If you're looking for an offbeat vacation experience, here's one: a houseboat excursion.

Authorized military exchange shoppers can go to the Exchange Online Mall and book houseboat rentals through the Government Vacation Rewards site, a partnership with the Army's Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command. These recently added rentals, like others, are open to any authorized shopper, regardless of branch of service.

The houseboats are on 11 lakes - five in California, two in Arizona, two in Nevada, one in Texas and one in Missouri's Ozark region.

The boats sleep either eight or 12 people. Standard features include a water slide, canopy, gas grill, private staterooms, TV and DVD player, CD stereo, microwave, refrigerator, full oven, toaster and blender.

Additional features vary by model but might include a flying bridge, wet bar and hot tub.

Discounts vary; the site will list the regular price and the GVR discount. If there's an extra military discount, it will be noted.

By booking through the site, you earn reward points to use toward future travel booked through the site.

http://www.armytimes.com/offduty/travel/offduty_consumerwatch_101810w/