Family cruises are a wonderful way to travel within a budget. While there are luxury cruise lines with eye-popping price tags, many affordable cruises are available to families looking for good vacation value. Plus, much of your costs are included and paid for upfront such as accommodations, childcare (depending on the cruise line and children’s ages), and on-board meals and entertainment. Read on for some tips to make the most of your cruise dollars from an expert, Molly Watts, owner/manager of a travel agency that focuses on family vacations and cruises.

Carnival Cruise Line ships (Photo from the Carnival website)

Stick to the Freebies
Molly advises taking advantage of free activities on the ship such as the pools, live music and shows, miniature golf, movie theatres, and organized games. Steer clear of notorious money suckers like the spa, shopping in the ship’s stores, or the worst place–the casino.

Stay Inside
Really think about whether or not you need a balcony stateroom. Molly said, “You can save a lot by booking an inside or ocean view cabin and on most ships, you won’t be spending a lot of time in your cabin anyway.”

Cruisers in the cheapest cabin on the ship get to take advantage of the same entertainment and fun as those staying in the most luxurious suite on board. However, if traveling with a baby or child who still takes daytime naps, the extra cost might be worth it so you can relax on the balcony and enjoy the ocean breeze rather than feeling cooped up during sleepy time.

Save on Drinks
If your you or your kids drink more than one soda per person each day, Molly suggests investing in the prepaid soda cards/cups offered by many cruise lines. Otherwise, choosing the complimentary lemonade, tea, and coffee is the more affordable way to go.

I was happy to discover that sodas are included on Disney Cruises but my husband and I did purchase a wine package on our 10-day Disney Mediterranean Cruise. If you are a wine lover, agreeing to purchase a specific number of bottles of wine while at sea can save money.

Skip the Shore Excursions
If you are a planner or a worrywart, you might feel more comfortable booking a ship-run shore excursion, especially if the activity involves unique offerings that would be difficult to plan on your own. Plus, if you are late getting back to the ship while exploring alone you could literally miss the boat, whereas the the ship would wait for a whole busload of cruisers delayed on a planned excursion. However, skipping the shore excursions can save big bucks and it can be fun and freeing to discover a port independently.

Molly said, “Don’t necessarily use the ship’s shore excursions–they are usually expensive and while convenient you can save money by using third party vendors, or even just getting off the ship and exploring on your own.”

Cruise with a Group
With most cruise lines, group discounts apply when sailing with a group of 16 or more. If booking with a travel agent, even groups smaller than 16 passengers will typically receive group amenities and often discounts. Depending on the travel agent, Molly said you should expect a better discount with each incremental cabin booked, starting with the second cabin.

Book with a Travel Agent
To get the very best cruise deals available, Molly recommends booking your cruise with a trusted travel agent. She said, “I encourage people all the time to book their own air and hotel vacations online…it’s easy and fast!  But when you are looking at packages, cruises, resort stays….find a good agent who you trust and they should be able to beat, or at the very worst, match the best online deals you see.”

Using a travel agent has other advantages as well. An agent can add value by answering questions, making suggestions based on expertise, and helping you make the best vacation choices for your family. For example, Molly said, ”A good agent can help you with each port and will know which ports are okay to go on your own and which may be better to use the ship’s excursions.” Plus, if anything goes wrong with your cruise or booking, you have an expert who can help resolve the problem.

About Molly
Molly started her own travel business, The Family Travels, focused on family vacations and cruising in 2007. Having spent many years planning great trips for her own family of one husband and four boys, she says most clients have proven far less challenging. Since launching her travel agency, she has sailed on 10 more cruise ships and graduated from all cruise line training courses.

Do you have any additional budget tips for family cruises? Let us know if the comments!

A Note from The Travel Mama: The Family Travels is a paid advertiser on TravelMamas.com but I did not receive any money related to this post. In fact, I contacted Molly to ask one question about cruising, which developed into a full-blown interview and this story.

The post Family Cruise Budget Tips appeared first on TravelMamas.com.

When traveling it can be an expensive hassle to tote all of the paraphernalia that children require. Wouldn’t it be nice if everything was ready and waiting for you at your destination instead? Read on to find out how to win a $100 JetSetBabies gift certificate to save your back and your bank account when traveling with babies, toddlers and children.

