Anonymous
Post 08/26/2025 15:49     Subject: Summer 2025 Trip Reports
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We took our teens to London and Paris. We all preferred London. Paris was just okay. I'm not sure what we did wrong. We also took a Caribbean Cruise with extended family for my inlaws' anniversary and it was a lot of fun.

I am very interested in seeing Maine (never been) but need to do a lot more research to make sure my teens won't be bored and bicker.


Tell me more about what you didn’t like about Paris. We also loved London but haven’t done combined London and Paris trip I was considering for December.


We didn't find the locals as friendly as the UK and didn't find the public transit as convenient as London. Also, it didn't help that we had gorgeous weather in London (it didn't rain a drop!) and it was extremely hot in Paris. This was mid June. I'm sure if we had someone with us who was very familiar with Paris it would have made a big difference.


WHAT??? The Paris metro and RER is incredible. Use Citymapper or the RATP app and you are good to go. We had a running joke that 3 minutes was sooo long to wait for the next train.


We liked the tube and London bus system much butter.


Don't get me wrong the Tube is great also, but if it's butter than that seems more French.
Anonymous
Post 08/26/2025 15:26     Subject: Summer 2025 Trip Reports
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We took our teens to London and Paris. We all preferred London. Paris was just okay. I'm not sure what we did wrong. We also took a Caribbean Cruise with extended family for my inlaws' anniversary and it was a lot of fun.

I am very interested in seeing Maine (never been) but need to do a lot more research to make sure my teens won't be bored and bicker.


Tell me more about what you didn’t like about Paris. We also loved London but haven’t done combined London and Paris trip I was considering for December.


We didn't find the locals as friendly as the UK and didn't find the public transit as convenient as London. Also, it didn't help that we had gorgeous weather in London (it didn't rain a drop!) and it was extremely hot in Paris. This was mid June. I'm sure if we had someone with us who was very familiar with Paris it would have made a big difference.


WHAT??? The Paris metro and RER is incredible. Use Citymapper or the RATP app and you are good to go. We had a running joke that 3 minutes was sooo long to wait for the next train.


We liked the tube and London bus system much butter.
Anonymous
Post 08/26/2025 15:04     Subject: Re:Summer 2025 Trip Reports
Anonymous wrote:Took my family (me, husband, 18 yo and 20 yo) to Italy. First time there for all of us. We stuck to northern-ish Italy and went in early June and succeeded in not being overwhelmed by crowds or heat. It was absolutely wonderful. I was worried that after 50+ years of hearing how amazing Italy is, it wouldn't live up to expectations, but it completely exceeded them.


So great to hear! Did you DIY the trip or use an agent?
Anonymous
Post 08/26/2025 15:01     Subject: Re:Summer 2025 Trip Reports
Took my family (me, husband, 18 yo and 20 yo) to Italy. First time there for all of us. We stuck to northern-ish Italy and went in early June and succeeded in not being overwhelmed by crowds or heat. It was absolutely wonderful. I was worried that after 50+ years of hearing how amazing Italy is, it wouldn't live up to expectations, but it completely exceeded them.
Anonymous
Post 08/26/2025 12:53     Subject: Summer 2025 Trip Reports
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:2 nights at the Intercontinental Miami in a club access room and a 7 day cruise on MSC World America.

The Intercontinental room was spacious and recently renovated. The pool was wonderful and had a great view.

We had a blast on MSC World America. Tons to keep the kids 3 and 9 occupied. The family programming and kids club was outstanding.


Super interested in your experience with MSC World America! How was the food and the customer service? Any complaints? Were you yacht club?


We were Aurea which is 1 down from YC so not butler or private YC dining restaurant, buffet or pool. We did get our own dining room with anytime dining, unlimited access to the thermal spa, and access to the Top 20 deck which was a private space with YC/Aurea with bar and 2 whirlpools.

We had a blast! The main dining room was slow and not every meal was amazing, but we went in with tempered expectations and knowing fine dining would be had in the speciality restaurants. We had hibachi and it was 10/10. Service and food were amazing.

The buffet was great. Excellent selection of fruits, veggies, and protein. Lots of seafood and international food. The ramen station was a favorite. Pizza was 10/10 as expected.

More Americanized food could be found in the outdoor grab and go stations by the main pool. The coffee all over the ship was incredible. Cocktails were great.

The crowd was very European. Expect speedos and thong bikinis. For the most part everyone behaved. There were times the pool and elevators felt crowded but that’s to be expected on a mega ship.

The only obvious corner they cut is that only yacht club gets a hot towel and water station coming back from port. Other than that, I did not necessarily feel like it seemed much “cheaper” that our previous cruise experience even though it was.

Kids loved the magic shows. Dirty Dancing was great, many West End performers.

We will absolutely return, the kids programming was amazing. We could not fit it all in in one 7-day trip. Happy to answer any questions. Ocean Cay was a highlight too.
Anonymous
Post 08/26/2025 09:56     Subject: Summer 2025 Trip Reports
Anonymous wrote:2 nights at the Intercontinental Miami in a club access room and a 7 day cruise on MSC World America.

The Intercontinental room was spacious and recently renovated. The pool was wonderful and had a great view.

We had a blast on MSC World America. Tons to keep the kids 3 and 9 occupied. The family programming and kids club was outstanding.


