yes, it does. And he might appreciate the trip when he
is a little older.

No it makes you closer to adult decisions. He is making a great one. He is doing the math and looking at his future and bills etc. I applaud his grounded reality!! GRAND-PARENTS have discretionary money, 16 year old's not so much!!

Well, I'm a little older [waving arms madly] (ok, a LOT older LOL) and I would definitely jump at your offer in a heartbeat.

What an awesome opportunity. The Galapagos is on my wish list but too pricy for me to even seriously consider.

Hope he doesn't regret his decision down the road ... wait, he's a teenage with a driver's permit. Nevermind, he won't regret it. :-)

Jodi-

Here's video of the yacht, the Integrity, if you want to watch

Here is a link that might be useful: yacht

Would I do it? At 16, NO, NO, NO. Maybe when he graduates a down payment, he pays the rest, own insurance. Trips are something it is hard to replace. We did give our GD a laptop computer for Christmas, but that is also 99% of her grad gift as she plans to go to college. She is 18, does have a DL and drives her mom's car which is a older one with lots of milage. Our state has had two teens killed within the last week. One ran a stop sign on a dirt road and the other was riding with a 21 year old. This state has strengthen the laws about teens driving. Thank goodness. Yes many of the farm kids drive at 15-16, but they have been driving on the farm since about 9 and do pretty good. . Our kids got their license at 17 and all are good drivers. Except our son had a motorcycle at 16. Made him a better driver. Small Harley. I do think a trip would be more educational.

gorgeous yacht. But I already need sea sick pills! LOL

Looks fabulous but I guess kids have different priorities.

Me again. Saw the viedo and I have two teen age granddaughters that would go in a minute. Of course they do love animals and get along with people great.
My only restriction would be: NO you cannot take a baby (whatever) home, This would be a fabulous trip--that is one that very few teens would be a position to take.

There's one fourteen year old girl going with her parents :o)

School starting might be a factor, as the trip ends the 5th of August. His school has not set their opening date, but last year it was the 8th.

We still have the Alaska cruise that is fresh on our minds.

Glenda, have you seen what it takes to just get to the ship itself? I think there are three airplane flights to book, at least from CA. I was actually looking in to taking a similar tour with the Celebrity line (slightly larger ship) but between the cost of the cruise and cost of getting there, I scrapped those plans.

I'd like to go to Madagascar as well. Just love living nature.

Jodi-

At 16, I'd opt for the car. The trip can come later. But, you can take me; I already have a car. LOL

My grands are all grown, but I have a 17 year old great-grand. I can imagine him enjoying that cruise only if the other 15 were also teens. Much too classy for most teens, I think.

He can do those type things when he is older and decides on his own to go.

Preferring a car now makes sense to me. Should he be GIVEN a car now? No. My son, while was in school, worked and saved his money until he could buy his own car.

Of course not every one (anyone?) will agree with me on that.

Sue

jodi, I was talking with the wife, this morning. We fly (Birmingham - Quito, Quito-Galapagos

I have all the necessary info from her.

The cost for the tour and includes all airport transfers, all yacht and hotel accommodations based on double occupancy, all meals and draft beer, all guides, activities and tours. This price does not include: airfare (Birmingham - Quito, Quito-Galapagos , Galapagos Park Fee , Transit Tax , tips to guides and yacht crew, alcoholic beverages other than draft beer, optional emergency medical evacuation insurance . I have the amts for those.

I'm NOT giving him a car.

He wants to work and earn money for one,he's already told me that. but I'll help out, which he will appreciate.

Nothing wrong in helping a fella out!

Glenda, send me an private email with the cost. I'd love to compare it to what I've researched.

Thanks! Jodi-

Ohh.. a car... :) Every 16 year olds dream!!!

My DS (15) has his sisters old car - the ultimate hand-me-down - lol! He is content. He has made it his own and is a happy camper to drive himself to school. He spent a couple weeks fixing things she had neglected. So funny to see him pull in after school, after so many years of seeing his sister drive it! I am always surprised to see him get out!!!

That trip sounds fantastic though - really interesting!

I want to go, too! Glenda, are you going? Do you have a list of the tour/activity options? Sorry for 20 Questions.

Glenda does he know about the girl who is also going???????

hounds x two here it is

Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Quito, Ecuador
Fly from your home city to Quito, Ecuador. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the Hilton Col�n Quito hotel with check-in to your Club Floor accommodations.

