Trip Review: Maui and Kauai
The Wollack Family of 6 from Philadelphia (2 adults and 4 children ages 5, 12, 14 and 16) ventured to 
Hawaii this past winter break visiting both Kauai and Maui. Their first stop was Kauai which they found to be overall a wonderful experience for their family since its less crowded and there was more to do closer to their hotel. They stayed at the lovely Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa. Jen secured the family connecting rooms and they said this 600-room property never felt crowded. They especially had fun at the pools, the salt water lagoon and the beach. The family recommends wearing water shoes at the beach as there are some rocks close to the shore. The water is rough in front of the resort, but a swimmable beach is nearby. Their outdoor adventures on Kauai included the Kipu Zipline, Surf Lessons on Poipu Beach, 
Mountain Tubing and taking a boat to the gorgeous Napili Coast. Each activity was an opportunity to see and explore this beautiful island from various vantage points. The family ate in several local restaurants and had their best meal at Plantation Gardens where the children had room to run around in their garden while the food was prepared. They also recommend the new Kiawe Roots. Then they moved onto Maui, but didn’t rave about their hotel, the Grand Wailea. They had connecting rooms, but said that they were a bit small and the resort was quite huge with 787 rooms. But the children loved the awesome complex of pools and water slides despite the strict rules to help keep this area for guests only. The family had fun learning about Hawaiian culture at the Old Lahaina Luau and ate at several local restaurants. They recommend Mama’s Fish House, Ka’ana Kitchen and Monekypod Kitchen. They also found some tasty, prepared foods at The Market, an upscale grocery store near the hotel. Despite the long day, they also enjoyed their trip out to Hana on the other side of the island for all the amazing views. Aloha!
Trip Tip: European Visas
Several news organizations have erroneously reported that Americans will need a visa to travel to 
Europe starting in 2021. In fact, the European Union last year decided that all visitors from visa-free countries, including the United States, will have to apply for travel authorization through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) system prior to their trip. The EC said the application process should not take more than 10 minutes and will cost about $8 (7 euros) for each applicant between ages 18-70. Authorization will last three years for an unlimited number of entries. ETIAS is expected to be operational starting in 2021. The authorization applies to people traveling in Europe’s Schengen Zone, which is comprised of 26 countries, including France, Italy, Germany and Spain, but not the U.K. New Zealand is also instituting these measures.
Travel Tip: New Weather Driving App
There are plenty of apps that can help drivers get from point to point and no shortage of weather apps, but 
for the first time, someone combined the two. Drive Weather (driveweatherapp.com) was recently created to alert you of weather conditions along your route to help you plan accordingly. The app uses government-recognized weather reports and clear-cut icons to indicate conditions like cloud cover, precipitation, fog, hail, smoke, haze, snow, thunderstorms, temperature, and wind. There’s also a seven-day “time machine” that shows the forecast. With approximately 1.2 million weather-related traffic accidents in the U.S. each year, planning for extreme conditions is in everyone’s best interest. A subscription for the app is $10 per year, and a seven-day trial is free.
Trip Review: Savannah Getaway
Lauren made a repeat visit to Savannah’s Historic District recently for a long week-end getaway. Filled 
with Southern charm; this lovely city offers families a variety of cultural experiences, great food and family-friendly accommodations. Add some time in nearby Tybee Island, Hilton Head or Charleston for a week long family getaway. Lauren enjoyed walking through the multitude of city squares, visiting the Savannah College of Art and Design’s Museum, strolling and dining along the Riverwalk, shopping at a local craft market and seeing the city by trolley. She stayed at the 
newly opened Perry Lane Hotel; part of the Luxury Collection from Marriott. The hotel is split into two separate buildings with three dining options, large gym, bike rentals, lending library and a rooftop pool with lounge and lawn games that provides awesome city views. You can even have a private yoga session there! Throughout the year the hotels features unique experiences to help you better understand the city: everything from artist in residence and art programs, concerts by local musicians, visiting authors, behind the scenes tours of the Bryd cookie bakery (you will find their cookies in your room!) and more. This is an experiential trend we hope to see grow at hotels around the world.
Travel Tip: Keeping Children Safe
Small-group tour operator G Adventures is leading the charge in educating tourist about how to interact responsibly with children when you travel—and many of the guidelines may surprise the most well-intentioned travelers. G Adventures recently became the first global travel company to earn the designation ChildSafe Certified from the ChildSafe Movement of Friends-International. Top tips include:
Photos: Be considerate and don’t take photos with children without their parents or guardian’s permission. Don’t name or geotag children in social media posts, since this can make them susceptible to trafficking and desensitize them to strangers.
