Holiday Season is Upon US, let's take a Family Vacation

The Holiday is only a week away, a double Holiday this year, Thanksgiving and the first night of Hanukkah. Both Holidays will bring family members together to celebrate, enjoy great meals and catch up on the events of the past year. Family gatherings are much maligned on television and at the movies but when it comes down to it, these are the times all family members will remember for years to come.

This is a great time to start making plans to create more memories for family members of all ages. Why not start the conversation at the dinner table about upcoming vacation plans. There are cruise and resort vacations that will keep every age group entertained. Each person in your party can relax and do what interests them by day and meet for meals, special programs and excursions when they want. No one has to cook, clean or entertain anyone, all get to enjoy the vacation and the family.

We can help you take advantage of special group rates (some may even sail free), help you plan special dinners, gatherings or celebrations and acts as your liaison with the cruise line or resort. We can take all the hassle out of the pre vacation planning and the best part is it doesn't cost you anything for our services.

So as you gather at the table this Holiday season, start the conversation, then contact us for ideas, advice , planning and booking....we're here to help.

Best wishes to you and your families, enjoy your time together and let's plan to maximize that experience on vacation.

We love family travel, contact us at www.ShipAhoyCP.com or e-mail your comments to me at Tony@ShipAhoyCP.com

European Vacation...with the Family

Every time I see European Vacation I think of the Chevy Chase movie hopefully the trip we are about to embark on does not urn out the same way.

The anticipation of our first family trip to Europe has reached a fever pitch. Now that the kid are out of school they have focused on trip preparation and at the same time have peppered me with more questions than I can answer. Their curiosity is refreshing to see, so many things now just don't phase kids anymore, the information/Internet age has kind of dulled the senses a bit.

Vacations however are real!!! They will be living the experiences now, all the reading and Facebook items about destinations just do not immerse you in the sights, sounds and culture of other countries. This will truly be an experience they will never forget, we will be writing family history, giving them something they will surely share with friends present and future and probably talk about it to their children one day.
Our trip will start in Barcelona, after a short stop in Toronto. We'll spend 3 days in Barcelona living out of a rented apartment with other family members and friends. Nothing like just jumping in and experiencing a world-class city right off the bat. Anyone I have talked to that has visited Barcelona has fallen in love with the city....we can't wait.

We will cruise aboard the Norwegian EPIC (www.ncl.com/EPIC), a destination in it's self. Funny but when was the last time you heard of travelers taking on Europe for the first time with their only concern being not enough time to enjoy everything on the ship (sounds like a revisit may be in the works).
Stops in Rome, Florence, Naples, Cannes & Marseilles will keep us busy and will surely be a senses overload!!!

Some may say traveling with the family & friends (our party numbers 15), may not be too relaxing but really I could not think of a better way to do it, nothing like sharing an experience that we can share for a lifetime. I'll take note of any tips we may need to share.
Look out Europe , we're on the way!!!!

My plan (and hopefully I can stick to it) is to blog daily when I can (hopefully before partaking in umbrella drinks and of course local wines) and of course we'll be taking pictures constantly.

Follow our trip on this blog, and on Facebook or Twitter, we're @ShipAhoyCP on both and please check out our website at www.ShipAhoyCP.com , sign up for special announcements and offers.