International Travel Agent
We took a last minute 3-night getaway to Universal Orlando Resorts. Can we do it all in 3 1/2 days? Will we feel overwhelmed? Will we get to ride everything? Will we have time to relax? Here’s my take on our time at Universal Orlando.
I was so fortunate to be invited by Karisma Resorts and the Lomas Group to visit Cancun and Rivera Maya. Check out my latest vlog for all my thoughts on this stunning destination and if I think it’s a good travel choice.
White sand beaches at every resort
Gourmet all-inclusive experience
Our family visited the Nickelodeon Resort- Punta Cana in June. Do I think travel to Punta Cana is safe right now? YES!
Here my thoughts on this amazing island and the gourmet all-inclusive experience at the Nickelodeon Resort.
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Rhine River Cruise
Seine River Cruise
Check out my tips for LGBTQ friendly travel destinations and vendors.
Once it was a struggle to find ships that were kid-friendly, now the challenge is wading through the bevy of child-friendly activities, kids clubs and family cabins to determine which cruise ships are best for your youngsters. To make decisions even trickier, ships vary greatly, not just from line to line but within fleets, making some better than others in terms of onboard activities. We tend to recommend cruise lines’ newer ships because the facilities were designed for families from the outset and have more space for fun activities such as water parks, ropes courses and rock-climbing walls.
The ships — and cruise lines — that follow are our top cruises for kids. Every family’s travel style is different, so these are certainly not the only ships to consider. Think of them as a starting point as you narrow your choices for an unforgettable family vacation at sea.
Ships: Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder
Why: Disney ships are ideal for families with kids ages 4 to 11, as Disney has the best facilities, dining schemes and programs for this age group. Disney Cruise Line has done a lot more to accommodate tweens and teens — but its ships still hold the most appeal for the younger set. We prefer the line’s biggest ships, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, but the refurbished Disney Magic and Disney Wonder are great choices, as well.
Kids Club: Disney takes a unique separate-but-together approach to its kids programming, mainly to accommodate siblings and friends traveling together. The Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab allow children ages 3 to 12 to access the same spaces and activities, though programming is geared toward younger children in the Club and older children in the Lab.
The Oceaneer Club offers several themed play areas that are different on each ship, including Andy’s Room (from “Toy Story”), Monsters Academy (inspired by “Monsters, Inc.”) and Marvel’s Avengers Academy, a S.H.I.E.L.D. command post where kids can interact with the Avengers through a virtual game. Disney Dream features a replica of the Millennium Falcon from “Star Wars,” where young ones can play pilot or learn lightsaber techniques from a Jedi Master. The Oceaneer Lab has an Animator’s Studio and a mini sound studio.
These ships also have a kids club, Edge, dedicated entirely to tweens ages 11 to 14, with video games, karaoke and computers. The teen club, Vibe (for cruisers ages 14 to 17), has modular furniture and a coffee shop feel. There is also a for-fee nursery available to care for the littlest cruisers, ages 6 months to 3 years.
Kid-Friendly Features: Disney ships feature a kids pool, family pool and adults-only pool. The popular AquaDuck waterslide is a big hit with families on Fantasy and Dream, while the AquaDunk thrills those onboard Disney Magic. On all ships but Dream, the AquaLab has sprayers and geysers perfect for the smallest passengers. Other great facilities include the Walt Disney Theatre, which features live shows featuring Disney favorites (such as “Tangled, the Musical” and “Frozen, the Musical“); the Buena Vista Theatre, which screens first-run movies; and D Lounge, which presents interactive activities for kids and parents.
Disney’s cabins are family-friendly with room-dividing curtains, bunkbeds with twinkle-light constellations and plenty of storage. The bath-and-a-half in most staterooms allows folks to shower in one while someone else is using the toilet in the other. Disney’s ships also hold a cool “Pirates of the Caribbean” deck party, complete with fireworks and Jack Sparrow rappelling off the ship’s funnel. Other themed events on select sailings include Star Wars Day at Sea, Marvel Day at Sea and special Halloween and Christmas events throughout the fall. All ships feature the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where children are transformed into princesses, pirates, knights and sea captains.
