A Family Cruise Can Be an Affordable Vacation

The Higginbothams have chosen to make a four night cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Monarch of the Seas the centerpiece of their family vacation. They'll board the ship on Monday, sail to Nassau, and Royal Caribbean's private island of CocoCay. They'll also enjoy a day st sea before returning to Port Canaveral early Friday morning.

They've chosen to book two inside cabins, with a connecting door. They might have saved a little more by choosing one cabin for four, but this option will give them two bathrooms, and a little breathing room. OR, they might have booked a three night cruise instead of four. They looked at a number of options!

Photo: Monarch of the Seas (My own, all rights reserved)

Last Friday, on Hannah's twelfth birthday, the family went out for pizza. While waiting for the order to arrive, Dad excused himself for a moment, and returned with a bag in his hand and a big grin on his face. "I have a little present for BOTH of you," he announced to the kids. Then, he pulled two hats out of the bag, and quickly plopped on on each kid's head. This is what they looked like:

Official Cruiser Personalized Embroidered hats from CruiseReady on Zazzle

And, so it was that Harry and Hannah found out that their parents would be taking them on an honest-to-goodness cruise.

"But, it's not JUST a cruise," Mom told them. "You won't believe the week we have planned around our four night sea cruise!"

"On the first day, we are going to have a picnic lunch on the grounds of a very old fort. Harry and Hannah - your contribution to the vacation is to be in charge of the picnic. You get to plan it, prepare it, and pack it."

"Fort - what fort? Where?" Fifteen year old Harry was clearly intrigued by this idea.

"The Castillo de San Marcos in Saint Augustine, Florida."

Now, Hanna's interest was growing, too. "Saint Augustine! We studied about that in school - it's the nations oldest city."

So, Mom told them they'd be touring the fort, too, and Harry and Hannah were ready to do their part. They began excitedly talking about what kind of a feast they would serve their family on the grounds of the oldest masonry fort in the United States.

The fort, built between 1672 abd 1695, on the shore of Matanzaz Bay, is made of coquina. The fort is configured in such a manner that each bastion can defend the ones on either side of it, as can be seen in this aerial view.

I can remember touring this fort many times as a child, and in those days, it was surrounded by an alligator filled mote. The mote has since been filled in, and the gators relocated.

The Castillo is a national monument, and you can pick up a map and brochure to use on your self-guided tour. Don't miss the dungeon or the story of Seminole Indian Chief Osceola who was imprisoned there. You can also watch a short film, which is shown hourly, or listen to Park Rangers give a variety of interpretive talks throughout the day on the history and culture of the Park.

Aerial view of fort (public domain) by National Park Service

ADMISSION:
Adults - $6.00
Children under 16 - No Charge
PARKING: Metered, $ .50 / hr.

INTERESTING FACTS that I still remember from ranger talks I heard years ago -
a) Though the fort was attacked many times, it was never captured by an attacking force
b) Enemy cannon balls never penetrated into the fort, but rather were "absosrbed" by the thick coquina walls.
c) On more than one occasion, the population of the town was sheltered in the courtyard of the fort during lengthy sieges from opposing colonial forces.

Castillo de San Marcos postcard by sqarehead
Osceola by theredsun Seminole Indian Chief Osceola was imprisoned in the Castillo de San Marcos, which was actually called Fort Marion at that time.
Castillo De San Marcos print by LenPhoto

Well, the stop at the old fort in St. Augustine will certainly get the Higginbotham family vacation off to a great start, don't you think? And it's a very affordable option, too, as you can see!

Now, here's a summary of the whole eight day plan:

SATURDAY
MORNING: Vacation begins! We leave bright and early, and drive (3 hours or less) to St. Augustine, Florida.
MID DAY BREAK: In Saint Augustine, tour the Castillo de San Marcos and have a picnic lunch on the grounds.
AFTERNOON: Drive the rest of the way to Cocoa Beach, Florida (just under 2 hours) and check in to the hotel.
SUNDAY
MORNING: Beach time.
AFTERNOON: See the world's largest surf shop.
EVENING: Chill out at the hotel
MONDAY
MORNING: Sleep in, and get ready to Cruise.
AFTERNOON: Board the Monarch of the Seas for a 5 pm SAILAWAY.
TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY - THURSDAY
Ship calls at CocoCay, Nassau, and spends a Day at Sea
FRIDAY
MORNING: Cruise ends. Return to Hotel
AFTERNOON: Airboat ride
SATURDAY
Say goodbye to the Space Coast with a visit to the Astronaut Walk of Fame an Museum, then head for home.

The Higginbothams have booked a hotel that offers a park and cruise package. So, they will be leaving their car at their Cocoa Beach hotel at no charge during their cruise. The hotel will shuttle them to and from the pier.

Since parking at the Port Canaveral cruise pier garage is $15 a night, the hotel's park and cruise package saves them $60.

