SLR owners taking superzooms on vacation

I frequently read about SLR owners choosing a superzoom for travel photography.

But isn't travel photography the most precious kind??? You spend money to travel the world and see things you can't see in your back yard everyday.

Conversely, most of the SLR usage I see is in local parks and back yards, where tripods, equipment, and time aren't a factor. Places, frankly, where you can go with a pair of binoculars any time and look with your own two eyes.

I am trying to choose between an SLR and a SZ for travel and for the baby we are expecting in November. I admit, I have the IQ itch as bad as anyone, so an SLR would be nice. But when SLR owners, who have invested so much money before me, take the SZ for travel photography... well there seems to be no better vote of confidence than that. They must feel the SZ gives them the best chance to get the best picture, when it really matters.

Would the forum public agree that the SZ is the best REAL WORLD camera?