Looking for the perfect multi generational cruise

My husband and I would like to take our parents (age 65, 70, 75, 80) and our children (age 15, 22, 28) on a family cruise. He is 55, I will be turning 45 during the trip.

I want somewhere hot (ie Caribbean).

Our challenge is which cruise line? Carnival is out - way too much of a party boat for the old folks.

We are NOT into on board shopping, art auctions or casino's. The adults would enjoy the musical shows, lounging, fine dinning. The kids are all active, so they need stuff to keep them busy that's included in the trip. My husband can't sit still for longer then about 3 minutes so put him in with the kids.

Other challenge is that we have one gluten free and one both dairy and gluten free.

Any suggestions??

You might be best served by contacting a travel agent.

What’s your budget? I am think RCI might be best fit on one of the new mega ships.

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I think you should look at Celebrity and MSC. Or, reconsider Carnival on a cruise longer than 7 days. Longer cruises = older folks. You haven't said when you want to cruise. Time of year affects how many ships are available in the Caribbean. EM

I'm honestly not sure this recommendation is what you are looking for. But if an interesting warm itinerary is most important to you (and I understand it might not be, especially on a family vacation) leaving from the East Coast I'd recommend considering the 10 day roundtrip Panama Canal cruise on Princess. Unless it's changed, this doesn't have a flashy ship with lots for the kids (I know the Island Princess is an older ship, but am not familiar with the Caribbean Princess). But this cruise visits Cartagena (which is gorgeous), the Panama canal (which is really interesting) and Costa Rica (not the nicest part of Costa rica, but still you can either get to a rainforest or a sloth sanctuary). The other two stops seem to vary, and I quite liked the Grand Cayman Islands (stingray city, turtle farm) and Turks and Caicos, and Ocho Rios (Dunn's falls, lunch at Scotchies), although many people don't seem to like Jamaica we've really had a lovely time there with both our private tours. I wouldn't recommend wandering around by yourself in Jamaica though.

Princess has a great kids club for younger kids, but I don't know if they have enough for your active older children/ young adults.

We like NCL, the newer ships have tons for older kids to do. All 4 of our cruises have been excellent for my daughter who is celiac, she eats better onboard than at home. My 5 are between 15 - 22.

Unless you're doing a 3-4 nighter, you will find that Carnival is on par with RCI and NCL. You can do as much or as little as you desire on any cruise. The above mentioned lines will have more for the younger folks than Celebrity, Princess or HAL.

I would recommend either Harmony of the Seas or Oasis or Allure. These ships all have Broadway caliber musicals and excellent live bands/orchestras every single day.

Oasis - Cats!

Allure - Mamma Mia!

Harmony - Grease!

Harmony also has water slides, escape rooms, and a ten story dry slide, so your kids would love it.

There is a lovely area called Central Park right in the middle of the ship. Yes, an open air park with thousands of live plants! At sea!

These ships have something for every age group. I think any of them would be a great fit for what you are looking for.

Do any of the 65-80 yr. olds have mobility issues? If so, the mega NCL and RCI ships may be too overwhelming.

Roz