Tell me about your EASY spring break trip

[Anonymous]

Did London with 2 elementary age kids. It was great! Direct flights, many great attractions and activities, excellent food.
Weather in London is always a mixed bag, so if you only want 70s and sunny this isn’t the choice for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree that Grand Cayman is easy.

Cruises are the easiest. You literally don’t need to worry about dinner reservations, activities, etc.

But they are also super trashy.

Sigh.

No, cruises are not super trashy.

Go price out a spring break cruise on Disney, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, etc. leaving from Florida and you’ll see how expensive it is. Hint: not cheap to fly to FL, stay in a local hotel, then cruise for a week…plus excursions.

I was a reluctant cruiser who quickly discovered how relaxing a cruise is. Sitting on a lounge chair in a quiet area while the kids go do other activities is bliss. Not having to worry about getting dinner reservations in touristy cities or islands is Heaven. Hitting 3 or 4 Caribbean islands and taking a cab to a quiet beach is awesome.

There’s nothing trashy about it.

Plus: I love the live music. Royal Caribbean has different kinds of live music all over their ships day and night. It’s fun.

I see the loads of obese people those ships disgorge. It’s disgusting. Plan your own trips and make your own experiences. Cruising is the Applebee’s of travel, and a true race to the bottom (not to mention an environmental nightmare).

There are overweight people everywhere…including first class seats on planes and fancy hotels.

When I cruise, I see people running on the track and exercising in the gym. I see lots of fit families.

Go on a Virgin cruise and it’s all hardbodies and frou frou vegan health food.

Honestly, the one sweeping generalization that aptly describes cruisers is this: they are people who like to have fun and don’t judge others. There’s a real friendliness among cruisers.

Disney- fat people love Disney. We had to transfer in Orlando and I have never had so may obese people on my flight.

[Anonymous]

Miami a couple weeks ago with our 2 tweens.

Lots of good cafes around, ocean with chairs/umbrellas provided by hotel, heated pool at hotel. 5 nights - direct flights from IAD - can do surfing lessons, spa appts. No need for rental car in S. Beach. Close enough for uber nominal cost to MIA. It worked great. I generally don't like all inclusive properties because you can't really choose your chef - at least with a variety of restaurants, you can choose different food.

We wanted to go somewhere easy - proximity and no car needed at destination, be taken care of in terms of finding food and R&R easily, some place warm enough/good weather. Our was not going to be an adventure vacation but an easy R&R casual one In the past, we opted for "nicer" or adventure vacations to the islands/PR/CR/CO/NM/Mexico. I wasn't ever going to be able to solely relax there - we would do fun things like white water rafting or hiking - as so much more opportunities, while in Miami it becomes simply enjoy the water and food LOL!

[Anonymous]

I have 2:

Drive to Mrytle Beach and get an ocean front condo with an indoor pool. We did this a few years ago and had a blast, mainly because we had super low expectations. Kids loved the beach (I wore a sweatshirt, they played in the waves/sand) and the pool. There was plenty of things to do and cheesy, low key restaurants to take them too.

Hit up Texas. We did Austin/San Antonio and it was lots of fun. The weather was perfect (not hot, not cold) and I found both to be super kid friendly. Austin has tons of cute foodie places to eat that cater to children (with playgrounds!!) so we had loads of fun.

[Anonymous]

We did a really nice beach resort. my luggage consisted of a small beach bag with a bathing suits, two dresses, nice sandals, one pair of flip-flops, a few books, toothbrush and toothpaste.

Kid and DH packed similarly. Kid left phone at home but brought Apple Watch so he wasn’t completely off the grid from his friends and music.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree that Grand Cayman is easy.

Cruises are the easiest. You literally don’t need to worry about dinner reservations, activities, etc.

But they are also super trashy.

Sigh.

No, cruises are not super trashy.

Go price out a spring break cruise on Disney, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, etc. leaving from Florida and you’ll see how expensive it is. Hint: not cheap to fly to FL, stay in a local hotel, then cruise for a week…plus excursions.

I was a reluctant cruiser who quickly discovered how relaxing a cruise is. Sitting on a lounge chair in a quiet area while the kids go do other activities is bliss. Not having to worry about getting dinner reservations in touristy cities or islands is Heaven. Hitting 3 or 4 Caribbean islands and taking a cab to a quiet beach is awesome.

There’s nothing trashy about it.

Plus: I love the live music. Royal Caribbean has different kinds of live music all over their ships day and night. It’s fun.

