A SetSailor asked: "My wife and I are hoping to take a 1-2 year hiatus from work and go cruising with our family, but two questions keep popping up: 1.) At what age would the experience be best for our kids (two boys currently 1 & 3 years old). 2.) If you only had a year, maybe two, where would you spend your time? Caribbean, Med, South Pacific? Thanks. Keep up the great work on SetSail.com."

Thanks for the kind words and the question. It is one we agonized over for a good long while.

We finally decided that we wanted both of our girls to be reading and swimming well before we left. But, that said, we have met plenty of cruisers out there with toddlers and they do just fine.

It worked for our timing to leave when the kids were 6 and 8 but if I was you, I would not wait if the timing works out earlier - there are too many ways that the cruise could be derailed if you wait.

On where to go: If the Caribbean and Bahamas are on your coast, that would be my choice. Easy sailing, short distances and beautiful waters. I have not cruised the Pacific or Mexico - yet.

The best of luck to you,

Joe Boyle