Photo Courtesy of Splish Splash
We’re going to Splish Splash in Long Island. I don’t know about your kids, but my guy is insane over water parks. When we’re at a regular amusement park, they want to be on the water slides- the whole day. I don’t know what it is about water parks, but kids are 100% committed to seeing all of them.
Photo Courtesy of Splish Splash
Disclosure- I received the below trip in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and honest. Please see “Disclose” tab for more info.
We enjoyed our time on board the MSC Divina. Boarding was much faster and easier then I thought it would be (one thing I learned- they will tell you that you are not allowed to bring your luggage on board with you- this is not true. If you want to bring a bag so you can change clothes or medical equipment with you, you can. We waited hours for our luggage to be delivered- you live, you learn!) We checked into our room with no problem, and also signed up our son for Kids Club, with the staff making sure he got his proper ID bracelet and was placed into the right age group. The staff was all decked out for the occasion, which my son was much amused by.
Our balcony room was about 150 square feet, plus the bathroom and balcony. The balcony had two deck chairs and a table on it as well. In the room was one European King Bed and a pull out sofabed that my 6 year old son used. During the day, it was folded up to use as a couch and seating space. There was a mini fridge in the room, which you can purchase items from OR you can upgrade your package to include unlimited minibar use. I suggest it if you can, it makes things very easy and convenient. You can choose which package you get- if you have kids, I would suggest the one that is also “ice cream inclusive”, lol.
The balcony was our favorite place to spend time while in the room- which was honestly not often. There was too much to do on the ship- or off it on docked days. The bathroom has a small shower which also has a laundry line in it for bathing suits to be hung to dry, which is quite convenient. There is a TV in the room, as well as a spacious closet with hangers and drawers, with a safe you can lock inside as well. Your life vests are on top of the wardrobe, and you are required to do a “safety drill” the first day on board to make sure you and your family know how to properly use them and where to go in case of an emergency.
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If you are looking for a quiet spot to spend time as a family, where time seems to slow down but there is still plenty to do when you are feeling active, take a gander at Beaufort, South Carolina. This sleepy town is so picturesque that Hollywood has used it as the backdrop for such films as “The Prince Of Tides” and “Forest Gump”, and while there are many lovely cafes, bakeries, chocolateries, coffee shops, and restaurants in the district, you won’t find a Starbucks or a McDonalds in town. Welcome to beautiful Beaufort.
Take a tour of the downtown area in a horse drawn carriage- Southern Rose Buggy Tours offers them with a covered top to protect you and yours from the Southern sun. The tour guide and driver know the area inside and out, telling you all about not only historical landmarks and homes that you pass, but also stories and legends that go hand in hand with history (both modern and long past). There is an amusing anecdote related to Barbara Streisand and the local Marines that is sure to have your group laughing- make sure you ask what “the sound of freedom” is if your guide forgets to tell you. Each tour lasts about an hour, and if you bring peppermint candies along, you will be able to give the carriage horse a treat.
Cruise around the area with Captain Dick River Tours on the Prince of Tides sightseeing boat, where you will often see dolphins, cranes, and other wildlife as you tour the river. The daily hour and 15 minute tour leaves the Downtown Marina at the Beaufort Waterfront Park at 2pm, all seats are $24 (no charge for infants). The kids will love to see the local fauna, and mom and dad will also enjoy hearing about the historic homes, celebrity sightings, and filming stories. There is also a 2 hour sunset cruise option two days a week (seasonally) Tuesday and Saturday evenings.
After you are done exploring the downtown Waterfront Park and Playground, make a quick stop to Southern Sweets Ice Cream Parlor. The kids will be thrilled with any ice cream stop, but this old fashioned ice cream parlor will be a hit with everyone. Complete with soda fountains, hand dipped ice cream, and marble table tops, you can get anything from an ice cream cone to a banana split to an egg creme and more. They also have home made brownies and pralines, a must try. If you feel that your sweet tooth still isn’t satisfied, and perhaps you’d like a unique souvenir to take home with you, make sure you pay a visit to The Lollipop Shop. Not only do they carry every kind of candy (and sweet beverage) you could desire- even the hard to find, old fashioned or “retro” stuff- but you can buy your candy in many ways. By the piece, the pound, the box, or the stuffed animal. You read that right- you (or your child, should you feel so generous) can choose from two sizes and about two dozen styles of stuffed toys, which come “hollow”, so to speak. You then stuff your toy full of candy from the baskets in the store, and when it’s full, they close it up, name it, and give you a “birth certificate” for your new buddy. They also give you a box of stuffing to take with you, so that when the candy is eaten, you have a soft and cuddly toy to keep forever. This was nearly everyone’s favorite find, and one that we will surely visit again next time we are in the area.
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Disclosure- I participated in an Ambassador Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Marriott Rewards. I received Marriott Points to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.
When I hear the words San Francisco I think of the Golden Gate Bridge, The Bay, Alcatraz, and Chinatown. Naturally if I am visiting San Francisco I want to stay in a hotel that is not too far away from the tourist attractions I associate with the city, but I also don’t want to be right in the middle of the action. Finding a hotel with easy access to the parts of the city that I want to visit is important to me. Lucky for me the Marriott has a conveniently located hotel that meets my logistical needs and has the amenities I desire.
