Traveling wih a mixed age group - any suggestions?

[jlawall]

I have just been informed that next summer on the 8/2/02 Magic trip to Western Caribbean, I will be traveling with......DH45, DDs -13, 16, 19, DM 66, DD 66, DB 38, DS 36, DNs - 7, 5 and DSs DM 61. We are really excited but...this is quite a mix of ages. We will all have second seating, so if that's too late we will feed little ones and send them to the lab for alittle while during dinner. Could people who have traveled like this, give me some ideas to make this trip work with such diverse ages?

 

[Jenn31]

Anybody at all want to answer?
I beleive the youngest age you said was going is 7?


I'd imagine it would be easy to have all of the family together for the majority of the time. When you and your hubby wanna do your own thing; send the kids to the kids clubs.

I don't know if this was the kind of response you were looking for but I wanted someone to post for ya

It seems like you have a fairly large group though and no one will really be alone, most of th ship is "all age groups."

 

[nancyv58]

We are also traveling with a wide age group. 16-74. We are doing the 3 day with a 3 night stay before the cruise at either WDW or HHI and of the 10 people going only 5 have ever cruised before. It should be interesting but I know it will be fun. Celebrating 2 50th anniversaries and one birthday while we are gone.

 

[taswira]

The younger kids will have the clubs and the teens will meet others in Common Grounds. As for the oldest in the group - It depends on their physical capabilities (walking a lot, or . . .) and their attitudes and interests. They're not THAT old! I am 50 and have no problem travelling with much younger relatives because I'm still a kid at heart. When I take my 80-year old mom next month, it will slow me down a bit, but she still loves Disney and the music and everything. The only potential "what to do?" situation I foresee in your group might be the 19 year old, BUT all it will take is meeting a friend her age onboard and she'll be all set!

 

[badgerboy]

We just got back from the 9/28 mystery cruise with a group of 11 ranging in ages from 4 to 80. Everyone had a fantastic time and all for different reasons. My 13 year old daughter made lots of new friends in her group. Within an hour of our return she was on the computer instant messaging with all of them! I can not think of another vacation that would work as well for a group with such a wide age span. Disney does things right for everyone and I can not say enough good things about our week on the Magic.

 

[4nana]

OMG....lucky you!!
We are anticipating it will be perfect for a family vacation!!
Have a grp of 16 ages 1-66 and this is the exact reason we chose a Disney cruise. There is something for everyone, no matter the age...clubs/niteclubs for the youngest to the oldest, movies, spas, entertainment, bingo, swimming, sports deck, all types of dining settings, port excursions, etc. You can do as little or as much as you like, together or seperate ways. We chose the early seating w/little ones and have connecting cabins so Nana and Pop Pop can help out. Can't wait!! Have fun planning and wishing you a 'magic'al family trip.

 

[gary in florida]

Last year we went on a cruise with 9 people - ages 11 thru 66. Everyone had a ball. (I'm the 66)
I would suggest that you check out the navigators and let everyone do their thing, but try to find some common items that you can do.
If all enjoy the shows, go together. Hit the pool at about the same time, even if for a short time. Do breakfast or lunch together. Don't get upset if some want to do one thing and others want to do other things. Remember, this is everyones vacation, you don't have to spent all the time together.

Just enjoy!

 

[disneyholic family]

i agree about letting everyone do their own thing when on the ship...
as for the ports, i think i'd look for excursions that would be fun for all ages.....from what i've read, these are available in all the ports you'll be visiting...

but on the ship you'll probably all want to go your own way at least part of the time....

we also had 2nd seating which we found to be great (but my kids are teens).....my son, 15, was in common grounds all the time except for breakfast, dinner and the evening show....(which he spent with us)...
i suspect your two teens (the 13 and 16 year olds) will be the same....you may have a problem with the 19 year old as it's a very difficult age group on the ship......my 18 year old spent all of her time with us as there wasn't anyone her age on our cruise (she was way too old for the kids in common grounds and way too young for the 'singles').....despite that she had a spectacular time and can't wait to cruise again (only on DCL though....she refuses any other cruise line.....my son feels the same....)....

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

We were in this situation on our last cruise, although with fewer people. My parents were along so we ranged from DD who was 10 at the time to DM who was 65. We had adjoining cabins but agreed ahead of time to some "rules" (I never thought I'd be negotiating with my parents on curfews, etc. at nearly 40!)

1. No unlimited access to rooms - these are two separate staterooms so please knock and have the door opened before entering!

2. We'd share the diningroom table and enjoy meals together.

3. We'd touch base on who wanted to do what in case there was overlap and we did end up with DD doing an excursion with Grandma and Grandpa while the rest of us snorkeled but this was NOT a requirement.

4. We were the kids parents and decided what the rules were for them in terms of when they had to be where, what they wore, ate, etc.

No we didn't sit down and say these are the rules they just evolved from a return cruisers standpoint to newbies.

Deb

 

[jlawall]

Thanks to all for taking the time to respond. Your suggestions sound like good ones.