Crystal Goes All-Inclusive
Crystal Cruises is going all-inclusive! 
The luxury cruise line will include wine, spirits and gratuities for housekeeping, bar, butler and dining room staff in cruise fares starting in March 2012. Sommeliers will be in the dining room to offer a complimentary selection of red and white wines that will likely vary by night and destination. A “Connoisseur’s List” of higher-end wine, champagne and spirits will be available at additional cost.
An NCL Holiday
The Family Traveler has secured additional cabin space on a popular winter holiday sailing on the NCL Pearl after finding great rates for a family reunion group. 
This fun ship will sail the Western Caribbean from Miami to the line’s private island in the Bahamas (Great Stirrup Cay), Ocho Rios, the Cayman Islands and Cozumel from December 25, 2011-January 1, 2012. Celebrate two special holidays with your family and enjoy this colorful ship which offers 16 freestyle dining options, spa, great children’s programs that start at age 2, teen programs and teen disco, rock climbing wall, nightly entertainment, gym, casino and even a bowling alley! As a holiday gift, receive a $50.00 per cabin shipboard credit compliments of The Family Traveler. Rates for the first two in the cabin start at $1,050 with tax and port charges per person for an inside stateroom up to $1,640 with tax and port charges per person for a balcony stateroom. Triple and quad rates are discounted and may vary; so book early to get the best cabin locations and pricing. Suites may also be available. Give the gift of time together and create a lifetime of memories.
River Magic
Western River Expeditions launched a new five-day/four-night Salmon River Canyons Family Magic rafting trip that caters to families with children as young as 5 years old. The staff includes not only accomplished guides and camp hands, but also a designated River Jester whose sole duty is to lead nature-oriented games and activities for kids and teens. 
Parents and grandparents may choose to join in the fun, or spend adult time together knowing that their children are well attended. River Jesters also assist with a special kids’ dinner each night and lead stories and songs around the campfire. The special kids’ dinner time allows adults to enjoy a quiet social time before their dinner. Children are welcome to eat at either or both meals. The nature of the river canyon and the 74 wild and scenic river miles lends itself to ideal conditions for families with young children. This lower stretch of the Main Salmon River as it merges with the Snake River is characterized by huge white sand beaches, playful “pool and drop” rapids, great riverside hiking, rich and fascinating Nez Perce Indian and pioneer history, and warm water for swimming. River jesters will also be onboard trips down the Green River in Utah as well.
Disney in Alaska
Disney Cruise Line is making its debut this summer in Alaska. Now two children (ages 17 and under) traveling with two full fare guests in the same stateroom can sail for free on 7-night sailings departing May 3 through May 24. 
The Disney Wonder will sail round-trip from Vancouver to Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway and Tracy Arm to witness the twin Sawyer Glaciers. The offer is available for the following cabin categories: deluxe family oceanview station with verandah, deluxe oceanview stateroom with navigator’s verandah, deluxe oceanview stateroom with verandah and deluxe oceanview stateroom. A variety of exciting excursion and other adventures awaits your family in Alaska this summer!
Riverboat Savings
Children ages 4-18 save half off with Uniworld‘s family riverboat sailings this summer! Choose from Paris & Normandy or the Treasures of Prague, the Rhine and Main on select departure dates. The 7-night sailing in France includes a hike to King Richard the Lionheart’s Castle, a special visit to the Rouen clock tower, a full day at the Normandy Beaches and a tour of Monet’s house in Giverny. The German sailing is made up of a 7-night riverboat sailing with visits to 7 German towns plus 2 nights in Prague. This trip offers a variety of castle visits, sausage making workshop and a visit to Nuremberg’s amazing Toy Museum. Riverboat cruising is a leisurely way to experience Europe with daily port visits, nearly all meals, several guided shore excursions, bikes, shipboard entertainment and transfers all included in one price.
Crystal Cruise Offer
Crystal Cruises is inviting children ages 17 and under to cruise for free on three Crystal Symphony Pacific Coast voyages this coming spring and fall! This offer, valid for children in a third berth with two full-fare adults, is available for seven-day sailings between Los Angeles and Vancouver on April 10 and 17, 2011 plus a seven-day Thanksgiving cruise sailing roundtrip from Los Angeles on November 20. Travel in style along California’s famed coast as the Crystal Symphony journeys to treasured destinations including San Francisco, Santa Barbara and San Diego. The offer may be combined with current promotions for shipboard credits and free air. The Symphony sails with 922 guests and now offers flexible open dining. Onboard amenities include grand lounges, gym, casino, spa, lap pool, evening entertainment and more.
