Need help finding a cruise for multigenerational family

[ledaebel]

I am 72 and want to travel with my family while I am able to do so. Our family of 5,( includes 14 and 16 y/o girls, 46 y/o daughter, 54 SIL and me) went to the Galapagos with National Geographic and loved it! We would like to travel next May, June or July to somewhere new. We are having difficulty finding something that will be adventurous but have a little more cruise experience. I enjoyed having the all inclusive trip but don't know much about the average excursion fees.

 

I have considered another trip with Nat. Geo and go to Alaska but think there is too much Kayaking for someone my age and weight. I feel lost in trying to find something active but safe. Does anyone experience traveling with teens and suggest a cruise line that would be good for all of us?

 

At first, I thought of a European trip but family insist 10 days is their limit. I want to get wherever a day or so early so we are not exhausted when we begin the cruise. We had a horrible experience with American Airlines on the last trip.

 

Any suggestions?

[CruiserBruce]

Go with your plan. Everyone doesn't have to do the same excursions. Different people have different interests, so some could kayak, while others do something different, or maybe just kick back on the ship.

[searoses]

There is a lot more to do in alaska than kayaking.....my mother took 19 of us and we all had a great time....my husband helicoptered to walk on a glaciet,one went dogsledding,another to a cabin for a salmon bake....we split up or stayed together....each day was an adventure.....my mother only asked that we all have dinner together....each family stayed with her for a day to show her the sights,have some lunch and wheeled her back for a nap and casino time....I think it makes a very good multi-generational trip....book aft cabins for 18 hr a day of sunlight and gorgeous scenery....how wonderful to be able to show such generosity to your children!

[OCruisers]

Go with your plan. Everyone doesn't have to do the same excursions. Different people have different interests, so some could kayak, while others do something different, or maybe just kick back on the ship.

 

Agree with the above! Go with the Alaska plans. No reason for all to do the same excursions in every port of call. :)

[Uncwrn93]

Agree Alaska sounds like a perfect cruise. We went on Princess 5 yrs ago with another couple, a 10yr old, 2 14 yr olds, 45, 50, 50, 54 yr olds. Lots of adventure to find in Alaska along with the ship has amazing views all along the way.

 

Have a blast

[jazzlvr]

I would suggest finding a good cruise specialist travel agent - one who can suggest the best cruise line and itinerary for the different age groups. Depending on how many of you there are, they might also be able to put together some great private excursions (or suggest tour operators) for you.

[ledaebel]

Thank you all. I guess we was spoiled by the Nat. Geo., all inclusive trip, to Galapagos, no matter what we wanted to do, we just did it. I would like to room with the granddaughters like the last trip. This time I would need to pay a single supplement fee since they do not have any triple rooms.

 

You are right, maybe I need a travel agent. We don't want to just sit on a ship and eat. Are there any lines that are more active and the teens would like?

 

I am also planning a trip to Ireland next September. Unfortunately, most of it will be bus related but fun nevertheless.

[SuiteTraveler]

There are a lot of Mediterranean cruises which would fit what you want, as would Alaska. Basically, the mass market cruises are divided into 2 types:

1. Ship-centric - where the cruise ship IS the destination and has tons to do onboard. These are usually on mega ships such as:

RCCL

Oasis of the Seas

Allure of the Seas

Anthem of the Seas

Quantum of the Seas

Ovation of the Seas

Harmony of the Seas

 

NCL

Epic

Getaway

Breakaway

Escape

 

The above ships are ideal for multigenerational family trips and have so much to do onboard, it is impossible to do it all in a week. However, because of their size, they are limited in what areas they can cruise. Currently, they are cruising the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Asia. They have wonderful entertainment and typically, you dine in specialty restaurants several times to every night depending on what you want to do. They also have lots of onboard sports as follows:

 

RCCL

Flowriders

ice skating

zip line

mini golf

sports court

rock climbing

 

NCL

Full scale water park slides exciting enough for adults

mini golf

rock climbing

ropes course

bowling

bungee trampoline

 

2. Regular Mass Market cruise ships where the ports are the destination and the ship has more traditional cruise ship entertainment - comedians, cruise entertainers such as combos and production shows. These are the more moderate to small ships. Typically, they don't have a lot of different athletic activities onboard.

 

Now for something completely different, but absolutely incredible:

 

River Cruising.

 

For some reason, people think river cruises are for people ages 70+, but on our river cruises, the ages ranged from 23 to 93. Particularly with a family group, I think the all inclusive nature of a river cruise is ideal and they are often only 1 week long. I would suggest you consider Uniworld or Disney and the cruises I would suggest are either Castles of the Rhine or Enchanting Danube. On Uniworld, all tours (except 3 optional afternoon tours) are included, the food is marvelous, wine is included with dinner and it is a very relaxing way to travel where you are pampered and everything is planned out for you. There are many cruises that are only 1 week long (you'll wish they were longer!) Since you have 2 teen girls in your group, I think they will really enjoy this incredible experience and be awed by what they see on the tours.

