Ya’ll! We just returned from the most dazzling family vacation: a cruise from Seattle to Alaska!
 
We saw dozens of whales throughout the trip (Humpbacks and Orcas), thousands of jellyfish while kayaking a hidden cove in Sitka, and a handful of majestic Bald Eagles in the wild. The massive Hubbard Glacier was breath-taking. It was all pretty drool-worthy, I must admit. 

As usual, we brought along our toddler, who has already accompanied us to Spain, Ireland and Mexico, but who had yet to board a cruise ship.
 
In this blog series, I’ll share everything I learned from the experience of cruising with a toddler.
 
Cruise with kids: Travel tips for cruising with toddlers

Part 1: Get the Best Cruise Deal

IMPORTANT: Before you book anything, check the age requirements of the cruise line you are considering. Most will only accept children six months and older as of the first day of the cruise. For some itineraries, such as transatlantic, transpacific, Hawaii, or otherwise, children must be at least 12 months of age at the start of the cruise.
 
Also check any passport requirements. If your cruise docks outside of the U.S. or its territories, you and your children will need a passport. See my advice on traveling internationally with your baby or toddler here.
 
Obviously, you’ll want to secure the very best deal for your cruise. I subscribe to Travelzoo, which features Top 20 deals every Wednesday. This is how I found our Alaskan cruise on Holland America for a fantastic price with tons of bonuses, through Prestige Cruises. 

​To be honest, I was initially nervous about booking through Prestige Cruises, since I hadn’t heard of them and the package almost seemed too good to be true. However, I was assured by Travelzoo that all their deals are verified.
 
So, we made out like bandits: upgrade from a balcony to a signature suite, two free beverage packages (normally $700/person), free gratuities, third and fourth guest free (this paid for our toddler), and a whopping $350 in on board credits, which can be used for spa treatments, photography, excursions, and more. Normally, you’d be lucky to get $200 in on board credits.
 
I recommend holding out for that third and fourth guest free promotion, otherwise you will have to pay for your children separately at the same price as an adult.
 
You can also take advantage of Wave Season deals, which typically run between January and March. Last-minute deals can also add immense value to your experience. 

Next Time: Plan Toddler Activities and Entertainment for your Cruise
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Watch for Part 2 of this series, which will outline strategies for keeping your toddler happy and busy on board!

Your first question should probably be, ‘Why is this even a question, the whole vacationing on your vacation thing?’.
 
To which I say, EXACTLY! Why is it a question?
 
At what point did it become socially acceptable, nay, silently required, to work through one’s time off?
 
I’ve been struggling with this over the last few weeks as I’ve tried to cram a month’s worth of work into a week.
 
This summer has been the usual whirlwind, plus daily swimming lessons, a few trips, tons of writing and a hyper-focus on social media as part of my efforts to win a book deal.
 
I’ve been working. Hard. Constantly. Most of the day and then as soon as my daughter goes to bed for the night—weekends included.
 
I can’t remember the last time I just relaxed and did nothing in the evening.
 
I know, I know…this sounds like the whole ‘I’m SO busy and important’ spiel, but it’s not.
 
The point is, I deserve a vacation, and since I actually have one just around the corner, I am going to take it.
 
Am I under the gun to make my ‘author platform’ happen? Yes, I am. Am I going to be gone for the rest of August and then traveling again in early September? Yup, you betcha.
 
But without time to relax and recharge I fear that both my inspiration and my motivation will dwindle to nothing.
 
And that’s the last thing I want.
 
So, yes. All this rambling does have a conclusion.
 
I’m going on vacation with my family, and I am damn well going to enjoy it (Seattle and an Alaskan cruise, woop woop!).
 
I’ll be right back on the blog come early September, ready to dazzle you with my wit and prose.
 
Until then, I encourage you to find your beach! 

On vacation: two of the most magical words in the English language.
 
When you’re on vacation or holiday, your state of mind changes completely.
 
You’re adventurous. You’re lazy. You want to talk to strangers. You seek new and novel experiences. You eat until your stomach nearly explodes.
 
It’s all part of the charm of vacating your everyday life. 

Our family LOVES to travel. Lives for it, really.
 
In honor of our upcoming trip to Seattle and Alaska (bucket list!), here’s a little vacation fun to brighten up your day, whether you’re lying on a pristine beach or plugging away at the office.