There's an extra bonus with the hotel they've chosen: They'll get a free upgrade to a premium room (based on availability) after their cruise, and they have chosen to do this.

These deals are out there ... all you have to do is look!

The whole family is looking forward to spending a nice, relaxing morning at the beach the day before their cruise. They are looking forward to the atmosphere near the Cocoa Beach Pier, where there's plenty for the kids to do, yet opportunity for the adults to kick back and relax.

After playing in the surf, watching the surfers, and a casual lunch at Marlin's on the pier, it's back to the hotel for a bit, where the kids can get in a little pool time, while the adults can sit out by and soak up a little more Florida sun.

Above photo: My own, all rights reserved

Under the Pier Print on Canvas - and - No Jumping Print on Canvas Location of both: Cocoa Beach Pier

Helene, Harry and Hannah's mom, loves to shop on line, and found some things for the family's day at the beach on Amazon.

She actually decided AGAINST buying boogie boards for the kids after discovering that you can rent all kinds of beach equipment at Sea dog's Beach Rentals at the Cocoa Beach Pier.

As far as beach towels... she found two awfully cute ones, but because the cruise line supplies towels for use on the cruise, she decided not to make the extra purchase for just a half a day at the beach.

But, she did decide to buy each of the kids a bag to carry with them to the beach. These will also come in handy for the cruise - on both the day in port at Nassau, and their day at CocoCay. She ordered the two bags shown below, both of which are eligible for Free Super Saver Shipping.

Life Ring Personalized Cruise Shirt
by CruiseReady
Mom got everyone matching shirts to wear on boarding day.

On cruise day, there's just time for a quick dip in the hotel pool, and a continental breakfast. Then, it's off to the pier in the hotel shuttle.
The family plans to get there in time for lunch in the Windjammer Buffet on Deck 11. Dad likes this, because all the family's meals on the ship are FREE!!

The cruise is most assuredly the high point of the family's vacation, but it's also the EASY part for Mom and Dad, since there are so many things for the kids to do on board, not the least of which is Adventure Ocean, Royal Caribbean's program especially for kids.

The Higginbothams have done some on-line research about cruises, and have have learned quite a lot from veteran cruisers who frequent sites like Cruise Line Fans - especially about cruising with kids.

A cruise ship is like a floating city filled with strangers. You wouldn't turn your children loose in a strange city on their own, and it's unwise to give them the 'run of the ship' from morning til night. There are activities the whole family can enjoy together, like miniature golf; or while the kids are in the pool, parents can relax poolside in sun or shade with a cool drink and enjoy the company of some of their shipmates.

Photo: My own, all rights reserved

ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS ON CRUISE SHIPS
If the kids want to 'hang' with others their age while mom and dad enjoy some 'down time,' all of the cruise lines have supervised programs for children and teen. The kids I have cruised with LOVE the programs, which provide appropriate activities, grouped by ages. For example, on Royal Caribbean ships the Adventure Ocean Kids' Program is set up for the following age groupings:

Aquanauts: for ages 3 - 5
Explorers: for ages 6 - 8
Voyagers: for ages 9 - 11
Teens: Teen Only venues include Fuel Night Club and the Living Room. And on most ships you'll find special teen only parties and mixers.

Are you wondering about what the safety procedures are on one of today's cruise ships?

Bone up on what happens at the mandatory safety exercise called a MUSTER DRILL, that is held at the beginning of every cruise:

Cruise Ship Muster Drills

Cruise Ship Lifeboats (my photo)

The beautiful part of a Royal Caribbean cruise is that there is no lack of things to do - even on their older, smaller ships, like the Monarch of the Seas. And you can TRY to do it all, do nothing at all, or just do what you want - even if it's nothing more than reading a good cruise book. It's your cruise, and it's totally up to YOU.

The ONE thing you MUST do is attend the mandatory muster drill, which is usually held just before sailaway. After that, your cruise is for you to make of it what you will. The Higginbothams plan to do just what they want to do at any given moment.

Public Domain photo of girl reading

NEXT: See where they will be going, and some of the options available for them for things to do.

There are photo ops galore on a four night Bahamas Cruise. Here are scenes from the exact itinerary of the ship Higginbothams have booked:

New Day Mousepad (Nassau); Chair Waiting Mousepad (CocoCay); Marine Sunset (At Sea)

You won't be bored when the ship is underway, believe me! Here is just a PARTIAL list of the things available to do and see on The Monarch of the Seas.

