Family Reunion Travel Ideas — from Grandparents to Parents to Grandkids
 

Whether you see your extended family regularly at Sunday dinners or only gather during holidays, breaking free from the everyday normal and your group wants to create new chances to bond and create life long memories. Plan that family reunion or vacation you’ve  been putting off and join together for a trip of a lifetime.
 

Tips for Planning a Family Reunion Cruise
 

Family reunions should be a fun and memorable experience but can be stressful without planning it just right. Keep things simple and create a structure for your reunion or family vacation while leaving plenty of room for flexibility. Here are some multigenerational  travel tips to turn your trip into a success:
 

Forget the All Inclusive Resorts
 

Plan Something Every Day
 

Leaving your family reunion or vacation up to chance and just going with the flow may sound relaxing, but doesn’t leave much opportunity for those epic adventures that help foster family bonding time. Plan something every day that suits the interest of your  group with some flexibility for family members to choose some downtime too.
 

Keep it Small
 

The point of your family reunion is to create an opportunity for togetherness. Skip the big, bustling bus tours and instead opt for small tours for a day of fun. For example, Grand Cayman Stingray City offers a cozy cruiser cabin, which most tours use. Ask for a tour that leaves later and skip the crowds and enjoy family time together on your cruiser cabin if possible
 

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
 

Nothing bonds a family together like getting out of your comfort zone and trying something new together. Try scuba diving with the sharks in the Bahamas on your next adventurous family reunion with a tour that handles all of the details from gear to safety. If scuba diving and sharks stretch your comfort zone a little too much, try a private sailboat ride and go snorkeling in calm waters near Puerto Vallarta.
 

Pick Meeting Spots
 

A central meeting spot for your family is essential whether you’re trying to meet up with stragglers, or are worried about getting separated. Pick a place and make sure everyone knows what to expect. Let them know where to rendezvous, the approximate time it  will take for everyone to regroup, and what to do in an emergency. Smaller kids who get separated should be reminded of the grown-ups first and last names, memorize at least one mobile number and know to approach a gift shop worker or police officer if they  get lost. You don't want to miss the cruise ship it will leave without you, that's one reason it is good to take yours tours with the ships companies because that's the only way they will hold up the ship for you.
 

Factor in some Downtime
 

It’s tempting to want to pack activities in all day to really make the most of your family reunion. But a successful reunion includes time to just hang-out and relax, and a little downtime from the group can ease tensions. Factor in your days at sea to kind  have some time to enjoy the ships activities.  And remember grandparents will get bonus points for offering to watch the grandkids so Mom and Dad can have their own downtime or chance to reconnect on a date. There is also the kids clubs that gives kids so  much to do with kids their own age away from adults.
 

Family Reunion Activities
 

Now that you have some tips to plan and execute the perfect family reunion, start brainstorming activities the whole family will enjoy. The trick is to make it fun and memorable and just far enough outside your comfort zone for exhilarating adventures that  tap into all age groups, while still being relaxing and intimate. Here are some ideas to kick-off your family reunion bucket list:  A cruise has so many things already taken care of for you, such as where do we eat every night what do we do for entertainment  at night, etc.  Less decisions to get everyone to decide on every day.
 

Cruise the Caribbean
 

A family cruise through the Caribbean offers something for everyone from water sports to sailboat rides to history lessons. Choose a cruise that stops through several islands to see a wide range of diversity. Jamaica is fantastic for horseback riding and tubing while Puerto Rico offers plenty of historical attractions and a totally unique bioluminescent bay. Meanwhile, Grand Cayman offers world-class diving and a chance for the whole family to snorkel in Stingray City where friendly creatures come so close you can touch them.
 

Swim with the Dolphins in Mexico  
 

Dolphin encounters are a bucket list experience for all ages where everyone from grandparents to kids can get in on the fun. Swimming with dolphins is popular in areas from the Caribbean to Mexico. In Riviera Maya, families can interact with dolphins, swim,  and play and even get a big kiss from these friendly creatures. Their Swim Adventure even offers the opportunity to snorkel with a dolphin and experience their world under water.
 

A Train Ride in Alaska
Alaska is a haven for wilderness lovers and can be soaked up on a train ride across its scenic railway. Take a tour on a 28-mile Alaska journey between Skagway, Alaska and Fraser, British Columbia. Visitors trek through the White Pass for breathtaking panoramic views of mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, and trestles while getting a history lesson. A historic narration  guides visitors through what they’re seeing. Kids in your group will love the tales of the Gold Rush era and folklore tales.
 

Remember that family travel is about a shared adventure. In fact, one of our favorite quotes about family travel by Helen Keller is, “Life is either a great adventure or nothing.” Where will your great adventure take you as a family? We would love to hear about your experiences with your family reunion or vacation!

Make sure you get an experienced Group Cruise Planner to take care of the details for you so everything is put together perfectly for you. This way you are also enjoying your Reunion.