What to do if you miss a connecting flight, in 7 steps
I spent much of a flight from Portland, Oregon, to Atlanta earlier this year messaging my airline, texting my husband, imploring a flight attendant and searching for alternate options after a departure delay meant I would almost certainly miss my late-night connection — and my kids' morning routines. Even though it is my job to know how to deal with travel snafus, my ultimate success came down to luck and an airport sprint.
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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
I always thought cruises were fun for adults. Taking my kids on one made me change my mind.
My husband and I took our first cruise 16 years ago for our honeymoon. We went on more cruises after becoming parents, but had never brought our kids with us. Taking my 10 and 13-year-olds on a cruise made me realize it's the perfect family vacation. Sixteen years ago, for our honeymoon, my husband and I went on our first cruise through the southern Caribbean. From elegant meals and relaxation by the pool to visiting multiple destinations without having to pack and re-settle repeatedly, we were sold from that first sailing. After becoming parents, we embarked on three more cruises to Alaska, Bermuda, and the Bahamas over the next decade. Each time, escaping without the kids, we found the respite we needed to return to parenting and the monotony of everyday life. We took a cruising hiatus But then COVID hit, and the idea of cruising fell to the back burner. As someone who is immunosuppressed, our getaways morphed into mountain adventures with the security of social distancing. But a piece of me yearned for the gentle rocking of the sea, for the socialization of meeting others who love traveling via the ocean, for the attentive staff that simply want you to have the best getaway of your life. Cruising called to me from afar. This past January, when my husband secured our boys' spring break week off from work, I turned to Google to discover what last-minute bookings were still available. I compared all-inclusive resorts to cruises that stopped at various ports, and by far, cruising was more affordable for our family of four. Pictures of Coco Cay, the Royal Caribbean island just north of Nassau, were displayed across my screen. Matching our dates perfectly, a cruise to the Bahamas was leaving from Bayonne, New Jersey — within an hour and a half's drive from our home. It felt meant to be — so we booked, and our love of cruising reignited. Cruising is more than a parent-only getaway With our boys — ages 10 and 13 — on board with us for the first time, I realized cruising is not only ideal for a parent-only getaway. It also happens to be the perfect vacation for families with tweens/teens because it offers more for less. The endless activities kept my boys busy for the entirety of our trip. Visiting a tropical beach like Coco Cay was blissful, and my boys experienced the white sand and clear water that our Jersey shore getaways lack. On board, when they weren't swimming or lounging in the hot tub, they were playing soccer or basketball in a state-of-the-art sports arena or partaking in one of the unique adventures our ship had to offer — like iFLY, FlowRider (surf simulator), and Bumper Cars. Live music and entertainment energize the evenings, and activities like rock climbing and cooking, and exercise classes are around every corner. My sushi-loving teen and I took a sushi-making class, and it did not disappoint. The ongoing schedule of activities is organized in the cruise line app, so you'll never miss a thing. Aboard the ship, it was as if my boys had traveled back to the 1990s. Our world has become unsafe for children to wander without adult supervision, but on cruises, teens can explore independently in a safe, family-friendly environment — possibly the best aspect of cruising with older kids! The ship's boundaries become a haven for teens in search of independence, and even tweens can roam safely in smaller areas like the pool deck. Cruising also solves the travel dilemmas that families typically face. While you're dining in elegance, the ship is sailing toward a new port. How else can you expose your children to multiple destinations and cultures in one trip without packing and repacking, wasting time in the car or on a plane, and without spending the exorbitant cost for airline tickets? You can't. Forget the backseat arguments and boredom that comes with road travel because the fun doesn't stop while you're sailing. They made friends on the boat From poolside friendships to designated teen hangout spaces, kids are also bound to meet others around the same age — and unlike meeting a friend at a resort on land, these new buddies are there for the entirety of your vacation. On the first day, my 10-year-old made a new friend and now they stay in touch via iMessenger. My husband and I used to cruise for a break from parenting. But now that my kids are older, I'm convinced cruising is the perfect family getaway, and we don't intend to sail without our boys again. Read the original article on Business Insider Solve the daily Crossword
New York Times
14 hours ago
- New York Times
If I Don't Post About My Vacation, Did It Even Happen?
