Extended Family Vacation Ideas

[onetruething]

Hi, My parents would like to do a week long trip this summer to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. There would be about 20 of us, ages 5-72. Some families, some couples without children.

We have thought about doing a cruise, but my Mom is nervous about the small kids on a boat, so I'm wondering if anyone has any comparable land options?

Things to consider:
We don't all want to stay in a house together.
We don't all want to visit the same city if that makes sense.
There must be alcohol.
My parents are old and sensitive to the heat.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!!!!

[GilliC]

Why is she nervous about the small kids on the cruise? A lot of cruiselines even have organized programs for kids that young.

[Deleted]

My kids have been on the QM2 every summer since the youngest was 1. They've done great--none have fallen overboard yet :-).

I've really enjoyed our crossings on the QM2 because there is plenty for the kids to do so I actually get to just relax. Also if you are worried about getting sick, etc, most boats have on-board medical centers (we had to use the QM2s one year when DS1 woke up with an ear infection).

I think for a group that large I'd consider a cruise. A good travel agent can get you all the same dinner seating, etc so you have family time but there is also enough to do that you don't have to do everything together all the time.

[onetruething]

I know. We've always been a cruise family and she cruised with me as a child without problems. But she's older now and gets nervous about things that never bothered her before. I suppose I could push the issue, but I just don't want her to spend her vacation worrying about my kids.

[emilyinchile]

Sorry, what does this mean: "We don't all want to visit the same city if that makes sense"? You don't all have one city that you're dying to visit? You can't agree on a city? You don't want to be in a city at all?

I think the most similar option to a cruise would be an AI resort somewhere, but most of those are hot, tropical locations. What kind of temps would be ok with your parents? Is warm with a breeze an option? Aruba is pretty much always breezy and so cools off more than somewhere with a similar temperature and no wind.

[trigal]

What about going to the National Parks? Yellowstone is a lot of fun for all ages. You could probably rent condos or houses for each family.

My large family just got back from a trip to Italy. We are considering Disney World for my parents' 50th.