Requesting Tips & Ideas for Large Family Group Cruising

[2cruiseluvrs]

Have you ever cruised as part of a large group? My extended family is booked for a summer 2019 cruise and there are 24 of us, ranging in age from 1 to 75. This will be my 8th cruise, and we are certainly excited, but we've never cruised as part of a group. I know we are going to want some quality time spent together, and of course we will all want some time spent alone.

I am looking for help on how to nicely and politically suggest a loose schedule to the rest of the group. Yes, there will be a lot of "let's play it by ear and see what happens," and that's fine, but I think it would be good to start the trip with at least a direction. More than that, I think it's important that everybody know: There's time to be together, and time to be alone. We don't all have to be together 100% of the time!

All that said, we're taking the MSC Seaside out of Miami. Our rooms will be spread about the ship, and it's 7 days with 2 formal nights. How do you suggest we spend our time together or apart with:

• Boarding
• Breakfasts
• Lunches
• Dinners
• Swimming / Lounging at Pool Time
• Themed Nights
• Formal Nights
• Shows and Entertainment
• Excursions
• Walking Around Ports
• Etc.

 

I would be grateful for any advice, stories of nightmares, or the best group trip you've ever had. 

Thanks!

[mom says]

RUN!! 😉

Seriously though, I've had to organize one large extended family vacation, although it was on land. I started out by making the typical mistake of trying to organize everything for every day. It quickly became apparent that this wasn't going to work. There is no way on earth that everyone will be happy with any given plan. So and so A doesn't like to get up early. So and so B doesn't want this type of activity, but So and so C doesn't like that type of activity.  

So this is what we ended up with. Everyone had a list of everyone's room numbers. There was a set time for dinner each night. We had a get together before dinner on the first night. I gave everyone a suggested list of activities for each day, but everyone could join or do their own thing at their discretion. The only "mandatory" thing was dinner each night. It turned out well. Sometimes there'd  just be a couple of us. Other times most of the groups would end up together. Everyone did what THEY wanted to do.

Trying to keep that many people on a time table and doing everything together is worse than herding cats. Within a day they may be at each other's throats, and by the end of the trip, relationships might be strained, if not broken. Best to have the loosest leash possible. Just my experience.

[ldubs]

21 minutes ago, 2cruiseluvrs said:

 

• Boarding
• Breakfasts
• Lunches
• Dinners
• Swimming / Lounging at Pool Time
• Themed Nights
• Formal Nights
• Shows and Entertainment
• Excursions
• Walking Around Ports
• Etc.

 

 

Most of the cruises we take are with family groups, but we have not had a group as large as yours.  There were 16 of us on our last Med cruise (last month).  We are a very close family and enjoy spending time together.  Here is how things worked: 

• Boarding:  8 of us traveled together on a pre-cruise vacation so we pretty much went through the embarkation together.  The remainder traveled independently.   We all met in the buffet during the afternoon of boarding day.  
• Breakfasts & Lunches:  Nothing formal but most ended up having breakfast and lunch together (in the buffet).  
• Dinner:  We had set dining and had two tables for 8 next to each other in the MDR.  You would need 3 tables of 8.  Since it was fixed time dining that was pretty much a time when the entire group was certain to be together every day.   I suggest you maintain the seating arrangement though out the cruise (don't switch it up) to keep it easier for the wait staff.  
• Swimming/Pool time:  Leave it informal.  Some will go.  Some won't. 
• Themed nights: Don't know (don't care- haha)
• Shows:  We went and sat as a group.  Go early.  Never had a problem. 
• Excursions:  A couple of the more experienced folks suggested tours/excursions well ahead of time.  That included info on ports that were good for DIY.  Everyone kind of voted and most shared the same excursion.  At almost every port there were some who had been there/done that.  They elected to do something else.  That is fine.  We had a couple of folks who have a harder time getting around.  They went on every excursion but sat out more rigorous parts, used taxis while others walked, etc.  
• Walking around ports:  See Excursions.  Some like to shop.  Some don't.  For us, the ladies hit the stores.  Guys hit the coffee shop/Pub.  
• You left "nap time" off your list! Haha. 

Have fun!

[crystalspin]

What Mom Says! (haha)

Take a couple strong magnets per cabin, to leave notes on the doors, either where YOU are going to be or from others, where they are headed.

