Planning a family Cruise

[Tandcsimo@yahoo.com]

My parents and I planned a family cruise, 16 family members ranging from 11-72years old, we booked Eastern Carribean November 18-25, Ruby princess.... Any suggestions for excursions? any ideas, suggestions while traveling with a large group?

Thanks

Tandcsimo:p

[Pia1913]

My parents and I planned a family cruise, 16 family members ranging from 11-72years old, we booked Eastern Carribean November 18-25, Ruby princess.... Any suggestions for excursions? any ideas, suggestions while traveling with a large group?

Thanks

Tandcsimo:p

 

We did a family cruise on the Ruby, also during Thanksgiving week. Expect 600 kids and everyone having a great time. Our family totalled 17.

[Sox Fan Cruiser]

I bought little dry erase boards and decorated them with all kinds of "beach" stickers and gave one to each cabin. Everyone could give updates as to where they were: "At the gym", "At the casino", "Napping", etc. (okay, maybe not at the gym!!) :D) It was a very easy way to let everyone know where you were without having to leave phone messages for everyone. The best part about cruising with a group is that you don't have to travel in a pack!

 

Oh, but leave the dry erase marker in your cabin! Someone got ahold of ours and wrote some nasty stuff on the board! :eek:

 

Also, get the kind with a magnet on the back. You can stick it to the wall outside your cabin (above your mail slot). We found that if you put in on the door, it falls off when you close the door.

[paul929207]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

Look over the list of excursions and see which one(s) appeal to you. Consider if you can do them on your own. Check out the Port of Calls section for great info on your ports.

[Tralynn]

We just did a big family Thanksgiving cruise, and the recommendation to use dry erase boards is great! We did similar, but used Post-its.

 

Also, make the planning a group, fun activity. Throw a Cruise Party were you can have ideas for excursions all printed out and everyone in the group can give input. Also be sure to discuss expectations ahead of time. See what everyone is looking for in their cruise, and find the best compromise that fits all. It will build up excitement for the trip, ease everyone's concerns, and set the tone for the cruise.

 

Be sure to remember to snap a group picture! We have several, and in every one of them, someone is missing. LOL Guess we have to try another cruise to get it right.

[cb at sea]

Not everyone is going to want to do everything...be prepared for that. Sure, if everyone does want to do the same excursion, activity, whatever....great. But don't force it on the entire group!

I would arrange dinner at the same time, so everyone could meet and get together, but I'd let everyone do their own thing during the day, if they choose!

[chipmaster]

Welcome to CC,

 

Accept the fact that everyone will have signficantly different ideas of stuff to do on ship and in port. Your 11 year old might want to do beach and ziplinging and your 72 year old parents might simply enjoy a walk in town.

 

For us we accepted the fact we'd do formal nights and maybe a few teas togather and everything else was based on interest.

 

My parents and I planned a family cruise, 16 family members ranging from 11-72years old, we booked Eastern Carribean November 18-25, Ruby princess.... Any suggestions for excursions? any ideas, suggestions while traveling with a large group?

Thanks

Tandcsimo:p

[Onessa]

It can also be fun to do up a t-shirt for the group and all wear them one day, or if you have a favorite team, designate a day as "Raiders" day (or whatever the team) and have everyone wear an article of clothing from the team -- it is a great way to get conversations started, builds unity, (and makes it easier to spot folks in a crowd!)

[Pia1913]

Not everyone is going to want to do everything...be prepared for that. Sure, if everyone does want to do the same excursion, activity, whatever....great. But don't force it on the entire group!

I would arrange dinner at the same time, so everyone could meet and get together, but I'd let everyone do their own thing during the day, if they choose!

 

This is exactly how we've managed all three of our family cruises; Carnival, RCI and Princess. Every family did their own thing during the day and we all had dinner together each night. Those who wanted to sleep late did, those who wanted to work out early (that's us) did, and those who just wanted to veg........did. As for excursions, some did them together, some chose alternatives.

 

The only thing you need to do is arranged the diningroom seating. As a family of 16, two tables of 8 will work out perfectly. We had one for 8 and the other for 9, but interchanged each night. Same wait staff of course.

[COTINGEY]

This is exactly how we've managed all three of our family cruises; Carnival, RCI and Princess. Every family did their own thing during the day and we all had dinner together each night. Those who wanted to sleep late did, those who wanted to work out early (that's us) did, and those who just wanted to veg........did. As for excursions, some did them together, some chose alternatives.

 

The only thing you need to do is arranged the diningroom seating. As a family of 16, two tables of 8 will work out perfectly. We had one for 8 and the other for 9, but interchanged each night. Same wait staff of course.

 

This is exactly how we manage our family trips. We travel with 14-18 people depending on the year (ages 12-85). The only thing I can add to wha Pia suggested is: we get together everyday in my FIL's room and discuss who is doing what shore excursions. Then they can hook up as a group or do their own thing. Cruises are a great way to travel as a multi-generational family since they can satisify a variety of interests.

[Promise]

Great ideas!! Thank you for your suggestions....will try to implement most of them on my next FAMILY CRUISE.

[serene56]

Welcome to CC,

 

Accept the fact that everyone will have signficantly different ideas of stuff to do on ship and in port. Your 11 year old might want to do beach and ziplinging and your 72 year old parents might simply enjoy a walk in town.

 

For us we accepted the fact we'd do formal nights and maybe a few teas togather and everything else was based on interest.

 

 

FOr our familyvacation I make sure the people know that we do NOT have to do stuff together all the time. Dinner was mandatory for every one. that was all. Many ports every one did their own thing--including my parents.

 

This way there is no hard feelings toward the person who is running it and no one to blame for something that went wrong.

[nana of 3]

We are also doing a family cruise, 31 of us. We have had one pre-cruise party that I hosted, giving away prizes such as waterproof cameras, beach bags, can coozies with our family name on them and date of sail. We are having another cruise party the week before we leave, and once again, I have bought prizes, gum for the plane ride, luggage tags, mints, shaving kits for a man and woman, it's amazing how low the prices were after Christmas for this stuff, lol. Most of us are doing things together, touring Nassau, etc. We all will be eating dinner at the same time and our tables are near each other, if not side by side. Just remember to have fun, and if you are the trip leader, it's not your fault if they don't.

[Julienatul]

Sounds like a great cruise. We have done a few family cruises and they are a lot of fun! Enjoy :)