Last winter, I did the noble thing and got off social media. I lacked the inner strength to delete my accounts fully, so I settled for removing apps from my phone and enlisting my husband to change my Facebook password. It worked. I stopped scrolling and liking and generally monitoring the lives of people I do not actually know. I felt better — less inadequate, more present, vaguely morally superior. The problem is it's July now, and I just returned from a really great vacation. If you take a summer vacation and don't post about it, did it even happen? I have a visceral urge to pull up my Instagram — the app is gone, but I've figured out a workaround that involves Googling a dog influencer's account, then toggling over to my own profile — and curate a perfect vacation carousel. You know the one. Blurry selfie with husband, beaming faces close together. Posed photo of children against scenic backdrop. Overhead shot of colorful local food. When I was on social media, I monitored and digested such posts as though they were required reading on a college syllabus. I liked feeling as though I knew what everyone in my orbit — co-workers, friends, some mom in Raleigh I found on the Explore tab — was up to, and how my days might compare. I shared my own photos on my children's birthdays, my wedding anniversary and, always, vacations. I know that craving the high of posting, of all those comments and hearts, is lame, and likely indicative of low self-esteem. And yet there's something I desperately miss about sharing travel photos. Here is the person I want to be: carefree, adventurous, global. The fun mom who lets her kids climb on dangerous play structures overseas. (They're fine!) The together mom who did not forget to buy Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour tickets five months in advance. (By the grace of two calendar reminders and two alarms.) Sharing makes it so, somehow. It freezes time, too. If I don't post, the photos are still there, swirling in the jumble that is my iCloud account. But when I winnow them down to just what I want to remember, when I can tap on my profile and see them lined up there, it feels sturdy, like some unimpeachable record of my life. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
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Travel + Leisure
a day ago
- Travel + Leisure
I Lived in Portland, Maine, for 8 Years—Here's My Insider's Guide to the City
Book a stay at The Docent's Collection and cook with some of Maine's locally sourced produce and seafood. Catch a Sea Dogs game at Hadlock Field. Head to Eventide for the can't-miss brown butter lobster roll and a round of oysters. Carve out some time to browse Washington Avenue for everything from ferment-forward pantry staples to vintage cookbooks. Stroll on the Eastern Promenade to work up an appetite and take in views of Casco Bay. I first started visiting Portland regularly a little over 10 years ago, taking the quick trip north from Boston every spare weekend I could. Well regarded as a culinary hot spot that's soaked in seaside charm, the easily walkable city is the perfect place to spend a long weekend—or more. From the cobblestone streets of the Old Port to beloved local haunts on Washington Avenue and the West End, it's easy to feel at home here instantly, while still sometimes experiencing it like a tourist. Guest room inside The Blind Tiger hotel. Longfellow Hotel is not only situated in the heart of one of Portland's best neighborhoods, the West End, but it's also relatively large by the city's standards. If you need another reason to book, though, the property is just a stone's throw from Tandem Coffee + Bakery, putting you at a distinct advantage to be first in line for one of their legendary breakfast sandwiches. The 48-room boutique hotel has a focus on wellness, housing an on-site spa with private infrared saunas and guest rooms designed for a great night's rest. The Francis is a small boutique property from the same team behind the Longfellow Hotel, Uncommon Hospitality. It's housed in a building from 1881, and each of the 15 rooms has its own unique charm. Like all historic properties, it has some quirks. While the free parking and included breakfast are big perks, one of the hotel's best features is that it shares a building with Wayside Tavern, a top restaurant in the city. Finn Naylor, marketing director at Rosemont Market & Bakery, says, 'Wayside Tavern is at the top of my list. Their food is always seasonal and thoughtful, the wine list is excellent, and the vibe is unfussy in the best way.' If you've ever wanted to try living in one of downtown Portland's best neighborhoods, the Old Port, this is the place to do