I see the loads of obese people those ships disgorge. It’s disgusting. Plan your own trips and make your own experiences. Cruising is the Applebee’s of travel, and a true race to the bottom (not to mention an environmental nightmare).

There are overweight people everywhere…including first class seats on planes and fancy hotels.

When I cruise, I see people running on the track and exercising in the gym. I see lots of fit families.

Go on a Virgin cruise and it’s all hardbodies and frou frou vegan health food.

Honestly, the one sweeping generalization that aptly describes cruisers is this: they are people who like to have fun and don’t judge others. There’s a real friendliness among cruisers.

You will not convince me that vacationing with thousands of other people, having the same experiences, and feeding from the same trough is anything other than the epitome of low class trash.

This is nuts. Cruises come at all sorts of price points and will all different levels of service, including some with truly fabulous restaurants. Is it really different to stay at the Ritz and eat at the hotel restaurant just because it's on land? There are cruises at the same price point and with the same level of service.

Vacationing most places is done with thousands of people who all end up doing the same things and eating at restaurants near their vacation destination. Welcome to the travel industry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree that Grand Cayman is easy.

Cruises are the easiest. You literally don’t need to worry about dinner reservations, activities, etc.

But they are also super trashy.

Sigh.

No, cruises are not super trashy.

Go price out a spring break cruise on Disney, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, etc. leaving from Florida and you’ll see how expensive it is. Hint: not cheap to fly to FL, stay in a local hotel, then cruise for a week…plus excursions.

I was a reluctant cruiser who quickly discovered how relaxing a cruise is. Sitting on a lounge chair in a quiet area while the kids go do other activities is bliss. Not having to worry about getting dinner reservations in touristy cities or islands is Heaven. Hitting 3 or 4 Caribbean islands and taking a cab to a quiet beach is awesome.

There’s nothing trashy about it.

Plus: I love the live music. Royal Caribbean has different kinds of live music all over their ships day and night. It’s fun.

I see the loads of obese people those ships disgorge. It’s disgusting. Plan your own trips and make your own experiences. Cruising is the Applebee’s of travel, and a true race to the bottom (not to mention an environmental nightmare).

There are overweight people everywhere…including first class seats on planes and fancy hotels.

When I cruise, I see people running on the track and exercising in the gym. I see lots of fit families.

Go on a Virgin cruise and it’s all hardbodies and frou frou vegan health food.

Honestly, the one sweeping generalization that aptly describes cruisers is this: they are people who like to have fun and don’t judge others. There’s a real friendliness among cruisers.

You will not convince me that vacationing with thousands of other people, having the same experiences, and feeding from the same trough is anything other than the epitome of low class trash.

This is nuts. Cruises come at all sorts of price points and will all different levels of service, including some with truly fabulous restaurants. Is it really different to stay at the Ritz and eat at the hotel restaurant just because it's on land? There are cruises at the same price point and with the same level of service.

Vacationing most places is done with thousands of people who all end up doing the same things and eating at restaurants near their vacation destination. Welcome to the travel industry.

Not if you go to off the beaten path places. And have you ever been to a destination on both cruise ship and non cruise ship days? It is a world of difference. Peaceful bucolic places are literally hell on earth for the hours the ships are in port. If you are on one of the ships, that’s all you ever get to experience, at any price point. Cruisers are lame losers who deceive themselves that they are traveling and visiting places when in fact they only get the absolute worst version. It’s shameful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree that Grand Cayman is easy.

Cruises are the easiest. You literally don’t need to worry about dinner reservations, activities, etc.

But they are also super trashy.

Sigh.

No, cruises are not super trashy.

Go price out a spring break cruise on Disney, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, etc. leaving from Florida and you’ll see how expensive it is. Hint: not cheap to fly to FL, stay in a local hotel, then cruise for a week…plus excursions.

I was a reluctant cruiser who quickly discovered how relaxing a cruise is. Sitting on a lounge chair in a quiet area while the kids go do other activities is bliss. Not having to worry about getting dinner reservations in touristy cities or islands is Heaven. Hitting 3 or 4 Caribbean islands and taking a cab to a quiet beach is awesome.

There’s nothing trashy about it.

Plus: I love the live music. Royal Caribbean has different kinds of live music all over their ships day and night. It’s fun.

I see the loads of obese people those ships disgorge. It’s disgusting. Plan your own trips and make your own experiences. Cruising is the Applebee’s of travel, and a true race to the bottom (not to mention an environmental nightmare).

There are overweight people everywhere…including first class seats on planes and fancy hotels.

When I cruise, I see people running on the track and exercising in the gym. I see lots of fit families.

