It is necessary to ensure that while water in your boat can escape, no water should be able to get into the boat, as that will definitely cause terrible damage. Besides water, the UV rays from the sun can be a major source of harm. Furthermore, a boat cover should cover the entire boat and if there are gaps, then you are wasting your time, by buying a cover that does not fit properly. The key advantage of custom boat covers is that they should fit your boat perfectly. This helps to keep out water, dust and dirt, and sometimes even rodents, so gaps are really something you don’t want to have to deal with. By having the cover tailor made, you have the choice of color you want and the flexibility to have it customized, which would otherwise not be possible if you bought it from a shop.

In the case of semi-custom covers, they tend to be either a little large or a slightly too small. While being small is a definite problem, being extra large is also not ideal as you have to fold up or tuck in the excess, which can be difficult and time consuming. Added to that is the fact that it looks untidy, and the folds can trap moisture, resulting in the growth of mold and mildew. Overall, while buying a tailor-made boat cover is easy, the problem arises when you have to choose between the various types of canvas and plastics that are available, so take your time. Ask questions and don’t be in too much of a rush, just because you can’t wait to get on that boat and sail away!

If you’re planning a family cruise, the first thing you’ll want to decide on is a family friendly destination. Depending on your budget, you might want to consider cruising around the Mediterranean, where you can take time out to explore the remnants of ancient civilizations while your kids enjoy the calm blue waters and warm sunshine. A cruise in the Bahamas offers a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere where children will love learning about local customs and trying exotic food. And a classic Caribbean cruise has something for everyone, with a host of interesting places to visit and great weather for the kids to enjoy.

Carnival Cruise Lines, in particular, has a number of kid-friendly offerings. With more than 100,000 kids traveling on its ships each year, you can be certain there will be friends for your little ones to play with. Carnival has a have a busy program of events designed to keep kids of all ages entertained; they also offer a babysitting service and a ‘free play’ area full of toys (plus a video games room for older kids). Celebrity, Costa, Crystal and Holland America offer similar services, while Disney cruises put kids centre stage with a large area of the deck, designed to look like Captain Hook’s ship from ‘Peter Pan’, devoted to them. Disney also offer special cabins designed for teenagers so that they can have their own private spaces adjacent to family cabins. When you’re planning a family cruise, be careful to ensure that suitable cabins are available. Most cruise lines require that an adult (sometimes an adult over the age of 25) share each room where kids are staying. This can make things difficult for larger families. Carnival and Disney offer five person cabins. Although you may see tempting deals offered by the smaller cruise lines, it’s often worth sticking with the major ones because they can guarantee reduced rates for young passengers.