The Orbitz Family Travel Guide
Meet the new Orbitz Parent Panel, a group of Orbitz moms and dads coming together to share experiences and advice to help you plan an affordable, stress-free family vacation.
Our focus is on beach vacations:
- Beach resorts Get personalized recommendations for families in 3 easy steps.
- Parent picks Kiawah Island, Amelia Island, Puerto Rico and more top beach destinations
- View family-friendly all-inclusive resorts and cruises
- Beach condo rentals Weigh the pros and cons
We went looking for travel experts who were also doting parents and found them right under our nose. These Orbitz parents have plenty of experience traveling to a variety of destinations with children of all ages. Join them as they share their vacation adventures, mistakes and successes -- as well as personal strategies, tips, and opinions.
Marie LaPlante is a full-time working mom to Karis, her pony- and princess-loving 3-year-old.
With both of us working full time while trying to keep up with the daily activities of our 3-year old, we tend to look for the laziest vacations possible – which by our definition means the beach. After 3 years of traveling with our daughter, we have it down to a science. More
posted by Parent Panel | June 2008
With two young children in tow, Alistair Wearmouth’s travel perspective has shifted seismically from digging out the best backpacker hostel in Kathmandu to coping strategies for toddlers on a trans-Atlantic flight.
Our latest family beach vacation took us to Florida’s Amelia Island Plantation, about 35 northeast of Jacksonville. This 1,350-acre resort offers challenging golf courses, a world-renowned tennis program and access to a gorgeous, near-deserted beach. We didn’t leave the property for five days More
posted by Parent Panel | June 2008
Vero Beach, FL - Watch the loggerhead sea turtles.
Kiawah Island, SC – Spot dolphins and bike on the beach.
Outer Banks, NC - Visit where the Wright brothers made their historic first flight in Kitty Hawk.
Cocoa Beach, FL – Tour the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral – maybe even watch a shuttle launch.
Key West, FL – Visit the Dry Tortugas, a cluster of islands great for fishing, snorkeling and bird watching.
St. John, USVI – Make it a green vacation with Maho Bay eco tents.
Apostle Islands, WI – Kayak, canoe, camp and pick strawberries.
San Juan Island, WA – Go whale watching, biking, boating and diving.
Parents and children who might be new to swimming -- or swimming in the ocean -- should really understand the differences between pool and ocean waters. Pools don’t have currents, undertows, riptides or wildlife.
Ocean swimming is for the more experienced. Beyond dipping their toes in the surf, don’t let young kids and novice ocean swimmers go deep. You don’t need to be very far into the ocean for a strong undertow or riptide to drag you deeper.
And while the blue waters of the Caribbean are beautiful, beware of its life from within, including jellyfish, stingrays or other dangerous sea life.
"Fan of the furnished condo’"
"I am a huge fan of the furnished condominium on a beach vacation. The No. 1 reason is the washer/dryer.
I love having the luxury of tossing the wet suits and towels in the wash -- or even just throwing them in the dryer. I’d much rather throw on a warm suit than a damp one that’s been hanging on the balcony.
In addition, a full kitchen comes in handy for breakfasts and lunches. Not only is it convenient, but we save a lot of money by eating two meals a day in our room."
Jim Cohn
"Hotel with daily maid service’"
"On one vacation, I recall spending time every day cleaning the condo to keep the amount of sand on the floor and in the tub to a minimum.
I swore next time we would book a hotel with daily maid service so I could spend time having fun with the family instead of cleaning.
Now I look for hotels that are relatively close to the beach and have a small kitchen facility so that we’re not stuck eating out every meal.'"
Liz Robertson
Orbitz parents rated these family-friendly hotels hotels on a scale of 1 to 5, based on:
- Service
- Amenities
- Comfort
- Location
- Value
Read their reviews to get first-hand observations, as well as practical tips on what to do, where to eat and how to get around.
Family getaways and reunions
With lots of onboard activities, tons of shore excursions and plenty of meal options to choose from, cruising is a fun and affordable family vacation.
Explore Europe, Alaska, the Caribbean, Hawaii or Mexico. You and your family will see it all, and unpack only once!