The Lollipop Road

Archive for the ‘Travel Tips’ Category

Is it really less than six weeks away…I know, where did the time go? Are you traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday this year? Well, holiday travel numbers have been up this year, so it should be interesting to see if that trend continues through the remainder of the holiday season – I’d bet on a resounding yes. Luckily, this year we’re hosting Thanksgiving, but in years past, we’ve carefully planned our trip to avoid traffic and congestion. There is only one thing worse than tired and cranky kids (while sitting in traffic) and that is tired and cranky parents.  So, how can you beat the rush?

The first and best advice we can give you is to take Thanksgiving week or the week after off.  This will undoubtedly give you the most travel options.  As a matter of fact, the week following Thanksgiving is the slowest travel week of the year, so it is also a perfect time for a family vacation.  At the very least, if you take the Tuesday before Thanksgiving through the Monday after, you will be able to avoid most of the travel congestion by traveling on Tuesday and then again on the following Monday.

If you can’t swing a week off, remember that many travelers have a four day weekend, but some may also take Wednesday off, so expect the heaviest travel days to be Wednesday and Sunday.  Experts might tell you to leave Tuesday evening, but that really doesn’t work for families with toddlers because of the ‘witching hours’ (although it is a great option for families with infants).  So, if you can take Wednesday off, leave early in the morning, after the morning rush hour has subsided.  If you cannot make that work for you, do not leave past 11AM on Wednesday, wait until Thanksgiving morning instead.

Although there is a great deal of travel that occurs on Thanksgiving Day, it is more weighted toward short distance and local travel, so the highways are less likely to be crowded.  If you start out early, say by 8AM, you can make a 250 mile trip by 1PM, just in time for dinner.  If you have a longer drive, starting out Wednesday morning works best.

Friday will see a lull in travel and most traffic will be concentrated in local shopping areas for Black Friday.  So, if you don’t care about making your destination for Thanksgiving, have a nice family meal at home and head out Friday morning after 8AM – it should be smooth sailing most of the way.  Friday is also the best day for a return trip.

The next best return will be Saturday morning; however, you can also leave late Saturday afternoon, stop for dinner and stay overnight part way, finishing the trip early Sunday morning.  Travel will only worsen as Sunday progresses,  so avoid traveling after Noon at all costs.  Of course, if you can travel on Monday instead, that would add sanity to your trip.

When timing your travel, be aware of your route.  Passing through major cities or congested local areas during peak times should be avoided.  A shorter trip is a better trip.  Check for traffic alerts before you leave and be aware of how weather might impact your travel.  Most of all, drive safely.

Looking for more Thanksgiving holiday travel tips? Check out Best Family Travel Advice where other family travel experts answer your questions.

Disclosure

Taking advantage of child discounts and freebies can save you a significant amount of money on your vacation.  In our quest for convenience, we often overlook the potential for restaurant discounts when traveling.  With the average price of a kid’s meal approaching $6, the cost of eating out two or three times a day can really add up.  On a seven night trip you’ll probably spend over $100 per child just on food.

What if you could get every kid’s meal for free or at least get half of the meals for free?  Sounds like extra spending money to me!  But, you’re not familiar with any of the restaurants at the destination that you are visiting, so how do you find out about these deals?

National Deals

The best place to start is by checking out the national restaurant chains that offer free kid’s meals.  These restaurants are likely to have locations across the United States, so finding one near your vacation destination should be relatively easy. Unfortunately, these deals can change without notice and not all location participate.

Here is a list of some nationally advertised kid’s eat free deals:

• Denny’s - Select evenings 4pm-10PM at participating locations
• Lonestar – Tuesday all day
• Holiday Inn – All day every day when you are a registered guest
• Max & Erma’s – Tuesday or Wednesday depending upon location
• Applebee’s – Select dates and times vary by location
• IHOP – Select dates and times vary by location
• Fudrucker’s – Monday & Tuesday after 4PM at participating locations

Beware that not all restaurants are required to participate.  You should always call the individual restaurant in advance to confirm days, times and participation.

