What have been your experiences cruising with another family?

[cruisecritiquer]

Has it been good or bad? I'm not talking about cruising with mom or dad or your brother or sister's family. I mean cruising with another friend and their families. Tell me your good and your bad. Was it easy to plan with them...to get everyone on the same page? Was it relaxing and fun or something you wouldn't do again.

[scaaty]

The most important thing is don't plan to do everything together! We did a neighbors cruise (9 of us) and the only thing we regularly did together was have dinner every night.

 

Pool folks hung out at the pool, casino folks hung out at the casino, dancers went dancing, some of us did the same shore excursions, etc.

 

We all had a great time and are all still friends!

[Kingmaker_inc]

We often vacation with another family (the same family) and for us - it works out great. Our kids are of similar ages, and get along well most of the time. We have similar interests and expectations of our vacations, and thus we can divide and conquer activities and excursions or even child care. It works for us because we compliment each other... but by way of recommending it - I can honestly say that it really depends on the families involved.

 

There is much to recommend it - if the families jibe.

[TSUmom]

We had a blast cruising with other families a few years back. We woman got together (all planners like me) and decided on the activities we would enjoy together. We all decided on a few excursions as a group and a few nights to meet for dinner. The rest of the time it was a play it by ear thing. When someone in our group decided on a show or meeting for drinks we just left notes at each others doors on when and where. The guys spent a lot of bar time and we women went to the shows and the casino, met for lunch that kind of stuff. Just remember that too much planning and togetherness can get old no matter how close your friendships are.

[russianmom]

I have had VASTLY different experiences…

 

Cruises with my sister and our parents before we both got married= wonderful times, 6* all the way at their expense! :D

 

ONE cruise with parents, my sister and our spouses= the 4 "kids" had a great time. My parents behaved poorly the entire time we didn't speak to them for a month after disembarkation!! :mad: Won't ever make that mistake again!!

 

2 cruises with my older son and my BFF. We had a GREAT time! :)

 

2 cruises w/ my kids and my husband's cousin and her daughter WORST 2 cruises of my life. :eek: Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me!!!!!

 

Our cruise in Feb is booked with a childhood friend, his wife and their child. We are DREADING it and trying to change our cabin. I am physically sick over this and regretting ever agreeing to book with them. (They are both having a lot of medical and mental health "issues" that I seriously doubt will be resolved before we leave).

 

I think it really depends on the personality of the people you travel with. The ability to make your own fun and have a good time. Some are flexible and go with he flow. Some are very regimented and stiff and look for problems.

My husband said he would think I learned my lesson by now but I am a glutton for punishment!!!!!! :eek:

 

 

I think I would say be cautious and set the " rules" of what to expect beforehand. Prepare for the worst and anything else will be a pleasant experience!

[funat55]

The most important thing is don't plan to do everything together! We did a neighbors cruise (9 of us) and the only thing we regularly did together was have dinner every night.

 

Pool folks hung out at the pool, casino folks hung out at the casino, dancers went dancing, some of us did the same shore excursions, etc.

 

We all had a great time and are all still friends!

 

I think Scaaty hit the nail on the head. I am cruising next month with both family and co-workers and we have cruised before. Everyone has their own plans for shore excursions and dinner. Sometimes we will be doing the same thing and sometimes not. Even though we are not glued together 24/7 we will still run into each other and it's fun seeing everyone enjoy their own good time.

[tripgrl]

We have cruised with smaller groups and larger groups. We usually book private excursions which all of our group participates in. The rest of the cruise is usually "freestyle". The adults usually have dinner together and the teenagers tend to make their own arrangements, but nothing is set in stone. It's fun running into each other.

[stormynow]

Spend alot of time trying to connect with each other. Can be trying. But then there are alot of good times together.Kind of 50-50 on a definite answer.

[Sam The Cat]

I went on an NCl cruise last Oct as a surprise for my moms birthday. My sister and her husband were there. We had dinner/lunch a couple of nights together along with gambling.

 

This was the last I saw my mom. She had a medical condition on her next cruise 6 months later with my sister her husband and some of the grandkids So enjoy the time with your family

[H&J]

The mere thought of cruising with "family", i.e. in-laws, would be a slice of fresh hell for me. I'd rather gargle ground glass.

