The Sims 2: Bon Voyage

The Sims 2: Bon Voyage (also known as TS2 BV or simply Bon Voyage) is the sixth expansion pack, released for The Sims 2 in 2007. It was released on September 4, 2007 in North America and September 6, 2007 in Europe for the Microsoft Windows Operating System. For the Mac OS X Operating System, it was released on December 17, 2007 by Aspyr Media. This was the last expansion pack for TS2 to be ported by Aspyr to the Mac, as FreeTime and Apartment Life were released exclusively on Windows. Like the Vacation expansion pack for The Sims, it focuses on leisure traveling. This game served as the inspiration for its successor, The Sims 3: World Adventures.

Description
''Whisk Sims away from their everyday routines and take them on exciting trips to three exotic locations! Whether relaxing on a lush tropical island in a luxury suite, camping with the family on a pristine mountaintop, or exploring the culture of the Far East, Sims will engage in new activities and experiences as they relax and rejuvenate. Transform them from bumbling tourists to savvy international travelers as they learn new customs including local greetings, dances and more to take home and teach to their friends. Send Sims packing for the trip of a lifetime!''

Vacation Destination
The Sims 2: Bon Voyage features Vacation Destinations, a new type of sub-neighborhood which Sims will visit to spend their vacation. There are three types of Vacation Destinations, i.e. Far East, Tropical, and Mountain. Each destination has special attributes and its own attractions. These include the environment, locals, tours, and so on. Some special features can only be found in certain Vacation Destinations, such as ninjas that can be found in Far East, and beaches as the main attraction of a tropical vacation.

Going on Vacation
As a way to stay away from everyday routine, Sims can now have a vacation by booking one via phone or computer. Traveling to vacation landmarks, relaxing, and experiencing things that normally cannot be found in the everyday life is what vacationing is all about. Sims can go to a vacation trip alone or bringing families and friends along. Going on vacation doesn't require any days off from work, because while being on vacation, ages and time continuity stop, so Sims that leave for a vacation at Tuesday noon will return at the same time they left. This mechanism is similar to when Sims travel to community lots. Vacation trips, however, have a maximum of 7 days, and if the vacation time is over for several days, Sims will be forced to go home. This means they can't stay forever at the Vacation Destination. Only Sims older than toddler and non-pets can go on vacation, so babies, toddlers, and pets must stay at home with a remaining household member or a nanny.

While on a vacation, the main attraction is to travel to community lots and spend as much time as possible there, because Sims shouldn't waste their precious time at their lodging. The time continuity works differently from going to community lots in the Base Neighborhood. Time and hours will keep going when Sims leave house and when they're back home. This is similar to the time mechanics in Colleges. The difference is, they can't learn skills, gain enthusiasm, or build talent badges. Also, Lifetime Aspiration will not be accumulated so Sims cannot exploit of the extra days they get from going on vacations. Sims also gain temporary Vacation Benefits after they return from a good vacation, or penalties if the vacation was bad.

Vacation Accommodations
Sims need to stay somewhere while on vacation. There are three types of accommodation where Sims can stay: Vacation Homes, Hotels, or Campgrounds. Each of the accommodations has its own advantages and disadvantages. Vacation Homes can be purchased from real estate, but they are very expensive; costing the same as regular houses. It is, however, fully customizable just like normal residential lots.

Hotels are the second expensive accommodation, but the price depends on the type of lodge Sims are staying. The more luxurious the hotel is, the more expensive. Sims cannot access their Inventory in the Hotels or Campgrounds. A hotel may or may not contain amenities, such as Restaurants and swimming pools, though expensive hotels may offer some. Sims can book multiple suites before they check in, and suites that are not booked will be booked by Tourists. They can lock their suites to allow vacation parties or just the households. Sims can order room service from their suites, and Housekeepers will clean up the hotel.

Campgrounds are free, and the only premade Campground is Axe Wood Campgrounds. Sims sleep in tents that replenish Energy need slowly. Campgrounds don't have cleaning service, so Sims must clean up the mess themselves or influence others to do so. Campgrounds and tents are also vulnerable to outdoor temperature. Thus, staying in the Campground in extreme temperature or on Winter is difficult for Sims. Campgrounds can provide some campfires to keep Sims warm by sitting around one.