Make your travels easier!
With most airlines now charging for checked bags, traveling with children and all their accouterments has become even more costly. It can be stressful trying to cram your children’s diapers, medicines, toys, and snacks into your luggage — all while trying to keep your bag’s weight under the airline’s 50 pound limit. Depending on where you’re headed, you might be able to load up on some of these items after arrival, but who wants to take time out of your precious, hard-earned vacation to shop for these necessities?

With JetSetBabies you can pre-order wipes, baby formula, and bath toys to be delivered to your hotel or to grandma’s house. The company even calls ahead to make sure your package arrives safely and on time.

Shipping items ahead is not only handy when traveling with babies and toddlers, but also when on the go with children of all ages. Order some big kid snack items or sand toys or get some cleaning supplies for your trip like laundry detergent, dish soap, and paper towels.

Worried about sticking to the liquid limits on an airplane? Order your sunblock, shampoo, shaving cream, and toothpaste from JetSetBabies instead.

I especially like their Travel Packs– pre-made travel packages for the woods, beach, slopes, or pool.

Save!
Get a 15% discount off your JetSetBabies order just by using entering the coupon code travelmamas at check-out.

Want to save even more? Use the coupon code fall2011 to get free shipping on orders over $75.

Win!
JetSetBabies will provide a $100 gift certificate to make travel easier for one lucky Travel Mama or Travel Daddy.

- Just make a comment below about why you’d like to win the JetSetBabies giveaway. (Generic comments like “I want to win” will be disqualified.)

- Bonus entry! Tweet the following on Twitter:

I wanna make my travels with children easier with $100 from @JetSetBabies & @TravelMamas http://tinyurl.com/78dkcbp

- Bonus entry! “Like” JetSetBabies and Facebook and make a comment on their page about which items you would order if you won the Travel Mamas giveaway.

You can enter using each method of entry one time, for a total of three entries. Be sure to leave a separate comment below for each entry to count!

This contest ends on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time. Per the sponsor’s request the contest entry deadline has been extended to Monday, November 21, 2011 at 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time. A winner will be chosen at random using Random.org. The winner will be notified via email. If the prize is not claimed within 48 hours, another winner will be selected. This contest is not affiliated with Facebook or Twitter.

A Note from The Travel Mama: As a Travel Mamas advertiser, JetSetBabies received a discounted rate to run this giveaway.

The post Win $100 from JetSetBabies to Make Your Travels Easier appeared first on TravelMamas.com.

To honor U.S. military members and civil first responders, the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is offering their second year of Salute to Service specials. Resort room rates have been slashed to $99 per night for stays beginning Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2011 through January 18, 2012. Although I am neither a member of the military nor a first responder, I have had the pleasure of staying at this upscale family resort, and let me tell you, $99 is a smokin’ deal! In fact, this special rate is the lowest offered by the resort all year, representing 70 to 75% off the standard room rates of $329 to $409.

With the choice of two TPC PGA-Tour golf courses, golfers will love the Salute to Service package with unlimited golf at just $179 per night for one person. That’s a great discount for golf-loving military and first responders since the walk-up rate for a round of golf is $175.

If the spa is more your thing, head on over to the gorgeous Lantana Spa for a heavenly treatment or two.

While mom and dad are busy with these grown-up distractions kids aged 4+ will have a ball with arts and crafts, toys galore, and outdoor fun at the Range Riders kids’ camp.

If you ask me, the best part of JW Marriott San Antonio is the River Bluff Water Experience, which features pools, two huge waterslides, a 1,200-foot lazy river lined with Cypress trees, and a zero-entry tot pool with fountains and mini slides.

Active duty and retired members of the military or their dependents and civil first responders (fire, police, paramedics) should request the Salute to Service rate (rate code: SIU) when making reservations at www.jwsanantonio.com. A military or service I.D. is required at check-in. Enjoy, my military and first responder friends. You deserve it!

Read my full review of the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa.

A Note from The Travel Mama: I received a complimentary stay at the JW Marriott San Antonio a couple of years ago. I received no compensation or benefits related to this post. I just love this hotel and think this is a wonderful deal for military and first responders.

Photos from the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa website.

The post Smokin’ Specials for Military and First Responders at JW Marriott San Antonio appeared first on TravelMamas.com.

