Wyndham Wisdom
The Floating Family Reunion
How to organize a family get-together on a major cruise line
BY EVERETT POTTER
Seeking an adventurous, cost-effective and easy way to organize a multi-generational get-together? Consider setting sail on a floating family reunion aboard a cruise ship. "It really is the best way to spend quality time together without the stress of who will cook, clean and play host or hostess," says Katie Skow, a San Diego-based wine writer whose in-laws have organized four family reunions on Carnival, Princess, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean ships.
A cruise reunion allows you to easily spend time together and apart, with
a huge menu of group activities from waterslides and rock-climbing to shows and concerts. Factor in multiple restaurants and bars; an all-inclusive price; and the potential cost savings that come from booking multiple cabins--and you have
a winning combination. These tips will get you off to a running (or floating) start.
BEFORE SETTING SAIL
Start by asking family members some basic questions about budgets and cruise length. Cruises of four to seven days often work best for family reunions, given limited vacation time.
If school-age kids are coming along, that leaves school vacations and summer as your travel window--popular times that book up far in advance. Then it's time to consider the destination and embarkation port. If some family members prefer not to fly, there are more than 20 U.S. home ports to consider--cities where you can drive to the ship and sail round trip. These include Boston, New York, Baltimore, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Galveston, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.
SEEK OUT PERKS
Many cruise lines will make special arrangements to accommodate large groups--setting up interconnecting cabins, group meal seating, private cocktail parties and more. Royal Caribbean has a Royal Reunion package that includes rock-climbing, a photo session and a daily challenge, such as a scavenger hunt, which brings various age groups together in a single activity.
In fact, the bigger the ship, the greater the chance of discovering an activity--from shuffleboard to a zipline--that appeals to different ages. It worked for Yuri Rodgers Milligan, a public relations executive from Hampton, VA, and his 44 family members from New York, Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, Alabama and the U.S. Virgin Islands. "Our seven-day Caribbean cruise on Carnival Liberty turned out to be such a wonderful experience," says Milligan, "that we're already planning the next one."
INSIDER ADVICE
Cruise veterans can offer lots of tips. For example, it's tough to book a shore excursion for a group, since these trips can sell out even before the cruise begins. To avoid disappointment, book day trips before you leave.
Katie Skow cautions not to plan every activity together. "On our trips, each family has their own cabin," says Skow, "and the only expectation is that we meet for dinner every night. Of course, we end up running into each other for impromptu cocktails, a basketball game or just a long chat."
Antonia Namnath, from San Francisco, suggests that the family book at least one night at one of the fine dining restaurants found aboard many ships. "These places are more intimate, and they can make a special cake to celebrate your reunion."
It can be fun to choose a different spot to meet up every day for a swim, afternoon tea or drinks. You can also create a daily family program that incorporates the ship's roster of events. And you might designate one cabin
as a hospitality suite.
But it's the unscheduled nature of a cruise that may well be the biggest attraction. "If I could give only one tip," says Katie Skow, "it would be to not set high expectations. Let everyone enjoy their own experience. You'll end up spending lots of time together."
Let RCI book your next cruise. To learn more about RCI's cruising options,
visit cruiserci.com or call 877-RCI-BOAT (877-724-2628).
NOTE: Information may have changed since publication. Please confirm key details before planning your trip.
