Photo Courtesy: AAA
Multigenerational Travel
Find the perfect vacation for everyone in the family
As the tropical sun illuminated the Caribbean Sea with its dazzling morning light, our cruise ship slowly pulled into St. Maarten. Over breakfast, our family of 10 prepared for the day’s fun. We were a group that included multiple generations of family members: my husband and three children; my sister, her husband and two kids; and my mother. After we dropped the youngsters at the counselor-supervised kids camp, my sister, mother and I went ashore for a morning shopping foray. The men, meanwhile, ventured off on a fishing expedition. In the afternoon, most of us swam and lolled on a gorgeous island beach, while my mother treated herself to the onboard spa. And at dinner that night, we enthusiastically shared highlights of the day’s adventures over a family-friendly meal that satisfied even the pickiest eaters.
Cruises
With an impressive lineup of onboard and onshore activities for all ages, cruises are a go-to choice for vacations with the whole family. There’s always something to keep everyone engaged. Better still, cruises include lodging, meals, entertainment and activities bundled into one up-front price, enabling a wallet-free experience. Mealtimes are equally effortless with shipboard restaurants and buffets that eliminate the dreaded debate over where to eat or who’s going to pick up the check.
All-inclusive resorts
The land-based counterpart to cruises, all-inclusive resorts also offer food, accommodations, activities and entertainment right on site for one price—minimizing the stress of planning. Many are designed with families in mind, offering amenities that cater to all ages: kids’ clubs and playgrounds, teen lounges, waterparks and family pools, sports activities, health and wellness facilities, and evening entertainment. Many have large-group accommodations such as suites and adjoining rooms, as well as on-site dining options.
Tours
For a more organized vacation, consider a guided tour. These planned itineraries create shared experiences since the entire family explores together supported by a knowledgeable guide. Like cruises and all-inclusives, they also cover all costs in one price. Many tour operators offer trips designed specifically for three generations. The result is a carefree journey that allows families to discover new places together and connect with like-minded fellow travelers.
You can choose from a variety of styles and levels, from highly structured to more flexible itineraries, from physically active to low impact, or from culturally focused to outdoor-centric. Group sizes can range from 10 to 40 participants.
Vacation Rentals
Prefer a more private, independent experience? Consider a vacation rental. Whether beachfront, lakeside, in the mountains or in the woods, a large house gives you space to spread out, yet still feel connected. And you don’t have to interact with strangers. However, you typically have to cook for yourself, though some homes—especially in the Caribbean—come with cooks and daily housekeepers.
I know first-hand—from vacations in Jamaica, North Carolina’s Outer Banks and New York’s Hudson Valley—that rental-home vacations create deep bonding opportunities when you have to rely on each other for fun. In addition to beachside bonfires and lakefront swimming, my family enjoyed outdoor scavenger hunts, 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles and endless board games enlivened with peals of laughter. Such experiences create priceless shared memories. Charades, anyone? 
Veronica Stoddart is an award-winning travel writer and editor whose work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, National Geographic Travel, Food & Wine, AARP, AAA Explorer, Frommer’s, and Cruise Critic, among dozens of outlets. Having visited more than 110 countries on all seven continents, she considers travel a force for good in the world.
Make a Plan
How to prepare for a seamless trip that everyone, from toddlers to grandparents, will love.
• Enlist everyone’s input on where to go. Do you want multiple destinations or just one? Select an area convenient for all to reach.
• Choose the focus of your vacation whether cultural, outdoorsy, adrenaline-fueled or laid-back.
• Select the type of vacation: cruise, all-inclusive resort, vacation rental or guided tour.
• Plan and determine a budget early. What timeframe is available and how much can everyone afford?
• Get connected or adjoining rooms if you’re on a cruise, at a resort or on a tour.
• Rent a large enough house to allow for private time without feeling crowded.
• Book some activities that the entire family can enjoy together—such as a cooking class, a crafts workshop or a special excursion—while on a cruise or at a resort.
• Consider special needs, especially for the older and younger generations. Does anyone require accessible facilities? Is there an infant along?
• Decide who will cook and how to split food costs in a vacation home.
• Read the fine print. Some expensive activities, such as golf, scuba diving, excursions and spa treatments, may not be covered in your cruise or all-inclusive resort price.
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