My in laws want to plan 1 probably last big trip. Originally they wanted this summer but everyone got busy and it didn’t happen. Plus MIL has a hard time making a decision.
Options they are considering- friends of MIL and FIL have recommended a Europe cruise on a small boat of about 200 passengers. ( I don’t know yet with what company) routes they are looking at include either Italy, Croatia or maybe Portugal. Their friends also recommended Galapagos. As you can see they are all over the map. I think Galapagos might be beyond the I laws physical capabilities by next summer.
They also would consider a barge trip in Europe. A boat we could private charter with a crew. MIL doesn’t want to have to cook and FIL doesn’t want to be in charge of the boat. The In laws are longtime sailors with many blue water crossings so have spent a good deal of time on the water.
Details- as of now we are I think 15 people ranging in age from 18-86. Thinking next summer after college cousins finish classes. trying to plan plenty ahead as grandkids who are already working will need to plan out their vacation time. Due to those working grandkids I’m thinking a 7 day cruise. My in laws are in fairly good shape but both of them are now having knee and hip issues that will make traveling more difficult. We will be traveling from west coast of US. I’m sure those who have the time will extend the trip.
My in laws have been extremely generous in the past and we have done great trips to Hawaii, Africa and three summers ago Paris and a house in Provence. They think a boat setting would be easier on their bodies. No moving hotels, not a lot of walking. Activities for the rest of the family to do.
Would love all suggestions. It does not have to be a bargain trip.
You are going to have to,add several,additional days for a European cruise if you are traveling from the west coast.
What about an Alaskan cruise? Some members of our family went a few years ago…grandparents, and two families, one family had a 14 and 20 year old. They said it was terrific, and there was something for everyone.
You absolutely want a room with a balcony.
Rhine river cruise?
My coworker went on an Alaskan cruise this summer and said it was amazing.
Lucky you! Enjoy every minute!
Alaskan cruise is super fun for all ages.
Neighbors did Galapagos cruise. They really enjoyed it but from what they talked about it I’m not sure all ages would appreciate it. Might be for older crowd. Not sure but I’d look at it more closely before deciding on it.
An acquaintance did a barge cruise in England with her husband and loved it.
I have 2 cruises on my bucket list:
Cuba on a 3 masted sailing ship: http://cruisingtocuba.com/ponant-cruises-to-cuba/
(Not sure about the timing being ideal if you want summer)
Cruising the fjords of Norway: https://www.hurtigruten.us (of course there are many other companies)
My Serbian friend posts many photos of her trips to Croatia and it looks like she’s in a fairy tale. Fine dining, spectacular coastal villages, clean, safe and somewhat off the radar for the American tourist crush. With 15 people it should be possible to hire a private cruise with crew. Each port offers opportunities to explore inland or linger near the coast. Ready access to medical care too if something comes up.
Where do you/they live? What’s your honest assessment on your in law’s mobility? We had a great time on
Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas, which is an enormous cruise ship that leaves out of NJ. We went to the Bahamas and the boat also goes to Bermuda. Honestly-the ship is the destination, it is incredible! We are really not cruise people-we are campers and adventurous-but this cruise was really fun and there was so much to do. We were a group of 12, age 4-75. On the flip side, for our honeymoon, husband and I chartered a boat though The Moorings, with a cook and it was weird and obtrusive to have staff on the boat with us. It sounded luxurious, but it was actually just awkward. Friends just took a Tauck River Cruise through Eastern Europe and loved it, raved about it…made me curious! But based on my experience with my in laws-a lot depends on what they can handle. My MIL can’t walk that much. She’s not overweight, but she has breathing issues so the cruise was great for her-we all hung out at the pool, she could be in the mix but didn’t need to be on the go. We did excursions a few of the days, but we agreed that we always had dinner together. We had a beach day and rented a private cabana so she had a place to perch-I think she was happy with the trip. And our active family found a lot to do and explore! Going to Europe is great, but it’s also a lot of hassle…sometimes it’s nice to just keep it simple, especially if you are dealing with a lot of ages, abilities, and personalities.