Onboard restaurants successfully keep kids entertained while allowing parents to enjoy the meal, as well. For example, in Animator’s Palate, animated dinner shows include “Finding Nemo” characters conversing with passengers and kids’ drawings coming to life; at Rapunzel’s Royal Table, “Tangled” characters perform songs between courses. Waitstaff will cut your kids’ food and offer an array of kid favorites, such as mac-n-cheese and mini-burgers. Two onboard restaurants are adults-only so mom and dad can take advantage of the kids club and have a date night.
Ships: Anthem of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas
Why: These ships, Royal Caribbean‘s largest, are ideal for families with kids of all ages, as well as multigenerational family groups. The Oasis-class ships have an impressive selection of family-friendly activities and entertainment — multiple pools, a 3D theater, rock-climbing walls, ice skating rink, two FlowRider surf simulators, a zipline and parades in the indoor promenade.
Anthem of the Seas has a more sophisticated vibe, but many of its attractions will wow families. They include the SeaPlex (featuring bumper cars, rollerskating, video games and more), the first skydiving simulator at sea and the North Star, a London Eye-esque ride that takes passengers in a glass capsule 300 feet above the ocean.
Parents and grandparents can enjoy adults-only Solariums, and a plethora of dining and evening entertainment options. With nursery care and after-hours fun in the kids clubs, adults can enjoy grownup time in the evenings while kids play or sleep. (Voyager- and Freedom-class ships are also great choices for families.)
Kids Club: A sizable amount of real estate is dedicated to the kids clubs on all of these ships, with separate areas for toddlers, kids and tweens/teens. You’ll also find a theater, arts and crafts workshop, science lab, video arcade and the Scratch DJ Academy (not on Anthem of the Seas). The Royal Tots and Royal Babies programs provide interactive classes and activities (when children are accompanied by a parent) for children from 6 months to 36 months old, as well as drop-off babysitting services, and toddler-friendly play spaces. The Adventure Ocean play spaces cater to Aquanauts (ages 3 to 5), Explorers (6 to 8) and Voyagers (9 to 11). Tweens and teens (12 to 17) have their Living Room coffeehouse-style hangout and Fuel disco. The counselors are some of the friendliest and most engaging in the business.
Kid-Friendly Features: Plenty of family staterooms and loft suites mean room for the family to spread out. There’s even a Royal Family cabin that sleeps eight, and Symphony’s Ultimate Family Suite with a slide, LEGO wall and games aplenty.
More than two-dozen dining options, including casual eateries like a hot dog joint and a New York-style pizza joint, as well as a variety of upscale specialty restaurants, mean no taste is overlooked. Johnny Rockets, the 1950s-style luncheonette, is always a kid magnet (and parents think it’s pretty cool, too). Excellent Broadway-style shows in the evenings will keep the older crowd engaged, while the DreamWorks experience on select ships offers character breakfasts, parades and meet-and-greets with Shrek and the Kung Fu Panda for little ones. The spa offers special treatments for teens.
Ships: Regal Princess, Royal Princess, Ruby Princess, Crown Princess and Emerald Princess
Why: Princess‘ ships include expansive programs, facilities and accommodations for parents and children. Princess’ newest and largest ships, Royal and Regal Princess, have even more great additions for families, including expanded kids club spaces, more dining options, a batting cage and laser shooting range, a bigger pool deck with a water and light show and poolside cabanas.
Further, as part of the expansion of its partnership with Discovery Communications, Princess is revamping the youth spaces on several of its ships to include lively, modern decor. (All the ships on our list have either received or will receive the makeover.) Discovery-inspired programming, which includes fun and educational activities, has rolled out fleetwide.
