Cruise ships are not commonly thought of as family vacation vessels. However, there are a fair amount of cruises, like Carnival’s “fun ships” targeted at fulfilling just this purpose. Look at it this way: you know the kids are not going that far, unless of course they have gone overboard. Also, there is a little bit of something for everyone in all age groups. From adults, to teens, to kids, there is are coordinated activities as well as focused facilities for all of the different age groups. You can rest assured that no one will be bored on a family cruise.

Choosing cruise ship deals wisely.

For parents there are the usual activities. Your rest, relaxation and rejuvenation is certainly the focus and you can spend all the time you’d like lounging by the pool or on the deck, as well as making appointments for a massage or facial. There is plenty of evening recreation for once the kids are in bed, and it varies from ship to ship. There are also great opportunities for socializing and networking, and it is a good idea to have either a small notebook on hand, or at least copies of your card to give to new friends and contacts. There are also wine tasting groups, exercise rooms and nightclubs are on the adults only agendas for most family cruises.

For kids, there are all kinds of activities on board family cruises. From special times in the pool, to special gym classes, the kids are at least seemingly the focus on a family cruise. There are also children’s centers focused on entertaining the kids and keeping them busy while the adults enjoy their alone time. There are craft activities and fully certified staff to work with your most precious commodities: your kids.

If you have older kids, there are also teen centers on board some cruise ships. In fact Coca-Cola recently teamed up with the Carnival cruise line to bring exciting new teen centers to their fun ships. These teen centers have been created out of extensive market research and include dance floors, jukebox listening stations, a mock bar with non-alcoholic specialty drinks and space for the teens to just hang out. This is a revolutionary concept, since teens are a previously untapped market in terms of cruise line focus marketing. Teens are also more likely to find things that they enjoy in the ports of call than will younger kids, simply because they are more independent.

One reason that cruises are a great idea for family vacations is that most of the costs are included in the base price of the trip. While you are on the ship, things like meals and activities are for the most part covered. This is great because you do not have to give per diems to your kids and you can know up front how much your vacation is going to cost. Of course, you will want to have extra money on hand for when you leave the ship and get to do some real travel.

Spend Thanksgiving Away from Home

If you want a hassle-free weekend this Thanksgiving, treat yourself and everyone else to a relaxing weekend getaway for the holiday. Perhaps an Hawaii vacation. Here are a few vacation deals to give you an idea of what to look for.

Bolton, Landing, New York: The Sagamore

This Lake George facility has a variety of special holiday deals to offer. Expect to pay at least $349 but this already comes with breakfast and, of course, holiday dinner. Children below 18 may stay in your suite without extra charge and those with three-night bookings can stay for an extra night for free.

Crested Butte, Connecticut: Resort Quest

Call the number for Resort Quest, ask for the Crested Butte Holiday Package, and families of four will pay less than $800 to ski their way to their two-bedroom suite and make use of lift tickets for three wonderful days. But first you have to pray that snow comes early!

Florida: Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and Amelia Island

Groups of four won’t have to spend more than $180 when they get to the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. The 2,400-acre facility promises a comfortable night’s stay in a 2-bedroom suite and endless fun for all the family with their kid zone, boogie snow boarding, kayaking, a visit from Santa, and many other family-oriented activities. In Amelia Island, you’ll just have to pay $50 for a one-night visit and the opportunity to pretend that Thanksgiving took place in warm weather while you sail off in a chartered boat or play racket ball or volley ball under the warm Florida sun.

New York: Regency Hotel

A condo good for six to eight people can go as low as $539. Dinner at the hotel is priced at $49 with a 50% discount for children but you can always have the hotel serve your Thanksgiving dinner for you and nineteen other guests in your suite. Don’t forget to watch Macy’s traditional Thanksgiving Day parade.

Orlando, Florida: Walt Disney World

Magic is floating in the air once you stepped inside the Walt Disney World. Suites are quite affordable, starting at just $39 but you should also consider taking advantage of packages that include discounted theme park passes. To celebrate in the tradition of Thanksgiving, watch out for holiday fireworks and parades as well as the tree-lighting ceremony held every night.

Puerto Rico: Wyndham El Conquistador Resort

As there’s no rules that say Thanksgiving has to be spent in winter cold, why not fly off to this Puerto Rican resort? For a little less than $200 per night, you can experience the resort’s ongoing Family Getaway By Request promo. The special package also includes a 50% discount if you book a second room for your kids, two-for-one spa, complimentary kids’ camp, and many other privileges. The promo also waives payment for your fourth night and children below 12 years old can get meals for free.

If you’re thinking of a business trip or personal holiday, you should travel to Malaysia. Why Malaysia? What does Malaysia have that other countries do not? I am a Malaysian and I can give you genuine reasons why Malaysia should be your destination of choice for business or pleasure.

