My husband and I will be married for 10 yrs at the end of August. We have discussed a couple of trips-two state side; either Newport Beach area or San Fransisco. The other possibly going on a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean or other area (because it seems like they have such good deals right now). I have never been on a cruise and my husband has been once but said it wasn't that good of an experience; very small ship and not that much to do. What are some tips and advice you have for me on where to go, some restaurants to go to etc.? Also, we will probably leave the kids for 5-7 days and don't have family close by. Would you ask good friends or neighbors to take your kids for something like this (we have 2)? If so, what did you compensate them?
I appreciate everyone's advice. We def could take the kids with us if the security is that good. I'll start looking closer at prices and dates. I was also told of the ticker list to get on if the cruise is within 30 days of leaving and you can get good deals! Also we have a long time friend who we've known for over 15 yrs that would be fine with taking our kids if we decided to go by ourselves. They are 9 and 7 (almost 8 by the time we go). If the timeline doesn't work for her, we would have them stay w/my family (Mom and Sister could split it up).
I would take everyone on a cruise. They have WONDERFUL accommodations for kids so you guys could have lots of alone time as well as family time. Not sure the ages of your kids but if they're around 8, they'd LOVE it!!! Have fun!
That is asking a lot of good friends or neighbors. I would never. Why not
take the kids with you on a cruise. Cruise ships today have so much to do
for everyone. I would consider that. Kids are really inexpensive to take on
a cruise too.
You would get bored in Newport Beach as there is not enough to do for a week long trip. San Francisco would have lots to sightsee but can be costly. A cruise is a great deal as it allows you fine dining which is included in the cost, an opportunity to dress up or lounge around and sight see at ports of call. My vote is for the cruise. My husband and I have done many with the kids and a few without them. As far as sitters, depending on their age and if they are in school, I would have someone come stay at your house with them if possible. It makes it so much easier for the kids. Have fun!
One thing I've done when I know I want to travel but haven't decided where is sign up for the travel zoo weekly top twenty. Weekly they email you a list of the best travel deals online. You can google travel zoo if you're interested. It's helped my hubby and I go places we'd never even think of and at an affordable price. I usually make arrangements with my mom to come stay with our kids if we'll be gone for more than a couple of days. Sometimes we pay her travel expenses and sometimes she is more than happy to come herself.
My hubby and I are celebrating 10 years in September :) Our plan was to go to Brazil, probably Rio. I recommend Brazil! I personally wouldn't go on a cruise because I get sea sick easily.
No real advice on who to watch the kids. I guess it would depend on how close you are with the friends, how comfortable your kids are with them, etc. We have 3 kids, and the youngest will only be 3, so I definitely wouldn't ask a friend to watch them for that long.
Actually, I second the idea of bringing the kids on the cruise. That's a long time to leave them with anyone for a myriad of reasons. However, on a cruise you can have "adult time" while they are on their own activities and doing their own thing, you know? Some cruises have a babysitting service (but the kids don't know that's what it is---it's a cool center with lots of activities, but good security). That's probably what we'll be doing. We've been saving a little at a time for a couple years towards it. We want to either go to Costa Rica and bring my mom along as "help" (so we can do some adult activities like zip lining in the rainforest), and stay at the Tree House Hotel, etc. OR we'll go for just a weekend (drop the children off at my dad's on Friday afternoon and be back Sunday afternoon) to the Grand Canyon, which is where we were married. OR we'll go on a nice cruise and either have it be high on children's activities OR take mom with us so we can have family fun but also have a day and night of just us, and to be able to have some good port adventures that our children are too young for. If you choose the right ships, there are LOADS to do! Consult a travel agent to find one that's right for you and your desires, taste, and needs. What I really like about cruises is that you can be lazy, you can be active, you can have quiet times, you can go to shows and be entertained, and they take you to places that have interesting port adventures you can choose from instead of just being stuck in one spot the whole time.