Go on a Virgin cruise and it’s all hardbodies and frou frou vegan health food.

Honestly, the one sweeping generalization that aptly describes cruisers is this: they are people who like to have fun and don’t judge others. There’s a real friendliness among cruisers.

You will not convince me that vacationing with thousands of other people, having the same experiences, and feeding from the same trough is anything other than the epitome of low class trash.

This is nuts. Cruises come at all sorts of price points and will all different levels of service, including some with truly fabulous restaurants. Is it really different to stay at the Ritz and eat at the hotel restaurant just because it's on land? There are cruises at the same price point and with the same level of service.

Vacationing most places is done with thousands of people who all end up doing the same things and eating at restaurants near their vacation destination. Welcome to the travel industry.

Not if you go to off the beaten path places. And have you ever been to a destination on both cruise ship and non cruise ship days? It is a world of difference. Peaceful bucolic places are literally hell on earth for the hours the ships are in port. If you are on one of the ships, that’s all you ever get to experience, at any price point. Cruisers are lame losers who deceive themselves that they are traveling and visiting places when in fact they only get the absolute worst version. It’s shameful.

Disagree.

We always end up hiring a driver or chartering a boat in port. We aren’t anywhere near the throngs of tourists who end up at the usual suspect beaches.

I get it…you’ve never done it before…so it’s not your fault that you don’t know how awesome it is.

[Anonymous]

Our most relaxing family spring break trip is an all-inclusive Caribbean resort with a kids club that your kids actually want to attend. Depending on your budget, Beaches and Club Med are both very good options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree that Grand Cayman is easy.

Cruises are the easiest. You literally don’t need to worry about dinner reservations, activities, etc.

But they are also super trashy.

Sigh.

No, cruises are not super trashy.

Go price out a spring break cruise on Disney, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, etc. leaving from Florida and you’ll see how expensive it is. Hint: not cheap to fly to FL, stay in a local hotel, then cruise for a week…plus excursions.

I was a reluctant cruiser who quickly discovered how relaxing a cruise is. Sitting on a lounge chair in a quiet area while the kids go do other activities is bliss. Not having to worry about getting dinner reservations in touristy cities or islands is Heaven. Hitting 3 or 4 Caribbean islands and taking a cab to a quiet beach is awesome.

There’s nothing trashy about it.

Plus: I love the live music. Royal Caribbean has different kinds of live music all over their ships day and night. It’s fun.

I see the loads of obese people those ships disgorge. It’s disgusting. Plan your own trips and make your own experiences. Cruising is the Applebee’s of travel, and a true race to the bottom (not to mention an environmental nightmare).

There are overweight people everywhere…including first class seats on planes and fancy hotels.

When I cruise, I see people running on the track and exercising in the gym. I see lots of fit families.

Go on a Virgin cruise and it’s all hardbodies and frou frou vegan health food.

Honestly, the one sweeping generalization that aptly describes cruisers is this: they are people who like to have fun and don’t judge others. There’s a real friendliness among cruisers.

You will not convince me that vacationing with thousands of other people, having the same experiences, and feeding from the same trough is anything other than the epitome of low class trash.

This is nuts. Cruises come at all sorts of price points and will all different levels of service, including some with truly fabulous restaurants. Is it really different to stay at the Ritz and eat at the hotel restaurant just because it's on land? There are cruises at the same price point and with the same level of service.

Vacationing most places is done with thousands of people who all end up doing the same things and eating at restaurants near their vacation destination. Welcome to the travel industry.

Not if you go to off the beaten path places. And have you ever been to a destination on both cruise ship and non cruise ship days? It is a world of difference. Peaceful bucolic places are literally hell on earth for the hours the ships are in port. If you are on one of the ships, that’s all you ever get to experience, at any price point. Cruisers are lame losers who deceive themselves that they are traveling and visiting places when in fact they only get the absolute worst version. It’s shameful.

Disagree.

We always end up hiring a driver or chartering a boat in port. We aren’t anywhere near the throngs of tourists who end up at the usual suspect beaches.

I get it…you’ve never done it before…so it’s not your fault that you don’t know how awesome it is.

You make me very sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Drove to Williamsburg and stayed at one of the "resorts" around that area that offer a few amenities. Got the springtime pass for Colonial Williamsburg / Busch Gardens for ~$125 per person that allows unlimited visits to either place for a week. Bounced back and forth between attractions, swam in a pool, played mini golf. Very cheap and really low key. We could do as much or as little as we wanted and had a short trip home.

