Where would you go for high school graduation?

[darnheather]

My daughter, Izzy, will be twenty when she graduates HS in 2026. I'm a big planner so I'm starting to think about her trip now. My oldest was homeschooled and chose the Panama Canal cruise on DCL in February 2019 and it was amazing. Izzy's trip will need to be in summer or fall of 2026.

Budget is 10k (because have you seen airfares lately?!?) but I'd obviously like to do it for less. She'd like to do a cruise that includes stops in Turkey. Spouse has never been on Disney and votes DCL (they don't stop in Turkey). I have no opinion.

 

[soccerdad72]

We also tend to do trips in lieu of parties or gifts.

My older son chose Hawaii for his HS graduation trip (Maui / Oahu). My younger son graduated HS this past May, but we deferred his trip to next May so both boys can go on the trip. Plus, we can double up and consider the trip as a graduation trip for both of them (belated HS / college). We've decided on an African safari.

 

[sam_gordon]

My daughter, Izzy, will be twenty when she graduates HS in 2026. I'm a big planner so I'm starting to think about her trip now. My oldest was homeschooled and chose the Panama Canal cruise on DCL in February 2019 and it was amazing. Izzy's trip will need to be in summer or fall of 2026.

Budget is 10k (because have you seen airfares lately?!?) but I'd obviously like to do it for less. She'd like to do a cruise that includes stops in Turkey. Spouse has never been on Disney and votes DCL (they don't stop in Turkey). I have no opinion.

IMO, the celebrant (in this case your daughter) gets to choose, provided it fits within your budget. You can ask her if she had to choose between a cruise to Turkey or cruising on DCL (which doesn't go to Turkey).

 

[Robber Baron]

Upon graduation from HS my kids got a trip to the local Japanese Hibachi.

It's not like the HS graduation was an option for them.

 

[Lumpy1106]

My kids got a trip to college. They are enjoying it.

 

[Praying Colonel]

Upon graduation from HS my kids got a trip to the local Japanese Hibachi.

It's not like the HS graduation was an option for them.

I feel seen.

 

[georgina]

Wow, when I saw the title, I was thinking which restaurant to go out to dinner at. Floored by the idea of a trip. But good for you!

 

[sam_gordon]

We've done trips (cruises) for our kids. Nothing as elaborate as what the OP is proposing, but we do it as a "family" vacation.

Yes, graduating HS is generally "expected". But so is growing another year older, and people go all out for that (especially for younger kids).

 

[NotUrsula]

Lots of folks, including us, view that post-HS graduation trip as the last real family trip, because once they move away from home, we don't regularly travel with them.

We've met up with DS on trips if we're near him, but at 26 he's low man on the vacation-time-pole, and long trips are not possible for him right now.

 

[luvnwdwgal]

Wow! All I got was a little graduation party with a few family members and friends and a cake.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I have no experience to offer help but your trip sounds lovely, congratulations!

 

[darnheather]

Upon graduation from HS my kids got a trip to the local Japanese Hibachi.

It's not like the HS graduation was an option for them.

For my daughter it has been an uphill battle. When she was 2 I was told she would never walk. At 5 I was told she'd never read. Now she's in honors English and danced ballet for years. Additionally, it will be our first family vacation in three years.

 

[darnheather]

Lots of folks, including us, view that post-HS graduation trip as the last real family trip, because once they move away from home, we don't regularly travel with them.

We've met up with DS on trips if we're near him, but at 26 he's low man on the vacation-time-pole, and long trips are not possible for him right now.

So much this. My oldest daughter has not been able to travel with us since and I don't know when she might be able to.

 

[tvguy]

Upon graduation from HS my kids got a trip to the local Japanese Hibachi.

It's not like the HS graduation was an option for them.

I have seen posts before on the DIS about High School Graduation trips, but not something I am aware of anyone around here doing. I didn't and my kids didn't. I am excluding a class grad trip. My class decided to do an overnight trip to Lake Tahoe instead of the traditional Grad Night at Disneyland, 50 years later I have NO idea why our class officers decided to do that. And my kids had an all night "Sober Graduation" party at a local bowling alley, but no $10,000 trip.

 

[georgina]

Our family trips once our kids were all adults were Orlando, relative's vacation home in Wisconsin, Hawaii (kauai and
Honolulu), Ireland, France, UK, Budapest/Vienna. Did DCL once when they were kids and they preferred Royal Caribbean to that.

 

[E&Cmom]

Enjoy your family trip.

My eldest graduated in 2021 when hardly any travel was happening and missed out on her school trip. We finally went on our postponed family trip to Disneyland this Summer. . My youngest is graduating this year and will be going to Italy for a school trip in March so that will be her grad gift. I am sure we will take a family trip but that Is because I like to travel and am making up for some lost travel time.

 

[Magical2017]

We are doing a trip for ODS high school graduation next summer. He thinks an Alaskan cruise might be his top choice. Second option is Costa Rica.

eta since budget is coming up--we are using as many miles/points as we can to pay for the trip. Right now I can cover up to three people's trips on the points and miles I have so only have to pay for one person's cruise. For air we will have the SW companion pass so we will pay for air for two people out of four. If we do Costa Rica I can cover the entire trip on points.

 

[Rogue1677x]

We're doing a high school graduation trip for our daughter to Paris this year. She's never wanted to go on any of the school trips and has always wanted to go to Paris.

 

[Magical2017]

We're doing a high school graduation trip for our daughter to Paris this year. She's never wanted to go on any of the school trips and has always wanted to go to Paris.

Sounds fun! Are you going to the Olympics?

 

[Rogue1677x]

Sounds fun! Are you going to the Olympics?

No, we're avoiding that time. But we're taking her to Disneyland Paris, she's very excited about that.