Classrooms: Interrupting a lesson is never okay. There are better ways to learn about local life than school classroom visits. If you are not qualified to teach a class in your hometown or wouldn’t walk into a class of children you don’t know to take pictures, don’t do it in another country.
Handouts and Gifts: Small gestures, however well-meaning, can lead to harmful long-term impacts such as the encouragement of begging and dropping out of school. This leads to a cycle of dependency and poverty. Instead, you can donate to local organizations that help youth and their families.
Safety: If you see a child in a situation that just doesn’t seem right, do the right thing and report it immediately to your guides or local authorities. ChildSafe also offers a report line at report@thinkchildsafe.org.
Sebastien Marot, founder and executive director of Friends-International, says the focus on child safety in tourism is long overdue, and that as the travel industry has evolved to become more experiential, with more community-based tourism, there is a growing need for frameworks that will protect children.
Trip Review: Mindy’s Arizona Adventure
Earlier this month, Mindy and her family (parents and two college aged children) traveled to Arizona for their family vacation. They flew into Flagstaff and started at the Grand Canyon which was still open, uncrowded and free due to the government shutdown. Their Pink Jeep 
Desert View Tour was a highlight of their canyon experience. It was a 3-hour tour that took them to various vantage points; some with no crowds at all. They had an awesome guide and there are only 8 people in each heated jeep. They were gifted with crystal clear views…even the guide commented that it had been months since he has seen so clearly to other side of canyon and across the Mojave Desert. They also saw he IMAX movie in town which was included with the jeep tour. The family stayed at the Grand Hotel in nearby Tusayan which was clean and comfortable. The biggest issue with this region is the lack of food affordable choices. Everything is rather expensive (including the 2nd most expensive Big Mac in the world), but their jeep guide helped them navigate the best choices including dinner at the Best Western in town. Who would have thought?
Their next stop was Sedona which was the highlight of their trip. The red rock town has become quite touristy; so the family enjoyed their stay at a vacation rental in quieter West Sedona. It was a great location since it was close to the most popular trail heads. They took another 
Pink Jeep Tour for 2 hours to Coyote Canyon and really enjoyed it and their knowledgeable guide. They paid close attention to how the guide handled the jeep going over rocks and boulders, because the next day, they had planned to rent out their own ATVs. Their half-day ATV ride to the ancient ruins of Honanki was their favorite activity of the trip. The rental company provided maps with photos with turn by turn instructions. The cliff dwellings and rock art site from the Sinagua people (ancestors of the Hopi) are located in the Coconino National Forest and date back 700 years. The family hiked around to explore the centuries-old pictographs and petroglyphs. Unfortunately there were no guides there due to the government shutdown. They circled back and went through Diamondback Gulch, a 10 story ravine that slices through the land. It was a harrowing ride (best for families with previous ATV experience) 
similar to a roller coaster, but very muddy, wet and terribly fun!
The trip ended in Scottsdale where they stayed in a vacation rental and spent time with friends who showed them around the region. They enjoyed courtside seats at a Phoenix Suns game and visited the beautiful Desert Botanical Gardens. They learned all about the endless varieties of cacti and succulents. They went back in the evening for the Electric Desert; a unique illumination show.
Overall the children thought this was one of the best family trips they had ever taken which made them all realize that more active vacations are on the docket for the future.
Trip Review: Utah Adventure
The Ronca/Shumskas Family of 5 from Pipersville, PA (with children ages 19, 15 and 9) traveled to Utah for Thanksgiving for an awesome outdoor adventure through our national parks. They flew into Las Vegas and headed to Bryce Canyon with a stay in a suite at the slightly 
worn, but well-located Ruby’s Inn. In this park, the family recommends going past the crowded overlooks with a hike into the canyon. They said that even 100 yards past the lookouts are well beyond the crowds. The family really enjoyed hiking both the Fairyland Trail and the Outer Rim Trail. They found both to be beautiful hikes and a great way to get down into the hoodoos (the tall and thin spire of rocks that is caused by the weather and erosion). The family then spent a day hiking in the Escalante National Monument which has a more open landscape and offers grand, sweeping views. Then they moved onto Zion National Park with a stay at the lovely Cliffrose Lodge. They really enjoyed this hotel, spreading out into two rooms with beautiful views of the mountains. For Thanksgiving, they opted to cook steaks on the grill since most restaurants were closed, but there was a market nearby. Zion is also a very popular and crowded park; getting out on the trails is very worthwhile. Here they hiked to Observation Point which was a scenic, but strenuous 8-mile hike with 2500 ft of elevation gain. And last they did the Narrows Hike with a guide from Zion Adventures which is in a deep canyon and requires hiking in the water with proper gear depending on the time of year. The family wore dry suits and dry boots since the water is in the 30’s. This hike proved to be an interesting experience. The trip ended with a night at The Mirage in Las Vegas due to their return flight home. They really enjoyed Utah in the fall because the temperatures were great for hiking. The sheer scale of the views was also breathtaking, and the trip kept three children of very different ages both excited and engaged; a true success!