Most of the stories on this site deal with how to keep the kids or the mama happy while traveling. But what about dear ol’ dad? Here are some tips for keeping a Travel Daddy content while on family vacation.

Keep dad happy with a day off to play golf while on family vacation (Photo of Kauai Lagoons Golf Club, copyright www.GolfNow.com)

Set Expectations
Talk about what everyone expects to get out of your family vacation BEFORE leaving home. If the kids think the trip will be non-stop amusement park rides and cotton candy, mom thinks every day will be filled with visiting museums and historical monuments, and dad thinks he will spend each day listening to the tide roll in while he sips a cold beer — everyone is going to be disappointed. Instead, sit down with a calendar and come up with a rough schedule of each day’s activities so everyone’s needs are met and each member of the family knows what to expect.

Before our first vacation as new parents, as a stay-at-home-mom I felt relaxed and relieved to have another set of hands to help with diaper changes, feedings, and naps. My husband, however, felt stressed out. He envisioned a vacation filled with relaxation, relaxation, and more relaxation. If traveling with a new dad, be sure to discuss childcare duties before leaving home.

Don’t Over Schedule
Children and adults alike can become over-stimulated and grumpy if every day is too jam-packed with activities. Schedule some down-time during your stay to recharge the kids’ (and dad’s!) batteries. Take turns playing with the kids in the ocean so each parent gets a chance to read a book or take a nap on the beach. Unwind after meals with a leisurely walk. And don’t make dad shop too much. With rare exception, most men find constant souvenir-shopping and gallery-perusing exhausting.

Allow Dad a Free Day
Parents love their children and want to spend quality time with them splashing in the hotel pool, exploring the sites, riding the roller coasters, and making lasting memories while on vacation. There is, however, such thing as TOO much together-time. Keep dad happy by not just allowing, but encouraging him to take a free day during your trip. On your beach vacation, this could mean taking a surf lesson in Oahu, booking a helicopter tour of Kauai, or playing a round of golf on one of the many golf courses in Hawaii. A little reprieve from the kiddos makes for a happier dad.

Go On a Date
Plan a date one night during your vacation to allow for some couple-time. Hire a sitter and head out for a romantic dinner and drinks. Or, leave your children in the resort kids’ camp and escape for a daytime date. Hit the spa for a couple’s massage or if you both like to golf, do a search to find discount golf courses so you can play 18 holes while staying within your vacation budget.

Book More Than One Room
If at all possible, book more than one room via a suite, connecting rooms, a vacation rental, or a home exchange. Dads with too little sleep are cranky dads. And no man’s vacation is complete without a little privacy (ahem!) after bedtime.

Do you have any additional tips for keeping dads happy while on vacation? Tell us in the  comments below!

A Note from The Travel Mama: This post made possible by www.GolfNow.com.

The post How to Keep Dad Happy on Family Vacation appeared first on TravelMamas.com.

I felt like a little kid discovering colored eggs and a basket filled with toys on Easter morning as I stood on my balcony and spotted giraffes sauntering past. And…over there…it’s a gazelle! Oh, what’s that…a wildebeest? And a zebra! I couldn’t stop texting photos of my animal finds plus pictures of the pimped out pool and my swanky digs to my kids and husband at home. I stayed solo at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, located on the same property as the the Animal Kingdom Villas, earlier this year during a press trip preview of Disney’s newest ship, Fantasy. Finally my husband told me to stop sending the photos — it was making the kids too sad to see all of the fun they were missing. I vowed to return to this incredible hotel someday with the whole family. But I would have to find a budget-friendly solution!

Giraffes as seen from my Animal Kingdom Lodge balcony

I found it: SellMyTimeshareNOW.com. According to a representative with SellMyTimeshareNOW.com, “Depending on the unit size and time of year, we have weeks available for rent as low as $500 per week ($72 per night) and on average around $1,500 per week ($215 per night).  Just taking a quick look at renting through Disney’s site their cheapest option looks to be $265 per night and this is just for a standard hotel room.  The units available on our site all come with separate bedrooms, living rooms, full kitchens, and balconies. Looking at Disney’s pricing, the cost jumps up to $780 per night to get those same amenities, which is almost $5,500 for the week.” Check out SellMyTimeshareNow’s rental deals here.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas are a safari dream come true for animal-loving families. Over 30 species of animals, like okapi, flamingos, antelopes, cranes and wild hogs roam free amidst a 21-acre lush savanna-like wildlife preserve.