Websites With Local Listings

There are literally dozens of websites that list restaurants offering free or reduced price kid’s meals by locality.  Below are what we consider to be the Top 5 Websites For Finding Restaurants With Free Kid’s Meals.

1. Kids Eat For – Easy search by zip code or major metro area.  Also available for the IPhone or IPod Touch.  Most comprehensive listing.
2. Kids Meal Deals – Search by mileage range within a zip code.  Available on the IPhone and Blackberry.  Search is limited by day of week.
3. Kiddie Menu – Quick, easy search by zip code.  No frills with some basic results.
4. Kids Eat Free Places – Ability to browse by state makes sure you see all listings.
5. Google – Try a simple Google search to obtain local results.  Type “kids eat free YOUR_STATE or YOUR_CITY” or “free kids meal YOUR_STATE or YOUR_CITY“.

Local Publications

When you arrive at your destination, make a quick stop at a visitor center, rest stop or hotel to pickup any brochures and tourist magazines that might list discount promotions.  You can also browse the local newspaper, phone book or ask the front desk staff at your hotel.  They’ll often be able to point you in the right direction

The best advice is to be prepared with a listing of possible restaurants that offer free kid’s meals.  You can find a list of potential chain restaurants here, but be sure to check in advance with the individual restaurant to verify days, times and participation.  Now all you need to do is figure out what to do with the money you’ll save!

Disclosure

When searching out budget friendly family travel, free is usually an offer we don’t refuse. We’ve taken advantage of free admission at National Parks, museums, train rides and other kid-friendly attractions – the cheaper the better, right?. However, I recently had the opportunity to visit the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City during their free public entry (Friday 4-8 PM) where free was an offer that I definitely should have refused. After all, getting kids into a museum is hard enough already – you don’t need to give them more reasons to hate it!.

I arrived around 4:30 PM after a pleasant ride to the Top of the Rock. At first blush, it appeared to be a bit crowded, but it wasn’t until I hit the exhibits that the full reality set in. If you aren’t familiar with MoMA, there are 6 floors connected by rather narrow escalators. On this particular evening, the escalators were packed solid with a constant flow of visitors, like a colony of ants relocating their nest. Breaking into their formation or stepping out of line risked a trampling by the human species.

Against my better judgment, I did break formation at the second floor, but was quickly repelled back into the conga line making its way steadily upward. Fearful of what awaited on the next two floors, I made the safer decision to exit on the upper floors – I prefer the Masterpieces anyhow. Weaving through the maze of ants foraging for food left little room to set out a picnic. It occurred to me at that moment that it was nearly impossible to actually enjoy and appreciate the incredible works of art that hung on the wall while dodging the throngs of visitors snapping photos and staring aimlessly as if the paintings would come to life if they stared just long enough.

Sparsely interspersed were those visitors who were trying to truly appreciate the museum; for them I felt especially sympathetic. It was at that point that I firmly concluded that free isn’t always fun. Heading to the exit like prey escaping from the ant’s nest, I struggled to disguise myself, re-enter the queue and escape without detection. Whew, it felt so good to be out in the oppressively humid streets of Manhattan again.

Disclosure

You can read more about this topic, as well as many other family cruising topics, in our new book–Cruising With Kids: A Guide To The Perfect Family Cruise Vacation. Visit our dedicated Cruising With Kids website for more details.

One of the biggest challenges when traveling with kids is carrying around all of the “stuff” that they seem to require.  I’m not talking about the diapers, clothes or other small accessories, but the bulky items like a toddler car seat or booster seat (ie child restraint device).  It can really weigh you down, so before you take it, you should research the child restraint requirements for the places you are visiting and the modes of transportation you are using.  Not knowing could be a costly mistake.

Travel by Car

The easiest method for traveling with kids and dealing with the load of extra baggage would seemingly be to travel by car.  I don’t believe that one can argue against this, but is it as easy as packing up, getting in and driving?  Most families taking a car trip never even think about the laws and regulations in the states that they are about to visit.  After all, this is the United States and we can travel freely, right?  Unfortunately, we lack a uniform standard for passenger restraint safety, not only for kids, but for adults too.

