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A Family’s Most Memorable Vacation

I have a client who has been booking trips with me for many years. She tries to take at least one family vacation each year, and spends a reasonable amount of money. She does not book luxurious trips, but not bargain basement ones, either. She is not wealthy by any means; in fact, several times she had to wait to make her reservations until she had enough money saved up. Whenever she got some extra money, such as a tax refund, she called me to plan another trip. Some might consider that a bit irresponsible, but family vacations were a priority for her.

A few years ago, she took a Caribbean cruise with her husband and two boys. This was a trip funded on an unexpected windfall. They had a great time, came back with wonderful pictures. Talked about how they couldn’t wait to go on another cruise together.

Four months later, her husband died in a tragic accident. He was young, fit, healthy, someone you would expect to be around for a long time. Their two boys were still in school. Of course, the family was devastated.

A few months later, I saw her after she returned to work. Pictures of their cruise were on display in her office. I had wondered since the accident if she regretted spending the money now that finances were going to be even tighter for her as a single mom.

Instead, she told me how thankful she was that they chose to use the money for the cruise, and that they were always talking about how much fun they had. It was very comforting for her sons to look at the pictures and know they had that wonderful time with their dad in the last few months of his life. Those memories were helping them cope with their loss. It was a rough time, but they would pull through, and she was eager to plan another trip to keep their life as normal as possible.

Of course, we all try to spend as much quality time with our kids as we can, and in our busy schedules, it often means fitting in a game of mini-golf or spending an afternoon at the beach. But there’s something special about going away together. It allows families to really focus on one another, without day to day distractions getting in the way. (I know I am not the only mom who can’t help thinking “When I get home I need to …” or “What I am going to make for dinner tonight?” during my “quality time.”)

I certainly don’t advocate anyone spending beyond their means for a family vacation. It can be as simple as a weekend camping trip. The point is to have a change of scenery, and to have nothing on your schedule but enjoying each other’s company. Your kids will love you for it.

Now go away.

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A Crystal Clear Luxury Cruise Deal

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I made a cruise reservation for a client this week. Not only were they getting a great price on a luxury cruise, but they were going to receive over $2000 per person in shipboard credits, plus many other perks. I double-checked the price against other mid-market cruises I had booked recently for clients, and sure enough, they were getting the same or better price!

If you have wanted to try a luxury cruise, but thought you couldn’t afford it, 2010 may be the year you have been waiting for. Crystal Cruises, repeatedly voted the best large ship cruise line by Travel & Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler, is offering their best promotion ever on all 2010 sailings. Guests receive:
– 2 for 1 cruise fares on ALL sailings
– Free air (or an air credit) on MOST sailings
– A $1000 or $2000 per stateroom onboard credit on ALL sailings

Because Brownell Travel is a Virtuoso agency, my clients also receive Voyager Club amenities with Crystal. Specific amenities vary by sailing, but always include at least a private cocktail reception and a complimentary shore excursion. In my client’s case, their sailing also includes pre-paid gratuities.

My clients will also be paying with a World Elite MasterCard, which provides them with additional benefits on luxury travel arrangements. For a Crystal Cruise, cardholders receive a $125 per person shipboard credit and prepaid gratuities, plus an additional $1025 per person credit as part of a special promotion! And unlike AMEX Platinum, the World Elite MasterCard benefits are combinable with Voyager Club amenities.

Crystal has also announced that kids sail free on two 7 day Baltic cruises this year:

* June 14 – “Ballads of Britain” cruise sailing roundtrip out of London
* August 7 – “Russian Inspiration” voyage from Copenhagen to Stockholm

So what’s the bottom line? After applying the free air and 2 for 1 credit, my client’s cruise fare is $5680 per person including port charges and fees, plus they are receiving $2150 per person total in onboard credits. That comes to a net price of $3530 per person for a 12 day luxury Europe cruise! Also, they’ll receive prepaid gratuities, an exclusive complimentary shore excursion, and be invited to a private cocktail party by a Virtuoso representative who will be their personal host throughout the cruise.

Now that’s a deal!