It was easier for me as the primary planner for ten of us, as we were in five adjoining cabins. We had set (early) seating at perhaps the only table for ten on the Zaandam (it was on the my-time level even though we were fixed time). We also did all arranged shore excursions together (including two rental car days), meeting in the hall outside our rooms.  

[miss prairie girl]

My DH and I were part of a group. We had our evening meals together at a fixed time. Other than that, everyone chose and participated in activities as they liked! That second decision gave everyone flexibility in activities and budget restraints. Our evening meals were so much fun when we shared with everyone how our day went. With such a large group, plan for flexibility and choice! Then everyone is happy!

[CruiserBruce]

The key is to set a couple of parameters,  and give the group the info directing them to independent activities the rest of the time.

For example, you could say dinner is every night at 6pm, and work to get your group seated in the same area in the M.D.R.  every night. Then give as much info as possible about doing things independently each day. Don't plan, or give indications of group activities each or any day day unless you want to do a group event.

[broberts]

I'd suggest keeping things fairly informal.

Pick a bar up top and suggest everyone get together after the muster drill. It's a nice way to make sure everyone is aboard. It also gives people time to settle into their cabins and explore a little before reconnection with the group.

Dinner would be the only meal I'd try to organize as a group. But you may need two groups, one for early dining and the other for late. You should be able to let the maitre d' know about your group ahead of time so that they are seated together at adjacent tables.

Pick one or two excursions and suggest that anyone who wants to participate can make their own booking. If it's a very popular excursion, you will probably want to place one booking to insure everyone is together.

Otherwise, I'd let the group work things out as you go.

[Nic6318]

Hi 

It is very nice that your family is able to get together like this for a vacation together. You don't mention why you have all gotten together. Is there a birthday, anniversary, something special that you are celebrating? If so, then there is that one something where everybody needs to come together, otherwise there is no specific need.

The obvious question, is why do you feel a need to attempt to "organize" things. As you say, some will be just wanting to play it by ear. I would suggest that you make things easy for yourself and do the same.

If you are going to want people to get together, I feel the most practical would be for the evening meal. Of course people enjoy eating at different times, so it is possible you will likely only get some to agree to a set dining time...early or late, if so, you would need to make sure your dining times were linked together before sailing, so you would be seated together. I don't know if MSC has freestyle dining times, if so you could just get together with others at you convenience. I wouldn't be trying to seek out every family every day to see if you could do things together because it would be too exhausting, and knowing how things work, very often you may find people cancelling at the last minute. 

Your idea about going on excursions together is nice, but you run up with the same issues. You can make a few suggestions for others, if they have no idea, but it should be up to them to make their own arrangements, either with you or on their own. You can just tell people what you will be doing and if they wish they can join you. You can tell them how you choose things to do, if they have never cruised before. You can suggest that they come to this site and read up on the port of calls as well as the cruise line.

Beyond just general help, I would not try to "organize" anything unless others asked for it and were completely committed.

hope this helps...have a great cruise

[cb at sea]

I think dinner is the time when you may want to "be together"....on vacations, not everyone will want to do breakfast at the same time.  And, with that wide range of ages, I can predict that there are few things that will interest everyone!

 

[XBGuy]

I'm going to parrot the opinion of most of the previous posters.  We celebrated my wife's parents' 50th Wedding Anniversary in 1996 with a cruise to Mexico.  There was a total of 10 people--much smaller than your group.  There were four 70-somethings, four 40-somethings, one 30-something and one teenager.  The only ones who'd ever been on a pleasure cruise, previously, were my wife and me.

Arrangements were made to have Champagne and noshes delivered to my in-laws suite on embarkation day.  That enabled everybody--some of whom traveled from out of town--to connect fairly quickly.  My wife and I went to the dining room to meet with the Maitre d' to discuss dining logistics.  We were able to arrange for a table for the 10 of us.  In those days fixed seating dining was the only paradigm.  So, we did not have to deal with people wanting to eat on their own schedule at different venues.  We met everybody at dinner time, and that was, pretty much, it.  Other than that. those who wanted to go on excursions did so, those who wanted to go to shows did so, those who wanted to go to the casino did so, those who wanted to sit by the pool did so.

