National Park Glamping Expansion

National Park travel continues to rank high on bucket lists. We are glad to see that Backroads is expanding its investment in luxury outdoor adventures through an enhanced partnership with Under Canvas. These safari-style tent accommodations combine the beauty of the great outdoors with the comforts of upscale lodging. New 2026 glamping experiences will feature immersive stays near Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, and Utah’s Arches National Park, where your family can sleep under the stars, gather around campfires, and enjoy chef-prepared meals all without sacrificing comfort. The trips offer a thoughtful balance of adventure and relaxation, with a range of activity levels to explore at your own pace. They build in multiple activity levels each day, so families can choose easier or more challenging options. Their guides and support vans also make the trips accessible for travelers who want active experiences without feeling intimidated. These trips are seasonal, mostly running late spring through early fall.

New Ship for RCCL

Royal Caribbean International recently announced its newest Icon Class ship, Hero of the Seas, set to debut from Miami in August 2027 and is now available for booking! As the fourth ship in the groundbreaking Icon Class, the ship is designed to elevate the family cruise experience with even more pools, dining options, accommodations, and entertainment. The ship will feature eight distinct neighborhoods, nine pools and a record-breaking 28 dining venues.

Families can look forward to a wide range of activities, including the massive waterpark, which introduces the first funnel raft slide at sea, the Crown’s Edge skywalk and zip-line experience, FlowRider surf simulators, mini-golf, sports courts, and more. Dining also takes center stage with immersive new concepts.

Accommodations include a new three-story Ultimate Family Treehouse suite complete with a rooftop terrace, whirlpool, teen hangout spaces, and multiple bedrooms. Other family-focused options include Surfside suites and the Ultimate Family Townhouse with direct access to the family neighborhood.  

The ship will alternate seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami.

Luxury Caribbean Camp Experience

Amanyara, a secluded and luxury beachfront resort in Turks and Caicos, is expanding its youth programming by partnering with The Laurel Camps, a Maine-based co-ed summer camp. The new collaboration will add more thoughtful, structured programming to the resort’s existing children’s program, especially during upcoming key family travel periods.

As The Laurel Camps’ first hospitality-based partnership, the camp leadership and youth development experts will bring their camp specialists to lead sports, games, and hands-on creative activities with children and teens (age 5 and up). Programs will be tailored based on interest and skill level, as well as accommodate both one-on-one engagement and larger groups. 

Daily activities might include soccer, basketball, wiffleball, tennis, pizza making, cookie decorating and more. Families do not need to pre-schedule Laurel Camp activities; the service will be open and accessible for your children at any time during the day. 

The resort’s Nature Discovery Centre also offers family-friendly activities, such as adventure hikes, mangrove safaris, and wellness activities like yoga and mindfulness sessions geared toward children.

More Destinations from Disney

Adventures by Disney is expanding its 2027 lineup in Europe and Asia with the introduction of two new itineraries and a reimagined Italy journey. The new programs include immersive experiences in Thailand as well as Croatia and Slovenia. Bookings just opened!

The new 10-day Thailand itinerary highlights the country’s rich culture and natural beauty with experiences such as exploring the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya, participating in a cooking class in Chiang Mai, and visiting an elephant sanctuary in Phuket. You will also enjoy exclusive moments like picking tea leaves during a private visit to a tea plantation.

Meanwhile, the new Croatia and Slovenia itinerary offers an eight-day journey through two of Central Europe’s most scenic destinations. Highlights include touring Ljubljana Castle, visiting the iconic island church on Lake Bled, kayaking in Dubrovnik, sampling local honey in Slovenia, and hiking to the alpine village of Velika Planina, where herdsmen still spend summers tending their cows. The itinerary showcases the region’s fascinating blend of Greek, Roman, Venetian, and Serbian influences reflected throughout the architecture and culture.

Adventures by Disney has also refreshed its popular Italy itinerary with new culinary and cultural experiences. You will now enjoy hands-on cooking experiences along the Amalfi Coast and explore Herculaneum, the ancient city preserved beneath volcanic ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The eight-day itinerary also continues to feature visits to Sicily and Mount Etna.

Trip Review: Galapagos Sailing Adventure

In mid-April, The Family Traveler’s Mindy and her husband sailed around Galapagos aboard the National Geographic/Lindblad Expeditions Endeavour II, a small expedition ship carrying just 98 passengers. While the ship was not overly luxurious, it provided everything they needed for a comfortable and immersive experience. Amenities included a small gym, library, and a spacious lounge where daily briefings and educational lectures were held. A team of seven naturalists, each specializing in different areas, accompanied the voyage and enriched the experience by helping guests better understand the unique flora and fauna of the Galapagos. They were approachable, knowledgeable, and genuinely engaged with passengers throughout the trip.

The highlight of the journey was the incredible variety of activities offered each day. Early mornings began with optional yoga or guided hikes, ranging in difficulty but always rewarding and physically engaging. Breakfast, usually served buffet-style with an omelet station, was a favorite way to start the day and especially paired with the ship’s excellent coffee. After breakfast, guests could choose between snorkeling, hiking, kayaking, and occasionally paddleboarding. Each passenger received their own snorkel gear and wetsuit for the week, which made daily excursions seamless and comfortable.

For Mindy and Rich, the true magic of the trip was the opportunity to experience the wildlife up close. The animals of the Galapagos seemed completely unafraid of humans, creating the feeling that visitors were stepping into their world rather than the other way around. From giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies to sea lions, reef sharks, and the famous Galápagos penguins (the only penguin species found north of the equator) every day felt like a safari on land and sea.

Several families were onboard, and it was clear the children, especially tweens and teens, were having an unforgettable experience. The Young Explorer program offered age-appropriate activities separate from parents, allowing younger travelers to explore independently while staying actively engaged throughout the voyage.

Evenings were relaxed and low-key, though there were memorable cultural experiences woven in, including an evening of traditional Ecuadorian music, dance, and cuisine, as well as a visit from local artisans showcasing their crafts. The food overall was very good, though Mindy felt the menus could have offered a bit more variety. Dinner options typically included fish, meat, or vegetarian selections, with chicken and pasta also available thanks to the younger guests onboard. Wine, beer, and cocktails were included in the fare.

Passengers quickly became friendly with one another, and communal dining encouraged conversation and connection. By sitting with different couples and families throughout the week, guests naturally found new friends with shared interests and travel styles.

Unlike many traditional cruises, the atmosphere onboard was intentionally casual and relaxed. There was no need for formal wear as shorts at dinner were perfectly acceptable and fit the laid-back spirit of the expedition.

For Mindy and Rich, the Galapagos truly lived up to its reputation as a once-in-a-lifetime journey, and they wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who has the opportunity to go.

Travel Tip: Japan Airport Automation

Japan is super popular right now.  As a reminder, Japan has streamlined airport arrivals at major hubs like Narita, Haneda, and Kansai by expanding digital customs and immigration. By utilizing the Visit Japan Web portal, you can now complete paperwork in advance, generate QR codes, and use new automated joint kiosks and e-Gates to bypass traditional queues.