Activities for Family reunions

[elsplace2]

Hi,

I'm trying to get a Family Reunion together for 2024.  As of now probably on the Anthem of Sea or Oasis of the Seas.

 

I'd like to get some ideas of what kind of activities we can plan for a couple of hours a day....I want everyone to enjoy the cruise and the islands on their own if they want, but I would like to have us all get together, at least once a day and enjoy being together.   Age group will be 2-65.  (Just 1 2 year old and 1 5 year old...the rest pre teen and up.)

 

 

Open to ALL suggestions!!

 

Edited October 20, 2022 by elsplace2

[Jasukkie]

How big a group would you have? 

[elsplace2]

2 minutes ago, Jasukkie said:

How big a group would you have? 

Still waiting on family responses, but I think maybe between 20-25.

[crusnbee]

try a scavenger hunt. you can search for items on ship or islands...

[Jasukkie]

I've seen groups of your size set up with their own section in the Windjammer, guessing they arrange this with staff to come at the same time every day, at a less busy time. I like the scavenger hunt idea. I would focus on coming together over meals rather than trying to herd cats during the day. 

[jbrinkm]

A few thoughts (great question!!)-

• First, I think space on the ship may be limited where you could fit 20-25 people at the same time. Not sure if you can reserve a room anywhere? The game room is maybe the only place I can think of that might fit so many and is rarely crowded... so perhaps a game event? A few different types of games for different ages and interests? My family always played euchre at holiday gatherings, so we might do a euchre tournament, or similar activity. If everyone will have Internet, you could even try Jackbox games - those are hilarious and I can explain more if you have any interest in hearing about them...
• Are you planning to try to get tables together for dinner? That might be a nice time, to reflect together about what you all did, especially because there is a lot of down time when you're waiting for food. (just saw @Jasukkie replied while I was typing with a similar suggestion...)
• I know you said that you'd like to get together on the ship, but maybe reconsider finding an outing at one port that has something for everyone since there will be more space on land. When we were on Cozumel, there was a large family group at Paradise Beach. Kids were doing inflatables, some were going to the pool, some were just eating and drinking, some were wading or doing water activities, but they were all seating in a large space together. It looked really fun!
• Go to a show together perhaps? You'd have to get there early to get seats together.

[jbrinkm]

P.S. are you all getting family shirts???

[elsplace2]

Thanks, these are great suggestions...I didn't consider dinner, because I assume most would rather eat on their own time.   I also, considered trying to find a place on the ship and having drinks together before dinner and discussing what everyone is doing for the evening like Karaoke, etc.   but late nights will not work with the ones with young ones who go to bed early....so I was trying think of something to do during the day, too...Maybe a mini golf tourney, bumper cars ?  If they have them on the ship we pick.

 

As of now we will not be getting family shirts....but who knows...maybe we will, if everyone wants too.

[cruiselvr04]

We were on Liberty.  We ate all our dinners together in the MDR, close by tables, first seating because of the littles.  We did a mini golf tournament one morning at sea.  Prize was ice cream at Ben and Jerry’s.  We did a cupcake class together for those that were interested.  We did one shore excursion together, rented a boat to take us out and snorkel and see the star fish ( Grand Cayman).  We also did a short party in a suite BYOB since it wasn’t star class.  We did one organized lunch in the MDR.  All the other meals, excursions were planned on your own.  Anthem has 270 right?  How about an optional board game get together one morning or afternoon.  Or organize non messy minute to win it games. 
 

I just organized a reunion for 100 on land over 3 days and nights.  People want free time so make sure there is plenty of that.  I’d avoid evening activities on a ship just because there is so much night life already.  If you do decide to do an evening together the pool decks are pretty open at night.  You could do board games on the tables out there for instance. Kids could do a simple craft.  Or a hot tub party.  Just ideas.  I wouldn’t plan more then 1 or 2 things per day plus your evening meal.  Encourage people to come to those and let the rest be free time.  
 

By the way, I’d definitely do shirts.  They are fun!  
 