Kids Club: Dubbed Camp Discovery, the rebranded kids clubs include The Treehouse for ages 3 to 7, The Lodge for ages 8 to 12, and The Beach House for ages 13 to 17. Activities might include a scavenger hunt themed around Caribbean sharks, hands-on “Mythbusters”-style challenges, learning the science of magic, junior ranger programs and general cruise favorites, such as video game tournaments, art projects and storytime. The kids clubs are outfitted with foosball, air hockey and even Skee-Ball. Teens can choose from sport tournaments, themed parties, dance classes and late-night movies.
Kid-Friendly Features: On Grand-class ships (Ruby Princess, Crown Princess, Emerald Princess), there are two large pools that are suitable for families (Calypso Reef and Pool, and Neptune Reef and Pool), and there’s a splash pool dedicated for kids. Royal and Regal Princess have outdoor play areas with a jungle gym for kids ages 3 to 7, and another for teens with a teens-only hot tub and space for outdoor parties.
Movies Under the Stars is the line’s huge outdoor movie theater that plays poolside features on the top deck after the sun sets. The 300-square-foot screen broadcasts kid- and teen-friendly movies, as well as fun-for-the-whole-gang blockbusters, and live sporting events and awards shows. Another cool offering: Parents are welcome to attend the Jr. Chef@Sea Program, a hands-on chef-led cooking class that takes place in a shipboard kitchen, alongside their budding-chef kiddos.
The Discovery connection extends beyond the kids club to whole-family programming. Shark Week at Sea offers shark-themed games and activities for the whole family on select summer cruises, while families on select Alaska sailings can embark on a search for Big Foot (a la the TV show “Finding Bigfoot”) or participate in a crab-sorting challenge (inspired by “Deadliest Catch”). Princess marks select shore excursions as Discovery Family Tours, which are targeted at families with kids ages 3 to 12 and involve hands-on activities that connect kids to the destination. Animal Planet tours are ideal for parents and kids who want to see whales, sharks, sloths and other critters up close.
Ships: Carnival Horizon, Carnival Vista, Carnival Breeze, Carnival Dream and Carnival Magic
Why: Carnival Cruise Line’s Vista- and Dream-class ships offer an array of onboard fun and do a great job accommodating kids of all ages, with separate clubs for the 2 to 11 set, tweens and teens. The ships offer a terrific variety of family activities and spaces. Families will make good use of two outdoor pools and SportSquare; a multistory IMAX theater (Vista Class only); and some of the largest at-sea water parks.
Kids Club: The fleetwide Camp Ocean entertains cruisers ages 2 to 11, divided into three groups, with marine-themed activities and other games. Carnival is the only line to allow 2-year-olds into its free, drop-off programs, and counselors will change diapers. Camp Ocean occupies a large chunk of upper-deck real estate, while the tween and teen clubs are separate from the little ones on lower decks. Circle C pre-teens (12 to 14) and Club O2 teens (15 to 17) have their own spaces, and kids have access to regular dance and pool parties, special teens-only shore excursions and PlayStation and Xbox consoles.
Kid-Friendly Features: A huge draw for kids on these ships is WaterWorks, an aqua park with a variety of waterslides, sprayers, soakers and a splash area for little (but potty-trained) kids. Children can play in the pool, as well as SportSquare, an outdoor activity area with a mini-golf course, basketball courts and foosball tables, and the thrilling new SkyRide cycling attraction on Vista-class ships.
Watch movies outside on the Dream-class ships at the Seaside Theatre, a 22-foot jumbo screen. Breeze is home to the Thrill Theater, a 3D-movie joint with “multidimensional effects” (think seats moving, wind blowing and even water splashing during films). On Vista and Horizon, a Multiplex screens flicks in both an IMAX Theater and a Thrill Theater. Families can cavort on a deceptively scary ropes course or take part in Carnival’s “Hasbro, The Game” show, a friendly competition and stage show with games as prizes.
