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Five Tips for Traveling with Children
Traveling is
stressful enough - but traveling with children can be even more
so, as anyone who has done so will verify. There are some steps
you can take to ensure that your experience is as smooth as
possible.
1) Involve your children in the trip planning
Many families who travel together maintain
that the most successful trips are the ones in which each family
member helps with planning. If your children are old enough,
allow them to have some involvement and plan some activities,
they can research at the library, bookstore or online. Find out
what kind of things your children may want to do, such as
sightseeing, museums or swimming.
Build in some down time into an otherwise busy itinerary. If you
plan a day of activities and sightseeing, leave the evening
free. As every parent knows, children can become tired and
overwhelmed easily, especially if traveling in a foreign
country, or suffering from jetlag. And most children enjoy
keeping a journal or making a scrapbook about a major trip.
2) Choose your plane seats carefully
If you are flying with children, seating will be one of your
biggest concerns. If you book as far ahead as possible, you have
a better chance of getting seats together, although pre-reserved
seats are never actually guaranteed. If you are unable to get
seats together, always arrive early at the airport and ask when
you check in, most airlines make a practice of "blocking seats"
which can then be given out to passengers at check in. If you
are a family with small children, the airline can almost
certainly rearrange seats to seat you together at the time you
check in.
Ask your airline or travel agency for seats on the front row
(also known as the bulkhead row) if you are flying with small
children. You generally have a little bit more legroom, your
children can see the movie screen easily and you are within easy
reach of two things that your children might need: the galley
and the restrooms!
3) Don't forget your children's medication!
Don't forget to pack medication and toiletries for your
children, as well as for yourself. If you are flying, you are
generally able to take medication with you in your carry on bag.
It's a good idea to carry a doctor's note or a prescription.
Also, bring a small supply of medicines you probably will not
need but will be glad that you had them with you - Tylenol,
Benadryl and cough medicine.
If you are flying with small children, take something for your
children to eat or drink during take off and landing, which can
help to reduce the symptoms of changes in the cabin pressure.
Small children often find the experience of popping ears
frightening. A
baby
should be given a pacifier to suck on - this will help to
minimize the popping of the ears, and have a soothing effect.
4) Keep your children amused
Make sure your children have toys and books to pass the time,
whether you are flying or driving. One of the best investments
you can make is a portable DVD player which can easily be used
on board the plane, or in the back of the car. Don't forget to
charge it up before you travel; and don't forget any extension
plugs or adapters you might need.
Another good investment, especially if your child is reluctant
to read, is a tape player and a selection of books on tape.
Bring books that your child may have on their school reading
list. Your local library may offer books-on-tape rental. Also,
if your child a picky eater, you can ask your airline if they
offer children's meals, although unfortunately many airlines
have discontinued them.
5) Strollers, car seats and high chairs
One indispensable item may be a combination car seat, stroller
and booster seat. The aptly named "Sit ‘n' Stroll" is
manufactured by Safeline Kids and can hold up to 40 pounds of
weight. Generally speaking, if you are traveling by air, you are
allowed a
car
seat
or a stroller free of charge in addition to your regular luggage
allowance.
If you need to take a high chair with you, try to choose one
that's portable, easy to pack and lightweight. You can actually
purchase a high chair that clamps onto a table and folds up
easily, to measure just over an inch thick - invaluable for
crowded restaurants or the restaurant that's out of high chairs.
Royal Caribbean Cruise
The
Norway
based shipping company Royal Caribbean International was founded
in the year 1969. Royal Caribbean International (then called
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line) was the result of collaboration
between Anders Wilhelmsen & Company, I.M. Skaugen & Company, and
Gotaas Larsen (all Norwegian). Today, Royal Caribbean
International is a multi-billion dollar company which reported a
net income of $633.9 million in the year 2006. Royal Caribbean
International put its first ship Song of Norway into service in
the year 1970. By 1972 Royal Caribbean International had added 2
more ships to its fleet (Nordic Prince in 1971 and Sun Viking in
1972).
The Song of Norway was so popular, that it holds the distinction
of being the first ever passenger ship to be lengthened to
increase its capacity. The Nordic Prince was also ‘stretched’ in
the year 1980 to increase its capacity. Royal Caribbean
International received widespread recognition by adding the Song
of America to its fleet in 1982. By 1988, the cruise liner
Sovereign of the Seas was also added to Royal Caribbean
International’s fleet. Sovereign of the Seas is the oldest
operational ship in Royal Caribbean International’s fleet. The
purchase of Viking Serenade in 1990 signalled the beginning of a
new era for Royal Caribbean International’s.
Starting 1990, Royal Caribbean International has added new ships
to its fleet on a yearly basis; Royal Caribbean International
currently has 21 operational ships in service. Royal Caribbean
International is currently one of the largest cruise line
operators in the world and is also the leading provider of
cruise liner based
holiday
packages to Caribbean destinations. Known for their innovation,
Royal Caribbean International has purchased two coastal
properties; one in Haiti and one in
Bahamas
both can be accessed only by guests on board a Royal Caribbean
International cruise liner.