 

[neverbeenhere]

1) Talk with an activity staff member for help

2) yes, get everyone to the theater early as as fellow passengers don't appreciate; "I'm saving seats for 25 people"

3) Spouse Swap

4) Cabin Crawl

5) Pub crawl

6) Communicate with the cruise line early to see if you can get a conference room for a day or two

 

[cynt]

I just returned from a group cruise aboard the Symphony. We did not want to be tied at the hip so we let everyone do their own thing for the most part. These are the activities that worked best for us. 

 

1. MDR 5:30PM - this was way too early for our group. In hindsight, we should have scheduled it for late dining. But we went with it and most nights everyone was there. We used this as our daily meet time so we didn't have to add another item to everyone's calendar. This worked well for our group and making any announcements, etc. for the next day.

 

2. Cabin crawl on 1st sea day. Poor participation because everyone was out and about on the ship enjoying its many options. And we were OK with it since it made for a quick cabin crawl so we could go back to enjoying the ship.

 

3. Slot pull. Cancelled. We were just enjoying the ship and didn't want to have a slot pull. LOL!!! Plus the casino was already getting everyone's daily donation. 

 

3. One private group excursion in Cozumel. I would definitely do this again. Everyone enjoyed it.

 

4. Something we didn't anticipate but it just happened was attending various cruise sponsored activities together. A couple of us would go to karaoke and look up and their was 10 of us in there. Same thing happened at trivia and line dancing. 

 

5. Formal night pics - Everyone was already dressing to impress so we just told everyone to meet at Promenade cafe at 5PM for a group picture. The pictures even turned out great.  FYI... The staircase is the only place our party of 13 could take a picture together as a group. 

 

Reflecting back on our cruise, I'm glad we didn't add a bunch of extra Family activities to everyone's calendar. We were on the Symphony and there were tons of things to do, see and explore. It seemed liked minded individuals ended up at the same ship sponsored activities anyway so I didn't need to plan additional activities for our group. It worked out great for our family. Everyone was able to enjoy their cruise vacation and not feel obligated to join "family activities". There are so much to do on these ships now you're bound to run into your family to join you. 

 

Happy planning!!! And remember this is your vacation too so try not to plan it to death! Kind of think of it as the "cruise" is the family activity so no need to plan extra "family activities" on the family activity. 😁

Edited October 21, 2022 by cynt

[jbrinkm]

On 10/20/2022 at 3:18 PM, neverbeenhere said:

3) Spouse Swap

 

Umm... don't you have to book one of those "special" cruises to do this? 😳

[neverbeenhere]

54 minutes ago, jbrinkm said:

 

Umm... don't you have to book one of those "special" cruises to do this? 😳

Available on most cruises currently. Put that upside down pineapple picture on your stateroom door and see who comes a-knock’n !

[gmerick]

On day 1 or 2 find a comfortable out of the way area with ocean views like game room, 3rd floor of Centrum, or maybe Solarium or Promenade.  If the folks that enjoy just sitting and enjoying on a cruise want to call it the family gathering place, it will become a spot to return to throughout the day and find / wait for family.  The ones who are bouncing around all over the place will have a place to tell adventures, and the sedentary ones can people-watch and hatch their plans for shore excursions.  Yes, I'm a sedentary people-watcher.  After day 3 I'm always in "my place" even when sailing solo.

[roupa]

Don’t stress over details!  I suggest you don’t overbook too many activities or try to please everyone as that rarely happens and you’ll disappoint yourself. Gathering in the Windjammer at an “off” time could work…a break from the hot sun…perhaps mid afternoon for cool drinks/snacks/card games/photos….  

A beach gathering could work well, too.

[CruisinCadie]

We have a family trip planned for next summer.  The only group activity we plan is dinner together every night.  They suggested we select either early or late seating rather than anytime dining, so they would be sure of having a large table set for the 9 of us.  Of course, this is a smaller group than the OP has coming, but it would still be easier on the dining room staff if they could plan for a specific time every night.

 

Kathy 

[jcc1025]

1. Depending on the ages of the family members a slot pull could be fun. We have done those a couple of times with a group from here but think a family slot pull could be fun on a sea day.