Candyce Stapen: An Alaskan cruise is a wonderful vacation that your family will remember forever. To make sure they think of this voyage fondly, don't try to do everything together, and that especially includes shore excursions. The teenagers may want to bike, hike or kayak while the parents and grandparents may want to visit a museum or stroll through town.

In Skagway the ride on the White Pass and Yukon Railroad is suitable for all ages, the scenery is spectacular and the fee is relatively affordable.

One beware about Alaska: To see the Alaska that's America's last wilderness, you need to get away from the cruise dock and get on float planes, helicopters, Zodiac rafts and kayaks, something that gets pricey, but is worth it in at least one port.

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Minnetonka, MN: What about a cruise with a large family, but young children? We have 4 children ages 11, 9,7, and 5 so we really can't put them in thier own cabin, and my husband and I don't want to spend the cruise in separate rooms! Is there such a thing as a cabin that sleeps 6 that's not the President's suite?

Candyce Stapen: Cruising makes for a great family vacation and there are several strategies for large families that don't want to pay for expensive suites. The least expensive option is to book two adjoining interior cabins. Some Carnival Cruise Lines' ships offer these cabins as do other lines.
Disney Cruise Line, along with offering suites that sleep 7, has connecting staterooms and cabins that accommodate five people.

NCL's new Pride of America offers family suites and NCL's Star and Dawn have cabins that fit up to five people as well as connecting cabins. Royal Caribbean's Voyager and Radiance class ships have family cabins that can fit six people, but there's still only one bathroom.

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Boise, Idaho: I am planning a trip to Spain this summer, about 10 days in length, with my 15 year old daughter. We have divergent interests, & I want her to enjoy it as much as myself. I love museums & history. My area of interest is the Moorish influence, Granada, Cordoba, Seville, etc. (In St. Petersburg I chose a tour which gave me 3 days in the Hermitage.) Her tolerance for art museums is about an hour. My daughter rides & is very interested in anything horse related. She loves rodeos & thoroughbred racing. We both love biking & hiking.
Could you help me plan an itinerary, or suggest tour companies that have families & not just seniors. Thanks for any ideas you can suggest! Kathy

Candyce Stapen: Several companies offer guided family trips to Spain. These trips free you from the work of planning and getting around within the country on your own and offer the bonus of other children for yours to be with. However, at 15 your daughter won't want to be around ten-year-olds so check ahead and see if any parent and teen journeys are scheduled and also check to find out what are the ages of the other kids signed up.

Companies to consider: Butterfield & Robinson, butterfield.com, Abercrombie & Kent, abercrombiekent.com. Cross Country International offers several horseback riding trips through Spain, but you need to be a good rider. Some trips include instruction.

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