[SissasMomE]

Has it been good or bad? I'm not talking about cruising with mom or dad or your brother or sister's family. I mean cruising with another friend and their families. Tell me your good and your bad. Was it easy to plan with them...to get everyone on the same page? Was it relaxing and fun or something you wouldn't do again.

 

It depends on the family. I have certain friends that are WAY too clingy, and I would never cruise with them. The people that I do cruise with understand that each family is on vacation, and we do not have to do every single thing together. We've done our own thing during the day and met up for dinner at night; we've taken excursions together, or not .... it was very laid back. But again, I know who to cruise with and who not to!!

[cruisecritiquer]

Taking mental notes. Thanks for the comments!

[GORDONCHICK]

It really depends on your relationship & dynamics with the other family. It would be pure hell to do any kind of trip with anyone on my side of the family. We've traveled with another family before - camping, driving vacations, etc. We play cards with them and eat at each others' houses. These are people we love to do ANYTHING with, including travel. We sometimes do excursions together or apart. We always eat dinner together, but breakfasts & lunches varied. On sea days, we'd meet up in the afternoon for cards if they weren't in poker tournaments. And we usually played cards at night after dinner. We have a blast with them.

 

The problems arise with each family has different expectations. If one expects to be attached at the hip to the other for example. Another issue I've seen is if one couple are big complainers about every little thing - that can be a huge turn off for the other family.

[trish99]

We've done this a few times with vastly differing results. Most of them worked out great. We had dinners together, most of us did our own thing for excursions or during the day. Sometimes we'd meet up at the pool or in the casino. However, one cruise, one of the couples absolutely did not get the concept of "we're not joined at the hip and feel free to do your own thing". After a while, it got uncomfortable and not fun. We've learned since then to be careful who we cruise or travel with, period.

[MsTabbyKats]

Well....we had a cruise booked....and by coincidence, my husband's friend/wife were on the same cruise.

 

As couples, our cruise agenda are completely different. (I like excursions and being off the ship. They don't. They get dressed up in suit/gown and do the MDR. We do the buffet. Men are the same age. The other woman is older than her husband; about 90 and has a son older than me.)

 

Poor DH was trying to make everyone happy.

 

My advice.....discuss your expectations in advance....and what you'll be doing jointly and what you won't.

[TSUmom]

That joined at the hip thing gave me a chuckle. My ex and I cruised a few years ago with his parents. They were a few cabins down the hall from us and they would knock on our door everytime they wanted to go eat. Breakfast, lunch, dinner....We tried the do not answer the door but then they would go to their cabin and call our room. We finally explained to them that they can go eat on their own anywhere they pleased. It was like that for everything including shore excursions, they wanted to do whatever we did and then they would complain. Granted it was their first cruise but after a few days of teaching them the ropes of cruising they still never "got it". Needless to say cruising was not for them, they never went again, and my ex....well he is my ex for many reasons but one big one is he did not enjoy cruising either;)

[Sheils65]

It depends on the friends you are cruising with. I have cruised with friends in the past and they were a very easy going family with a son that played a mutual sport with my kids so all was well.

On the other hand, I have a friend that I would NEVER cruise with!! She is hard to please, tends to be a bit controlling and never in a relaxed state!! She can stay home, LOL. Just my two cents worth.

Have a great cruise!! :)

[timmo44]

Don't go with people who are penny pinching if you are not (or vice versa).

 

We went with some friends who drank A LOT of wine and ran up $1000 odd in 4 days and then weren't happy in the cold sober light of day. Our view was sod it we're on holiday and it's only money.

 

This was in the days before the UBP arrived and we are looking forward to that so we can try ALL the wines and cocktails!

[SMerritt]

All of the above........

 

If you so decide on a "group".......

 

Have everyone download/sign in to Tripit - The All-in-One

Travel Organizer (thanks CC members).

 

Tripit keeps your whole group "In The Loop" from flight arrivals to, dinner reservations.

