Family Ties

By Chris Robinson

How a cruise vacation can bring together generations in one place and create memories of a lifetime

In 1938, my parents were married on Christmas Eve. Sixty years later, they were in their eighties and with 15 children and grandchildren scattered across the globe. They decided to celebrate their diamond anniversary by bringing the family together for a special week over the Christmas holiday. A Caribbean cruise proved to be the perfect way to do it.

Five years later, we found ourselves on another Caribbean cruise together, this time with a newly born fourth generation, celebrating my parents’ blue sapphire (65th) anniversary. Our family had grown and was even more global, so the gathering was yet more wonderful. The bonding of the generations was simply magical.

WRITER CHRIS ROBINSON AND HIS FAMILY

© CHRIS ROBINSON

That cruise was the last time we were all together, as my parents passed away three years later. But their precious gift of family reunions lives on. Every five years, we have reunited for a family cruise vacation. Our group has grown to 26 as new generations are born and partners are added. Each time, attendance has been 100 per cent, even though we now live far apart in Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Portugal, Switzerland and Singapore.

We have visited 20 countries over the years, providing a heady mix of memories made in so many wonderful places. Diving in Roatán. Exploring Mayan temples. Swimming with stingrays. Viewing cloud-wreathed volcanos in Dominica. Many of the most unforgettable moments have been family times that would never have happened otherwise. Experiencing a loud and colourful Sunday morning church service on Antigua with my Mom and Dad. Taking over a fisherman’s beach restaurant in Mexico for a lunch that extended into the evening. A family concert at the cruise ship’s karaoke bar. Dinners afloat when we solved all the world’s problems over cocktails.

EXPLORE MAYAN TEMPLES TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LOCAL CULTURE

© ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL

We didn’t need the pandemic to teach us the importance of sharing travel time with our global family. Two wise old souls taught us that in a previous century. And when we all meet again for our next cruise together, we will raise our glasses to a tradition that just gets better every time – and to the romantic couple who married on Christmas Eve long ago and who surely watch over each successive reunion.

JOYS OF FAMILY CRUISING

Cruise vacations are perfect for larger family gatherings. Home ports in the U.S. and the Caribbean are convenient hubs for family members who may be flying in from different locations. (We have used Florida, California, Barbados, Dominican Republic and Mexico as bases.) The major cruise lines are experts at catering to extended families. (We have had positive experiences with both Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line.)

A MEMORABLE SWIM WITH STINGRAYS

Cabin accommodations are flexible for all sorts of family units and budgets. Our family has used balcony suites where the matriarchs and patriarchs can hold court, to inside cabins with additional bunk beds for the young families.

MINI SUITE ON NORWEGIAN BLISS

© NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

Onboard facilities cater to all age groups, with kids’ clubs, piano bars, climbing walls, casinos and more. Cruise ships have space in their restaurants, bars and common areas to accommodate large groups together – and enough room to escape for anyone needing some alone time.

Our family groups have ranged from babies a few months old to age 90. And it’s an opportunity for the older generation to literally pay it forward to the younger generations who may have more pressing financial priorities.

CUISINE TO PLEASE EVERY PALATE

© NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

MAKING IT HAPPEN

Here are some tips on organizing a successful extended family cruise vacation. First of all, plan early. It can be challenging to gain consensus about timing and destinations, so start a couple of years ahead of time when the cruise lines publish their new itineraries. Ensure all family members participate in this initial planning phase, so everyone feels ownership of the vacation.

LET YOUR INNER CHILD EMERGE

© NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

Next, engage with your trusted travel advisor, who will be able to pull together diverse flights, recommend the optimum cruise line and cabin needs, identify any applicable group discounts, and finally, book all the arrangements in one neat package. Having an expert coordinate all the many options will ensure that no single family member has to bear all the work involved.

ONBOARD ACTIVITIES DELIVER THRILLS

© ROYAL © NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL

Excursions in the ports of call enable you to fully experience the places visited on a cruise, but ship excursions can be expensive. Your large group can also consider personally arranged, exclusive, tailored trips for all, as well as smaller trips reflecting individual interests. Again, your travel advisor will be able to help select and book the best, most cost effective trips for your group.

SOAKING UP THE FUN AT COCOCAY IN THE BAHAMAS

© ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL

It is always a good idea to build in some pre-cruise time around the home port. Arriving a day or two ahead gives everyone a chance to meet up in advance, shake off any jet lag accumulated (especially if there are family members flying in from other continents) and lessens the risk of missing the cruise departure because of flight delays. It means that you can relax and maximize your time together, from that first thrilling walk up the gangplank to the last sunset cocktail on the final evening.