picture credit: kenteegardin

As a matter of fact, resorts vying for parents and families are more prepared as they are becoming more aware of what parents (and kids) need. These services, unheard of a few years ago, are becoming the standard for any family-friendly resort and hotel. Childproof guest rooms, appealing meals for the kids (we are not talking here about french fries, chicken nuggets or burgers) and complimentary tools and accessories like baby bathtubs are only some of the few amenities parents can expect to find in some of the better resorts. Even afternoon children’s activities are evolving. Many resorts now offer various types of activities for the toddlers, preschoolers and kindergartners, including fun activities such as a range of water activities, tennis lessons or even acrobatics. And let’s not forget the best features of those family-resorts: better security with an increased presence of security and lifeguards.

So what are the best family-friendly resorts in the Caribbean? Of course, everybody have their favorite one, and if I were to ask every reader here what their favorite one was, I would probably end up with hundreds, if not thousands of different answers. On the other hand, some places would recurrently come back as a favorite, because they offer exceptional services or have a great price/quality ratio. So I decided to share with you the 10 most impressive family-friendly resorts with you, based on criteria such as hotel quality, children’s activities, security and price.

1. Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas for its 11 swimming pools, including 2 kids only pools, and numberous lifeguards; a movie theater with 3 daily newly released movies shows and popcorn; over 30 restaurants most of all including children’s menus; 23 nonsmoking floors.

2. Westin St. John Resort & Villas, US Virgin Island for its ocean trampoline (!!), fun kids’ events such as the hermit crab race or the tie-dying and the market, that will help you keep the costs low.

3. Club Med Caravelle, Guadeloupe because of the rooms that can accommodate up to 6 people, easily ramp accessibility for parent’s with strollers and babysitter services for babies 4 months and up.

4. Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa, Turks and Caicos Islands for the Sesame Street Caravan, the 12 miles of amazing beach stretch, many lifeguards for each pool, the waterpark and its full-service nursery.

5. Beaches Negril Resort & Spa, Jamaica for its pajama parties, the sandcastle building, the staff hospitality and the Crayola Art Camps.

6. Four Seasons Resort Nevis, St. Kitts & Nevis for its supervised children’s hour during your romantic dinner, the activities, including tennis lessons, watersports, and storytelling.

7. Breezes Curacao Resort, Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles for its children’s menu in every restaurant, its arcade, beachside playground and the Kid’s Club being opened in the evening (6pm-9pm).

8. Club Med Punta Cana, Dominican Republic for the three swimming pool staffed with lifeguard, a different activity every hour and lots of baby features and amenities – bottle warmers, baby bathtubs, strollers.

9. Almond Beach Village, St. Peter, Barbadosfor its quiet and relaxing atmosphere, its swim-up movies and the shaded playground.

10. The Buccaneer, US Virgin Islands for anyone looking for an upscale place, lots of kids activities, including basketball, tetherball and tennis (although tennis is paying), the kids camp and the outstanding complimentary breakfast.

1. Keep the loud children away by building your own fort made of sand, shells and seaweed.
2. Secretly checking out the hot neighbour wearing that very revealing bikini or swimsuit. But keep it very discreet, of course.
3. Read your favorite sports magazine or favorite newspaper. Tip: bring a small magazine, newspapers can be hard to read if it is windy outside.
4. Daydream of being the main hero of Baywatch, and the Pam is asking you to rub her body with some sunscreen… Whistle the song theme, just to make it even more realistic.
5. Ask that kid who is selling ice cream at the other side of the beach, have a look at their products and simply say “sorry, nothing really looks good”… Allow yourself the treat of being a little bit mean when you’re on vacation.
6. Count the number of waves that reach the shore per minute… Sounds stupid, but trust me, it’ll keep you busy for a while!
7. Wonder why that hot chick is dating that ugly bald guy… there dream that she too needs you to rub sunscreen all over her body…
8. Cover yourself with sand, repeat as many times as you need until you get really annoyed with yourself.
9. Plan your next holidays by the beach…
10. Plan your next holidays and wonder how to get away from the beach….

For other fun reading about the Caribbean, please visit www.cheap-all-inclusive-caribbean-vacation.com.

So you’ve packed everything… or did you? What is worst then forgetting anything when going on vacation. Especially when it is to the Caribbean, where you don’t have the luxury to go the local grocery or pharmacy to buy what you need. Instead, you would need to buy what you forgot to bring at a premium price, at the hotel souvenir store.

So we’ve put together a list of 10 essential things you should bring when traveling with children to the Caribbean.