Cheers to treasured vacation memories!
 
You may also like these blogs by Megan Sharma:
Baby/toddler travel guide series: going international
Baby/toddler travel guide series: what to pack
Baby/toddler travel guide series: the essentials!
Travel: Insider’s guide to the best Seattle outdoor activities
Your insider Seattle trip planner: lodging (where to stay) and getting around (rental car or no rental car?)
An insider’s guide to Seattle’s Pike Place Market
60 fun and unique date ideas for the young at heart
What I never expected about Midwest living
Parenting: A no-fuss guide to your toddler’s birthday party for Pinterest-fatigued parents
How to be the perfect friend: a guide for the ladies
One year after my major career change from full-time mom to full-time writer: reflections and lessons learned

This morning was a real doozy. The kind of morning during which a headache descended on me before I could even change out of my pajamas.
 
We have been traveling quite a bit in recent weeks with our two-year-old daughter, J. When we travel, J. tends to become overly attached to us, and it generally takes a few days back in the home routine to recover.
 
J. woke before 6:00 am in our bed and began wailing for her daddy (my husband, Arun), who was in the shower. She then edged herself off the bed toward the bathroom, banging on the door to get his attention. Despite my pleas for her to return to bed to snuggle with me, she ignored me, continued crying, and laid herself down on the floor outside the bathroom.

A few minutes after the shower turned off, the door opened, and Arun invited J. in to ‘help’ him get dressed. This was all fine and dandy until Arun had to leave the house to head to work.
 
She was absolutely inconsolable. Literally screaming at the top of her lungs, tears streaming down her innocent little face. Nothing I said provided any comfort. She wouldn’t allow me to hold her. There was nothing I could do but wait out the protest. This meltdown went on for what seemed like an eternity.
 
Finally, she agreed to come back to bed with me and look at pictures on my phone. Her smile emerged behind her paci. She seemed exhausted.
 
The crying started up again when I put my phone away. Somehow, I was able to convince her to get dressed and got her off to school, thinking, “dear lord, I need a coffee!”. A coffee and a drink later. 

What can we learn from this foray into toddler dramatics? 

1.   Stubbornness (sometimes) pays off. If you set your mind to something and don’t take no for an answer, you will sometimes win. J.’s stubborn streak won her some extra face time with daddy this morning. But, ultimately, she lost the battle to get him to stay home from work.

2.   Logic doesn’t always prevail. There are certain situations in which logic will never overcome. For example, when dealing with a distraught two-year-old. Recognize this scenario and take another tact.

3.   Accept the things you cannot change. We would all do well to remember the Serenity Prayer (by Reinhold Neibuhr): 
​
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change; 
courage to change the things I can; 
and wisdom to know the difference.

4.    The sun will come out tomorrow. There is always the hope of a better tomorrow, even through the difficulties of the present.

5.   Never underestimate the power of one’s voice. Toddlers sometimes use it to exasperate their parents into submission. But we adults can use our voices to do great things.

Onward, my friends! Enjoy the rest of your week.
 
You may also like these blogs by Megan Sharma:
You know you’re a mom (of young children) when…
A no-fuss guide to your toddler’s birthday party for Pinterest-fatigued parents
Baby/toddler travel guide series: the essentials!
Baby/toddler travel guide series: what to pack
Baby/toddler travel guide series: going international
Swim diapers are a LIE
A brand new day
What is a parent?
The dawn of a new era: B.B. and A.B.
New Mommyhood Initiation

A sunny day in Seattle brings people out of the woodwork. Everyone must.be.outside.NOW! Seattleites treat every soleil-soaked day as if it were their last.
 
Whether you’re a visitor or a longtime resident, it never hurts to have a go-to list of outdoor activities ready for that picture-perfect day in the great outdoors.
 
Here is your insider’s guide to the best outdoor activities in Seattle:

On a warm summer day
 
Get your splash on

• Seattle Center International Fountain provides great fun for kiddos and adults who love people watching.
• Green Lake Park Wading Pool is open daily from June-September. Restroom just adjacent to the wading pool.
• Greenlake Boathouse offers tons of water craft rentals to enjoy on Greenlake: try a paddleboat, kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or canoe.
• Lake Union Spraypark overlooks Lake Union and the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI), as well as the Center for Wooden Boats.