Hilton Col�n Quito
Day 2
To the Galapagos�Santa Cruz Island

Transfer to the airport for an early morning flight to Baltra, Galapagos. While our luggage is being collected, we enjoy refreshments in the air conditioned VIP airport lounge. We transfer to the Island of Santa Cruz where we travel with our naturalist in a spacious air conditioned vehicle up into the highland rainforest.

Integrity guests will lunch at the Royal Palm Resort.
Reina Silvia guests will lunch at a highlands restaurant.

After lunch we explore the Santa Cruz Highlands to view endemic Galapagos plant species and visit lava tubes and sinkholes. We'll hike through tall grasses among the grazing tortoises.

Integrity guests return to Royal Palm Resort for dinner and overnight.
Reina Silvia guests head to Angermeyer Waterfront Inn for dinner
and overnight.

Royal Palm Resort or Angermeyer Waterfront Inn, BLD
Day 3
Puerto Ayora, Darwin Station, board our yacht
We stroll through the town of Puerto Ayora to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where we learn about conservation issues and the tortoise and iguana hatching and rearing programs. We'll even get to view some of the tiny hatchlings. We may catch a glimpse of Lonesome George�the sole survivor of the Pinta tortoise subspecies. Afterwards we lunch at a waterside restaurant overlooking Academy Bay. We board Integrity or Reina Silvia mid to late afternoon in Academy Bay.

Integrity or Reina Silvia, BLD
Days 4-9
On the Boat�Snoozin', Cruisin' and Snorkelin'

We live aboard our spacious yacht for a week, spending as much time ashore as the Park rules permit. With our licensed, INCA selected Class III naturalist, we learn about the birds and animals, geology, marine life and oceanic systems of the Galapagos Islands. We swim and snorkel with tropical fish, sea lions and sometimes with penguins!

Please see Galapagos Yachts for a list of islands visited on both A and B itineraries.

Integrity or Reina Silvia, BLD
Day 10
Galapagos, Quito

From our anchorage in the Baltra harbor, we say "adios" to the Integrity and its dedicated crew, and adjourn to the Baltra airport to await our mid-morning flight to the Ecuador mainland and Quito. On arrival, we transfer to the Hilton Col�n Quito hotel for an overnight. You will have time to shop before dinner.

Hilton Col�n Quito, BD
Day 11
Quito to home or other adventures

Transfer to the airport with check-in to your homeward bound flight unless you are remaining for more adventures.

Oh I just loved that video. I wish I could go, darn it. But I tried to remember being 16 and, frankly, that wouldn't have appealed to me either. Nice that there will be another young person aboard, but that doesn't mean that they'd get along. So I say donate toward the car--maybe half for birthday and half for Christmas so he'll have to work some toward the car himself. But you do what YOU want to do.

Are you still planning to go on the trip? I'd love that 16 passenger yacht (and the food looked delicious)!!

I'm gonna let him see the video this weekend.

Just got all the info today.

Just think.....when he has a car, he can come visit you more often.
Trip sounds wonderful but at 16, I would have picked the car assistance, too.
You are a good grandma!

I would love to go now but I wouldn't at 16. There doesn't look to be much to do for younger people when relaxation isn't as much a priority for them as entertainment is.

You have a lucky grandson!

I agree... your grandson is lucky to have so many opportunities for travel. At 16 though I too would have opted for money towards a car. Travel can come later. My DD went to Australia and New Zealand when she was 15, might have been barely 16 and says she wished she had waited a few years so that she would have remembered and appreciated more of the trip.

Looks like a fabulous trip. The food looks wonderful. I think if I were a teen I'd prefer help with the car especially since there will only be one other teen on the trip.

Enjoy it!

I would have loved to go when I was 16. I used to watch every nature show I could and dreamed of seeing the Galapagos islands. But, I was a weird, introverted kid too. ( :

Glenda, he'd rather take you for a bunch of rides than blow it all on a trip......I'm sure that's it!

Jodi, check out Lindblad Expeditions, they do an awesome job. We went with Society Expeditions before they closed shop, very similar. I love Celebrity, but not for this destination.

That yacht wouldn't be my cup of tea .....I am happy you are going and know you will enjoy it but I don't want to be at sea in a yacht that size...I hope you have a solid stomach and don't get a queasy stomach easily because there is a big difference in a yacht and a cruise ship...Have fun and enjoy....