Let’s say that you live in Florida, but decided to take a family vacation to Washington, DC.  Florida allows your 5 year old to use an adult seatbelt restraint (no booster necessary), but unknown to you, North Carolina, Virginia and the District of Columbia all require your five year old to be in a child restraint device - no exceptions.  Imagine you are cruising down the highway and all of a sudden you see the dreaded blue lights in your rear-view mirror.  You’re not speeding, so you cannot imagine why you’re being pulled over.  Well, as it turns out, you have broken the state law by failing to properly restrain your child.  Your defense – you can’t stop me for that.  Wrong!  That will be $75, please.  You’re vacation isn’t off to a good start.

So, before you set off on your next family car trip, take a quick look at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Child Restraint Laws by State.  You should be sure to review the information covering adults too.  These requirements also apply to any private passenger vehicle that you may rent.

Travel by Air

So, instead of the road trip, you’ve decided to fly…the brave souls that you are.  You need to figure out what to do with the kids on the plane.  Well, you have a few of options.  Any child may occupy their own seat.  An infant under the age of 2 may have their own seat or sit in the lap of someone age 18 or older.  For children under 40 pounds occupying a seat, the FAA strongly recommends the use of an approved FAA child restraint device.  Every child occupying their own seat must either use a seatbelt or FAA approved child restraint device.  Infants no longer qualify as a lap infant at 12:01AM on their 2nd birthday, even if that is during a flight.

Luckily, most airlines do not count child restraint devices against your baggage allowance, so you can check them (they will provide large plastic bags for you) or bring them onto the aircraft.  Be forewarned that the device must be approved, should be no more than 16 inches wide and must be placed in a window seat.  Booster seats, infant carrying devices such as the Baby Bjorn and other non-approved devices are not allowed.  The FAA has approved the new C.A.R.E.S. device for airplane use with infants weighing between 22 and 44 pounds.  So, if you are not going to need the car seat after you land, invest in the new device and leave the bulky one at home.  Be aware that the C.A.R.E.S. device, however, is not approved for use in a motor vehicle.  If you do decide to bring your car seat onboard, understand that if you do not use it, there is not likely to be space to store it.  Before flying, you should read the FAA’s recommendations on flying safely with children.

Special Rental Vehicle Considerations

If you will be renting a car when you get to your destination, the same rules apply as above, however, now you need to decide if you should rent a device or bring your own.  Not all seats fit the same in all vehicles, so you should be prepared to make some adjustments.  Renting a device from the car rental company can cost you as much as $15/day and it may not be what you need.  We have rented several times before and the stock of seats is typically abysmal.  Supply is also a consideration; just because you request a seat does not mean they’ll actually have one for you.  During our recent cruise port stop in Freeport, the rental agency had exactly one toddler car seat – luckily we got it, leaving the family behind us scrambling.

These same laws also apply to RVs.  Before renting, you should make sure that the RV has the appropriate number of seatbelts for occupants and understand where they are placed.  For example, an RV with seatbelts at the dinette only may not work if your infant seat is larger than the space between the seat and table, in which case, you need to ensure that the table folds down.  We find the most convenient RV configuration to have a sofa with seatbelts.

Unfortunately, the best and most reliable course when renting a vehicle is to bring your own child restraint, especially if you require an infant seat or booster.  We usually pop the booster into a carry-on bag and we’re ready to go.  We then rent a toddler seat to avoid the bulk.  Either way, be prepared for the unexpected!

Travel on Public Transportation

Most states exempt public or for hire transportation from the child restraint laws.  This typically will include taxis, buses, trains, shuttle vans, etc.  Many taxi services will provide a child restraint, but you will need to request one in advance and not all taxi companies may provide them.  If you want to use a child restraint on any other modes of transportation, you will need to provide your own.  Remember that when traveling by taxi, you have one less space for your family, so requesting a minivan in advance may alleviate any space issues.