it. The Docent's Collection offers a handful of loft-style apartments, complete with kitchens. Jordan Nugent, director of travel and events with Experience Maine, says, 'I love The Docent's Collection because it feels more like apartments, each with its own kitchen and living area, located in the heart of the Old Port. It's great for larger groups traveling together or longer stays.' Blind Tiger is made up of two historic buildings in Portland's West End. When traveling throughout New England, I always go out of my way to see if there's a Lark Hotels property nearby. No two rooms are ever identical and each location is engrained in its individual neighborhood, with Blind Tiger being no different. The property offers a complimentary light breakfast, and free parking and ample (and comfortable) public space on the first floor make it easy to linger between jaunts to one of the many amazing restaurants and bakeries in the neighborhood. The Press Hotel is in downtown Portland, operating in the historic headquarters of the Portland Press Herald . The 110-room property, operated by Marriott, has a boutique feel and welcome amenities such as valet parking and room service. Don't skip out on breakfast at Union, where you'll contemplate where blueberry breakfast sausage has been all your life. Boats docked in Portland's harbor. Ivey Redding/Travel + Leisure Take a quick drive over to Cape Elizabeth and stroll through Fort Williams Park. Roughly 15 minutes from downtown Portland, the park spans more than 90 acres, with dramatic cliffs and the iconic Portland Head Light. Pack a picnic lunch or grab one of the city's best lobster rolls from Bite Into Maine. The best way to appreciate the beauty of Portland is to see it from the water, and luckily, there's no shortage of ways to do it. Nugent says, 'Get out on the water when the weather is nice. We have so much access to neighboring islands and boat tours.' You can enjoy a wine tasting aboard a sailboat with Wine Wise Wine Sails, see how lobsters are caught with Lucky Catch, hop on a low-key sunset lighthouse tour with Portland Schooner Co., or take a casual cruise onboard the mail boat. According to Naylor, 'If you haven't taken a sunset cruise on Casco Bay Lines, add it to your list. It's the best midweek reset—affordable, BYO everything, and totally magical. My move? Stop by Rosemont beforehand for a chilled bottle of rosé, a fresh baguette, and some charcuterie, then hop on the ferry and let the sea do the rest.' If you find yourself in Portland during baseball season, don't miss the opportunity to catch a Sea Dogs game. Hadlock Field is a quick drive from downtown, and the energy here is unparalleled. Nothing feels quite like summer in Maine than watching a game on a sun-drenched afternoon with a Sea Dogs Biscuit ice cream sandwich in hand. There's nothing like packing up a cooler full of snacks and spending a couple of hours by the shore. Stop by Mr. Tuna for a bento box, Ramona's for a hoagie, or Rosemont Market & Bakery to build your own snack platter before heading to Willard Beach in South Portland, Crescent Beach in South Portland, and local's favorite Ferry Beach in Scarborough. Naylor says, 'I'm a big believer in the beach being a year-round activity. My friends and I are at Kettle Cove most Saturday mornings in January, breakfast burritos in hand. The proximity to beaches is part of what makes Portland so special—15 minutes in any direction and you're there.' If there's one thing Maine does well, it's craft beer. With more than 100 breweries in the state, you're nearly guaranteed to find your favorite style around Portland. If you're a beer enthusiast, it's worth carving out some time to spend a few hours hopping between some breweries. Oxbow, Allagash Brewing Company, Bissell Brothers, and Bunker Brewing Co. are all local favorites. A variety of oysters on ice. Crispy Gai will make you rethink your entire evening whenever you find yourself in its orbit, suddenly scanning the block for a parking spot to sneak in a quick visit. Between its stellar bar program with original takes on tiki-style classics and crave-worthy wings dusted with spices you'll be dreaming of for weeks, Crispy Gai is an absolute must-visit. Magissa is a Greek-style taverna in East Bayside that's owned and operated by the team who was behind The Greeks of Peaks food truck. The menu features small bites, meze, and shareable dishes that are exactly what you'll need after spending a day hopping from breweries, beaches, or both. The food and cocktails are creative, expertly executed, and made with care. It's impossible to talk about Portland without mentioning Eventide. Its brown butter lobster roll—made with warm lobster