EWING, N.J., Dec. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Family Vacation Critic, TripAdvisor's family travel site, has announced the top family travel trends to watch in 2015, based on new programs and amenities focused specifically on families.

"A really promising trend we're seeing, industry-wide, is an increased focus on families throughout the travel experience," says Lissa Poirot, editor of Family Vacation Critic. "The entire process - from getting there to exploring and immersing yourselves in the destination - is becoming easier for families. Travel brands are building their products around what matters most to families: convenience, options and memorable experiences."

The top family travel trends for 2015 include:


    --  The rise of the family suite. Leading hotel brands, including Club Med
        and Karisma Hotels & Resorts, are adding multi-room family suites to
        their accommodation offerings. The trend also extends to cruise lines;
        Holland America recently announced that it will be adding family suites
        -- sleeping up to five guests -- on its new ship, Koningsdam, scheduled
        to launch in early 2016.


    --  More kid-friendly programs for families to enjoy together on cruise
        ships. Over the last few years, cruise lines have focused even more on
        upgrading onboard kids' clubs and activities, and now they are focusing
        on creating kid-friendly programming for the entire family to experience
        together. Carnival has launched Dr. Seuss-themed experiences and
        Princess has introduced new kids' programming as part of its partnership
        with the Discovery Channel - including Animal Planet and Science Channel
        shore excursions.


    --  Immersive travel becomes more inclusive of families. Experiential travel
        doesn't have to be limited to kid-free travelers, and resorts and
        outfitters are creating even more opportunities for families looking for
        immersive travel options. Families can treasure hunt in the Rocky
        Mountains as part of Destination Hotels & Resorts' new  "Destination
        Family Escapes," explore Inca ruins in Machu Picchu with G Adventures'
        new "Teen Adventures," or take a local cooking class in Ecuador as part
        of Adventures by Disney's 2015 itinerary offerings.


    --  Transportation providers make 'getting there' easier for families. This
        year, UberFAMILY was introduced - providing car seats in select Uber
        vehicles, and RyanAir launched its 'Family Extra' program with
        discounted seating for children, in-flight bottle warming and discounted
        travel insurance for kids. Thomson Airways has also announced plans to
        introduce 'family booths,' seating four to six in a row, as well as
        in-flight kids' clubs as early as next summer.

For more information on planning a family vacation, visit www.familyvacationcritic.com.

About Family Vacation Critic
 Family Vacation Critic(®) is a comprehensive online travel resource for families that offers reviews of family hotels, resort and destinations. The site features vacation ideas, family travel tips and an online forum for family travelers. Family Vacation Critic is published by The Independent Traveler, Inc., a subsidiary of TripAdvisor, Inc.

TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP) manages and operates websites under 23 other travel media brands: www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.everytrail.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.gateguru.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.jetsetter.com, www.lafourchette.com, www.niumba.com, www.onetime.com, www.oyster.com, www.seatguru.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.tingo.com, www.travelpod.com, www.tripbod.com, www.vacationhomerentals.com, www.virtualtourist.com, and www.kuxun.cn. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, reaching nearly 260 million unique monthly visitors*, and more than 150 million reviews and opinions covering more than 4 million accommodations, restaurants and attractions.

*Source: Google Analytics, average monthly unique users, Q1 2014; does not include traffic to daodao.com

Family Vacation Critic and The Independent Traveler are either trademarks or registered trademarks of The Independent Traveler, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2014 The Independent Traveler, Inc. All rights reserved.

Media Contact:
 Aubrey Manzo
(609) 583-0054
aubrey@familyvacationcritic.com

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SOURCE Family Vacation Critic