wanting to stay onboard for much longer than the two hours although my schedule would not allow.
We sailed the coastline of Downtown Miami in the Biscayne Bay region and Captain Jim told colorful stories that really made my journey warm and inviting. I timed the journey to be returning to the Bayshore Marketplace jsut around sunset. It was wonderful. I hope to see my shipmates again one day and hope to bring them lots of business down the road – Good luck boys!
Captain Jim & Ali onboard the Heritage of Miami II -
Now the second evening was just as fun in my opinion – Although my heart belonged with the Heritage of Miami. A fellow new friend of mine, who also is a travel agent, Betty Starks, convinced me to be a little more daring than the night before. We ventured out onto the Miami Metro Mover to whereever it would take us – Oh boy, was I nervous! Thanks Betty…..
The Metro Mover is a wonderful free automated people-mover system that serves Downtown Miami from Omni to Brickell Streets. It has 20 stops. Each stop on the line is no more than two blocks away. Better yet, we soon would find out, you can’t get lost on it – It eventually makes a big loop back to where you started wherever that may be - I liked this idea for an adventure so away we moved….
We lucked out and found out that the Miami Book Fair International was taking place just one block off this Metro Mover. We hopped off and ran to explore….
The Miami Book Fair International is a annual program for the Florida Center for the Literary Arts at Miami Dade College. It just so happens that every November, for eight days, Downtown Miami becomes the center of the literary world where this Fair welcomes thousands of book lovers who attend readings & discussions featuring prize-winning, and emerging authors from the U.S. and around the world. They also promote reading and encourage writing – Heightening awareness of the need for literacy in the multi-cultural community.
I had a wonderful opportunity to meet up with two such organization/authors. First, I witnessed a very passionate organization, Reading is Fundamental, interacting with local children while telling a folkstory.
They passed out literature at their booth helping visitors understand the importance of their mission. They prepare and motivate children to read by delivering free books and literacy resources to those children and families who need them most. I hope by including them here will help their cause – I was genuinely touched :
I also found a local author who is multi-talented – He writes and also illustrates is very own stories for children. His name is Mark Wayne Adams and I found the perfect book for my son Andrew that he had written - Miss Mary’s Missing Book Bag. The missing book bag part really struck me – We go through this all the time with my kids at home - Ha!
This photo below was taken at the Book Fair that day with Mark. I wish him great success as well.
Now, if the evening couldn’t get any better – It did. Betty & I wrapped our evening up with a local treat called an Arepa – A sweet cornmeal patty fryed with mozzerella. Yummy…
Then a quick hop back on the Miami Metro Mover found us at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company Restaurant & Marina back at the Bayshore Marketplace. Who wouldn’t want to see the restaurant so famous from Forrest Gump. Run Teri … Run…. Here I was again at the same Marketplace from the night before – What a treat!
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My last evening in Miami proved to be a great opportunity for my clients in the years to come. The final reception, culmination of our annual Leisure Travel Trade Convention, ended with a reception at a great park called Jungle Island .
We encountered exotic animals and birds from around the world in their own natural settings that are similar to their environment. We were able to physically touch a lemur and a white faced capuchin named MoJo who managed to climb on my head and wouldn’t let go. Ouch!
I was told that these trainers walk around the park frequently every day and allow visitors to interact with the creatures just as I did.
This picture below is of a lemur we met who was feeling adventurous in the hair of a friend at Jungle Island.
Jungle Island has its own liger, Hercules, who is a cross between a male lion and a female tiger. Huge by all means! We also touched a Gibbons primate, and numerous other birds, mammals and primates. I even ventured to touch a white snake – Yet I almost fainted
This is a great spot for a pre or post cruise family destination for a day. It is only about a 10 minute cab ride from the Downtown Miami area where we stayed. You can find yourself enjoying all of the amenities that this enjoyable park has to offer – Three daily shows, a petting animal barn, & a Jungle playground. I hghly recommend this spot for any vacation to Miami – you will not be displeased.
Here are two other desirable locations that I unfortunately could not squeeze into my itinerary. They are great day trips as well in Miami and well worth a family trip to see:
Well folks, that just about wraps up my trip to Miami. I hope you enjoyed my colorful stories and candid reviews of the ships. I sincerely appreciate your feedback and look forward to helping you all plan your next vacation to Miami or any other destination. Have a great day!