For more information on these and other luxury travel promotions, contact Suzette Mack at suzette@family-treks.com.
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Don’t Want To Be Home for the Holidays?

Then take a look at what some travel suppliers are offering families for the upcoming holiday season:

Villas of Distinction is offering a $500 credit on Christmas or New Year’s villa reservations made by October 9. Pioneers in the villa rental field, they offer luxury villas in the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Tuscany, Italy, and the South of France, ranging from two to twenty bedrooms. They are also full service travel planners, who can assist with airfare, car rentals, and concierge services.


Princess Cruise Line has space is available several holiday sailings, including:
Dec 19 Mexico cruise on Sapphire Princess out of LA
Dec 20 Southern Caribbean cruise on Caribbean Princess out of San Juan
Dec 19 Western Caribbean cruise on Crown Princess out of Ft Lauderdale.

Princess makes it easy to have a Happy Hanukkah, Christmas or New Year, with ships trimmed in festive holiday decor, and a special dinner featuring traditional favorites such as roast turkey, mincemeat pie, and chocolate Yule logs. Children can make ornaments for the ship’s Christmas tree, and participate in a holiday play which they perform for passengers. On Christmas day, Santa Claus makes a surprise appearance, bringing joy and gifts to each child on board.


Ceiba del Mar, a luxury boutique resort in the Riviera Maya, has scheduled fun family events for the holidays. On Christmas Eve, children can smash a piñata and go caroling on the beach, and families will enjoy traditional Mexican and American Christmas dinners. Guests can dance under the stars to lively music each evening, enjoy a Fire Show, and celebrate New Year’s Eve with a scrumptious feast.

Ritz Carlton Kapalua is offering 6th night free from Dec. 23 – Jan. 3. The luxurious Maui resort recently underwent a $180M transformation which included renovated rooms, re-designed restaurants, an Environmental Education Center, and a new children’s pool. The Ritz Kids program has also been enhanced, and now features Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program, offering an environmental and cultural education center with excursions led by expert naturalists.

And for an “over the top” experience, celebrate an authentic Renaissance Christmas in a chateaux in the Loire Valley. Up to fourteen guests can have exclusive use of the ancestral home of Count and Countess de Vanssay. Château de La Barre’s special Christmas package includes champagne and chocolates, a cheese and vintage wine tasting dinner, a Renaissance dinner at Leonardo da Vinci’s home, and chauffeured car service for New Years’ Eve.

For help with planning a memorable and stress-free trip for the holidays, contact Suzette Mack, Family Travel Advisor, at suzette@family-treks.com
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Hot Off the Press From Disney Destinations

Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line’s private island, is undergoing several upgrades to accommodate new ships being added to the fleet. Stingray Adventure has been relocated to provide 700 more feet of family beach area. Additional water play areas include Pelican Plunge, with two corkscrew slides, and Scuttle’s Cove, a supervised area for younger children with geysers and water jets. Twenty new private cabanas will provide the privacy and luxury of a deluxe beach retreat, with the optional services of a cabana host.


Disney Cruise Line has laid the keel of the Disney Dream, a 2,500-passenger ship scheduled to enter service in 2011, which will be followed by the Disney Fantasy in 2012. Design details will be revealed later this fall. The ships will be based at Port Canaveral, which is also being upgraded and expanded.

Disney Cruise Line has also extended their Kids Sail Free promotion to select 3 and 4 night sailings this winter and spring. Kids currently can sail free on select Med sailings in April and May.

Walt Disney World dining reservations can be made 180 days in advance beginning October 27, including reservations for dinner shows and character meals. The dining plan is a great value for families, as we found during our trip this summer.


Adventures by Disney is offering Signature Trips in 2010 which feature upgraded accommodations and meals, and special elements for an even more extraordinary vacation. For example, Viva Italia Signature includes a privately guided visit of the Vatican City Museum, a pasta making class, and a trip to the Murano Glass Blowing Factory.

Studio Disney 365 is now open at Disneyland. Kids can be made over to look like their favorite Disney Channel star, then meet their fans and have their picture snapped by the waiting paparazzi.