We do almost the exact same thing at least once a year, sometimes for winter break and sometimes in the spring, and it’s just such an easy place to do as little or as much as you want. You can rent a timeshare condo through the hotel booking sites at a good rate and that gets you amenities like pools and miniature golf on site. As my kids get older, I keep expecting them to outgrow it, but if anything they find more to enjoy.

[Anonymous]

If you want an easy vacation and don't mind seeing obese people in swimsuits with then go to Great Wolf Lodge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t you tell us about your most recent fun trip? You first OP.

YOU saying this same thing on almost ever thread asking for information is getting really old.

GET A LIFE.

Wow, strong reaction! In the meantime, we’re still waiting OP. Tell us about your last fun trip, disastrous trip, or just admit you have never been anywhere and lack imagination. Any of the three will be fine, thank you.

OP here. Wow, I was going to respond with where I’ve been/what has been great and not-so-great for my family after I had read through the responses so far, but I think I’ll simply not give you the satisfaction.

For the nice posters, thank you for your suggestions. I want you to know I’m asking for a good reason, and those of you who have generously responded have seriously helped someone struggling with health issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree that Grand Cayman is easy.

Cruises are the easiest. You literally don’t need to worry about dinner reservations, activities, etc.

But they are also super trashy.

Sigh.

No, cruises are not super trashy.

Go price out a spring break cruise on Disney, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, etc. leaving from Florida and you’ll see how expensive it is. Hint: not cheap to fly to FL, stay in a local hotel, then cruise for a week…plus excursions.

I was a reluctant cruiser who quickly discovered how relaxing a cruise is. Sitting on a lounge chair in a quiet area while the kids go do other activities is bliss. Not having to worry about getting dinner reservations in touristy cities or islands is Heaven. Hitting 3 or 4 Caribbean islands and taking a cab to a quiet beach is awesome.

There’s nothing trashy about it.

Plus: I love the live music. Royal Caribbean has different kinds of live music all over their ships day and night. It’s fun.

I see the loads of obese people those ships disgorge. It’s disgusting. Plan your own trips and make your own experiences. Cruising is the Applebee’s of travel, and a true race to the bottom (not to mention an environmental nightmare).

There are overweight people everywhere…including first class seats on planes and fancy hotels.

When I cruise, I see people running on the track and exercising in the gym. I see lots of fit families.

Go on a Virgin cruise and it’s all hardbodies and frou frou vegan health food.

Honestly, the one sweeping generalization that aptly describes cruisers is this: they are people who like to have fun and don’t judge others. There’s a real friendliness among cruisers.

You will not convince me that vacationing with thousands of other people, having the same experiences, and feeding from the same trough is anything other than the epitome of low class trash.

This is nuts. Cruises come at all sorts of price points and will all different levels of service, including some with truly fabulous restaurants. Is it really different to stay at the Ritz and eat at the hotel restaurant just because it's on land? There are cruises at the same price point and with the same level of service.

Vacationing most places is done with thousands of people who all end up doing the same things and eating at restaurants near their vacation destination. Welcome to the travel industry.

Not if you go to off the beaten path places. And have you ever been to a destination on both cruise ship and non cruise ship days? It is a world of difference. Peaceful bucolic places are literally hell on earth for the hours the ships are in port. If you are on one of the ships, that’s all you ever get to experience, at any price point. Cruisers are lame losers who deceive themselves that they are traveling and visiting places when in fact they only get the absolute worst version. It’s shameful.

I've been to lots of very off the beaten track locations and love adventure travel. But sometimes after a busy period at work and with two kids I just want a vacation where I can show up. Cruises are certainly not "all we'll ever get to experience" as they are not our only vacations. They're one easy option with no planning, good drinks and food and warm weather. We do splurge for ships with excellent food and pay for private excursions away from crowds. Cruises can be a great, relaxing vacation.

[Anonymous]

San Antonio was easy for us. However, I really think the deciding factors are not the location per se but the dynamics of the people and being realistic about what everyone can handle.

That includes adults getting along or not, children getting along or not, how flexible each person is, bedtimes and how changing them affects your actual kids (not how you think they "should" be affected or how you want things to work but what is actually true for your kids, which may vary by age, personality, etc.), wake-up times and changing those affects everyone, how much money you're spending if that's a source of stress if you think anything wrong is wasting money, how well everyone functions in cars/planes, and on and on.

Do you need more rules or fewer rules for things to go better? Strict bedtimes or leniency? Packed and time-sensitive itinerary or flexibility? More or less down time? More rooms/beds/privacy? Opportunities to split up if someone doesn't want to do an activity? Being realistic about all these things without any judgement is what has really made our trips much better and "easier."