1) Camera and waterproof camera and or case - It would simply be silly to spend a week in family, in the Caribbean and not be able to bring back any memories! Waterproof cameras are a must if you are planning to go snorkeling or swim with the sharks or dolphins! In the case you don’t have one, you don’t have to break the bank and can simply save money by purchasing, instead, a good waterproof case.

2) Batteries or charger for the camera - Because a camera with no batteries is simply no better than just a camera. Many cameras now used only their own rechargeable battery, so make sure to bring the charger as well. If you camera uses AA batteries, you can probably find some batteries at the hotel store, but be aware you may be paying double the price of what you are used to.

3) Some US dollars - They always come in handy. You may find great deals, or fun clothes for the kids over there. It is usually not recommended to use a credit card when traveling to the Caribbean, so bring some money with you! Plus you may need an extra few one dollar bills for tipping.

4) Swimming suits for the whole family – Of course the kids’, but also yours and your spouse’s.

5) Sunblock SPF 30 or higher - The sun in the Caribbean is probably a lot stronger than what you are used to. So make sure to bring a sunblock SPF 30 (I myself use SPF 60 for the first day or two), to keep your skin, and especially the skin of the kids safe.

6) Some games to play in the plane or at night - Depending of where you live, some people have to travel up to 9hrs to arrive to destination. This is a long flight, especially for children. So make sure you bring lots of games, video games and books to keep them busy.

7) Some DVDs and movies - Again, a great way to keep the children entertained. While they may pass some movies during the flight, they may not be of interest for your children. Also, at night, when the pool is closed and the beach is too dark, the kids will enjoying spending some time at the hotel room, cuddling under the blanket watching their favorite movie.

8) Some antihistamines - You never know when allergies can strike. A bug bite, a horse ride, grasses, some food, anything can trigger a sudden allergy. Make sure to have some antihistamines on hand, for those rare events.

9) Sunglasses – Keep everybody’s eyes safe from the strong UV rays from the sun. Buy good sunglasses, preferably polarized if you are planning on doing lots of outdoor activities, such as water sports.

10) Some warm sweaters - Unfortunately, mother nature is not always predictable. You may have some cooler nights, so have on hand some warm sweaters for the kids and yourself.

With these ten items on hand, you will ensure the best vacations ever in family. For more information, please visit Cheap All Inclusive Caribbean Vacation now.

Before you set out on your family vacation, try to scout out a few resorts and see which ones are kid friendly. There are a few things to check for:

What services do they provide? A good kid friendly resort will have staff and nannies on hand to take care of your kids, or babysit them when you would like a few hours of private time.

Do they have a kids center available? This is important, as it allows your children to socialize with other kids at the resort. They’ll also plan games and activities that will keep them entertained and occupied. Some resorts even come with video game centers with the latest xbox games.

What kind of food do they serve? Are there kid friendly dining options? I don’t know about most kids, but my youngest son went through a phase where he would only eat spaghetti and hamburgers. It would be a disaster to bring him to a resort where they didn’t have dinner catered towards kids.

There are a few great kid friendly resorts in Mexico, here are a few of our suggestions:

Avalon Excalibur Acapulco, Acapulco, Mexico

This large resort is a perfect destination for the family, with its large pools, multiple restaurants, and pristine stretch of beach. Kids will get excited about the numerous water sports and activities they hold by the beach, as well as the Wild Things kid’s adventures. Right across the street is Papagallo Park, a well known tourist attraction that caters to children.

Avalon Reef Club, Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Built on the secluded island of Isla Mujeres, the Avalon Reef Club is both a beautiful and romantic spot for parents, while featuring outstanding facilities for the kids. With a world class spa, gym and fitness centers, relaxing pools, and a very private atmosphere, this resort is fantastic for couples. With a snorkeling park, deep sea fishing excursions, catamaran tours, and the Wild Things Kid’s Club, there are an endless list of activities for and child.

Club Med Ixtapa Pacific

The Club Med line of resorts is often a fantastic choice of resorts for family vacations, as they have plenty of experience with families. Club Med Ixtapa features several kids clubs, starting with the Baby Club Med for infants (4-23 months), the Petit Club Med (2-3 years old), Mini Club Med (4-10 years old), and the Junior Club Med.