[Sparkygirl]

I think it really depends on who you are cruising with and why you are cruising together. Our group is two families that share two children, DH's ex-wife, her husband, stepson, stepdaughter, DH, our daughter and myself.

 

We have very carefully booked this cruise starting 2 years ahead of the cruise.

 

We began looking at itineraries that would allow for ample opportunity for each family to be autonomous but also have the option of joint activities. We opted for a 7 night western caribbean cruise. Each family will have one day/night at sea with the older children, then there are four ports of call. We will do joint group excursions at two of the ports and then each family will do their own thing in the other two ports. The older kids will spend one of those "on your own" port days with each family.

 

The joint excursions were selected based on what the wants of each family are, we picked a private island that will allow beach time, pool time, animal encounters and snorkeling. One family preference is a relaxing day at the pool/beach while the other's preference is exploring archeology and snorkeling.

 

We also were very clear on what were expectations on the ship and are respecting each family's wishes for example one family wants to do a formal night while the other has no interest in dressing up.

 

Each family is booked in their own room based on what they wanted from the cruise and what their own budgets would allow. We narrowed our search for cabins to within a specific area of the ship (forward, mid-ship, aft) and then within 2 or 3 decks from each other.

 

A joint cruise is a lot of work and a lot of communication and respect to ensure that feelings are not hurt and each family has an enjoyable time. Keeping fingers crossed all of this work in planning goes smoothly once on board and the older kids enjoy a rare opportunity to vacation with both of their families!

[cruisecritiquer]

I think it really depends on who you are cruising with and why you are cruising together. Our group is two families that share two children, DH's ex-wife, her husband, stepson, stepdaughter, DH, our daughter and myself.

 

We have very carefully booked this cruise starting 2 years ahead of the cruise.

 

We began looking at itineraries that would allow for ample opportunity for each family to be autonomous but also have the option of joint activities. We opted for a 7 night western caribbean cruise. Each family will have one day/night at sea with the older children, then there are four ports of call. We will do joint group excursions at two of the ports and then each family will do their own thing in the other two ports. The older kids will spend one of those "on your own" port days with each family.

 

The joint excursions were selected based on what the wants of each family are, we picked a private island that will allow beach time, pool time, animal encounters and snorkeling. One family preference is a relaxing day at the pool/beach while the other's preference is exploring archeology and snorkeling.

 

We also were very clear on what were expectations on the ship and are respecting each family's wishes for example one family wants to do a formal night while the other has no interest in dressing up.

 

Each family is booked in their own room based on what they wanted from the cruise and what their own budgets would allow. We narrowed our search for cabins to within a specific area of the ship (forward, mid-ship, aft) and then within 2 or 3 decks from each other.

 

A joint cruise is a lot of work and a lot of communication and respect to ensure that feelings are not hurt and each family has an enjoyable time. Keeping fingers crossed all of this work in planning goes smoothly once on board and the older kids enjoy a rare opportunity to vacation with both of their families!

 

One of my best friends does this successfully (vacation) with her ex's family ever year. They have 6 kids altogether. Working in family law, I think it is wonderful to see families actually work together for the sake of the children. The fact that you are even willing to attempt this is awesome. I hope your families have a great cruise!

[jame_g]

I always laugh when I read the posts where people say they are travelling with a group of friends or family and want to know how to reserve a table for everyone to eat dinner together every night. Sure, set it up once or twice and people will enjoy it. But too many set activities together and someone ends up unhappy and personalities start to clash. It's a cruise, not a week long tour bus charter. Better to let people do their own thing and cross paths unintentionally a lot of the time. I have a lot more fun accidentally doing things together than feeling like I'm expected to keep to someone else's schedule when I'm on vacation.

[fshagan]

Family and "another family" are two totally separate things!

 

I don't think I'll ever cruise with family again. WAAAY too many problems trying to make everyone happy. "Griping" is not a sport!

 

We have another couple we like to do things with, although our kids are now grown, and we have little in common. We cruised with them once, and wouldn't hesitate to cruise with them again.

 

What's funny about this is that the couple is completely the opposite of us in terms of religious and political beliefs. Our family is more in-line with our beliefs.