Vacation Memento
Sims who achieve vacation experiences can keep track of what they have done on vacation by looking at their Vacation Memento. Each Sim has a Vacation Memento in their memories panel. It has a suitcase icon. There are 45 mementos in total. Sims can earn mementos by doing certain things or achieve things that particularly can be found in Vacation Destination, such as learning local dances and eating local food. Sims will earn vacation titles in the Vacation Memento panel the more they gain mementos. Collecting all mementos doesn't reward Sims anything, though.

Collectibles
Sims can earn and collect many souvenirs and other abilities they've learned while on vacation. Sims can collect souvenirs bought from certain Vacation Destinations or dig out beach collectibles and place them on a special rack to show off their friends about. Collecting five of each souvenirs will also benefit Sims depending on the type of the souvenirs. Sims may also dig the ground to find some treasuries, cheap stuff, or even leak the water main underground. Plundering the pirate ship might also grant Sims some pirate treasures.

Other than items, Sims can learn many things from the vacation. Sims might learn how to bow on Far East or other gestures from other vacations. They might also happen to learn some local dances and Tai Chi. Getting and learning local massages and eating local delicacies as well, as activities to spend on vacation. Sims might also encounter someone special who can teach them how to sing Sea Chantey or tell the Dragon Legend to friends. There are so many things they can discover and share with friends back home after going back from vacations.

Secret Vacation Lots
Each pre-made Vacation Destination is provided with a secret vacation lot. Each lot offers distinct benefits that Sims might learn or earn. Before discovering the secret vacation lots, Sims must first find the hidden maps throughout the vacation areas. They might find them while on tours, digging the ground, or wishing from shrine.

Beach
Bon Voyage now adds functional beach as a new lot system to The Sims 2 game. In addition to normal lots, beach lots can only be placed on an area which is adjacent to road and waters. Beach lots can be used as a residential lots, community lots, or hotels. Apartments, however, are not recommended to be built on uneven lots, most especially beach lots. Sims can do many beach-related activities on the beach lot. They can sunbathe, swim in the ocean, build a sandcastle, dig in the sand, and watch the waves. Some objects cannot be placed on the "beach line", a line which separates areas whether sandcastles can be built or not. Pirate ships can only be placed on beach lots, as well.

Not all terrains in The Sims 2 provide sufficient area to place the beach lot, though. Some terrains might not be even close enough to the waters. Only some pre-made terrains that are included since Bon Voyage might suit with beach lot area. These include Twikkii Island, Bluewater Village, Desiderata Valley, Belladonna Cove, Crescent Island, and Moon Islands.

Jewelry
A new enhancement is the addition of jewelry. In Create a Sim or the Change Appearance interface of a mirror, bracelets, earrings, rings, necklaces, or piercings can be chosen. These can be set per outfit, just like hair. Jewelry can be set when creating a Sim, bought from the jewelry rack on a community lot, or be dug up on a beach. Each Vacation Destination has its own unique jewelry and accessories, which cannot be bought or found anywhere else.

Bigfoot
The new life state introduced in the Expansion Pack is Bigfoot. Bigfoot lives in the Hidden Burrow, a secret lot located in Three Lakes. Sims must have a secret map to find the Hidden Burrow and Bigfoot. A Bigfoot can be made playable by befriending them and asking them to move in. Then, another Bigfoot will take over the Hidden Burrow. Bigfoots have already mastered all skills and talent badges. They can't do any romantic interactions, so Bigfoots cannot have Romance, Family, or Pleasure Aspirations. They get along with children and dogs very well, but cats are not too fond of them.