Didn’t the OP say they would be traveling from the west coast? If so…going to Europe or,even South America would be a LONG plane tip for the grandparents. And that would only get them TO where their cruise was beginning!
If,they have 7 days total, a European cruise just can’t happen…not enough time to get there…and cruise.
But Alaska would be possible!
Seems like the inlaws are the ones suggesting South America or Europe so it sounds like they are willing to go the distance.
They are suffering this LONG trip…but the OP says she is concerned about their ability to make such a trip.
I agree. We travelled with grandparents a couple of years ago…and the flight to the destination took two days…because,they simply could not be on a plane for,the whole number of hours for one day.
They were tired most of the trip. Really…someplace closer to,home,would,have made more sense.
From the west coast my first thought was Alaska.
Galapagos can require more physical activity than the older members might like. (Snorkeling figures in prominently on many trips.) I’m a fan of the Greek Islands for cruising. If your group wanted to be half the boat, Variety cruises could be a good choice. They have mega yachts, so no tenders to shore, etc. River trips in Europe might also be worth considering. I believe that some will allow you to cycle on some days which allows the active members of the party a way to burn off energy while the more leisurely cohort can stay on the boat.
If airline travel is difficult for any members of the party, a closer destination may be preferable. West coast / Alaska cruises, as mentioned previously, could be a convenient option if they want to do a cruise.
We loved the Disney Alaska cruise, and there were lots of multi-generation groups on the boat. It’s nice to be able to choose more adventurous or more relaxing shore excursions for each port, and the scenery was amazing. The boats are well-designed for people with mobility issues, and the kitchen easily handled the food allergies for one member of our family.
Alaska has high marks in terms of family vacations. We haven’t done it because several Ellebuds aren’t scenery people. (yes, I am chief of the see one tree, you’ve seen them all.) In addition several families have done the Lake Louise/Bamph. We have several friends who have rented a yacht (with the crew) for a time and or Crystal Cruises or Seaboarn.
@mom60 - Do they need to be ‘on’ the water? Or could they just be near? The absolute best vacation of my life was this time last year, when, thanks to the recommendations of CCers, H and I spent a week and a half in the Pacific Northwest… and I’m specifically thinking of five nights in Tofino, on Vancouver Island. If they’ve not spent any time up there, it’s just stunningly beautiful. There are some high end resorts just outside of Tofino and lots of activities for the more active members of the group to partake in - paddle boarding, kayaking, hot springs, bear watching tours, hiking, fishing, and yes, surfing! Surfing is HUGE up there.
Don’t be misled, although there are a handful of high end resorts, this is a very rural, small town… one stoplight in the whole town and it’s one of those blinking red lights. You don’t go there to go shopping, see museums, etc., but you will see stars at night like you can’t see in more metropolitan areas. There are quite a few restaurants, and again, some of them are very upscale; almost all of them prioritize sourcing local food, and it is incredible. It would be easy to go to Tofino, check into one of the resorts and just stay there for the week.
If you’d like more information, let me know.
I have a friend (who, coincidentally, I met through CC), who is on the Crystal Serenity right now; just departed Tuesday, for 32 days (give or take a couple depending on how well their ice-breaker functions) through the Northwest Passage and this is the largest ship that has ever attempted this route. This is what they are doing:
http://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/the-worlds-most-dangerous-cruise-1070-capacity-ship-takes-on-the-northwest-passage/ar-BBvMPLg?li=BBnbfcL
I’m enjoying following her progress on Facebook, that is, until after they depart Nome and internet will be virtually non-existent!
We have done several cruises with my Dad, my brother and his family. There are a ton of activities for everyone to do on the cruise ships while sailing and we arranged for private tours on land. Our kids have great memories on those family trips because they could do whatever activities they wanted on board and we just got together for dinner. In addition, it solves the too much togertherness problems.