He knows where his priorities are. The trip would be a nice experience, but a transient one. At this time of his life, he not putting stock into an experience that would provide a lifetime of memories; He's concerned about the here and now. The trip would last a couple of weeks or so; a car would provide a tool for personal travel, enjoyment, and a job. It could last several years and be very useful, not to mention increasing his 'girl' appeal by several nothces. (He hasn't though about the cost of insurance or maintence [resonsibility]).

Yes, I understand his choice. At his age, a car is highly desireable and lasts much longer than a couple of weeks.

I, too, think he made the obvious choice for a 16 year old kid. I'd have done the same at that age. A wonderful gesture and offer, Glenda, for sure! I'd love to go to the Galapagos.

Regarding the 14 year old girl being along on the trip, don't assume that that would be a draw. It's not necessarily true that a 16 year old boy would have any interest in a 14 year old, and the pressure of adults who think "they're so cute together" or that they might have sparks would be weird.

Glenda, you're a good Grandmom!

Glenda are you really up for this kind of adventure?. I am about the same age as you and not in the greatest physical shape, but above average for certain, and it would give me pause for concern.
I agree with the others that your grandson is too young and has other interests he deems more important .
You are a thoughtful ,wonderful Grandmom no doubting that fact.

Thank you for the itinerary, Glenda. It looks like a fabulous trip.

Once kids turn 16, they no longer want to babysit or travel with grandparents. Eventually they grow up and decide free vacations are good things.

Glenda -- please adopt me!

linda_in_iowa, I disagree.

My grandson and I have a special bond.

We experienced our first ever trip to AK last year, and it was such a bonding experience.

He had previously said he wanted to work the summer of his 16th, to he could have money to buy his car. He had also stated that he wanted to travel again with me.

Opportunity came, for this trip, but at the wrong time.

I'm the only grandparent that does anything with him, and he appreciates it.

Kind of tells you what he thought of the last trip!

I think your offer is awesome. I hope he realizes just how blessed and lucky he is. It seems like he does. I can absolutely understand a 16 year old wanting money toward a car.

He is very lucky to have a grandma that he is close to and that you both want to spend time together. I think you two are the minority. I know I said it before, but it reminds me of my mom with my two kids.

You are both very lucky to have each other. Maybe a Galapagos trip for graduation?

At 16, I wanted a car, too. Now that I'm older, I'd love a trip, anywhere! Experience, not just wheels. Oh, I already have a car...

Glenda....thanks for posting THAT video. DH and I book yachts aaaaaaaaaaall the time! Live aboard Dive Boats they call them. :0) Diving is the focus, not food and seating is wet bathing suit friendly. I haven't been in this area yet.....it's on my list.

Take a look........

Here is a link that might be useful: Diving the Galapagos Islands...

Cynic, that is a mean comment, and is totally off base from the photos that Glenda has posted. Her grandson obviously enjoyed the Alaska trip.

I could tell how much he enjoyed the trip not only by the pics but by the off ship outings you two went to. Yes, teenage boys are obsessed with cars. I know you two will travel again tho.

cynic gets his kicks out of being rude!

All other comments are appreciated.

Seriously Cynic? Really? Was that necessary?

sigh

Cynic, I really can't believe you said that! I saw the pictures of the Alaska cruise and everyone was having a wonderful time! Plus, Glenda does have a very special bond with her grandson. He's being honest with her...at this time in his life, he would like to work for a car. That's certainly NOT unusual for a 16 yr. old boy. I'm sure he would like the trip AND the car, though. :) I'm sure it was hard for him to decide because he certainly loves his Grandma!
Eileen

I'm sure he'd enjoy the trip. I probably wouldn't have given him a choice. I think almost anyone who is not totally loaded or retired would pick the money especially a teenager who probably doesn't want to be away from his XBOX, friends, and phone for more than 24 hours.

Is there a way you could not offer him the choice and do both? Ask him to go on the trip and then later or periodically give him some money for the car?

When it comes to cynic's comments, just consider the source and move on. The less said about those the better....

Elisabeth

Some teens like to travel, don't. Some teens are very honest, some just like to please friends and relatives and get what they can/want. I have known both types since I have been extremely active with teens for many years. Just dealing with youth groups is a great way to know them. I and would do it all over again. Since most of us do not know others here except by visiting on line, we should be able to form our own opinions and not get shot down. I found that out the hard way, several times.

Oh for goodness sake - I don't see rude in Cynic's remark - I think it's kind of funny! And possibly true!

My goodness pat, there you are after not seeing you around.

Goodness, still your usual.

And you are soooo wrong.