Cruise Buzz

Creating Memories on a Multigenerational Family Reunion Cruise

“I just don’t spend enough quality time with my family.” In today’s harried world of information overload, jam-packed schedules and constant multi-tasking, it seems that families hardly have time to sit down and break bread together. We can communicate around the world instantly and do amazing things with computers that save us a lot of time yet why is it that even with all of these productivity tools we aren’t spending enough time bonding with our families?

We really can’t answer that question. However, we do have an idea that will help you reconnect with loved ones in a nearly stress free environment – a multigenerational cruise — a cruise that includes grandparents, parents, children, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.!

The Ultimate Family Experience: The Top 5 Reasons to Consider a Multigenerational Cruise

1. A Cruise Ship Has Something for Everybody.

Today’s large cruise ships deliver amazing facilities to please all members of the family. Generally, the larger the ship, the more likely there’s going to be something aboard for every generation of your family. While Grandpa is in the card room playing Bridge, Grandma is luxuriating in the spa, Mom is watching a cooking demonstration, Dad is trying his luck in the casino, Auntie is catching some rays at the pool and the kids are participating in supervised children’s programs.

The supervised children’s programs are innovative – one size does not fit all! The major cruise lines all offer specially designed areas for different age groups of kids, including special lounges and discos for teens complete with Internet access, computer stations with games, big-screen televisions and counselors who orchestrate activities past midnight.

In addition to having something for every generation of your family, today’s cruise ships offer activities that multigenerational cruisers can enjoy together, such as arts and crafts sessions, family water play, make your own sundae sessions, watching a movie out on deck under the stars, bowling, a family competition on the rock wall or miniature golf course, and scrapbooking. Can you think of a better way to create a personalized memento of your cruise than to put together a scrapbook while on board?

The workaholics in your family won’t be disappointed either as the large cruise ships offer Internet cafes and Wi-Fi capabilities that will enable them to keep in touch with the office as often as necessary.

2. You Get the Most Bang for the Buck.

A cruise offers incomparable variety, convenience and fun and it’s more affordable than many land-based vacations. On a cruise ship, you and your family can visit multiple locations for one price without the hassle of coordinating travel details. Your vacation begins the moment you step onboard. On cruise ships today, most of the following amenities are included in the price of the cruise:

• Stateroom or suite accommodations
• Ocean transportation
• Gourmet dining
• Supervised kids’ program
• Activities like bingo, dance classes, art workshops, board games, ping pong, cooking demonstrations, basketball, etc.
• Enriching lectures about the ports of call
• Vegas-or Broadway-style shows
• Entry to nightclubs, piano bars and other entertainment venues
• Fitness center and hot tubs

3. Family-Friendly Accommodations.

The days of triples and quads where families were shoehorned together are gone. Large cruise ships today not only offer staterooms with triple and quad capability for adults, many of which feature full-size fold-down beds, they also offer adjoining staterooms and spacious family suites. A large family suite can often accommodate all members of the family for a private pre-dinner refreshment and cocktail party.

4. You’ll Visit Some Fascinating Places Together.

Cruises visit over 500 ports worldwide and practically every destination accessible by water. You can embark on your cruise vacation from a wide variety of North American ports or exciting and exotic locations around the globe. Many of the cruise lines even have their own private islands for your family to explore.

With the tremendous variety of shore excursions that the cruise lines offer, you’re sure to find many that are suitable for the whole family to enjoy together or separately. All of you might want to sun and swim at some of the world’s best beaches, while only Grandma and Mom are itching to hunt for shopping bargains and only Dad and the kids are thrilled by the prospect of riding a raft over river rapids or exploring dark catacombs.

5. You Only Have to Unpack Once.

The hassles of an ordinary land-based vacation are completely eliminated. All you have to do is think about the time-consuming ordeal of constantly packing and unpacking as you travel from one destination to another with kids in tow and a cruise looks increasingly attractive. A cruise is one convenient package – no running for flight connections and no endless loading and unloading of the family car. You won’t continually be hearing “Are we there yet?” from the kids.

And I almost forgot – on a cruise ship you won’t have to argue about who will pay for dinner!

Now that I’ve convinced you that a multigenerational cruise is worth considering, you’re probably wondering where to begin. After all, planning a family reunion can be complicated, stressful and time-consuming, especially a large reunion involving lots of people from all over the country or world. No worries. Cruise Holidays of Mission Viejo has years of experience helping families plan memorable, once-in­-a-lifetime cruise vacations.

Given your desired dates, destinations, lifestyle and budget, we will find the ideal cruise for your family and handle all of the details. If you leave it to us, all that’s left for you to do is to relax and cruise.

While you are still healthy, take the trip of a lifetime together. You will share a closeness that previous generations had when they lived together. For years you will hear, “Remember when…?

What are you waiting for? Start planning your multigenerational cruise now!

Call Cruise Holidays of Mission Viejo to start planning 949-215-6700 or email us at cruise@cruisebuzz.net