Scale a Rock Climbing Wall
Attend a Broadway-style show
See a professional comedian or magician perform
Play Shuffleboard
Play Bingo *
Swim in the Pool
Soak in the Hot Tub
Get your hair done *
Have a drink with a little unmbrella in it*
Get a massage*
Listen to a piano player
Grab a bite at Sorento's Pizza
Play a game of pick-up basketball
Work on your tan
Watch the crew execute a lifeboat drill
Attend a Seminar
Attend a Pilates Class*
Work out in the gym
Check out the Photo Gallery (YES, there IS a picture of YOU there!)
Dance in the Disco
Attend the Captain's Champaigne Reception (dress up time!)
Have a Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Snack*
See a Sunset or Sunrise at Sea
Play cards of board games (check them out or bring them with you)
Buy a cruise souvenir in the shops on board*
Get a family portrait taken before dinner on Formal Night (buy the picture or not, up to you.)

* Starred items are not included in the price of your cruise... they do cost extra.

Just a half hour's ride from the Higginbotham's hotel is Midway Airboat Rides, where they'll take a thrilling airboat ride along an amazing portion of the St. Johns River. It's a fitting final hurrah for their last day in Central Florida.

The picture at right, of the flight of an Osprey, is one I took from such an airboat. Ospreys are just one of the things to see when exploring these swampy wetlands inhabited by amazing creatures and against a backdrop of surreal beauty.

Oh, yes, and alligators - LOTS of alligators, all around. But the airboat is FAST. (and loud) The driver will likely slow the boat to a crawl, or even stop it on several occasions to point out something or tell a fascinating story, or give an enlightening explanation.

You really need to see this country via airboat, since it's inhospitable (to say the least) to wheeled vehilcles, and boats that require more than a foot or so of water to navigate.




Things that our Higginbotham family might see (and photograph) on their St. Johns River airboat trip: an alligator (magnet); stately cypress trees (iPhone case) , and osprey in flight (mug). Click to buy any of these.

This will be the Higginbotham's biggest expenditure for a single day's entertainment, but they think it will be worth it. Visit the Midway site for current rates. Last I checked, they were $35 per adult and $25 per child.

Harry is looking forward to holding a baby alligator, and having his picture taken with it, but Hannah isn't so sure about that!

As the Higginbothams get ready to leave Cocoa Beach, they have one last thing to look forward to: A visit to Titusville's Space View Park and the U.S. Space Walk of Fame Museum.

What a nice way to say goodbye to Florida's Space Coast, by learniong a little, and maybe paying tribute to the area's heroes at NASA.

Hold it! They'r not just area heroes - they are heroes of our whole country!

At the river side park, the family can take photos of themselves next to monuments to the Mercury, Gemini, and Apolo Space Programs, see bronze hand casts of the original seven astronauts, and look across the river to see an actual launch site: Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39.

At the museum, they'll see and learn even more about the incredible space program of the United States of America.

Admission: FREE

Once the family has enjoyed their visit to the astronauts and learned a little space history, it's time to hit the road for home, after a week full of all kinds of different experiences.

Ready to go on your own family vacation with a short cruise as the centerpiece? The first step is to find a city within driving distance where you can board a ship.

Depending on when you schedule your vacation, your options for cruise cities and ships may be different. But just to give you an an example of what your possible choices of starting points might be, here are the home port cities with ships sailing on short cruises (less than 7 days) during July and August of 2011:

Baltimore - Enchantment of the Seas; Explorer of the Seas; Carnival Glory
Charleston, SC - Carnival Fantasy
Galveston - Carnival Ectasy
Jacksonville, FL - Carnival Fascination
Long Beach, CA - Carnival Paradise
Miami - Majesty of the Seas; Norwegian Sky; Carnival Destiny; Carnival Imagination
New Orleans - Carnival Triumph
Port Canaveral - Disney Dream; Monarch of the Sas; Carnival Sensation
Tampa - Carnival Inspiration

This example shows just the homeports in the United States that have ships with short cruise itineraries this summer. There are others in other parts of the world, including Norway, England, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Hong King, and China.
.

Now that you have chosed your cruise, you know where you'll embark and disembark. And you can plan additional low cost or no cost activities at locations enroute to or nearby your cruise port.

For example: Say you have chosen to cruise out of New Orleans, and your route takes you through Mobile. You could plan a morning tour of the Battleship USS Alabama. It's fascinating and pretty affordable, too! Admission fees are: Age 12 & up: $12.00; Ages 6-11: $6.00; and those 6 and under get in for free.

Other nearby options include beautiful Bellingrath Gardens, pictured here, or the beach at Gulf Shores or Dauphin Island.

It's up to you!

A FEW MORE TIPS
1 -Book youir cruise as early as possible, and through a recommended travel agent, Then, you can just pay a deposit at first, and an little each month until final payment is due.
2 - For your 'side' trips, don't inclulde more than one a day that involves driving more than 30 minutes from your hotel. That's just borrowing trouble. Mapquest can be a big help in figuring this out.
3 - Choose a hotel with free cruise parking, a free or low cost shuttle to the port, and free continental breakfast.
4 - You can usually get cheaper cruise fares in August... That's when peak hurricane season starts. Read my Tips for Cruising in Hurricane Season before taking THAT leap!

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