Other reading :

• Top 10 Kids’ Friendly Resorts
• Cheap all inclusive Caribbean vacation for the family

family vacation

It was so simple to go on vacation when you were younger. With no kids to worry about, you were free to go where you pleased, when you pleased. A resort just had to have a nice pool, some good food, and you were pretty much set. You didn’t have to worry about whether the resort had child services, nannies, kids activities, etc… Well, as a parent, there are a lot of additional considerations you must make when choosing that cheap all-inclusive Caribbean vacation for the family.

Some important considerations such as:

- Kids programs: What kind of kids programs do they have in place, and are they provided by the resort?
- What age range do they typically cater to? Some resorts have nanny care for infants, while others only have staff on hand certified to deal with older children.
- Is there a nanny program or a daycare center in place? A personal nanny can really make your life easy while on vacation, giving you lots of important alone time with your significant other. If a nanny isn’t available, a day care center is the next best option, especially if there are other children the same age as your’s
- Do they have any activities aimed at kids, such as rock climbing, trapeze, and other games kids can participate in? Although lying by the pool may be your definition of a vacation, kids often want to be entertained, and having daily programs geared towards children will make their vacation memorable

It’s important to include kids in your preparations for a family vacation, and try to choose among the many kid friendly tropical resorts. Not only are children a lot of work on vacation, but they get bored easily, are picky eaters, etc.. and many resorts recognize this fact. They’ll have nannies ready to make sure you get some time alone, programs to keep them entertained, and food specially prepared for all those picky eaters. Pick a kid friendly Caribbean resort next time, and you’ll be amazed how much everyone in the family enjoyed their vacation.

Here are the top 10 kid friendly resorts:

1) Avalon Reef Club, Isla Mujeres, Mexico

2) Beaches Boscobel, Jamaica

3) Almond Beach Village, St. Peter, Barbados

4) Breezes, Curacao

5) Beaches Turks & Caicos

6) Club Med Punta Cana

7) Franklyn D. Resort, Jamaica

8) Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas

9) FDR Pebbles, Jamaica

10) Starfish Resort, Jamaica

For more information about family friendly resorts, visit cheap all inclusive Caribbean vacation

Lactating moms traveling can now carry a “reasonable” quantity of breast milk in airplanes departing from the U.S. and this, with or without their baby or young children traveling with them.

This has been requested for a long time by lactating working moms. The American TSA also confirms that nobody will have to “taste their milk”.

More info at www.tsa.gov.

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by: Kandi Harper for cheap all inclusive Caribbean vacation

Popularity of all inclusive resorts have increased in the past few years, and for good reasons. Hence, more and more people now go to all inclusive resorts for their vacations. However, while the cost of an all inclusive vacation may sound very affordable to the single guy or to the couple with no children, far too many families still think that the cost of an all inclusive holiday is too expensive, therefore out of their budget. There re all inclusive vacations packages for all budgets, including a family one. Find out what choices there are for a family who wants to experience all the enjoyment and luxury of an all inclusive holiday without the cost of a real luxury resort.

Two major tips

First, a five stars hotel is not for everybody. Neither is a five stars all inclusive Caribbean resort. Therefore, a good compromise is to go a 3 or 4 stars resort.

There are many misconceptions about 3 star resorts. Although you should make your research and read reviews about the resort (even for a 5 stars resort as a matter of fact), most 3 star resorts are a good compromise between family quality time and a reasonable vacation cost. Chances are that unlike at a five stars resort, being at a 3 star resort, your family probably won’t be feasting on lobster every night and the food will not look like it was prepared by Gordon Ramsey himself. But remember that most kids are usually contented with a few hot dogs and hamburgers, and that fancy food can be a turn off for them.

Second, the length of your holiday will also affect the cost of the trip. By cutting down to a 5 days trip instead of an 10 days trip, you can reduce the cost of your holiday and make it into a real cheap all inclusive Caribbean vacation.

Shortening your trip can be a good compromise for a family who cannot afford to spend too much money for their vacation. By cutting you trip by a few days, your family will have the benefits and luxury of a nice all inclusive Caribbean resort at a fraction of what they would pay for a longer trip. Therefore, a shorter trip will make an all inclusive Caribbean holiday more affordable to more families.

Advantages of an all inclusive resort for families

The advantages of bringing your family to an all inclusive is that, as the name indicates, pretty much is included.

1.Starting from the airfares for everybody and transportation between the airport and the resort in air conditioned comfy shuttles.

2.Proper accommodation is provided and each day you will have a maid service.