Travel Tip: Carry-On Suggestions
Thanks to The Family Vacation Critic for these great packing tips.
Regardless of your packing prowess, in the rush to prepare for a family vacation, mistakes can easily be made. But if you plan, stay organized and anticipate your family’s needs on the plane, you can avoid making these common carry-on errors.
Not Checking Your Liquids/Powders: It’s a sad day when you watch your favorite face cream get trashed at the airport because it was slightly over the size limit. Make sure shampoos, soaps and gels are all under 3.4 oz. or 100 ml. If not, consider stashing some of your 
favorites for your trip in silicone refillable travel containers. Silicone makes it easy to squeeze out every drop and the wide openings are simple to fill.
Don’t forget the new TSA rule: Powder-like substances greater than 12 oz. / 350 mL must be placed in a separate bin for X-ray screening. They may require additional screening and containers may need to be opened. For your convenience, the TSA encourages you to place non-essential powders greater than 12 oz. in checked bags and we recommend keeping them in their original packaging.
Forgetting an Outfit Change: You just never know. Having some extra clothes is useful for both adults and children when there is a mishap.
Not Having the Right Size Carry-on: Make sure carry-on luggage is as small as possible, so it fits underneath the seat. If the plane is full and they start to gate check carry-on bags, yours will still make it on the plane with you.
Not Bringing Snacks: Flights can be delayed, or hunger can sneak up, especially with little ones in tow. Airport snacks can be expensive and it’s easy to gravitate towards unhealthy food. Check out https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/food for food that is allowed through security.
Forgeting Non-Screen Entertainment: Colored pencils, stickers, small toys, whatever your child is into — bring small and new toys to keep them entertained without the blue light and noise of electronics. Recommendations include Wikki Stix, washable markers and reusable stickers.
Not Separating Your Toiletries: Nothing is worse than sunscreen that has spilled inside your bag. Keep liquids separated and safe in waterproof bags and in leakproof bottles. We double bag!
Not Protecting Your Jewelry: Jewelry organizers can help keep your belongings from getting tangled or crushed.
Not Having Enough Reading Material: Plane rides are the perfect time to catch up on your reading. Don’t lug loads of magazines or limit yourself to just a few novels. Instead, pack an e-reader and almost anything you want to read is at your fingertips and in a lightweight device (or even your cell phone). Download a few choices in advance, but you also can buy a new title when someone raves about it on the beach chair next to you.
Travel Tip: Safety Tips
Thanks to Travelpulse, an industry publication, for reminding us of these important safety tips, especially during the busy holiday travel season:
Pay attention to your surroundings. We don’t even notice we do it. We’re so enthralled with whatever we’re reading on our phones that we have no idea what’s really going on around us.
Walking with our heads down, taking that corner without even glancing up, passing hundreds of people without acknowledging their existence—it all makes us vulnerable. Keep your head up. Look around. Say hi, make eye contact, or just smile at those you’re walking by. You’ll blend in more, you’re more likely to be remembered and you’re less likely to look like that simple, easy target.
Blend in with the locals. Nothing screams easy target more than an out-of-towner that has no idea where they’re going or what they’re doing. Those hotel employees, restaurant staff, taxi drivers and shopkeepers are the perfect place to start.
While you don’t want to be too nosy, it doesn’t hurt to ask their name, what they love about the area or even about their family. Show them the same courtesy you’d want to be shown. Maybe in return, they’ll make the extra effort and keep their eye on you and anything questionable going on around you.