All our top ships offer plenty of family-friendly staterooms, but on Vista-class ships, Family Harbor, a collection of staterooms that can accommodate up to five cruisers, offers access to an exclusive Family Lounge, free meals for kids at select extra-fee restaurants, one free night of after-hours group babysitting in Camp Ocean and pint-size bathrobes. Teens are also welcome in Carnival’s spas. In addition, all Carnival ships offer Build-A-Bear workshops where kids can create their own stuffed animal (for a fee).
Ready to plan your families epic cruise vacation? Contact me today to get started 716-417-7824 or dambrusko@gmail.com
Big Ben, Stonehenge, the Colosseum and more: these European attractions are perennial tourist favorites. But newer sights are rising to the top of the “must-see” list (relatively new, compared to these historical standards). Read on to decide which ones, ancient or contemporary, to visit on your next trip.
This museum, located on the site where the ill-fated RMS Titanic was built and launched, has drawn over three million visitors since it opened four years. ago. Tours through its nine interactive and interpretive galleries are self-guided. You’ll see replicas and computer generated images of the ship’s elegant cabins and dining rooms, its deck promenade, engine rooms and more. It’s all so convincing, you may think you hear the ship’s engines rumble.
Don’t miss: The Dark Ride, a themed, cable car ride that uses special effects, animation and full-scale models to let you experience shipbuilding as it was practiced in the early 1900s. Be sure to stop for a close-up look at the Big Fish, just outside the museum. This 32’ salmon was designed to celebrate Belfast’s River Lagan, and its ceramic scales are decorated with images and words that tell the story of the city and its people.
If you’ve been to France, you’ve probably toured this famous French monument, built in 1889 for the World’s Fair. But have you seen it since the first level was renovated? It now boasts a transparent, slip-resistant floor and glass balustrades. There’s also an improved cultural path that utilizes touch screens, digital imagery and other elements to let visitors explore the Eiffel Tower’s history. Seven projectors trained on three walls help immerse you in the experience. After you ride the glass elevator to the top level, at 540 feet high, take in the breathtaking views of the city.Don’t miss: Toasting with a glass of chilled wine at the Champagne Bar, or a quick, “no frills” picnic lunch at the 58 Tour Eiffel Restaurant.Tip: Buy your tickets online before you go and beat the crowds, which number in the millions every year.
Every summer, the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of the United Kingdom’s royal family, are opened to the public. Through Feb. 5, 2017, visitors can take guided tours through the 19 rooms to admire their gilded ceilings, sparkling chandeliers and masterpiece artworks. Just book early, if you plan to go. Tours are limited to 30 people per group. You can also watch the Changing of the Guard, which takes place when the weather permits. See the website for a schedule of times and days.Don’t miss: The Garden Highlights group tour, which can be combined with the State Rooms tour. The 39-acre palace garden is planted with some 200 trees, roses, wisteria, and more than 350 kinds of wildflowers and is the stunning setting for the Queen’s Garden Parties.
Since it opened in 2000, this Guinness-themed attraction at St. James’ Gate Brewery has welcomed more than four million visitors—many of them, presumably, very thirsty. The storehouse has been called the world’s largest pint glass, because its seven floors surround a pint glass-shaped atrium. Visitors start at the “bottom” of the glass—the first floor– and progress to the top. Along the way, they learn the story behind the brews, sample flavors, learn how to pour and serve, stop in a private Connoisseur Bar for a tasting experience, and, when they arrive at the seventh floor, “drink” in panoramic views of the city.Don’t miss: The St. Patrick’s Day festival held here each year. Check the website for a schedule of the multi-day festival.
“Acropolis” refers to a citadel in a high place, like this ancient monument overlooking the city of Athens. Here you’ll find one of the world’s most famous temples, the Parthenon, built in 447 B.C.E. to honor the goddess Athena. Other structures were added later, but they’ve suffered damage and neglect over the centuries. Efforts are underway to restore and preserve as much of this magnificent complex as possible.Don’t miss: The Acropolis Museum. Look underneath your feet as you walk over the glass floors; you’ll see ruins of homes found while the museum was being built.Another Don’t miss: The Panathenaic Stadium, built in 140 A.D., and used for Olympic games since 1870. The stadium holds a collection of Olympic torches and posters from 1896 to the present.
