The Lollipop Road

Posts Tagged ‘multigenerational travel’

• Departure Port – Families might be coming from all over the country, so choose a point of departure that is convenient for everyone. 
• Itinerary – You’ll want to evaluate each port and look for those offering activities that appeal to all age groups in your party. Also be sure to account for climate and health considerations when selecting your itinerary.
• Cabin Choices- You may want to consider connecting cabins, cabins that accommodate your entire travel group or larger cabins that offer space for family gatherings. As these tend to fill early, you’ll want to plan well in advance to avoid disappointment.
• Dining and Entertainment- Dinner most evenings will probably be a family affair. Finding a cruise line that offers dining and entertainment options that appeal to multiple generations can be challenging. Carefully read all of our cruise reviews for additional information.
• Shipboard Activities – Most major cruise lines now offer a variety of activities onboard that will appeal to multiple generations. However, larger ships tend to satisfy a greater diversity of age groups and tastes, so that may be a good place to begin your search.
• Money Matters – Not all family members may be able to afford the same cruise, so be cost sensitive when choosing a sailing. Set boundaries up front so that money does not become a problem later on.

All major cruise lines offer incentives for groups sailing together, which can make your experience even more special. To take advantage of these benefits, you will need to reserve at least five cabins, but more frequently eight or as many as ten cabins, depending upon the length of the cruise and the cruise line.

At least two cruise lines have even created programs geared directly toward multigenerational family reunions. Royal Caribbean’s Royal Reunions and Holland America Line’s Family Reunion Program offer special benefits like complimentary family photos and daily family activities to groups planning family reunions. Engaging a good travel agent who is experienced in group travel will also make the process easier.

A multigenerational cruise can be as small and intimate or as large and extensive as you’d like. Just remember, the idea is to have fun!
 

You can read more about this topic, as well as many other family cruising topics, in our new book–Cruising With Kids: A Guide To The Perfect Family Cruise Vacation. Visit our dedicated Cruising With Kids website for more details.

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Now that we have moved into our new home, our son is settling into a new school and my in-laws are now officially retired, we can again dream of returning to Ireland.  It would be our kids first trip to Europe and I know that they would just stare in awe at the natural beauty that Ireland has to offer.

I can envision circumnavigating the Dingle Peninsula, hugging the coast up to the Cliffs of Moher, then winding through the Connemara countryside before settling into Ashford Castle for a couple of days of pampering while the kids explore the estate.  After we’re all rejuvinated, we hit the road on our way to Northern Ireland – yet to be explored by us on any previous trip.

Crossing the border, exploring the North Coast and the Giant’s Causeway, down the Antrim Coast and into Belfast for a bit of historical exploration.  A short jaunt to Dublin, through Waterford and a spin around the Ring of Kerry and we’re back to where we started.

The lush green countryside, the centuries old castles, the famed Irish hospitality and a few culinary delights along the way – it’s time to wake up otherwise I may never come back.

Ireland is a great family destination.  There are ancient castles to explore, beautiful countryside in which to play, unique accommodations with cool activities (try Falconry at Ashford Castle) and a cultural experience waiting to be explored.  Whether you’re seven or seventy, Ireland is a gem that will continue to sparkle in your mind, long after you have departed.

Check out more Monday Dreams at The Mother of All Trips.

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This week we’re taking a look at some unique and unusual travel deals and promotions hopping out this Easter.  Act fast as most of these are time sensitive.

• The best and most unusual deal that we’ve found this week is Red Roof Inn’s 1 Cent Promotion.  Every day from March 31st through April 13th at high Noon (EDT) you have the opportunity to reserve a room for the following two days at participating Red Roof Inn’s for 1 cent!  For example, today you can book a room for tomorrow or the day after.  You’ll need to be fast because there is only one room per participating hotel.  Good Luck!
• The next promotion is something that can involve the whole family.  HotelsCombined is having its own Easter Egg Hunt…online.  The first person to find the hidden Easter egg hidden on its website will get $2,000!  Sign up with then on Twitter or Facebook and receive clues to help you find the egg.  We’ll be playing this with our kids this year…it’s a great way to explore the world.
• If you’ve never used Priceline, now may be a good time to check it out.  They’ve extended their Big Deal Days through April 15th, so prices are guaranteed.  If you find your winning hotel for a cheaper price (right up until the stay), they’ll not only match it, but they’ll give you an extra $25!  To make it easier, they’re also providing examples of winning bids for each and every city, so you know you won’t overbid.  Be sure to read all of the rules before bidding.
• The St. James Club and Villas in Antigua is offering a BOGO room sale that bodes well for families.  Stay now through December 20, 2010 and get two rooms for the price of one.  This is great if you have a large family or want to put together a multigenerational vacation.  Reserve by May 20th to take advantage of this promotion.

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I found a terrific article today that was reprinted in Parents magazine in 2004.  Although headlined as The Newest Trend in Family Travel, I found the article to be timeless.  Traveling with multiple generations and/or extended family can be beneficial for everyone, but maybe it’s a bit scary too.

Over the years, we’ve vacationed with our parents, siblings and other relatives, but we’ve yet to embark on a vacation involving both our parents and our kids.  After reading the article, I asked myself why we hadn’t accomplished that goal.  Well, I guess the answer was simple – for every reason the well articulated author cited in the article.  Okay, maybe not every reason – for example I don’t have a brother, let alone a lefty brother.  So, okay, what are the top reasons that inhibit multigenerational travel?

1. Coordinating Schedules – Trying to find a time when everyone is available can be challenging.  Kids are in school, parents work, grandparents are leading more active lives and extended families spend less time together in general, living farther apart than ever before.
2. Agreeing on a Destination – What destination will have something for everyone?  Someone doesn’t like cold, someone doesn’t like hot, someone hates the beach, someone hates the mountains, someone gets seasick and of course someone has been there before.  I give up!
3. Money – Not all branches of the family tree may be able to afford a particular trip, or any trip at all, particularly in a difficult economy.  Do you pay for everyone, subsidize some and not others or do you tailor the trip so that everyone invited can afford it?
4. Making it Happen – Assume you’ve made it past the other hurdles.  You’ve planned far in advance, but one month before the trip, things start falling apart due to an illness, financial difficulty or other commitments.  Do you cancel, modify, reschedule or just go ahead as planned?

It’s easy to see why families might not be able to make it work.  Sometimes it’s difficult enough to plan a 3 hour visit, never mind an entire vacation.  We live in a busy society where people don’t want to spend their leisure time practicing patience and compromise.  Perhaps it’s a broader sign of our society in general.

So, is the multi-generational vacation just a myth?  No, it’s only a myth if you want it to be.  As kids get older, they enjoy spending more time with their grandparents.  Of course, that’s not always easy when you live hundreds of miles apart.  So, planning vacations together is really more important than ever.  But, how do you make it work?

Well, there are more and more grandparents who are traveling with their grandchildren while the parents stay home.  It works because it’s simple.  So, first rule – keep it simple.  Second rule – see the first rule.  And finally, third rule, keep an open mind, be flexible and just enjoy your time together.  If you try to make it difficult, it will inevitably be difficult.

Before you start, check out these basic tips on planning a multigenerational vacation.  Plan, be positive and most importantly, just have fun!

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