The San Francisco Marriott Union Square is located at 480 Sutter Street. With a close proximity to Chinatown and Nob Hill, the hotel is ideal for meetings, touring, and shopping- Union Square style or hopping on a cable car.
The Marriott Union Square offers spacious rooms as well as numerous suites that offer breath taking views of the bay. The luxuriously appointed rooms have 32″ HDTVs, in room coffee makers and amazing pillow top mattresses. As a Marriott Rewards® member I was able to utilize the complimentary breakfast offered at the hotel as well. The hot buffet offered to guests is the perfect start to any day. Another thing that I enjoyed about my stay was that I could park on site and did not have to take a long hike to get to my rental car.
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When visiting the famous “City by the Bay”, it’s easy to be overwhelmed with the variety of activities and dining options that you will be presented with. Everything you see looks like fun, all the food smells amazing- so if you only have a few days or week, where are the best places to spend your time and money on your family vacation?
If you like to take a tour of the city you are visiting, let me suggest the Ride the Ducks Tour. This is a chain that can be found in several states, with San Fransisco being one of the newest places to tour on an amphibious WW II DUKW. Yes, this is definitely “touristy”- and it’s also extremely family friendly, and a good way to see the sites of the city in a way that adults will enjoy and kids will love. The DUK Captain (yes, your knowledgeable, often funny guide and driver is certified by the US Coast Guard, you are in good hands) knows the city inside and out, and will not only point out landmarks, but also fun spots you might like and good places to eat or shop. They also let the kids have a turn driving the DUK while it’s in “boat mode” in the bay, which will thrill them. Since they “guarantee” they are “cheaper then other” sites in San Francisco, you won’t spend as much to see and do what you’d like to.
You and your family will see the best of San Francisco from land and water. Get up close and personal with the iconic Bay Bridge, float by Alcatraz, see Fisherman’s Wharf, roll through Chinatown, wave at cafe patrons in North Beach (San Francisco’s answer to New York City’s “Little Italy”), as well as taking in great views of the city skyline.
To see as much as you can for as little as you are able spend, continue saving by purchasing a San Francisco CityPASS. Available for $84, the pass gives you access to many of the most popular sites in the city, as well as 7-Day unlimited-use Cable Car and Muni transportation pass to help you get around. If you don’t have a car, this is the best way to get from place to place. If you have a car with you, be aware that most venues require payment for parking, and many of them are none too inexpensive. You could rack up the price of the pass in a day or two very easily.
Another spot included in the CityPASS booklet is the famous California Academy of Sciences ,where you can climb into the treetops of a man-made rainforest to see life on literally all levels, see what it feels like to be in an earthquake, check out eggs that are bigger then your kids, view the bones that show the evolution from ape to human, and see a rare Albino Alligator (Claude, in case you’d like to get formal).
Also included in your pass is the Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise Adventure, which gives you a tour of the city via boat. See the sights from the inside or outside of the boat, which ventures out several times a day. This hour long tour is scenic and narrated (so that you know exactly what it is that you are seeing) and available in 9 languages via audio tour as well. The children will love being on a boat as they cruise past the Pier 39 sea lions, which are a must see for any visitor to the city. You can also see them on land when you visit the pier later on (and make sure you take a spin on the merry go round).
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We travel a lot. My son loves to take his own backpack with him, although it usually ends up being carried by mommy. The first good thing about this backpack is that he likes to carry it- the Paddlepak Backpacks are adorable and lightweight. The next most awesome thing about them is that they are water resistant- so when junior or the little miss spills all over it in the car or plane, the inside contents are safe.
We have recently taken several trips with the PaddlePak backpacks, and will be using them as often as possible. My son used his backpack at the pool, the beach, and island hopping on a Caribbean cruise. The packs weathered the use with no problems, and did well on the plane and boat rides as well to carry snacks and toys.
While I think these bags are perfect for beach and pool use, they are great for everyday travel as well. Going to grandma’s? Taking a road trip? Maybe just going to the mall and need something to play with with someone has a try on party. Pack up a few things into the Paddlepak, and move along. There is room in the tails of the packs to store “treasures” like rocks and shells, or even your room card. Kids love to put “stuff in stuff'” as we all well know, and it’s easy to find in the tail. If your child still uses a pacifier, there is a spot on the padded shoulder straps to connect it to as well so you won’t lose it (how gross, finding it on an airport or restaurant floor!)
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This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of St. Kitts Marriott Resort & Royal Beach Casino for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
There is an island in the Caribbean where the beaches are open and eco-exploration is easy. Golfing, eating, and lounging are king, but in the land of sun and surf, the real king is the traveler. This island is St. Kitts, and the premiere resort to check out while in St. Kitts is the St. Kitts Marriott Resort & Royal Beach Casino. What separates this resort from others is your ability to not only have beach fun, golf fun, ecological exploration, and gourmet eating there is also the Royal Beach Casino to brings something to the table for everyone.
As of now St. Kitts Marriott is running a special promotion where if you book buy 4 nights get 3 free. It is called the St. Kitts Marriott Super Sand Dollars offer. With resorts like St. Kitts Marriott promotions this lucrative are few and far between so I would suggest jumping on this as soon as possible. There is also many other offers for a range of costs, including the Discover St. Kitts Package.
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