If you have never been on a cruise before, or have never considered a cruise for a family vacation, what is stopping you?? It's hard for many of us landlocked Canadians to embrace the idea of going far away, being isolated on a big ship in the middle of the ocean and having fun while doing so??

“What if I get seasick?"
“What are we supposed to do in the middle of nowhere? Will we get bored?”
“It's so expensive!”

Cruises are a different type of vacation altogether and one that is an experience you cannot fathom until you have been on one! A cruise can be a perfect vacation option for families, regardless of size, or groups of several families travelling together. There is truly something for everyone on a cruise! And there are different cruise lines for different types of cruisers!  So why choose a cruise vacation?? 

Going on a cruise is ideal for multi-generational travel where there are passengers of all ages that may or may not enjoy the same activities. Cruises have different options for different age groups and generations so all can enjoy the activities and amenities on the ship at each own pace, but can get together for many activities, for dinner or entertainment after dinner. It is the perfect blend of flexibility and freedom for all, with opportunities to gather together to reconnect and compare vacation notes!

Cruise options are available for all budget types from starter pricing for affordability to high end luxury cruise lines that pamper passengers beyond comprehension! I mean, some people actually LIVE on a cruise when they retire!

If you have never been on a cruise before and are hesitant about the idea, start with a shorter cruise, maybe three to four days. Three to four day cruises are teaser cruises to give you a flavour of the cruising life and will go by fast!

To find an affordable cruise option with your family, consider travelling during slower times of the year. Passenger fares increase during peak travel time and holidays. Inside staterooms will be more affordable than oceanview or with balcony rooms and consider staying on a lower deck. If seven days at sea seems a bit too long for your liking, try out a five day cruise, where the price difference can be substantial if you find the right cruise option.

Certain cruise lines cater to families including Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line, among others. It is important to evaluate your families vacation style and preferences to determine which cruise line will suit your needs best.

Personally, I'm a huge Disney fan and will advocate Disney Cruises if you will let me! :) The vacation is well worth the price (as with all things Disney vacations)! Please read about Disney Wonder and my suggestions for the “Must Do's and Don't Misses” when on a Disney Cruise!

Interested but new to cruising?? Let me help find you the cruise option that is perfect for your next family vacation!  

I LOVE Hong Kong! That's all I have to say. Well, more than that but what an amazing experience we had in Hong Kong! It had been over 20 years since I've been back and so much had changed, yet there was a certainly element of familiarity with being back in Hong Kong. Although I am Canadian-born, my parents are from Hong Kong and having spent a couple of summers there as a child, Hong Kong has a familiar sense of "home" and being back after all these years, it kinda felt like I was "home"! 

ABERDEEN
Aberdeen was the area where we used to stay so it was very much like going "home" to visit Aberdeen again. The streets were the same as I remember but the area is full of new high rises everywhere instead of the little buildings that used to be here. It seemed so much more modern and not like the little village it used to be! 

Aberdeen is most known for its fishing industry and the people who live on the boats in the harbour. One of the most popular features of Aberdeen are its floating village and floating restaurants in Aberdeen Harbour. We visited the Jumbo Floating Restaurant, a gigantic boat and restaurant designed as a palace of Imperial China. Boats take passengers across the harbour to the floating restaurants and back. 

TSIM SHA TSUI
Another very popular tourist spot to hit is Tsim Sha Shui, the major tourist hub of Hong Kong! It is located on the Kowloon side and includes many shops and restaurants catering to the tourist crowd. It includes most of the major shopping areas in Hong Kong, ranging from little markets to the high end luxury goods market. History and culture are abound in the area as most of the major museums are located in the Tsim Sha Shui area. Along the harbour features Tsim Sha Shui Promenade where guests can take part in the "Avenue of Stars", a tribute to the history of Hong Kong film professionals and their contributions to the local and international movie industry. I was surprised at how many Chinese film stars names I recognized from watching all the Chinese movies growing up! Here are the stars of my all time favourite martial arts action heroes! 

The biggest draw of the "Avenue of Stars" is the statue of Bruce Lee, Hong Kong's hero, to celebrate his life and impact of king fu to the Western world. At the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, located at Tsim Sha Tsui, there is also a 5 year running exhibition, "Bruce Lee: Kung Fu * Art * Life" which showcases 600 Bruce Lee-related artifacts and items from his movies and his life. The exhibition opened in July 2013, 40 years after his death and will run until 2018. Unfortunately we did not have the opportunity to visit as the Museum was closed for Chinese New Year for the couple of days we wanted to visit. (Which only means I'm going to "have" to make another trip to Hong Kong before 2018 to see the exhibition!)  

STREET MARKETS
Hong Kong is full of street markets to explore! We were able to visit the Sheung Wan markets, including Bonham Strand, the area where the British first set foot. Here you can find markets specializing in Ginseng, bird's nests for soup, antiques and lots of items for the recently deceased.

Stanley Market is a little bit more "touristy", designed to travellers alike who want to enjoy the beautiful scenic views of the harbour, with lots of local shops selling trinkets, silks, clothing and jewelry. Here is where you will find all your typical Hong Kong souvenirs! 

Other markets to note that are worth checking out include the Ladies' Market, street market full of ladies goods, clothing, shoes, accessories, jewelry and souvenirs. The Temple Street Night Market comes alive after 7pm where the streets are lined with music, snacks and street food, fortune tellers and bargain souvenirs. 

THE PEAK
The Peak, (Victoria Peak) is the highest point in Hong Kong where you can view spectacular scenic views of the whole island. On a beautiful clear day, you can actually see across the harbour. Our views were not quite as clear as it was a foggy, musty day but it was still beautiful nonetheless to be at the top of the mountain and enjoy the serenity and away from the hustle and bustle of the city. 

OCEAN PARK HONG KONG
Ocean Park Hong Kong is the largest theme park in Asia and is a definite recommendation for families to visit when in Hong Kong! Check here for more details on our visit to Ocean Park! 

HONG KONG DISNEYLAND
Our first stop in Hong Kong was Disneyland!! A separate blog post was written all about our adventures in Hong Kong Disneyland - you can read about it here.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! The year of the Goat! 
We were lucky enough to have the opportunity to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Hong Kong and take in celebrations abound everywhere to help bring in the Year of the Goat! The city comes alive with New Year celebrations, the drums of the lion dances ring on every corner as you walk through the streets during the New Year. For the actual Chinese New Year holiday, many shops are closed early to celebrate with friends and family. Special Chinese New Year dim sums and suppers are prevalent for families to gather and offer blessings and good fortune to the young and to each other. A new year is beginning and the Chinese New Year festival runs for at least 4 days. 

While we were able to see and do a lot in our visit to Hong Kong, there is still so much to explore! Hong Kong is truly a dichotomy of opposites that make this city so unique - old vs. new, East vs. West. It is a very modern city with incredibly organized modes of transportation but also mixed with traditional modes including the Star Ferry, cable car systems, double decker busses. The Octopus card is all you need! It is an all-in-one pre-loaded debit card that can be used for all modes of public transportation (excluding taxis), but also for sundries at many convenience stores. The card can be loaded with whatever amount you choose and easily reloaded at any public MTR station or convenience store. It is a handy card to carry and avoid carrying pockets full of change and small bills. 

I got great use out of my Octopus card and it's ready and available for use during my next trip! Although the journey across the ocean is long, it is one that is well worth it! For the food, the shopping and the lifestyle, it is a city that I love and will visit again. Let me know if you are interested in joining me.....just say the word and we can have a group going to Hong Kong again soon! :)