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FTF's annual Top 10 survey of award-winners highlights houseboating on Lake Powell as one of 2004's places to host your family's next reunion.

In 2004, FTF evaluated businesses in the hospitality, cruise and tour sectors that excel at satisfying the needs of children and adults participating in family reunions. Winners were determined from more than 100 nominations made by travel experts, contributiong editors and 80,000 site visitors. By considering and evaluating their location, available transportation, variety of accommodations in different price ranges, activities for all ages, unique attractions, dining options and group discounts before making site inspections, FTF discovered the top value reunion destinations.

Top Dream Getaway: Houseboating on Lake Powell

Lake Powell is at the heart of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, a geologic playground straddling northern Arizona and southern Utah. The 186-mile-long lake boasts 2,000 miles of soaring red sandstone cliffs, 90 major canyons and sandy beaches, and is astonishingly beautiful in its desert setting. Houseboating is the best way for family groups to explore it, while unwinding amid the comforts of home.

Lake Powell’s amazingly clear blue-green water is everywhere and it is so enticing. In order to best explore the canyons and guarantee fun, houseboat renters generally tow a powerboat so that they can enjoy waterskiing and fishing, and carry water toys, including personal watercraft, wakeboards, kneeboards, sprayers and water trampolines. Children under the age of 12 are required to wear life jackets at all times on powerboats, water toys, and on the exterior of the houseboat.

Never been a pilot? A thorough orientation and training session is given to the boat’s captain who must be at least 18-years-old and have a valid US driver’s license or passport. Additionally, all sailors will receive written information about docking, anchoring, refueling and other naval issues in the form of an instruction manual.

Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas, managed by Aramark, is a concessionaire of the National Park Service that operates three full-service marinas offering houseboat and powerboat rentals and sells provisions such as food, beverages, ice, film and fuel, and provides “How-To” lessons, maps, gear, rest rooms, phones and laundry facilities. All houseboats, like the standard size 44’ Explorer (sleeping 10), provide a propane range, oven, refrigerator, water heater and space heater, outdoor gas grill, electric light system, bathroom and shower, dishes, utensils and a swim slide. Extras on the new luxury class boats like the 75’ Odyssey (sleeping 12) include hot tubs, fireplaces and home theatre systems, rivaling those of a four-star hotel. Rates in 2004 range from $823 for a 3D standard boat rental to $6,365 for a 6D luxury boat rental, so relatives on every budget can add their floating home to a reunion convoy.

Houseboating packages including lodging, powerboat and watertoys are available. New in 2004 is the Antelope Point Marina, located near Page, Arizona. Built in conjunction with the National Park Service and the Navajo Nation, it provides similar services while highlighting the Native American culture of the area.