After a day of waiting in lines at the parks, the Hakuna Matata Playground gives kids the freedom to run around and play

Once you tire of gazing at the animals (if that ever happens!), there are lots of other activities on-site to keep your family content. There’s the Uzima Pool (a water complex with zero-entry pool, 67-foot-long waterslide, two hot tubs, and wading pool), two high-tech arcades, the Hakuna Matata Playground, and Movies Under the Stars showcasing Disney films on a big screen outdoors. Parents will also appreciate the on-site fitness center, spa and salon.

Simba’s Clubhouse, open daily from 4:30 p.m. to midnight, entertains children ages 3 to 12 while mom and dad enjoy a night out alone, maybe over glowing blue martinis at the Victoria Falls lounge and bar.

Zero-entry Uzima Pool with waterslide

You’ll want to sample some of the African and more traditional American cuisine available at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas. The Mara is a fast casual dining locale with sandwiches, soups, salads and other simple fare. Boma is a buffet with options sure to please all palates, from timid to adventurous. Sanaa offers views of the Savannah with food inspired by the Spice Road, like Tandoori Chicken and Lamb Kefta Kabobs for adults and standards like macaroni and cheese or pizza for kids, as well as a grilled fish for tots with more refined taste-buds. For a date night splurge, make reservations at Jiko for upscale African cuisine paired with South African wines.

With your own full kitchen, you can save time and money by eating breakfast and maybe even an occasional lunch or dinner in your villa. You could even grill out one night during your vacation on one of the resort’s two charcoal barbecue grills.

Watch a Disney movie, like A Bug’s Life under the stars

Choosing where to stay is a big part of planning a Walt Disney World vacation. Typically you need to give up some things to get others. Do you want to stay at a Disney property to take advantage of included transportation and early morning Magic Hours at the Disney parks while remaining immersed in Disney ambiance, with amenities like an awesome hotel pool, themed dining, and African wildlife in your temporary backyard? Do you want to book a spacious condo with a kitchen, separate bedrooms for parents and kids, and room to spread out? Do you want to save money on where you spend the night so you can maximize your vacation dollars on day time activities?

If you book an Animal Kingdom villa through SellMyTimeshareNOW.com you don’t have to compromise Disney quality to stay within your budget.  Whether you rent from SellMyTimeshareNOW.com or directly through Disney, you are entitled to all of the benefits of staying at a Disney property. Finally, you can get your Disney-themed cake and eat it too, at a tasty discount!

Where is your favorite place to stay at Disney World? Let us know in the comments!

A Note from The Travel Mama: This post was made possible by SellMyTimeshareNOW.com. All opinions are my own.

The post Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas at a Discount appeared first on TravelMamas.com.

We all know a family vacation can be pricey, especially when visiting a popular destination like San Diego. Airfare and hotels often eat up much of your budget before you even add in entertainment and eating out. I am happy to report that you can find dozens of free and discounted things to do with your kids in San Diego – everything from museums to amusement parks can be enjoyed at a fraction of the cost, if you know where to look.

You can find discounts for San Diego’s most popular attractions, like the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, if you know where to look!

Here are just some of the discounted and free things to do with kids in San Diego:

* It’s always free to wander through San Diego’s famed Balboa Park with its numerous trails, gardens and playgrounds. San Diego residents and military can gain free entrance to select Balboa Park museums every Tuesday. Admission to the Timken Museum of Art is free every day. Need to go on a weekend?  Your family can listen to a free outdoor concert at the beautiful Organ Pavilion, offered many Sundays throughout the year.

* The New Children’s Museum located in downtown San Diego is free every second Sunday thanks to the good people at Target. Your kids will have a blast creating, playing and learning here but it gets very busy as the day goes on. Go early!

* The California Surf Museum is a fun and inexpensive museum in Oceanside (about 45 minutes from downtown San Diego). This museum is free every Tuesday.

* The Oceanside Museum of Art is free every Tuesday thanks to the Oceanside Charitable Foundation. Take budding artists here to get a taste of modern and contemporary art in over 4,500-square-feet of exhibition space.

