Best Fares: Look for discounts, perks when traveling with children

If you’re traveling with family, you can take advantage of a variety of discounts and perks for kids. Be sure to ask about these deals when booking.

Cruises can be a great option for a family vacation since they offer a lot of amenities geared toward kids. There are often hefty discounts when kids are the third or fourth passenger in a room. Many cruises have kids’ clubs, special menus and can provide baby-sitting while you take a shore excursion or relax by the pool.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has a Kids Sail Free promotion on select Alaska sailings this spring and summer. Departure dates range from May 23 through Aug. 15. The offer is for kids 17 and younger sailing in the third or fourth berth. Contact: (877) 505-5370, www.rssc.com/specials.

If you’ve got international travel plans, you may be able to take advantage of airfare discounts for children ages 2 through 11. When discounts are offered, they are usually in the 20 to 33 percent range, but I have seen discounts of 50 percent. You’ll want to shop around because some airlines will offer them on the same route that others do not.

Alaska Airlines is offering free airfare for kids ages 2 through 11 when you purchase vacation packages to Disneyland. One child may travel free per paying adult. The offer is valid on flights to Los Angeles, San Diego and the Southern California communities of Burbank, Long Beach, Ontario and Orange County.

Vacations must be booked by May 31, for travel through June 28. Taxes and fees apply to all passengers. Travelers will also receive a promotional code valid for 10 percent off a future package; that code must be used by Dec. 22, for travel through Dec. 28. Contact: (800) 468-2248, www.alaskaair.com/vacations.

While many passport reimbursement promotions are coming to an end, you’ve still got time to book one with Funjet Vacations. Book a four-night-minimum package by May 31 with stays at participating SuperClubs in Curacao, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Nassau, Bahamas, and you will be reimbursed for new or renewal passport costs.

Travel is valid through 2008. Travelers will receive credit for $97 for adult passports, $82 for passports for kids under 16 and $67 for renewals. The credit will be given for each person, so a family with two adults and two kids could save $358.

Travelers must mail or fax proof of their new passport along with a copy of their Funjet itinerary at least 30 days prior to travel. Guests will receive a refund within 30 days of the completion of travel. Contact: (888) 558-6654, www.funjet.com/hotdeals.

On most Amtrak routes, kids ages 2 through 15 can travel for half off of adult fares. Up to two children may travel per paying adult at the discounted rate. One child under 2 may travel free per paying adult. Contact: (800) 872-7245, www.amtrak.com.

Many hotel chains allow kids under 18 to stay free in the same room, and many also offer free meals with the purchase of an adult meal for those 12 and under. We’ll give you an update about summer family promotions when they come out in the next month or so.