Tours and Cruises for Families, Spring 2014

Apr 15, 2014

Cruising in Alaska
This year, AdventureSmith Explorations is offering new cruise itineraries that take outdoor-loving families paddling and hiking through the pristine Alaskan wilderness. Among the six distinct family trips offered is the Discoverers Glacier Country tour, an eight-day cruise that explores sites such as Glacier Bay National Park and includes daily hiking, kayaking or whale-watching excursions. Another option is the nine-day True Alaska Family Cruise, which takes passengers to Sitka, Petersburg, Juneau and Hoonah. Most trips have 2014 and 2015 departures. Meals are child-friendly and professional guides are provided.

“An Alaska family vacation can be a transformative adventure when sharing experiences such as kayaking in front of a tidewater glacier or walking in an ancient temperate rainforest,” said Todd Smith, founder and owner of AdventureSmith Explorations. “The greatest benefit is traveling with like-minded families and kids of similar ages.”
www.adventuresmithexplorations.com

U.S. Vacations with Monograms
With so much to see right here in North America, Globus’ Monograms brand has unveiled nearly 50 itineraries perfect for families aiming to explore in their own backyard. In partnership with the National Park Foundation (NPF), Monograms is also offering tour packages in some of America’s most prized landscapes through the GoParks! program. Family-friendly destinations include Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon National Park and Yellowstone National Park. For every U.S. park vacation booked, Monograms will make a donation to the NPF.
www.monograms.com

New G Adventures Tours
After experiencing a 300 percent jump in family bookings in 2013, small-group tour operator G Adventures has announced seven new international family trips across five continents. All of the new tours incorporate child-friendly active experiences in exotic destinations. On the Namibia Family Adventure, travelers will climb some of the world’s highest sand dunes, and guests on the Burma Family Adventure will cycle around historic pagodas. All family trips are led by a G Adventures chief experience officer (CEO) who acts as both a guide and a supervisor — each trip includes built-in time for parents to get out on their own while the CEO directs activities for children.

“All of our family trips are designed to put the children’s needs first,” said Alistair Butchers, innovation manager with G Adventures. “We know that if the kids are happy, then the parents are happy.”
www.gadventures.com