There are some states that require child restraint devices in taxis and buses.  Alaska is a good example.  Before you depart for your destination, make sure that you know the law, otherwise you may show up for a bus tour and be denied boarding because you don’t have the proper device.  Inventive Parent has a good summary of all car seat laws by state, which usually will included what types of transport is excluded.  Lastly, you should check with your transportation provider before making any arrangements.

Conclusion

As parents, we always recommend that you follow the most conservative state requirements when using a child restraint.  It may not be the easiest way, but it is the safest.  Check out this excellent FAQ and travel safe.
You can read more about this topic, as well as many other family cruising topics, in our new book–Cruising With Kids: A Guide To The Perfect Family Cruise Vacation. Visit our dedicated Cruising With Kids website for more details.

Disclosure

You can read more about this topic, as well as many other family cruising topics, in our new book–Cruising With Kids: A Guide To The Perfect Family Cruise Vacation. Visit our dedicated Cruising With Kids website for more details.

We’re getting ready to embark on several trips out of the country (on the Cruise Views Marathon), so I began pulling together all of our travel documents to make sure that all was in order.  I guess I’m a bit late given that we leave on Saturday, but nonetheless, we have liftoff.  I discovered that both of our passports expired last year, but no worry, we’re sailing on closed-loop cruises.  I often read articles that tell you that you must have a passport to travel outside of the country.  Well, although it is a VERY good idea, you don’t really need it in all cases.

Whenever you travel outside of the United States without a passport, you are taking the risk of  being stranded in a foreign country.  Let’s be clear, in order to travel to (or from) a foreign country by air, you must have a valid passport or other valid resident document (see exception below).  Most airlines (if they are doing their job) will not let you board without verifying your documents.

However, if you are traveling on a closed-loop cruise (defined as departing from and returning to the same U.S. port) to ports within the Western Hemisphere (this includes North America, South America, Central America and all of the islands in between), you do not need a passport. Rather you can use an original or copy of your birth certificate, Naturalization Certificate or Consular Report of Birth Abroad.  This exception only impacts adults 16 and over as minor children are already exempted from land and sea passport requirements under the WHTI requirements for minors. So, for example, if you are cruising from Fort Lauderdale to Belize, Honduras and Jamaica and returning to Fort Lauderdale, a passport is not required. Many websites will get this wrong – for closed loop cruise purposes, all countries within the Western Hemisphere are eligible, not just contiguous and adjacent countries. This does not, however, discount the fact that the foreign country you are visiting may require a passport. For those wondering, Panama, Costa RIca, Belize and Honduras do not currently require passports for cruise passengers.

ALERT – Be sure to check with your specific cruise line as most cruise lines are now ONLY accepting original or certified birth certificates that contain the raised seal.

If for some reason you needed to return to the United States from a foreign port, you would need a passport, right?  So, why would you take the risk of traveling to foreign ports without passports?  Well, in an emergency an emergency or limited passport or other travel document (ie letter) from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate will be accepted.  The lost and stolen passport procedures will give you a good idea as to the process, although the Department of State has the ability to bypass the formal procedures and issue temporary travel documents in a true emergency.  So, although it is a hassle that has the potential to cause delay, you won’t really be stranded.  Although, being stuck on a tropical Caribbean island does sound appealing.

When using a birth certificate, married couples, where one or both of the spouses have changed their last name, should also consider carrying a copy of their marriage certificate.  Although not required in most cases, we have used it at least once to easily and quickly clear up any confusion.  Also, be sure that you actually have a birth certificate.  I can’t tell you how many stories I read where folks are denied travel because they have the wrong document.  Don’t let your dream cruise get grounded.  Of course, this is yet another perfect reason to always carry a valid passport.  I guess I should get mine renewed!

You can read more about this topic, as well as many other family cruising topics, in our new book–Cruising With Kids: A Guide To The Perfect Family Cruise Vacation. Visit our dedicated Cruising With Kids website for more details.

Disclosure