u/Fragrant_Champion864

Booked two nights at The Ranch in late Nov with kids. We just booked flights and will actually be flying in a day earlier than expected. Any suggestions of a must see that is further away from The Ranch that it might make sense to go there first and grab a hotel near by? From there we would hit more spots while making our way to check in again The Ranch.

This park is massive so we'd like to see as much as possible without spending all day driving.

Thanks!

We are looking to book two nights at the GC in Nov with kids. Maswik lodge vs Yavapi? Need okay food options for picky eaters but also looking for the best location for stars at night/easy access to get around.

Right now Maswik is $368 per night and Yavapi is $289.

Thoughts? Tips? Suggestions?

I'm also debating just one night in the park and staying one night in Williams on our way out for $160. Money isn't the end of the world we just want to pay for what's worth it.

On a mission to load Thanksgiving breaks with National Parks. It's been a fun tradition and looking into planning our next. Debating Durango (would do the Silverton train to the Tetons as well) and Moab to hit up Arches, Canyonland and Mesa Verde (I'm aware no tours but we'd love to see it) or Sagurao NP and Petrified Forest. We are in Chicago so will likely book one way airfare and make mini road trips.

Tips, suggestions, advice?

Obviously price is a big factor, but also looking into ease and flight times. Any tips or preferences on picking a roundtrip or one way airport? Flying out of Chicago and hoping to see Moab (arches and Canyonlands), Mesa Verde and Durango.

Been looking at roundtrip to Durango but some of the layover times really suck. Debating Salt Lake City and/or Sante Fe/Albuquerque for one ways for direct flights and not have to loop Durango to Moab and back. Tips? Suggestions? Need to know for November travel?

Trip will be 6-8 nights with 10 year old boys.

Doing a Northbound Alaskan cruise that ends in Whittier on July 2nd 2027. We are debating the cost and effort to go to Seward (big national park fans) and possibly fly out there vs going to Anchorage. Major cons for Seward seems to be the flight would need to connect to get to Chicago and the price of lodging given we will be there over July 4th. I'm not sure if Anchorage will be as special as Seward tho. The flight time from Anchorage to Chicago are really rough given we have kids with us (10 and 11 years old so they can handle it, just not ideal).

Any tips, thoughts or suggestions? We'd plan on public shuttles/trains, staying downtown Seward and taxi to the airport if we go the Seward option.

Welp the more I research about Seward the more I really want to go but shocked how many people actually visit on the 4th or July. Even if we book train tickets, shuttles and a hotel what are the odds of even finding a seat in a restaurant etc.

We have brought our boys on National Park trips every Thanksgiving break and are looking for the next idea.

Thought is two one way flights.

Start at Arches and Canyonlands 2-3 nights. Stay in Durango two ish nights to see Mesa Verde (yes I know, no ranger lead tours) and do the train trip from Durango to Cascade Canyon. From there maybe Colorado springs?

We have 7ish nights to work with.

Any tips or things I should know as I start to plan?

Major concerns with this time of year at these parks or another must see spot?

Suggested airports to fly into/out of?

With kids (10 and 11).

Import things, first - itinerary, then views, then kids club/hot tubs etc

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1. Royal - 7 day inside passage with glacier bay and Skagway. Seattle
2. Discovery Northbound
3. Discovery or Coral (indoor pool) Southbound but bummed Skagway isn't a port.

I have the options narrowed down to 4 princess glacier bay itineraries with one other option for Norwegian Joy.

NCL port times look horrible but boat looks entertaining.

Tips on how to pick a princess ship vs another? I saw Coral has an indoor pool which I'm leaning towards but curious if there are other big differences. The boats are emerald, discovery, coral, royal, island and crown.

10 and 11 year old love a good buffet with your standard kid options, pool/hot tub and a chill kids club with video games/board games. Any boats more active and lively? Thanks!

I have the options narrowed down to 4 with one other option for Norwegian.

Tips on how to pick a ship vs another? I saw Coral has an indoor pool which I'm leaning towards but curious if there are other big differences. The boats are emerald, discovery, coral, royal, island and crown.

10 and 11 year old love a good buffet with your standard kid options, pool/hot tub and a chill kids club with video games/board games. Any boats more active and lively? Thanks!

Going with a 10 and 11 year old son summer 2027. We've done Wonder with Royal Caribbean before and the boys loved the pools, hot tubs, buffets, shows etc.

Which boat and itinerary is better for kids? Kids clubs doesn't really matter but just the overall vibe (for example they loved the duck hunt) and excursions are a big factor. Everything I'm seeing is pointing to Princess but are there any major pros/cons given we loved the experience on Wonder?

Overwhelmed with options and love them all. We thought we would be planning a Mediterranean cruise next summer (2027) with our would be 10 and 11 year old sons. But looking at the ports (temps, long travel to the actual excursions) we are actually considering an Alaskan cruise.

We love cities (live in Chicago) but also love traveling to national parks and wild life. Any tips to help lean one way or another? Considering the Alaskan one way but it's definitely top of the budget (read we would have to do a balcony to get the full experience). We have done Wonder of the seas before so the boys do love the pools, hot tubs, and fun ship additions but would happily go to a smaller ship for better ports.

Any tips or pointers greatly appreciated!