The Disneyland Hotel has begun a major renovation which will bring a contemporary design to the rooms, and a new energy efficient exterior. Rooms will showcase new headboards carved with the image of Sleeping Beauty Castle, and a magical skyline with fiber optic fireworks. Sky blue reflective glass windows on the towers will give the outside a sleek, radiant look, and will also be energy efficient and reduce outside noise.

The Disneyland Hotel renovation is a part of a larger expansion project throughout the resort, culminating in 2012 with the opening of an all new land – Cars Land. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is also adding 200 hotel rooms and 50 two-bedroom villas, which will be part of the Disney Vacation Club.

For help with planning your next family vacation, contact Suzette Mack at suzette@family-treks.com.

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Family Cruise News

The new Carnival Dream will feature the largest and most elaborate water park at sea, including a 303-foot-long, four-deck-high corkscrew water slide with another 104-foot-long spiral water slide that leads into a giant funnel. The ship also introduces Carnival’s first 18-hole miniature golf course. The ship caters to children, ‘tweens and teens with more than 19,000 square feet of space of indoor & outdoor play space and supervised programs for ages 2 – 17.

Younger children will enjoy arts and crafts, toys and games, while older children & teens will have video games such as PlayStation and Wii, a karaoke machine, air hockey and foosball tables. Teens will also have their own separate area with dance club, soda bar, video jukebox, arcade games, and internet workstations, or can enjoy Carnival’s Y-Spa youth spa program. Multi-generational activities will also be offered for the whole family, including pizza-making sessions, family water play and trivia contests.


Princess Cruises has teamed with Klutz® to provide high-quality arts and crafts projects for young passengers to enjoy onboard. Custom-built kits have been designed to engage young cruisers in fun and creative activities, a unique offering in the cruise industry which will be available fleetwide.

Children will have the opportunity to participate in up to seven Klutz® activities during their cruise: to build their own storybooks; create lanyard bracelets; make “picture tags” for charm bracelets, luggage tags, or pet I.D.s; create fuzzy masterpieces with Velvet Art; craft paper flowers, weave friendship bracelets; or make thumbprint art. The new Klutz® activities are offered for young passengers of all ages, and are scheduled during the youth center’s regular activities or during the ship’s family fun fair in the atrium, where all family members can join in.


Disney Cruise Line® was named the top large cruise ship experience and top 5 best spas at sea by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine. Disney recently announced a new service beginning in March that makes cruising with very young children even easier – baby supply delivery service. Guests can order items such as diapers, baby food, and infant formula before their cruise, and have them delivered directly to their stateroom.

Disney also announced 50% off for kids 12 and under. This offer is available for most sailings from March 26 through May 14, 2009. Government taxes and fees not included, and there must be full-fare guests in the same stateroom.


Royal Caribbean announced new services for guests booked in suites, designed to focus on distinctive and personalized service. New service enhancements include:

> Dedicated check-in lines
> Complimentary cabin amenities such as luxury spa robes, slippers, fruit plate, and chocolates at turndown
> Pre-dinner cheese presentation on the first formal night
> Exclusive privilege of ordering from the main dining room’s menus for in-suite dining
> A selection of Mattel board games delivered to the suite
> Priority disembarkation and complimentary valet luggage service

RCCL’s Mariner of the Seas arrived in Los Angeles this week, to sail year-round on 7 night Mexican Riviera cruises. This is the largest ship to offer cruises from the West Coast, and it features the line’s iconic rock wall, a nine-hole miniature golf course, an ice-skating rink, a full size basketball court, and an inline skating track. Running nearly the length of the ship is the Royal Promenade, a boulevard of shops, restaurants, bars and lounges.

Costa Cruises will equip public areas and cabins with Sony PlayStation video game systems. Ships will feature PlayStation World, an area with PlayStation 3 consoles. There will also be PlayStations 3’s available via on-demand service in cabins. The children’s and teens’ clubs will have PlayStation 2 consoles. After dark, Costa will hold “PlayStation Nights” on the lido decks of four of their ships, where gamers will play on giant screens.

For more information about finding the perfect cruise for your family, contact Suzette Mack, Family Travel Specialist, at suzette@family-treks.com

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