Super interested in your experience with MSC World America! How was the food and the customer service? Any complaints? Were you yacht club?
Anonymous
Post 08/25/2025 09:15     Subject: Summer 2025 Trip Reports
1 week in London in June with my husband and kids 7 & 10. We had a great time. It was definitely a bit more humid and "hot" than we anticipated, which slowed us down a lot and we weren't even there for their intense heat wave. I think that was the biggest thing; we were able to do so much a few years ago in March but the heat/humidity really bogs us down.

My kids loved having a long visit to Princess Diana playground (bring a change of clothes if it's warm out- they have some water play) and bring a picnic blanket.
Anonymous
Post 08/24/2025 21:09     Subject: Summer 2025 Trip Reports
2 nights at the Intercontinental Miami in a club access room and a 7 day cruise on MSC World America.

The Intercontinental room was spacious and recently renovated. The pool was wonderful and had a great view.

We had a blast on MSC World America. Tons to keep the kids 3 and 9 occupied. The family programming and kids club was outstanding.
Anonymous
Post 08/24/2025 20:40     Subject: Summer 2025 Trip Reports
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Traveled to Crete this summer with teen aged kids, divided our time between south east and north west parts of the island. Stayed close to the beach, and did site-seeing / dinners in Heraklion, Rethymno, and Chania; snorkeling trips, olives farm; ….

Didn’t go to any of the “most famous beaches” cause reviews mentioned how crowded they are, and spent time at smaller beaches, and kids loved the beach that was walking distance to where we stayed.


Ps. We stayed only in Crete, flew into Heraklion airport, did 1 way car rental and flew out of Chania. It’s also possible to combine with other islands, but it’s quite a big island so can easily stay 1-2 weeks there. We haven’t reached to agios nikolaus or points at very east, which should be beautiful.

Do you recommend it? I have Crete as a possible idea for next summer. Thanks


Yes, we had an amazing time. Rented a car so were able to drive on our own to sightsee. Also, the distances are quite far, this is why we opted to stay at two different locations. I also planned for us to do some hiking, but it was quite hot, so we didn’t do any of the hiking.
Anonymous
Post 08/24/2025 20:38     Subject: Summer 2025 Trip Reports
Another family who went to Paris, mid-June with elementary aged kids. We had a lovely time but we took it easy and didn't try to see every must-see sight. Every tour/site had to be reserved way in advance (we did) and we made reservations for a number of meals. That was different - I've never been somewhere so crowded and popular with tourists.
Anonymous
Post 08/24/2025 20:35     Subject: Summer 2025 Trip Reports
Switzerland-amazing
Anonymous
Post 08/24/2025 20:34     Subject: Summer 2025 Trip Reports
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We took our teens to London and Paris. We all preferred London. Paris was just okay. I'm not sure what we did wrong. We also took a Caribbean Cruise with extended family for my inlaws' anniversary and it was a lot of fun.

I am very interested in seeing Maine (never been) but need to do a lot more research to make sure my teens won't be bored and bicker.


Tell me more about what you didn’t like about Paris. We also loved London but haven’t done combined London and Paris trip I was considering for December.


We didn't find the locals as friendly as the UK and didn't find the public transit as convenient as London. Also, it didn't help that we had gorgeous weather in London (it didn't rain a drop!) and it was extremely hot in Paris. This was mid June. I'm sure if we had someone with us who was very familiar with Paris it would have made a big difference.


WHAT??? The Paris metro and RER is incredible. Use Citymapper or the RATP app and you are good to go. We had a running joke that 3 minutes was sooo long to wait for the next train.
Anonymous
Post 08/24/2025 20:33     Subject: Summer 2025 Trip Reports
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Traveled to Crete this summer with teen aged kids, divided our time between south east and north west parts of the island. Stayed close to the beach, and did site-seeing / dinners in Heraklion, Rethymno, and Chania; snorkeling trips, olives farm; ….

Didn’t go to any of the “most famous beaches” cause reviews mentioned how crowded they are, and spent time at smaller beaches, and kids loved the beach that was walking distance to where we stayed.


Do you recommend it? I have Crete as a possible idea for next summer. Thanks


Yes, we had an amazing time. Rented a car so were able to drive on our own to sightsee. Also, the distances are quite far, this is why we opted to stay at two different locations. I also planned for us to do some hiking, but it was quite hot, so we didn’t do any of the hiking.
Anonymous
Post 08/24/2025 20:24     Subject: Summer 2025 Trip Reports
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We took our teens to London and Paris. We all preferred London. Paris was just okay. I'm not sure what we did wrong. We also took a Caribbean Cruise with extended family for my inlaws' anniversary and it was a lot of fun.

I am very interested in seeing Maine (never been) but need to do a lot more research to make sure my teens won't be bored and bicker.


Tell me more about what you didn’t like about Paris. We also loved London but haven’t done combined London and Paris trip I was considering for December.


We didn't find the locals as friendly as the UK and didn't find the public transit as convenient as London. Also, it didn't help that we had gorgeous weather in London (it didn't rain a drop!) and it was extremely hot in Paris. This was mid June. I'm sure if we had someone with us who was very familiar with Paris it would have made a big difference.
Anonymous
Post 08/24/2025 20:22     Subject: Summer 2025 Trip Reports
Anonymous wrote:Traveled to Crete this summer with teen aged kids, divided our time between south east and north west parts of the island. Stayed close to the beach, and did site-seeing / dinners in Heraklion, Rethymno, and Chania; snorkeling trips, olives farm; ….

Didn’t go to any of the “most famous beaches” cause reviews mentioned how crowded they are, and spent time at smaller beaches, and kids loved the beach that was walking distance to where we stayed.


Do you recommend it? I have Crete as a possible idea for next summer. Thanks