Affordable Sailings

I am obsessed with the reality TV series “Undercover Boss.” Do you watch? If so, please tell me that you cry like a baby at the very end of the show. I do. Every.Single.Time. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen every episode. If you tune in regularly, then you’ve probably picked up on a running theme: The gift of cruises given to employees featured on the show by the undercover CEO. My 7-year-old daughter and I always joke that the only way we’d be able to set sail on a luxury cruise is if one of us ends up on the … Continue reading →

Bag ID

Whether you are jetting off to Burlingame, California, to visit the world’s largest Pez dispenser or you’re planning a family trip to the Paris Texas Eiffel Tower in Paris, Texas (it measures nearly 65 feet tall and has a cowboy hat on top), you’ll want to avoid luggage loss. These days airport baggage carousels are known as “black holes” since they accommodate a prolific amount of identical-looking dark-colored suitcases. So how can you avoid grabbing the wrong bag, or worse, having some other traveler walk away with the personal belongings you have tucked away in your black luggage? Here are … Continue reading →

Sail Into Summer

Summer cruises are extremely popular with travelers looking to spend part of the season on the high seas. In addition to providing an excellent escape from the hustle and bustle of their land-based lives, summer sailings offer families a cost-effective vacation option, as they can bundle all of their expenses into one low price. The key to saving on a cruise is to time your departure just right. For example, you are more likely to score deep discounts if you wait until the end of summer to sail. Many families hit the high seas as soon as school gets out, … Continue reading →

Some Friendly Skies for Families

Let’s face it; with the crack down on carry-on bags, the exorbitant price of airfare and the elimination of free meals, flying on commercial airlines can be a real pain. And as many parents can tell you, that torture is multiplied when you are taking flight with young children in tow. Fortunately, there is some good news for families traveling by air this summer. Just a few days ago, Allegiant Air announced that it will not add to parents’ anxiety by splitting up families on flights. The carrier modified its check-in system so passengers under the age of 14 will … Continue reading →

Dings Do Matter

The price of gas may not be at a record high right now, but that doesn’t mean that filling up is cheap. In fact, recent polls show that many families across the United States are opting to rent vehicles that guzzle less gas than their family mobiles when embarking on long road trips. Renting a smaller vehicle may be an economical option, especially if you don’t want to add more wear and tear on your every day ride. However, if you are not careful your summer rental could put a major dent in your wallet. USA Today just a published … Continue reading →

Summer Road Trip Survival

Do you remember when Oprah and her BFF Gayle embarked on an 11-day summer road trip across America? The queen of talk’s cross-country adventure served as a reminder to many of us about the challenges associated with being crammed in a limited space for an extended amount of time with more than just ourselves. Even the people we claim to love with our heart and soul can get under our skin during a long car ride. To avoid taking a turn into vacation purgatory this summer, it’s critical to be well prepared. Remember, when you’re cruising along the highway, one … Continue reading →

Do You Pay Attention to Street Signs?

Stop. Slow Children at Play. Do Not Pass. Yield. Merge. We see these words and phrases on signs as we travel along roads across the United States, but how often do we really heed the warning? I readily admit that I’ve come to a rolling stop on more than just a few occasions. In fact, three years ago, I was pulled over for failing to come to a complete stop at an intersection between a middle school and a high school. Fortunately, I got off with just a warning. Had the police officer not been so generous I would’ve had … Continue reading →

Traveling Families Get the Shaft Again

My 7-year-old was 5 years old for about 18 months… but just when we had to fly from Chicago to Hawaii and back. Hey, my kid’s a peanut, but I know, bad is bad. Like you haven’t ever tried to milk the airlines’ rule that allowed you to board first with children under the age of 5. In some cases it’s a necessity to fudge your kid’s age, especially when you are flying with a brood of rugrats that range from six months to six years. What are you supposed to do then? Leave the six-year-old in the boarding area … Continue reading →

Road Trip Sanity Savers

Keeping the peace in a vehicle filled with cranky kids is no small task, and with the summer travel season kicking off this weekend, now is the time to arm yourself with weapons against the “Are we there yet?” blues. With advancements in technology, the family car often morphs into a mobile living room complete with DVD players, video games, and smartphones. These days, most parents don’t dare travel long distances without arming kids with portable digital devices, from iPads to portable PlayStations. These electronic entertainment systems are a far cry from playing 20 Questions in the back of a … Continue reading →

Save on Holiday Road Trips

For many families, today marks the unofficial start of the Memorial Day weekend. As the summer travel season kicks off, gas prices have dipped slightly since peaking earlier this year. However, I still don’t think paying nearly $4 per gallon is cheap by any means. Fortunately, there are ways you can fuel up for your holiday road trip without breaking the bank: Timing is Key: Experts recommend filling your car with gas in the early morning rather than during the heat of the afternoon. If you wait to fuel up later in the day you’ll end up with less gas … Continue reading →