New Additions

 * New Life State: Bigfoot
 * New NPCs: Bellhop, Tour Guide, Housekeeper, Ninja, Witch Doctor, Wise Old Man, Pirate Captain Edward Dregg, Unsavory Charlatan, and more
 * New Radio Stations: Reggae, Surf, World, and Big Band
 * New Dances: Hula Dance, Slap Dance, and Fire Dance
 * New Meals: Chirashi, Pineapple Surprise, Flapjacks, and more
 * New Places for WooHoo: Tent, Sauna, and Hammock
 * New Turn Ons/Turn Offs: Employment, Skills, Life States, and Jewelry Turn Ons
 * New Door Locks: Allow/disallow Party Members, Do Not Disturb, and Allow Housekeeping

Minor Features

 * Real honeymoon. Traditionally, without Bon Voyage, Sims would go for a brief honeymoon trip with a limousine to replenish their needs. Engaged Sims can now plan a honeymoon, in addition to normal vacation. Sims cannot plan who will join the travel party and when departure takes time. After newlyweds get married, or after a wedding party ends with successful marriage proposal, a vacation van will arrive to pick the newlyweds to the vacation. If engaged Sims don't plan a honeymoon before marriage, no kind of honeymoon will occur, not even the traditional one.
 * Changing booths can now be used as a wardrobe to change and plan household outfit.
 * Community marriage. Sims can now marry on community lots as an alternative from marriage-at-home. Honeymoon limo will also come to pick the newlyweds. A wedding party cannot be thrown on community lots, however.
 * Transportation picker. Players can now choose which Sims will go along with the Sim who is going to a community lot, instead of only having the choice of bringing along all household members or going there alone.

New Build Mode Additions
Pagoda roofs are new roof types which are used to make a distinctive architecture for Far East buildings. Pagoda roofs come with hipped, gabled, and mansard styles. Pagoda roofs must be built in square, rectangular, or diagonal. Pagoda roofs shouldn't intersect other pagoda roofs, because they will clip into each other and the roof effect will look unappealing.
 * Pagoda Roofs

New Objects

 * Action Traveler's Action Tent
 * Ancient Soakalicious Spring
 * Swing Away Hammock
 * ShowMeOff Rack of Glory Souvenir Rack
 * "Big Ol' Glory" Tree Ring
 * Logs of Burning Campfire
 * Tea Time Table
 * Four Blessing Mahjong Table
 * Sweat It Out Sauna
 * The Swashbuckling Shipwrecker by Impressive Installations Pirate Ship
 * Backyard Pyramid Set of Ruins
 * Sand Waves Zen Garden
 * Soft 'n Tender Massage Table

New Interactions

 * Sim-based
 * Sims can dig the ground to find many things, including treasure chest and water pipe.
 * Sims can take snapshot and pose.
 * Local or tourist friends can be invited as a houseguest for three days.
 * Sims can walk to community lots instead of calling a taxi or driving a car.


 * Object-based
 * Sims can assign employees to become masseuses for the massage table.
 * Sims can ask others to play pirates if a pirate ship is present on the lot.
 * Sims can share discovery with others from the collectibles they found from beach (e.g. seashells, clams, etc.).
 * Toddlers can eat sand.

Trivia

 * The Sims 2: Bon Voyage is the last pack in the franchise to come with two discs for installation.
 * Several items from this pack, all from Three Lakes, are available to purchase on The Sims 3 Store.

Gallery
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The Sims 2 Launcher
Starting with The Sims 2: Bon Voyage, EA included a launcher to start the game. This feature is also included in expansion packs, stuff packs, and compilations released after Bon Voyage. It will display which Expansion Packs and Stuff Packs the player has installed, and will show a large Play button.

When connected to the internet, the launcher would also display news updates for The Sims 2, as well as promotional material. The news display has been discontinued due to the removal of The Sims 2 website, but the Launcher still displays promotional material for other games in the series. There is a delay between the time the Play button appears and the time this promotional pane loads, and it is possible to click the Play button before the promotional pane finishes loading. As of August 24, 2013, it is necessary to do this, or to otherwise bypass the Launcher, as some of the new promotional content has been observed to cause the Launcher to stop responding.

Neighborhood Cheats
This changes the zoning type of the lot. Before rezoning a lot using this cheat, make sure there are no Sims currently living in the lot. To use this cheat, enter the lot that you would like to rezone, and then enter the cheat, choosing one of these zoning options. Note that although the cheat to change lot zoning into secret vacation lot exists, you must do the proper way to turn it. Otherwise, it won't work or corrupt the game. The method to make a Secret Vacation Lot can be found here.
 * changeLotZoning [residential | community | hotel | secretvacationlot]