* The first Tuesday of every month you can enjoy free entry to the San Diego Botanic Garden. If you arrive with four or more people in your car, you receive free parking too. This is a beautiful spot to take a family hike and play at two incredible children’s gardens.

* The San Diego Zoo and its sister property, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, are world famous for their vast array of wild animals like lions, elephants, polar bears and giant pandas. Purchasing an annual membership may be a good deal for your family, even if you only visit the parks on a couple days. You will gain entrance to both parks, get discounts on select food and merchandise, and bonus discounted admission tickets. Plus, membership is tax deductible.

* For any trip, make use of discount membership cards you already have. People tend to take advantage of these membership discounts at home, but often forget to use them when traveling. For example, AAA offers discounts on many hotels, restaurants and car rentals. If you’re a Costco member, swing by a local store to look for discounted tickets to such attractions at LEGOLAND California and SeaWorld San Diego.

* Check out San Diego daily deal sites.  Sites like Groupon and Living Social can save you big bucks on dining, entertainment, and more. Most deals are a minimum of 50% off. Planning ahead is the key to nabbing deals from these types of daily deal sites. My family has used daily deal certificates for San Diego Zoo Safari Park tickets, LEGOLAND admission, and museums in San Diego.

Links to all these sweet deals and dozens more can be found on the San Diego Deals and Steals FREE Events Calendar.

What’s your favorite free or inexpensive thing to do with kids in San Diego? Let us know in the comments!

Kate Hamernik lives in sunny San Diego with her Mr. Deals & Steals, their three kids, and one naughty cat. She is passionate about adoption and saving money. She operates San Diego Deals and Steals, where she blogs about both. 

The post How to Save Money on Your San Diego Family Vacation appeared first on TravelMamas.com.

To make your travels easier, more fun and more affordable we offered up The Travel Mamas’ Guide Book Launch & Residence Inn Giveaway. With 992 total entries in the contest, it’s obvious many of you would like to learn the tips offered in this new travel with children book and to take advantage of a $250 Residence Inn by Marriott gift card. Who couldn’t use a bit of help with their family vacation planning and budget? (Read on to find out how to save $5 off The Travel Mamas’ Guide!)

With my crazy schedule of late, I finally was able to read through the comments made on the book launch/giveaway post. It was so touching to see the wishes of congratulations and encouragement from many of you. Thank you so much for your support! It means the world to me.

To enter the giveaway, I asked readers to tell me why you want to win a copy of The Travel Mamas’ Guide and a $250 Residence Inn by Marriott gift card. Here are a few of my favorite answers:

Why do you want The Travel Mamas’ Guide?

“I would like to win The Travel Mama’s Guide because travel tips are best given by someone with lots of experience, and almost no one has as much experience as Colleen has!”
- Candace

“I would love to win because I think this book would make a great baby shower gift.”
- Sharlene

“I am looking forward to reading this long awaited book! I dread traveling with the kids. I know this new book will inspire and reassure me it is possible to travel with children!”
- Genevieve Koesling

“Now I am a grandmother and I’m eager to travel with my grandsons. I think your book would be perfect for preparing me for adventures to come.”
- Natalie J. Vandenberghe

Why do you want to stay at Residence Inn?

“Residence Inn is one of go-to hotels in any locale. It’s great, great, GREAT for traveling with the family.”
- Kim T. @kimworld

“We often look for Residence Inn hotels when we travel. So family friendly and having a little kitchen when you are away from home is so helpful when traveling with children.”
- Diana

“I would like to win a $250 Residence Inn by Marriott gift card because it is perfect for a family stay! We NEED a fully-equipped in-room kitchens when we travel.”
- Cynthia

Who won?

Congratulations to Leslie Neeland Harvey, the winner of a copy of The Travel Mamas’ Guide and a $250 Residence Inn by Marriott gift card!

The winner was selected at random using Rafflecopter. She will receive an email notification. If the prize is not claimed within 48 hours of notification, the prize will be forfeited and another winner will be selected. Thank you to everyone who entered!

Get $5 Off The Travel Mamas’ Guide!

Even if you didn’t win the giveaway, you can still get the guide! For one week only, get $5 off The Travel Mamas’ Guide. That’s over 31% savings! Use discount code FPC8BHZK when you purchase here.