Here is a link to the Disney River cruises which feature everything from falconry to cooking classes to dance performances in castles. At only 8 nights long, you can fly into the embarkation port a day ahead and get adjusted to the time change.

https://www.adventuresbydisney.com/europe/river-cruise/?CMP=KNC-ABD_Branded_Destinations_RiverCruise-exact_ad01-04132015%7CG%7C4156700.AD.AM.02.01&ef_id=VMwQ-QAAAVmpXoCn:20151027164452:s

 

On Uniworld, you might choose to do Castles along the Rhine (8 days from Basel to Amsterdam) during late April and go to the world famous Keukenhoff just outside of Amsterdam before or after your cruise, as well as visit the Ann Frank Annex.

http://www.uniworld.com

 

Honestly, the river cruises are so busy and so interesting, I can't imagine that your granddaughters would not be completely enchanted by the experience and the adults would feel pampered and completely engaged in this wonderful and very privileged way to see Europe.

[Cruzaholic41]

Thank you all. I guess we was spoiled by the Nat. Geo., all inclusive trip, to Galapagos, no matter what we wanted to do, we just did it. I would like to room with the granddaughters like the last trip. This time I would need to pay a single supplement fee since they do not have any triple rooms.

 

You are right, maybe I need a travel agent. We don't want to just sit on a ship and eat. Are there any lines that are more active and the teens would like?

 

I am also planning a trip to Ireland next September. Unfortunately, most of it will be bus related but fun nevertheless.

 

I think that Nat Geo trip to Alaska sounds awesome. I would do that in a heartbeat. However, with bringing the teens along, there's only one ship that stands out to me as a recommendation - Radiance of the Seas. I recommend flying into Anchorage and doing a few days on your own, then taking the one-way cruise from Seward to Vancouver.

[marco]

I think you all should sit down together and basically decide on where everyone is in agreement to go and work from there. Some folks will suggest this that and the other. All might sound like great options, but does everyone in your group want to go there? The bottom line is where does everyone in our group want to go..then compare options.

[ledaebel]

Thank you all. We did get together but since I have the pocketbook they are leaving it up to me to decide. The 14 y/o wants Europe but not Disney, I think she feels it willl be all young kids and she wants to make friends. The 16 y/o says she doesn't care but loved the Nat. Geo trip with snorkeling and adventure etc. SIL would love a luxury trip to Hawaii or Alaska. Daughter just wants her children to be safe and is concerned about the violence in the mideast. I found one cruise that ended in Casablanca and she said no.

[ledaebel]

Just pushed the wrong button. I would love Alaska but am now concerned about bringing heavy coats, waterproof boots and other cold weather apparel for a summer trip. We are also limited by time constraints by my teacher daughter and SIL getting continuing education.

 

I have been ill for 5 years and now that I am much better and able to continue an active life I want to do some active things. Maybe any cruise will have that available.

[SuiteTraveler]

ledaebel, IN summer you will not need heavy coats in Alaska. I've been several times and what you need is:

 

1. silk long underwear

2. jeans/pants and a couple of pairs of shorts

3. t shirts

4. long sleeved shirts

5. hoodie or other warm light jacket

6. raincoat

7. flat shoes with non slip soles and socks

8. gloves

9. Something for formal night - on Alaska cruises formal nights are always more casual, so you can do a sparkly top and black pants and flat shoes.

 

You layer your clothes. Many days it will be quite warm and you won't need to layer, but if you do, you can easily layer all the above. There are plenty of 7 day Alaska cruises. IMO, it is best to go out of Vancouver, but there are cruises out of Seattle as well.

 

The European Disney River cruise is on a non-Disney owned river ship. The way river cruises work, I can't imagine that the Disney River Cruise would be all that "Disney-fied" but if you really don't want to do Disney, do Uniworld or even Viking. These are two of the top River cruise companies in Europe and they are great! The kids will adjust to whatever you choose.

Edited October 28, 2015 by SuiteTraveler

[searoses]

We had sparkling ,warm weather in early August for our trip to alaska.....I was overdressed....luck of the draw.....we took a train from anchorage to Seward and it was beautiful...saw glaciers calving......amazing sunsets from our aft balcony....am sure you can find a line where you can bunk with the girls....we had older teen boys who roved the ship chick hunting....made sure to embarrass them every time we saw them......good,clean fun....many years later and they still put the pics up on fb to embarrass each other!....there are programs for kids to meet each other and activities offered.......

[RSLeesburg]

Thank you all. I guess we was spoiled by the Nat. Geo., all inclusive trip, to Galapagos, no matter what we wanted to do, we just did it. I would like to room with the granddaughters like the last trip. This time I would need to pay a single supplement fee since they do not have any triple rooms.

 

 

 

You are right, maybe I need a travel agent. We don't want to just sit on a ship and eat. Are there any lines that are more active and the teens would like?

 

 

 

I am also planning a trip to Ireland next September. Unfortunately, most of it will be bus related but fun nevertheless.

 

 

We have also been looking at the Lindblad / National Geographic cruise in Alaska, but waiting till our son is a bit older. I am happy to hear about your great experience with them in Galapagos - my wife went there years ago, and still counts it as one of her best vacations. Another one we have been eyeing was the Antarctic cruise - either on National Geographic, Hurtiguten (so?), or Pontent. We saw one that sails over Christmas break that would be perfect as soon as our son turns 10 or so.

 

If you want to try something adventurous but not a cruise, check out some of the land-based trips offered by Ambercrombie and Kent. There was a great one to Costa Rico.