Best vacation for extended families

Having you and your family visit the Disney World might be in your plans for this summer season. If you’re wondering what family vacation destinations are the best ones for large families, I have four cruise ships on my list.

Vacation vacations seem simple: carefully plan and book a trip, buy the tickets, pack your bags, and get on a plane. But when extended families are involved, vacations can be stressful. Whether it’s a wedding or a baby shower, long weekends or summer vacations, family travel is a different experience for everyone which is why it’s so important to choose your vacation for the right reasons — and plan ahead.

Most of us desire quality time with our loved ones. A vacation is the opportunity you are looking for. On a vacation, you get to take a break from your daily activities, go off and enjoy quality time with your family and friends. There are lots of vacation destinations in the world today. With people travelling to various parts of the world every single day either on business or pleasure, there is no doubt that the tourism industry is flourishing by the day.

The best vacation for extended families is one that allows everyone to have fun together.

If you have a large family, you know that it can be difficult to choose a vacation destination that works for everyone. There are so many factors to consider: what activities do your kids enjoy? Do you have any special dietary needs or preferences? Are there any age-related restrictions on the types of activities available at the resort? And what about the adults? Are there enough activities for them, too?

By making sure that your children’s needs are met, you can make sure they’ll feel welcome and cared for on your trip. And by making sure that the adults get their own time away from the kids, they’ll feel like they’re getting something out of the experience too!

The cruise is a great vacation for extended families because it allows for everyone to have their own space and time together. You can get away from the day-to-day grind, but you don’t have to go far to do it. The ship has everything you need, so there’s no need to pack up all your belongings and drag them along with you on your trip.

Plus, there are tons of activities that everyone can enjoy together: swimming pools and hot tubs, movies under the stars, casino games and dancing classes—and if one person doesn’t want to do something or prefers something else instead (like sleeping!), there’s no pressure for them to participate. It’s just about having fun together!

Cruising

For: Round-the-clock activity seekers who aren’t afraid to split up until mealtime.

What to expect:  The all-in-one-place entertainment factor coupled with the opportunity to explore port cities makes cruising a great multigenerational travel choice. Budgets are respected (everyone can choose the room and meal plan that works best for them) and larger ships offer options that range from champagne bars to late-night kids’ clubs. Everyone sets their own pace, making it a great option for balancing personalities and energy levels.

One to Try: Disney Cruise Lines, like the parks, promises fun for all ages. Families will find options they can enjoy together onboard, including first-run movies and interactive restaurants.

Dude Ranches

For: Wild West lovers who want horse encounters, outdoor fun, and campfire singalongs.

What to expect. Everyone bonds when you’re wearing cowboy hats. This is the trip for families that like structure and plenty of activities. Ranch styles range from early-rise/help the cowboy options to more leisurely camp-like stays. Know your intensity tolerance before you book.

Where to try it: At Western Pleasure Guest Ranch, just outside Sandpoint, Idaho, kids can spend a week with their horse in a kids’ horse camp, then meet back up with parents or grandparents for meals and quieter activities. At the Red Horse Mountain Ranch near Coeur de Alene, Idaho, days include beautiful mountain trail rides as well as mountain biking, yoga, archery and more.

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Family Adventure Tours

For:  Multigenerational adventure seekers keen on thrilling and culturally engaging activities around the world.

What to expect:  Adventure is the middle name (literally at times- think G Adventures or Thomson Family Adventures) of the companies who run these tours—and they live up to their names. Trips are full of opportunities to run, jump, question, and learn. However, if you’re traveling with folks who have limited mobility or hate the idea of a schedule, this one won’t be a fit. Days are packed with new exploits, and evenings leave time for laid-back fun.

Where to try it: Consider building the family bond on a Row Adventures Family Magic Rafting trip. Trips include a Travel Jester (like a camp counselor) to keep kids entertained in between excursions. Or try Intrepid Travel’s Family tours, which include opportunities to explore Asia, Africa, Europe, and more

All-Inclusive

For: Beach lovers whose perfect vacation includes food, frolic, and fun … without necessarily straying far from the room.

What to expect: Relaxed days and easy living. All-Inclusive resorts were among the first to embrace multigenerational travelers. Pick your destination and pay attention to your included options to make sure every member of your clan has something to look forward to.