Hurry! This $5 discount off this new travel with children book  is good only through June 11, 2013!

The post The Travel Mamas’ Guide & Residence Inn Giveaway Winner appeared first on TravelMamas.com.

Between all of the Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday and other deals…there is a lot of money to be saved this holiday season. How is a little ol’ author like me supposed to get your attention? I know! I’ll do something CRAZY. I’ll offer such a deep discount on my book, The Travel Mamas’ Guide, that you will think to yourself, “I can’t refuse. I must help that parent who is worried about traveling with their kids and buy this book for them so they can travel with children and stay sane. This price is just too dang good!” Now is the time to take advantage of this travel with children book discount. Get your paperback copy of The Travel Mamas’ Guide at 40% off!

The guide makes an excellent gift for an expectant mom, new parents, or anyone who wants a little help to make their family travels more fun and less stressful. It’s small enough to make a nice stocking stuffer too!

Not only has this travel with children book received five stars in customer reviews on Amazon, but also The Travel Mamas’ Guide has received accolades from such publications as Working Mother Magazine, the Calgary Herald, LA Family Magazine, the Orlando Sentinel.

The guide is also recommended by numerous blogs, like Babble and The Vacation Gals. Jessie Voigts with the Wandering Educators blog said:

“Filled with all kinds of travel (and parenting) tips that are at once comforting and informative, The Travel Mamas’ Guide is an excellent resource, to be read again and again, and bought as gifts for friends. Yes, it’s that good.” 

Read more accolades for The Travel Mamas’ Guide now!

Hurry up, this offer is good for one week only (expires after December 13, 2013)! Since I’m all about trying to stay sane, I may never offer such a crazy discount ever again. Click here to purchase a paperback copy of The Travel Mamas’ Guide and use the coupon code 4EKQWC6G at check out to receive 40% off the retail price.

Check out this chance to win a signed copy of The Travel Mamas’ Guide AND a free night stay at ANY Country Inns & Suites in North America.

Want more gift ideas? Check out the Travel Mamas Team’s picks for holiday gifts for traveling families!

What gift are you wishing for this holiday season? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Travel with Children Book CRAZY Holiday Discount – 40% Off The Travel Mamas’ Guide! appeared first on TravelMamas.com.

It’s been five years and more than 600 blog posts since TravelMamas.com launched on March 29, 2009. Each year I get all excited to write this Travel Mamas blogiversary round-up because it gives me an excuse to wander through our site’s statistics and discover which stories struck a chord with readers. It’s like our own little People’s Choice Awards, where the votes are cast by page views. Also to celebrate our fifth anniversary, through the end of April we are offering a $5 discount off my book, The Travel Mamas’ Guide (using code YJ6PZU7A when you purchase here) AND 5% off any one-year button or banner ad. And our most popular travel blog posts are…

Most Popular Stories Written During Our 5th Year

1. LEGOLAND Hotel Review – It’s All About the Kids
by The Travel Mama Colleen Lanin

2. The Travel Mamas’ Guide Book Launch & Residence Inn Giveaway
by The Travel Mama Colleen Lanin

3. Disney Paint Giveaway – Bring the Magic of Disney into Your Home
by The Travel Mama Colleen Lanin

4. Oahu with Kids – Attractions the Whole Family Will Love
by The Curious Travel Mama Claudia Laroye

5. Top 5 Attractions for Kids in Mexico City
by The Saucy Travel Mama Jody Robbins

Most Popular Stories of Our 5th Year (Written Any Year)

1. 10 Best Hotel Pools for Kids in the USA (#1 – year 4, #2 – year 2)
by The Travel Mama Colleen Lanin

2.  Dos and Don’ts of Disney’s Castaway Cay (Most popular post written in year 4)
by The Travel Mama Colleen Lanin 

3. Top 10 Disneyland Rides & Attractions for Babies & Toddlers (#3 – year 4, #4 – year 3)
by The Travel Mama Colleen Lanin 

4. Which Disneyland Character Meal Is Best for Your Family? (#5 – year 4, #5 – year 3)
by The Travel Mama Colleen Lanin 

5. 10 Best Beach Hotels for Kids (#4 – year 4)
by The Travel Mama Colleen Lanin 

Most Shared Story of the Year

My story, Midlife Crisis in Maui was certainly the most shared post of the year (720+ social shares and counting!). I am proud that this personal story resonated with so many people.

