AAA Traveler - Fall 2016 - 9

By Debbie Selinsky

D

istract yourself from fall's hectic, back-toschool schedule with visions of white beaches
and exotic locales. It's not too early to start
making travel plans for spring break 2017. In
this election year, why not adopt a "Spring Break for
All" campaign? That means families with children of
all ages can join in the fun next February, March and
April along with traditional college spring breakers.
If you start planning now, you'll be able to find the
best travel fit for your family or group. Your AAA
Travel Specialists offer a wide range of options, from
cruises to train trips to all-inclusive resorts. Here are
some suggestions and tips to consider.

Spring break for families with kids
Cruising
Cruises are almost tailor-made for family vacations.
Every day on a Royal Caribbean cruise is a wild
adventure: teenager Tom is riding high on FlowRider®
while Dad gets an adrenaline rush in the sky diving
simulator. Little Lola is reveling in the Barbie Premium
Experience, while Mom races from dance class to the
spa. And that's all before they even disembark for
exciting excursions in Alaska, Europe or the Caribbean!
In addition to their extensive program for children,
Royal Caribbean offers special features such as expedited
dining for kids aged 3 to 11. Kids can scarf their food and
then go play with staffers while parents enjoy a leisurely
meal. Most Royal Caribbean ships also offer Royal
Family Suites with enough space for eight.
Disney Cruise Line also offers roomy familyfriendly staterooms. Bunk beds descend from the
ceiling, foldout couches save space, and bathrooms
are divided into two spaces (a toilet and sink in one
and a bathtub and sink in the other).
Disney fun includes character autograph sessions,
Broadway-type musicals, princess parties, animation
lessons and water play. The age-appropriate children's and

teen programs and the special pool areas and nightclubs
for adults make this a no-brainer for a large family.
On Carnival Cruise Line's new Carnival Vista, there
is a dedicated Family Zone, complete with rooms that
accommodate up to five family members, an exclusive
Family Harbor Lounge for playing games and enjoying
complimentary breakfast and snacks, and a family
concierge to help with planning. On all Carnival ships,
you can get a free berth for every 15 paid passengers.

Land trips
If your family prefers a trip on terra firma, check
out Tauck Costa Rica: Jungles & Rainforests eight-day
vacations. This "Earth Journey," created by luxury travel
company Tauck and BBC Earth, will have you soaring
on a zip-line adventure through the rainforest, learning
what it takes to live alongside a jungle river and tasting
the island's sweet pineapples. The package includes a
jungle river-rafting adventure with an expert wildlife
guide and a private home visit with a local farm family.
Your children will have a heckuva "What I Did
on Spring Break" story to tell back home after
experiencing Costa Rica with its colorful electric-blue
morpho butterfly, emerald-green parrots and red frogs.
For outdoor-loving families who want to take spring
break in the U.S., Trafalgar, has an eight-day, April 2017
trip that will have you blazing a trail around the natural
wonders of the west (Arizona, Utah and Nevada).
Participants on "The Trailblazer," which departs from
Las Vegas, will get an insider's perspective on the Grand
Canyon from a Local Specialist; journey into Bryce
Canyon National Park, home to those towering limestone
spires known as hoodoos; and explore mesmerizing
Monument Valley from an open-air vehicle that provides
a great view of grand mesas and rock formations.
The package includes, among other amenities,
hotel tips, fees and taxes, many meals, luxury airconditioned buses with Wi-Fi and experienced travel
directors with separate drivers.

TRAVELER FALL 2016

9
AAA Traveler - Fall 2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AAA Traveler - Fall 2016