Where to try it: Club Med. Connecting rooms are standard and can be reserved at the time of booking; some locations (especially in the Caribbean) offer suites for additional living space. Everyone is catered to: Its “baby club” takes infants as young as four months, and older kids will find age-appropriate sports and creative activities. Adult lessons like tennis, archery, and trapeze run on parallel tracks to kids’, so once activities are over, you can all get back together to enjoy quality time together.

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National Parks

For: The family who dreams of hike-filled days and star-filled nights.

What to expect: Head to a national park with the extended family for stunning vistas, starlit nights, and days filled with hiking and biking. The parks offer plenty of activities (ranger-led and independent; at a cost and free) which means options abound for family time, both together and apart. Send grandma off to learn about the local wildlife with her mini-me, while granddad teaches your daughter how to skip stones. Memories are easy to make here. Older bones may be less keen on the tent camping experience. Consider pop up trailers, RVs, or cabin rentals to keep everyone in your multigenerational group comfortable.

Where to try it: Any of the National Parks will be worth exploring, but if you’ve got the time, plan an epic road trip to Utah’s Mighty Five. Also, consider buying an annual pass for the National Park System. An $80 annual fee covers access to all parks that charge ‘per vehicle’, which greatly reduces the cost of entrance fees throughout the year if you visit multiple parks in the year.

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History Alive

For: Plant the seed of common interest between the generations by taking the learning out of the books and into the world.

What to expect: Historical getaways don’t have to be ho-hum. If you’ve got family members with an interest, or school kids who are studying American history, why not tie that into a trip they’ll all remember?

Where to try it:  Introduce the kids to the Civil War in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Museums and Battlefield tours (by bicycle, Segway, air balloon, or horseback) are perfect for inquisitive travelers of all ages. You can easily spend a few days exploring the local area, and you’re only a short drive from Washington, D.C., for more history and museums. 

Wintry Escapes

For: Families who see winter as a challenge just waiting to be conquered.

What to expect:  An active vacation with some quality time built in. Snow destination vacations offer opportunities for a variety of skill levels on the slopes, window shopping in the village, and the comfort of a cozy chalet in between.

Where to try it: In Whistler, British Columbia, you’ll find slopes that work for both beginners and advanced skiers and snowboarders, plus spa options and wildlife tours. The Family Adventure Zone offers fun for all ages, and a wide choice of comfortable accommodations can fit the whole clan.

Heritage Travel

For:  Multigenerational travelers looking to connect on a trip that traces the family tree to its ancestral roots.

What to expect: Stories and outings that bond the generations. Taking a trip to the places that helped to shape your parents (and theirs) will give the whole family a connection to personal history.

Where to try It:  Everywhere. Start with your family’s photos and scrapbooks, or an online site like ancestry.com, and build from there. Will it be a reunion with the extended family in Scotland or a three-generation Vietnam family tour? Work with a travel agent to find the perfect guide to lead your family home and include the personal stops that will matter most.

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Giving Back

For: Families who want to help make a lasting positive change in the world.

What to expect: Plenty of destinations offer volunteer options, but it can be hard to be sure your good intentions are doing what you hope. Research is key. Chat with your family ahead of time so that you choose an activity that means something to everyone involved.

Where to try it: Elevate Destinations offers luxurious eco-friendly trips to destinations that also allow you to give back in a variety of ways. The intensity of the volunteer work ranges from work with local non-profits to assisting creative artisans. The great thing is that the trips aren’t all work and no play. Fun is still a part of the equation. Plus, the “Buy a Trip Give a Trip” program means that for every trip sold, a local child is given a trip so they can see more of their home country.

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The Villa Stay

For: Families intent on finding an island paradise where togetherness is the order of the day … and no one is futzing in the kitchen or worried about the laundry.

What to expect: The royal treatment with a side order of peace and quiet. Pick your island and then leave the details to your villa team. They’ll handle your meals, the cleaning, and booking any activities. Your main job? Relaxing with family. While prices can induce sticker shock (Expect $5,000 to $20,000 per week in some spots) it may still be less expensive than individual hotel rooms—not to mention the advantages of having a chef, butler, maid, ground transfers and private pools on site.