Anniversary Discounts

Don’t forget to take advantage of the $5 anniversary discount off my book, The Travel Mamas’ Guide (using code YJ6PZU7A when you purchase here) AND 5% off any one-year button or banner ad on TravelMamas.com!

What was your favorite Travel Mamas story of the past year? Let us know in the comments below!

Top photo by Elena Schweitzer, purchased from istockphoto.com. All other photo credits given within the original posts.

The post Travel Mamas 5th Anniversary – Most Popular Stories of the Year & Discounts appeared first on TravelMamas.com.

To honor U.S. military members and civil first responders, the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is offering their second year of Salute to Service specials. Resort room rates have been slashed to $99 per night for stays beginning Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2011 through January 18, 2012. Although I am neither a member of the military nor […]

The post Smokin’ Specials for Military and First Responders at JW Marriott San Antonio appeared first on TravelMamas.com.

I felt like a little kid discovering colored eggs and a basket filled with toys on Easter morning as I stood on my balcony and spotted giraffes sauntering past. And…over there…it’s a gazelle! Oh, what’s that…a wildebeest? And a zebra! I couldn’t stop texting photos of my animal finds plus pictures of the pimped out pool and my swanky […]

The post Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas at a Discount appeared first on TravelMamas.com.

We all know a family vacation can be pricey, especially when visiting a popular destination like San Diego. Airfare and hotels often eat up much of your budget before you even add in entertainment and eating out. I am happy to report that you can find dozens of free and discounted things to do with your kids […]

The post How to Save Money on Your San Diego Family Vacation appeared first on TravelMamas.com.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Best Western. All opinions are 100% mine. Got the winter blues? I sure do! After all the hubbub of the holidays, January can feel so humdrum. Scrape the frost off your suitcase and warm up with a little winter vacation! Whether it’s a toasty tropical […]

The post Beat the Winter Blues with Best Western and AAA appeared first on TravelMamas.com.

So much has changed since TravelMamas.com launched six years ago. When I founded this blog, I was a Travel Mama to a teething toddler and a clingy preschooler. Today my sweet babies are big grade school kids, who can (thankfully!) pack and tote their own suitcases for our trips. Back then it was just me sharing my love of travel with a […]

The post Travel Mamas 6th Anniversary – Our Best Travel Stories of the Year appeared first on TravelMamas.com.

It’d be a doggone shame if you didn’t join #KidsNTrips for this week’s Travel Tips for Pet Lovers Twitter Party. (Sorry…I just can’t help myself when it comes to silly puns!) We’ll be chatting about all things pet- and travel-related with sponsor DogVacay, an online community that connects dog owners with over 20,000 pet sitters in […]

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A good dad takes out the garbage, slogs away at his job day after day, and always puts his family first. All he really wants is for his kids and his wife to be happy. But what about dear ol’ dad’s happiness? Here are five tips that are sure to make dad happy on family vacation. Set Realistic Expectations Talk […]

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“How can I save money on my Disney vacation?” As a family travel expert, this is one of the most common questions I am asked. Here’s my advice: go to UndercoverTourist.com. This trusted name in discounted Disney tickets is now offering discounts on Walt Disney World Resort hotels, too. Read on to learn how to save money […]

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If you want to spend your weekend trolling through used car dealership lots and haggling over prices, have at it. But if you’d rather have your next car delivered direct to your house and save your free-time for fun endeavors (like wine-tasting or attending a music festival), then consider Vroom. Here are eight reasons to to buy or […]

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On vacation kids just wanna have fun. Meanwhile parents want to unwind and be pampered. It can be difficult to find that balance between action and relaxation while traveling. With the opening of the Nickelodeon Hotel Punta Cana, young Nickelodeon fans and luxe-loving parents can enjoy an entertaining yet relaxing Caribbean beach vacation together. Expect non-stop entertainment, five-star culinary experiences, water […]

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It can take hours to scour airline and travel aggregator websites to save money on First Class flights. Here’s great news for traveling moms and mompreneurs: now you can score the best flight prices without the hassle. Ultimate Class Airfares is a complimentary tool for booking First and Business Class flights at a discount. They find the best airlines […]

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