meat and piled high on a pillowy soft bao bun—and flights of oysters from here and away make vying for a parking spot and facing the ever-present waitlist more than worth it. If visiting Portland has you conjuring up visions of feasting on fresh fish while gazing out across the docks in Old Port, Scales is the place for you. The restaurant is slightly upscale, without being fussy, and part of a powerhouse group that operates Street & Co., Fore Street, and Standard Baking Co.. Don't miss the cloverleaf rolls, halibut with brown butter and hazelnuts, and whatever the custard of the day is. Nestled on Thames Street, Twelve is doing something truly special. The front and back of the house are armed with stellar resumes—and it shows. The team at Twelve puts their spin on classic Maine dishes and ingredients, (think: a martini crafted with kombu). Stop by for a cocktail, order dishes a la carte, or go all in on the prix fixe, but whatever you do, don't miss out on the lobster roll served on a flaky croissant. People walking around Portland's Wharf area. Ivey Redding/Travel + Leisure If budget isn't a consideration, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better time to visit Maine than late June through mid-September. Of course, you won't be the only one with this idea, so be prepared to pay a premium for lodging and book your reservations well ahead of time. If you're willing to trade in a far less crowded city for some cooler temperatures, consider planning a visit during late Spring (April-May) or early fall (late September-October). The weather will still be mild, but the uptick in visitors during high season is stark and the city may be much more enjoyable in the shoulder seasons. If you're lucky, you can catch a direct flight into Portland International Jetport (PWM), which is just 15 minutes from downtown Portland. Otherwise, fly into Boston's Logan International Airport and either rent a car to drive the roughly two hours north to Portland, take a bus via Concord Coach, or hop on the Amtrak Downeaster for the approximately 2.5-hour journey. Both operate year-round. Buildings in Portland's old historic neighborhood. Tamme Wichmann/Adobe Stock While visitors may flock to the Old Port, Washington Avenue is where you'll find locals on their days and nights off. Be sure to carve out a couple of hours to explore the bars, restaurants, and shops on Washington Avenue. Stop by Maine & Loire for a bottle of wine (or two) to bring back to your hotel, peruse Onggi for some ferment-forward pantry staples, snag some snacks from Sissle & Daughters, and browse through rare and vintage cookbooks at Rabelais. Since there's so much great food in Portland, you're going to need a place to work up an appetite before your next meal. Enter: the Eastern Promenade. The 78-acre park features a two-mile harborside stroll that has sweeping views of Casco Bay and the Portland harbor, plus plenty of benches and green space if you just need a place with great views to relax. Naylor says, 'I love strolling down the Eastern Promenade Trail—it drops you right onto Commercial Street, which is perfect for a little shopping, restaurant hopping, or just watching the working waterfront in action.' Just across the bridge from the Old Port is South Portland, home to stellar beaches and some standout food. Don't miss Night Moves Bread, SoPo Seafood, and Red's Dairy Freeze—all ideal stops before or after a walk on Willard Beach. Home to the working waterfront and souvenir shops galore, the Old Port is a popular area in the city. While there are tourist traps here, some gems do exist in this part of town, too. Room for Improvement is a cozy dive bar serving up fun takes on classic cocktails and snacks like the Red Snapper, Maine's illustrious neon-red hot dogs. If your accommodations have a kitchen, be sure to visit Harbor Fish Market, where you'll find Maine lobsters, clams, mussels, and more. Grab a lobster roll at Luke's Lobster and get ready—the team will be reopening Portland's legendary Dry Dock restaurant later this summer with chef Matt Ginn at the helm. Cars driving past pedestrians in Portland, Maine. Ivey Redding/Travel + Leisure Portland is a walkable city, but if you want to venture outside of downtown to visit nearby beaches, you'll want to have a car. Ride-share services are fairly available and affordable, but wait times can be longer during off-peak travel times. You can take the Amtrak Downeaster to nearby towns up the coast as well. There are rental car companies based at Portland International Jetport, but be sure to book in advance if you're visiting during the summer or other busy times throughout the year, as rentals can hit capacity quickly.