Know your limits with alcohol. Of course, traveling is all about having fun and making the most of your time away—but that doesn’t mean we need to get too carried away. While drinking does not give anyone the excuse to harm another, it sadly does make them an easier target to potential crimes. That last glass of wine or bourbon you’re considering? You don’t need it. Most of all, never accept an opened drink from another if you didn’t see the making from start to finish. Don’t leave your drink sitting around and keep it close to you at all times.
Leave the shimmering jewels behind. Those ruby earrings, that fancy watch and the diamond necklace you love so much, you really don’t need them. Sure, the extras make us feel better, but it also shows wealth. This is especially important in poverty-stricken international destinations. The last thing you want to do is show the locals, who don’t have much to call their own, that you’re an easy target for mugging. Oh, you also don’t need that $5,000 in your wallet. Stash your money in multiple safe places.
Finally, do not travel alone. One of the best things about vacation is leaving the rest of the world behind, but it’s definitely not the safest.
Use common sense. Don’t walk alone in dangerous neighborhoods. Walk with your travel companion at night. Don’t steer too far from the hoards of people at the same place you are. If worst comes to worst and you do find yourself stuck alone or you feel like someone may be following you, duck inside a hotel or restaurant and stay there until you feel the threat is gone.
Trip Review: Symphony of the Seas Debut
Trip Review: Symphony of the Seas Debut
The Family Traveler was invited this month to experience one of the inaugural sailings and naming ceremony of the newest ship for Royal Caribbean and now the largest cruise ship in the world by gross tonnage, the Symphony of the Seas. When completely full, the boat will sail with 6,680 passengers, but there is plenty of space aboard for everyone!
Our balcony cabin offered enough room, storage and good bathroom space for up to four people with one large bed (can be converted to two beds) and a day bed with a trundle. Some of these cabins even have the bed located next to the balcony for lovely sea views, but not as good if you use the trundle since it would be too close to the bathroom. The highlight of the Symphony is definitely the suites which are amazing; especially the bathrooms! So many choices from spacious junior suites to up to 4-bedroom suites that sleep up to 14! A multi-gen dream. This cabin features 2 Master bedrooms each with a Master bath, 2 other bedrooms that have Pullman folding down beds along with one large or twin beds, another full bathroom, dining room, living room and large balcony with a private dining area and hot tub. There is also one amazing Ultimate Family Suite which includes a slide from the children’s bedroom to the living room downstairs, a dedicated game room, kid-friendly bathroom with bathtub, hot tub on the balcony and more. The top Star Class suites are actually a good value as they also include free specialty dining, beverage packages, bottled water, tips, internet, priority seating and entrance to shows and other on board activities, suite lounge and Sun Deck access and more. Another unique cabin option is the Inside Virtual Balcony cabin with a floor to ceiling screen that shows you live what is happening outside as well as a larger ocean view cabin with a set of bunk beds.
This ship excels in its variety and the quality of dining, recreation and entertainment. There is definitely something for everyone and for 
all ages. It features an easily navigable neighborhood concept, which includes Central Park, Entertainment Place and the Boardwalk with plenty of touch screens and ship deck plans to help you find your way around. Dining is always close by with several free dining outlets for any time of the day; many with grab and go items you could take back to keep in your cabin’s mini fridge. We had dinner in the three-level main dining room where we found a varied menu and quality wait staff. The ship also features several specialty restaurants for an added fee, Starbucks Coffee, sports bar, candy shop, room service and more. There’s even a bar where a robot makes your drinks!
Recreation abounds and we took full advantage of the three water slides and one dry slide along with the rock climbing wall and gym (which offers a variety of fee-added fitness classes). There is also a full-size sport court; mini golf; laser tag; baby, kids and teen clubs; pools and hot tubs, escape room, ice skating, two surf pools, carousel and boardwalk games, spa and beauty salon and a peaceful adult-only solarium (with full buffet restaurant).
Evening entertainment could leave you sleepless with family-friendly and adult-options throughout the night. Broadway shows (Hairspray is currently playing along with an original production about the history of flying), comedy clubs, ice skating shows, water shows, Royal Promenade parade, live music of every genre and more are offered. We particularly enjoyed the roaming piano player who showed up a few times in the elevator!!
Symphony of the Seas, like many of the line’s ships, is also “zero to landfill” meaning no waste is left behind. A new program has banned plastic straws (although we still saw a few in the bars) and is actually 25 percent more energy-efficient than other large ships from RCCL.
We are happy to learn and witness that Royal Caribbean is listening to its passengers to determine what elements work best and used the feedback to design and create this new ship experience.
