Independence in Iceland by
ELIZABETH HEATH
A family of three takes a confidence-inspiring expedition cruise “What was your favorite part of our cruise to Iceland?” I asked my 10-year-old daughter. She thought about it for a few moments. “Seeing the whales.” She thought about it some more. “No, saving the baby puffins.” More thinking … “Walking through the glacier. No, helping Jenny with the art show. Wait, no, sleeping in the igloo.” Finally, exasperated, she declared, “My favorite part was all of it!”
34
ENSEMBLE ULTIMATE FAMILY VAC ATIONS I SUMMER 2022
After our first expedition cruise in Central America a few years ago, when Naomi was just seven, we were eager to get back aboard a small ship. We knew from past experience that what expedition ships lack in waterslides, game rooms, and kids’ menus, they make up for with handson learning opportunities, a familial environment, and the chance for intimate encounters with nature. After staying close to home for nearly two years and becoming admittedly way too attached to our television, phones, and computer screens—it was time to get away, to disconnect from our devices and dive into some quality time as a family.
