There was a time when cruising was considered a pleasure for the older generation – a kind of golden retirement privilege. But in recent years, this image has changed radically. Cruises have become a real hype and are becoming increasingly popular, especially among young people. But what triggered this sudden surge in popularity?

Advantages of cruising: More than just a holiday

One of the main reasons for the growing popularity of cruises is the unique combination of adventure, recreation and discovery. On a single trip, passengers can experience different cities, cultures and landscapes without having to constantly pack their bags.

In addition, modern cruise ships offer an impressive range of amenities and entertainment options: from pools, spas, and fitness centers to theater performances, cinemas, and nightclubs. This means that the ship itself becomes a central part of the experience.

Affordability: Luxury doesn’t always have to be expensive

One of the myths that surrounds cruises is that they are prohibitively expensive. But in reality, they have become more accessible and cheaper. Many cruise lines offer cruise bargains, early-bird discounts, and all-inclusive options that cover the entire vacation, including accommodation, food, entertainment, and often even excursions.

Popular Routes: A Kaleidoscope of Experiences

The world of cruises offers an impressive variety of itineraries. Some of the most popular routes for young travellers are:

• The Mediterranean Sea: A tour that connects cities such as Barcelona, Rome, Athens and Dubrovnik.
• The Caribbean: Gorgeous beaches, vibrant cultures and fascinating history.
• Northern Europe: The impressive fjords of Norway, the cultural highlights of St. Petersburg and the mysterious Iceland.

These routes offer a perfect mix of relaxation, adventure and cultural experience.

Life on a cruise ship: A city at sea

A modern cruise ship is like a floating city. There are restaurants that offer everything from fast food to gourmet, shopping, entertainment areas and relaxation areas. There are also plenty of activities to keep passengers busy – from cooking classes to yoga sessions and dance workshops.

What should you pay attention to?

As with any form of travel, there are a few things to look out for when it comes to cruises :

• Choose the right shipping company and the right ship: Not all ships are created equal. Some are quieter and more intimate, others are huge resort ships with tons of activities.
• Plan your shore excursions in advance: Often, you can save money and avoid the crowds by planning your own tours instead of booking the airline’s official excursions.
• Watch out for hidden costs: Some cruises look cheap at first glance, but the cost can add up quickly if you have to pay extra for drinks, internet, or special activities.
• Find out about safety and health precautions: Make sure you have all the necessary vaccinations and know the safety rules on board.

The allure of the sea: Why cruises are so fascinating

After all, it is the experience of the sea itself that attracts many young people to cruises. The soothing sound of the waves, the endless horizon and the possibility of waking up to a new port every morning make cruising a magical experience.

Watching the world from a deck as the sun sets and the ship gently rocks on the waves is a feeling that’s hard to put into words. It is this mixture of adventure, tranquility and constant discovery that has made cruises one of the most sought-after forms of vacation for young people.

Result

At a time when travel can often be stressful and hectic, cruises offer a welcome change. They combine the best of traditional holidays and modern luxury, creating an experience that is both refreshing and enriching. It is no wonder that they are becoming increasingly popular among young people. It remains to be seen what new developments and innovations the future holds for this booming form of travel.

If you don’t pay attention once, and it’s done: A car accident during your holiday trip is probably pretty much the last thing you need. But if it has happened, you should first stay calm and get an overview of what is happening. We explain what to do in the event of an accident on holiday and what you need to consider if it is a leasing or rental car.

Procedure

If you have an accident abroad, proceed in the same way as in the case of an accident in Germany:

1. Keep calm and get an overview of the accident site.
2. If possible, get out of the car carefully. Pay attention to the traffic and secure the scene of the accident with a warning triangle. Always keep an eye on the traffic so that further accidents do not occur.
3. Make sure that your passengers and the other party in the accident are okay. If necessary, provide first aid and notify the emergency doctor. In any case, contact the police to prevent disputes about the course of the accident.
4. Then make a note of the course of the accident, take photos and ask the other party for his contact details.
5. Fill in the European Accident Report. The report is a uniform document throughout Europe. But don’t sign anything you don’t understand.
6. Contact your insurance company and clarify the further procedure.

Accident with the rental car

If you have an accident with a rental car during your holiday trip, then proceed in the same way as described above. Contact the police, but also the car rental company immediately after the accident. If necessary, they will then receive a replacement car for the remaining time. Just like in Germany, the car insurance of the other party in the accident will pay for the damage to your rental car if it caused the accident. If you caused the accident, your liability insurance will cover the damage to the other person’s car, but not the damage to your rental car. Here you need comprehensive insurance.

Therefore, take a close look at the insurance coverage of the rental car and the amount of coverage before renting a car. It is advisable to book full or partial comprehensive insurance in order to be covered in the event of an accident. If you then cause an accident, the comprehensive insurance usually covers the costs of repairing your rental car. In order for the insurance cover to take effect, you should notify the police. This is often also noted in the terms and conditions of car rental companies.

Accident with the leased vehicle

In the case of an accident with a leased vehicle , just like in an accident with a private car, the question of guilt must first be clarified. If you are at fault for the accident, your comprehensive insurance will pay for the damage to the leased car. In the event of a total loss, it pays for the replacement value. Often, fully comprehensive insurance is even mandatory for concluding a contract when leasing. Comprehensive insurance also covers personal injury. The lessor usually handles the repair damage. In the event of an accident with a leasing car caused by a third party, the motor vehicle liability insurance of the other party in the accident covers the damage to your leased car.