During the days my wife's parents and their friends did, in fact, spend most of their time together.  My wife and I were on our own, her sister and family were on their own, her brother was on their own.  If we did see each other during the day it was unplanned and, really, quite pleasant.  Every evening, of course, we all met at the dinner table.  It was nice because we all had discussion topics--namely, what we'd done that day.

Again, we had it easy because there was no debate or quest for consensus on where to eat or what time to eat.  You were just expected to be at the dining room at 6:00.  I think your task is much more difficult in today's cruising environment.

[Bizmark'sMom]

My family has done several group cruises.  The only thing fixed is dinner.  And even that is fluid as people want to explore other venues or make other plans.  We arrange a fixed dining table.  Otherwise, everybody does their own things.   It works extremely well.

[euro cruiser]

Trying to organize anything that isn't already included in the price of the cruise can be a real mess, because not everyone has the same ability or willingness to spend.  The suggestion of dinner is a good one, it's already included in the cost of the trip and it's a good way to connect.  

I

[LuckyStar]

On 10/16/2018 at 8:11 PM, 2cruiseluvrs said:

Have you ever cruised as part of a large group? My extended family is booked for a summer 2019 cruise and there are 24 of us, ranging in age from 1 to 75. This will be my 8th cruise, and we are certainly excited, but we've never cruised as part of a group. I know we are going to want some quality time spent together, and of course we will all want some time spent alone.

I am looking for help on how to nicely and politically suggest a loose schedule to the rest of the group. Yes, there will be a lot of "let's play it by ear and see what happens," and that's fine, but I think it would be good to start the trip with at least a direction. More than that, I think it's important that everybody know: There's time to be together, and time to be alone. We don't all have to be together 100% of the time!

All that said, we're taking the MSC Seaside out of Miami. Our rooms will be spread about the ship, and it's 7 days with 2 formal nights. How do you suggest we spend our time together or apart with:

• Boarding
• Breakfasts
• Lunches
• Dinners
• Swimming / Lounging at Pool Time
• Themed Nights
• Formal Nights
• Shows and Entertainment
• Excursions
• Walking Around Ports
• Etc.

 

I would be grateful for any advice, stories of nightmares, or the best group trip you've ever had. 

Thanks!

Wow, good luck with that.  I travel with my three sisters and sometimes, it's like herding cats.  We will usually meet up for meals or maybe decide on a excursion, but overall, we go off and do our own stuff. That way everyone gets to do what they want to do.  We meet up at dinner to go over the day which is awesome.  Then we'll go to shows together.  It's pretty loose.  Sometimes we'll all go to karaoke.  

[K32682]

I have cruised with a family group of 10. My only advice is that "less is more" when it comes to organizing. There will be someone in the group who wants to organize everyone and everything. Ignore that person and certainly don't be that person. 

 

Don't feel obligated to do everything in a group and don't put that obligation on anyone else.  We settled on early dinner in the MDR usually meeting for cocktails before. It didn't matter if everyone showed or not.  

 

The rest of the time we did our own thing sometimes with other family members but sometimes not.  

[marco]

This coming January will be the 30th anniversary of the "Friends and Family Annual Winter Caribbean Cruise", which I orchestrate every year.  We have been as large a group as 42 and as small as 16.  We arrange for several tables near each other for dinner and round robin every evening.  Other than that, everyone does their own thing when they want and with who they want.  At dinners, folks discuss who is doing what tomorrow and who wants to join (or not) any sub group.  No one is conjoined at the hip and no one is obligated to do (or not do) anything.  No pressure on anyone for anything.  It works out VERY well and some folks in the group have been sailing with us for all of the 30 years thus far. We're from all over the country and some are folks we've met on past cruises who continue to travel with us.

[KKB]

Have cruised with 26 of us--from 2-60YO; as well as 12 of us twice.

We always have dinner together but everything else is up for grabs.

The kids nearly always wanted to hang together at the kids (or teens) club.

DH & I liked afternoons by the pool, sometimes others would join us.

At dinner we would usually discuss our evening/following day plans so people would know who might be where if they wanted to join in. 

We kept it very casual, but dinner was pretty non-negotiable. 

We also change who is at what table each night; we always had the same waiters, so it did not matter where we sat among our tables.