Work began on Sagrada Familia, a Roman-Catholic church, in 1882, and it’s still ongoing. (2026 is the projected finish date.) Each year, over three million visitors come to see this beautiful landmark, whose name means Holy Family. The late Antoni Gaudi, considered one of Barcelona’s greatest architects, took over the construction in 1883. His efforts to avoid hard angles and straight lines in the structure make it feel like part of the natural world. Even the interior columns resemble trees in a forest, with pillars that divide at the top into “branches.”Don’t miss: A guided tour. Expert guides will explain the history of Sagrada Familia and point out many often-missed details and symbols. Visit on a sunny day, if you can, when the sun streams in through the stained glass windows, filling the space with light and color.
Going to Ireland for the first time? Get ready to experience some of Ireland’s most magnificent scenery as well as its most famous towns. Highlights of the country include the 668-foot Cliffs of Moher on Ireland’s west coast, where you’ll savor the breathtaking views of these rugged cliffs dropping into the ocean, and the Ring of Kerry, a 100-mile panoramic drive through rugged and magnificent landscapes. Words cannot capture the magnificence of these natural beauties; you must witness them in person!
Here are some of our “must-do” suggestions for your first trip to Ireland:
Visit the Irish National Stud in Kildare, home to thoroughbred champions who command respect on the racecourses of the world.
Take pictures of the spectacular group of Medieval buildings at the Rock of Cashel, where St. Patrick preached.
Rock of Cashel
Savor the spectacular views at Cliffs of Moher, where 668-foot cliffs invite you to see the breathtaking panorama of the Clare cost.
Cliffs of Moher
Bake scones at Rathbaun Farm, a picturesque thatched farmhouse where you’ll learn about Ireland’s sheep-farming practices.
Rathbaun Farm
Take a drive along the scenic peninsula around Dingle Bay’s southwestern tip. This 100-mile panoramic drive is called the Ring of Kerry. Hint: Make sure to take a photo of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View.
Lakes of Killarney as seen from Ladies View
Take part in a 200 year tradition and kiss the Blarney Stone to gain the gift of eloquence.
Blarney Stone
Enjoy a guided tour of the House of Waterford Crystal, where you’ll see the highly-skilled artisans at work in the production of this famous crystal. You’ll also get to partake in an Irish coffee demonstration.
The value of travel services, pricing matching and preferred vendors. Let’s get real about everything that goes into finding you a great value and NOT a bargain.
Britain’s cobbled alleyways and ancient castles provided both the inspiration for J.K. Rowling’s renowned Harry Potter series and the perfect backdrop to help bring the series to life through film. From the platform where students boarded the Hogwarts Express to shortcuts taken to escape Death Eaters, these sites will make even the most serious of muggles wonder whether magic exists. Trace the footsteps of Harry, Ron and Hermione by visiting these famous filming locations around London.
All aboard the Hogwarts Express! As any Potter fan knows, you have to run at the wall between Platforms 9 and 10 in order to reach Platform 9 3/4. While we don’t recommend running at the wall (because you’re like a muggle), you can snap a picture or visit the shop to purchase Harry Potter memorabilia.
Located in central London, the bridge is identifiable by its unique shape. It is featured in the intro scene of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, shown being destroyed by death eaters.
One of London’s oldest markets was used as the filming location and inspiration behind Diagon Alley in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The entrance to The Leaky Cauldron is also filmed here (although it’s actually an optician’s office!).
This bustling street in London’s West End is seen in Part 1 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, when Harry, Ron and Hermione nearly get hit by a double-decker bus trying to escape the pursuit of death eaters that showed up at Bill and Fleur’s wedding.
Scenes from Gringott’s, the famous goblin-run bank in Diagon Alley, were filmed inside of the Australian Embassy in London. Though visitors aren’t permitted inside, you can admire the famous exterior (or maybe peer inside the window’s to see if any magic is brewing).