Disney’s New Fantasy
Disney Cruise Line let us know that the Disney Fantasy will sail her maiden voyage on April 7, 2012 and is ready for booking! A sister ship to the Disney Dream (which is set to debut this month), the Disney Fantasy will feature an AquaDuck water coaster, dedicated children’s areas, top-flight entertainment, a wide variety of dining venues, special areas for adults only and immersive experiences with Disney stories and characters suitable for all ages. The Disney Fantasy will sail out of Port Canaveral, FL, on alternating seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, including a stop at Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay. The Disney Dream will continue to sail three-, four- and five-night cruises to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island while the Disney Wonder will remain on the West Coast, sailing Mexican Riviera itineraries from the Port of Los Angeles. To start the 2012 season, the Disney Magic will sail alternating eastern and western Caribbean itineraries.
Other Disney Cruiseline News
In other seaworthy news from Disney, Adventures by Disney has unveiled a series of 3 night/4 day pre-cruise experiences in Vancouver before Alaska voyages on the Disney Wonder and in Barcelona before Mediterranean cruises aboard the Disney Magic. The Vancouver Escape and Barcelona Escape are both unique programs that include interaction with local experts and plenty of hands-on experiences. In Vancouver, your family can enjoy breakfast “Under the Sea” at Vancouver Aquarium as the Beluga Whales swim nearby, followed by a tour of the Marine Science Center. You will also appreciate a guided tour of Stanley Park, including a visit to the famed Totem Poles to learn rich histories and cultures of the First Nations of British Columbia. Then hop on a gondola to the top of Grouse Mountain to visit the resident bears and wolves of the Refuge for Endangered Wildlife and take a ride on the Mountain Zipline — all before boarding the Disney Wonder for the voyage to Alaska. In Barcelona, explore the Sagrada Familia Cathedral, Antoni Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece and the landscape-architecture of Parque Guell. Junior Adventurers are treated to an exclusive archeological experience and mountain hike, as well as a visit to Pueblo Espanol followed by a flamenco farewell. Combine a great land tour and cruise for an amazing Disney inspired getaway. Disney is also now offering privately guided shore excursions on both cruise itineraries.
Barging France
France Cruises showcases a variety of family barge trips to fit any taste and budget (from $6,795-$37,900 total per cruise). These river boats travel through Provence, Burgundy, the Loire Valley or Southern France. Each cruise is tailored to your family’s own needs with a personal chef and an array of activities depending on your itinerary and interests. Some of the many adventures include biking (kept on the barge for your stay), swimming, kayaking, treasure hunts, horseback riding, 4-wheel driving, hot air ballooning, cooking classes, lounging on deck, helping the captain and more. Meals, from a casual picnic along the banks to a dress-up dinner, will be custom catered to your family’s tastes, great for picky eaters and those with food allergies. The barge moves daily; so there is always somewhere new to explore together including historic attractions, quaint towns, village markets, wineries and parks. Separate adult and child excursions can also be planned and an additional cabin in the crew quarters is available to bring a nanny along. The boat also has a full range of DVD’s, iPod docking stations and games for relaxing entertainment any time.
Save withShoretrips
Shoretrips, the cruise excursion company we use regularly for their good prices and unique touring options, now offers a three port special for both the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Save even more when booking in bulk. The Eastern Caribbean package offers a 2 hour Historical Walking Tour of Old San Juan, an Ultimate Island Experience on St. Thomas with two hours of beach time on Magen’s Bay and a Snorkel Adventure to Creole Rock on St. Martin. For the Western Caribbean, choose three excursions from 6 different ports depending on your cruise. There are options in Grand Cayman (Stingray City and Coral Gardens Snorkel trip), Belize (cave tubing), Cozumel (beach excursions), Roatan (zip line), Ocho Rios (a highlights your with Dunn’s River Falls and beach time) and Montego Bay (rafting trip).