Before you drive your leased car abroad, first check whether this is contractually permitted. A trip to an EU country is often possible without consent. If an accident has occurred with the leased car abroad, then act in the same way as described above. In addition, complete the European accident report. Some car insurance policies are also valid in Europe and will cover the damage if you have an international insurance card.

Does the insurance cover the costs?

If you have an accident abroad, report this immediately to your insurance company in Germany. If you are at fault for the accident abroad, your car insurance will pay for the damage to the car. Personal injury and compensation for pain and suffering are usually somewhat more difficult to settle and should be discussed with a lawyer. Contact the hotline of the Zentralruf der Autoverversicherungen if you need information about the liability insurance of the other party in the accident. You will forward these to the insurance representative. However, this is only the case if the accident occurred in Europe.

Remember to take the international proof of liability insurance (“Green Card”) with you on holiday, as well as a first aid kit, a warning triangle and high-visibility vests. If your holiday destination is not listed on the Green Card, you may have to take out border insurance.

If you have to seek medical treatment abroad after the accident, you should have international health insurance . This pays for the costs and, if necessary, also for the return transport.

Result

A car accident on vacation can be quite the mind. The most important thing, however, is to keep calm and not hang your head. The further procedure can usually be easily arranged with the local police and – if it is a rental car – with the car rental company. If you are travelling abroad with your own car, don’t forget high-visibility vests, first aid kits and warning triangles, as well as the “Green Card”. If you have a rental car, it also makes sense to take out partial or fully comprehensive insurance so that you do not have to pay for damage to the rental car in the event of an accident that you are responsible for.

There are many different great ways to spend a family holiday together. From flexible travel by camper van to air travel to creative holidays at home, everything is possible!

The Exotics: Flight and Cruise Ship

If parents want to go on another trip with their children, it is a good idea to shorten the active travel time by flying. Of course, waiting at the airport and checking in also takes a lot of time, but children have even more freedom of movement and games can be played that would not be possible in the car, for example. Flying with babies is of course not for everyone, but good preparation can be used to it. From a certain age of the children, however, a family holiday together is then well possible as a plane trip. Of course, the question of cost also plays a role for most people on a family holiday. Air travel – especially if it is long-distance travel – is often one of the more expensive types of travel.

Nevertheless, air travel is enjoying some popularity: In 2018, there were around 46 million flights in global aviation – and the trend is even rising. Of course, these figures do not only include holiday travel, but various studies also expect increasing numbers in civil passenger air traffic: The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), for example, expects an annual growth rate of 4.8 percent in civil passenger air traffic until 2036. So if a family wants to join this trend for a family vacation, it is actually possible to find comparatively inexpensive long-haul flights by researching. A flight from Frankfurt to Tampa with the airline Discover , for example, is an offer that is also suitable for a family holiday together. Especially for family trips, Tampa , which has a population of about 400,000, is a real public tip. For example, the Busch Gardens amusement park in northern Tampa is known for its many breakneck roller coasters.

The “Laser Ops Xtreme Fun Center” also promises a lot of family fun: On over 3,000 square meters, you will find one of the largest laser tag arenas in Florida as well as a huge hall with numerous arcade game machines. Families who want to take it a little easier can spend a relaxing day at the centrally located Tampa Zoo . Last but not least, the legendary Disney World Resort in Orlando is just an hour and a half drive from Tampa. These many attractions, as well as the year-round pleasant climate, make Tampa an ideal destination for an eventful family vacation.

Another – albeit rather expensive – family holiday offer is a trip on a cruise ship. The advantages of this are that all destinations of the trip are already planned and everything is organized. Thus, both parents and children can sit back and enjoy. Germans in particular like to use this type of travel: in 2018, 2.2 million Germans took a cruise – and are thus at the top compared to other European countries. Comparatively, only the British made nearly as many cruises, with a value of 2 million people.

Desire for flexibility: car or camper van

If parents want to make their family holiday more flexible and adapted to the daily needs of all family members, a trip by car or a camper van makes perfect sense. Whether it’s a city trip through France, Italy, Spain, etc. or rather a road trip through your own country or neighboring countries, there is a lot to discover on a road trip.

Depending on the mood of the day, large cities such as Hamburg, Frankfurt, Vienna or Graz can be visited, or smaller, cozy towns, such as Bregenz in Vorarlberg, Gartz in the Uckermark or Murten in Switzerland, a wide variety of routes can be planned. With a coffee in the city centre, a museum with a special focus and exciting tips from locals, wonderful memories from the family holiday can be collected.

Above all, spending the night together on a campsite, either in a bus or tent, can also be experienced beautiful moments around the campfire or with outdoor games. The closeness to nature, which is experienced in the course of sleeping in a tent, makes the family holiday an unforgettable experience, which especially children from big cities will dream of for a long time.

Relaxed and uncomplicated: Holidays at home

A family holiday at home can also be made totally interesting and pleasant. Day trips depending on your mood, joint creative projects, such as creating self-painted wall portraits, or even a craft project such as building a tree house can create great memories and make the time together with the family a high-quality one without being characterized by boredom.

Theme days, such as a “water day” with swimming at your own pool, a water fight with water balloons and spray guns or sliding on a wet and soaped tarpaulin could also be an idea for a family holiday at home. There are no limits to the creativity of parents and children!

Family vacations are therefore as diverse as the families who plan them. So it should be possible for everyone to experience something great together and fill the summer with unforgettable memories.