Royal Caribbean International was listed on the NYSE (New York
Stock Exchange) in 1993 and by 1995 Royal Caribbean
International had established its US headquarters in Miami,
Florida. The Song of Norway was sold and replaced by Rhapsody of
the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas in 1997. The company merged
with the Greek cruise line Celebrity Cruises, and changed its
name from "Royal Caribbean Cruise Line" to "Royal Caribbean
International". After the merger, Royal Caribbean International
rapidly expanded and has added 12 ships in 8 years starting
1997. The latest addition to Royal Caribbean International’s
fleet is Liberty of the Seas an 18 deck ship with a passenger
capacity of 3,634. At over 154,000 gross tons, Liberty of the
Seas is the largest cruise ship and passenger vessels ever
built.
Royal Caribbean International operates cruise liners to various
destinations all over the world. Each Royal Caribbean ship
includes a top-of-ship lounge called the Viking Crown Lounge. In
addition each ship offers sweeping panoramic views, onboard rock
climbing walls, bars, lounges, spas, gyms, a main dining room
and alternative dining venues. Some of the
destinations
covered by Royal Caribbean International’s cruise ships are
Panama, Hawaii, Alaska, Bahamas, Bermuda, Europe, the Caribbean,
South America and popular destinations in Asia.
Find A Cheap Cruise
People who are on a budget and are
wanting to go on a cruise, will need to find a cheap cruise.
They might need to consider going on a cruise in the off season.
Cruise lines hardly ever lower their fares during the popular
season, and it can become rather hard finding a cheap cruise.
The popluar season is when most people will want to travel, and
this is usually during the summer and holiday seasons.
If you can travel in at the end of summer and during the fall
season, and if you can have a flexible schedule, you will have a
greater chance of finding a cheap cruise.
Cruise lines will lower their prices during this time as an
incentive, because the want to fill their cabins. Just because
you find a cheap cruise does not mean you will receive a less
quality cruise.
Careful planning is needed if you are going to find a cheap
cruise online. You will find it very easy finding a cheap cruise
online, but you can go through a travel agent if you prefer.
There are many websites online to find cheap cruises. They will
be more than happy to supply whatever information you need to
make an informed decision. Two features that might be very
convenient are the newsletter and the price alerts.
Most cruise line websites offer both of these features.
Remember, their goal is to fill all their cabins, so they will
aim to please.
You need to act fast, when searching for last minute deals and
finding a cheap cruise online. About sixty days before the
cruise sails, is a very good time for finding a cheap cruise
online.
It is possible that you could save up to 50% on an Alaskan
cruise during the off season. Plan ahead and be ready to jump on
any great deal that might become available.
More and more cruise ships are being build and out on the water
each and every year. That means there are more and more cabins
to fill. There is a lot of competition for more passengers,
consequently, it is becoming easier to find a cheap cruise.
If you sign up for the newletters, get the price alerts, and if
you can be flexable with your travel schedule, you will have
great success in finding a cheap cruise.
Galveston Cruises
Nothing resembling the Galveston cruise
port that exists today harbored ships coming to Galveston in the
year 1900. Much of that old port washed away during the unnamed
hurricane that blew ashore in early September of that year.
Motivation for creation of a new port (and an entire new city)
became evident on September 9, 1900, the day following that
storm.
The bells of the Ursuline Convent sounded on that day.
Travelers
on present day cruises from Galveston, Texas might want to
listen for sounds similar to the sounds made by those tolling
bells. Then perhaps they could imagine the sounds of those bells
being carried over a part of Galveston harbor. The travelers
would, of course, need to realize that the Galveston Cruise
Terminal did not exist back in September of 1900.
In fact, only a fraction of the buildings in Galveston remained
standing after that September storm had pounded on the Galveston
shores. At least 1600 homes had to be rebuilt by the residents
who stayed in Galveston after September 9, 1900. Yet the
challenge of rebuilding did not drive people out of Galveston,
To the contrary, volunteers from
Houston
came to Galveston in order to aid the rebuilding efforts.
Those Houston visitors did not get much of a reward for their
efforts. They could not leave the rebuilt City on a Galveston
cruise line. No one could offer the Houston guests tickets for a
discount
cruise.
Galveston extended whatever hospitality it could, but that
hospitality had its limits. During the rebuilding, the City had
been filled with pumps, sludge, stench, canals and long
catwalks.
The work of those volunteers, combined with that of the City
residents, laid the framework for a new City. Today that City
frequently harbors a Carnival cruise line. Galveston residents
can stand on the dock and watch the cruises departing Galveston.
In addition, the rebuilt City has attractions that draw ships
into Galveston harbor.
On repeated occasions, the ship coming into the City harbor has
been a Galveston cruise line. The occupants on that ship were
thus returning from a Galveston Texas cruise. They returned to a
city where the residents felt prepared for whatever nature might
send their way.
Today the residents of Galveston relish the chance to show-off
their rebuilt City. They take pride in the fact that their City
has been chosen as a stopping point for Carnival cruises. The
residents of Galveston understand the extent to which cruises
out of Galveston, TX help to swell the coffers of the government
treasury.
Maybe the residents participating in the rebuilding efforts
appreciated the financial benefits expected in Galveston. Maybe
they saw that what the sea can take away it can also return.
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