3.You do not have to worry for the food. Most-all inclusive resorts will include a breakfast buffet (cereals, fresh pressed fruit juices, ham, hash brown, toast, crepes, oatmeal, etc.) a lunch buffet (including fresh fruits, a salad bar, cold cuts and a large selection of meats, seafood, pasta, etc), a dinner buffet (including a good selection of desserts and several types of main dishes). For both lunch and dinner, and often all day long by the pool hot dogs, hamburgers, french fries and condiments are available for everybody. Finally, most resorts include a 24hrs room service, so if your little crew needs a midnight snack, you can order from the room.

4.During daytime, many resorts offer child care, where the kids are feed and entertained. In the evening, there are several shows suitable for children.

5.Most resorts have a kids pool.

6.Finally, the all inclusive Caribbean resort offer something unbeatable: the scenery, the beach and the sea. While you are getting a killer tan, your kids will love making sand castles all day or jumping in the waves of the emerald blue water of the sea.

However, before purchasing any all inclusive holiday package, do a research and look for the essential : kids pool, child care, entertainment for young kids and teenagers, family suites. The best would be to look for a family oriented or kids friendly Caribbean resort, to make sure you and your family will all enjoy the stay.

A cheap all inclusive Caribbean vacation can be a very affordable vacation if you do your research and find the right resort. Because every detail will be arranged for you, all you need to do is to bring your crew along and enjoy the warm waters and weather. You will experience an easy going and relax holiday, free of the worries other types of vacation can bring, such as organizing entertainment, finding accommodation, looking for a place to eat in for breakfast/lunch/dinner. Therefore, your all inclusive package will offer you all the luxury associated with more expensive trips or all inclusive resorts, but at a price affordable when traveling as a group. So if you are looking for a fancy and relaxing holiday this year, why not start looking for your perfect cheap all inclusive Caribbean vacation package?

If you have young children, make sure the resort you are going to has a kid pool area

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by: Henly Ng for cheap all inclusive Caribbean vacation

In the last few years, Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic has had a 34 millions dollars beauty and youth regeneration. The 34 millions dollars has allowed the luxurious and more sophisticated resorts to emerge in the area. Several of those resorts have also expanded many of their children and young teenagers activity programs.

With its fine sand and emerald waters, the new Punta Cana is a real Shangri-La. The east peak of the Hispaniola island, in Punta Cana, has had the most refurbishment. The deluxe, festive, multicultural and perfectly adapted for families all inclusive Club Med in Punta Cana reflects well that sumptuousness.

The huge investment was used to renovate and upgrade installations and decorations that, even though they had been last renovated in 1998, really needed some improvements… The Club Med now have a spa, an aqua park for kids, 566 renovated guest rooms (including family suites) and 32 luxurious Tiara suites.

Fine dining at the all inclusive Club Med in Punta Cana

The new Tiara formula is, let’s admit it, there to attract the more well-to-do customers. Tiara is small village within a bigger village, composed of bungalows facing the sea. Each of the 2 bedrooms bungalow are decorated with a lot of taste, and have a private terrace. A lot of thoughts have been made to make the Tiara customers feel cozy and at home. Every all inclusive club med “gentle members” who opt for the Tiara suites will also enjoy not only the benefits of a private concierge, a private ride between the airport and the all inclusive Club Med and room service, but also a special swimming pool and a private bar. However, this luxury is not affordable by all, since an all inclusive Club Med Tiara suite package for a week will cost you close to 15 000$ (family of 4, airfare included).

A hommy design at the Tiara all inclusive Club Med suite in Punta Cana

A bit of everything for everybody

If the idea of lying down by the pool or at the beach, swimming a few laps in the sea or in the pool and getting a nice tan is synonym of vacation to many, it also means boredom for others. For those who need some excitement at all time, even on vacation, an all inclusive club med holidays is also the place for you to be. Sailing, diving, in-line skating, kaying, tennis, gym and many other activities are available to you.

Surpervised by the “gentle employees”, beginners and pro will find what suits them in all activities. Adequate activity programs are designed to teach children from 4 months to 17 years of age. Hence, for babies age 4 months to 2 years old, the all inclusive Club Med Baby Welcome include beds and baby swimming pools, strollers, baby chairs and baby food. For kids aged 2 to 4 years, the Small Club Med, and for kids aged 4 to 11 years, the Mini Club Med offer fun activities organized around their range of age. Finally, even teenagers will find their share of activities. Recently, the all inclusive Club Med have built an enormous skateboard ramp and a special restaurant chill-out place to meet other adolescents.

Baby Club Med... All inclusive for toddlers age 4 months to 2 years

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by: Henly Ng, book a cheap all inclusive Caribbean vacation today