Firstly, the cost of living is low but the standard of living is high. That means you can buy lots of products of international standards but at a far cheaper price than in developed countries. Malaysia has all the modern facilities and infrastructure that you find in New York, London or Paris but at only a small fraction of its costs. In fact Malaysia has more kilometers of highway than the whole circumference of the earth! Not to mention exciting tourist destinations such as the Petronas Twin Towers, Petroscience Center, Suria KLCC, Midvalley Mega Mall, Starhill Gallery, the National Museum, the Lake Gardens, Palace of the Golden Horses etc.

Secondly, the country enjoys peace and stability socially, economically and politically. Since its independence in 1957, Malaysia has experienced rapid growth. Its economy has evolved from a primary industries-based economy into a robust and competitive diverse economy that sees Malaysia as one of the world’s top producers of microchips, automobiles, electronic equipment, food-based products and natural resources. It is currently the 17th largest trading economy in the world. The people of Malaysia are naturally very hospitable and gentle. It’s part of the culture and lifestyle of Malaysians. In Malaysia, you will not find bombings, terrorist attacks or threats to tourists that you find in some neighbouring countries. In fact, Malaysians treat their country’s visitors very well. This is why tourism plays such a big part in Malaysia’s economy. This means that you can enjoy your stay in Malaysia with complete peace of mind and be pampered by the genuine warmth and hospitality that is uniquely Malaysia.

Thirdly, the country is free from all natural disasters. No other country in South-East Asia has such stable climate and ecological conditions except Singapore (which used to be part of Malaysia). In Malaysia there are no earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, cyclones etc. So when you are in Malaysia, you will enjoy its warm and sunny weather with a constant day-time temperature of about 30 degrees Celcius and night-time temperature of about 27 degrees. Even during monsoon season (late November through to December), its rainy weather is mild because the country is shielded from the full effects of the South West monsoon by the island of Sumatra (part of Indonesia) on its West.

Fourthly, the country is a blend of East and West. You will find all the Western modern amenities ranging from large shopping malls to state-of-the-art business facilities and plush hotels. At the same time, you will also discover the Eastern culture and lifestyles of family businesses, small shops, simple wooden houses in small villages where respect for the elderly, discipline for the children and a sense of personal modesty is practiced.

Fifthly, the people of Malaysia live in peace and harmony. They are a true model of inter-racial, inter-religious and inter-cultural unity. In fact, Malaysia is known as the Rainbow nation of Asia for precisely this reason. In Malaysia, you will witness the lifestyles of the various races that live there such as the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans, Ibans, Dusuns, Muruts, Dayaks, Bajaus and about 35 other indigenous ethnic groups. You will be awe-struck as you watch colourful cultural dances, mesmerizing displays of fashion, art and craft and be spell-bound by the fascinating array of local cuisine. As mentioned above, Malaysians are naturally hospitable people.

As a Malaysian, I warmly introduce you and welcome you to my country, Malaysia. When you come to Malaysia, you will have a most memorable stay whether for your business or holiday.

If so, consider booking an upcoming stay at the Beaches Jamaica resort in Negril. Keep reading for a broad review of the resort and its facilities.

Very Kid-Friendly

This is not a resort for honeymooning couples or adults looking for some rest and relaxation. Beaches Jamaica is very much targeted toward children, and a large portion of the resort is dedicated to children’s activities and distractions – making it perfect for family vacations.

For families with kids, the resort offers several daycare centers, numerous Sesame Street themed activities (characters walking around and live shows), water slides, day trips for teens, story time and even infant care. The major appeal is that they have a variety of activities targeted toward each age group – meaning your teen and toddler won’t wind up at the same activity center.

At times, the resort can seem a little too kid-friendly. There are characters from Sesame Street running around and numerous acres devoted to kid’s playgrounds and facilities. However, if you’re a parent, this can be a great way to simply enjoy the beach and rest safe knowing your children are entertained and cared for.

Fitness Center is High Tech

If you’re a fitness buff, this is going to be a huge draw. Beaches Negril has an incredible fitness center along with numerous daily aerobic classes ranging from the low-impact water aerobics to high-energy kickboxing.

Numerous A La Carte Restaurants

Anyone who has spent a week at an all-inclusive resort knows that the same buffet night after night can get tiring after a while. To avoid food boredom, locating a resort with numerous a la carte restaurants is key. Jamaica Negril offers 6 restaurants ranging from a beachside cafe to fine and elegant dining.

Beach is Too Open

Probably the biggest complaint from guests is that they are constantly barraged by people on the beach selling their goods and wares. While most tourists want to buy a few items during their stay, constantly being approached by vendors does not make an ideal vacation.

Small, Closet-Sized Rooms

Unless you’re opting for a deluxe suite or large room, you’ll find the accommodations pretty small at Beaches Negril Jamaica. That said, if you’re sharing one room among a family of four, you may want to consider upgrading to a larger room.

The Final Word

Beaches Jamaica is a fantastic vacation option for a family. There are tons of options for the kids and a range of activities for a range of ages. The one major drawback? The room sizes don’t comfortably accommodate a family.