Once in a lifetime family trip?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The best trips I ever took were without my parents and were also relativity cheap ones where I stayed in hostels and met lots of people. My mother was overbearing wanting to make sure we saw everything there was to see - those trips were stressful.

Maybe invest the money for the kids' post college travel fund.

Now that’s DCUM

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Too much pressure for a trip to be the trip of a lifetime, everyone is getting sick traveling these days, then what? You don’t need to take a 60k trip just because you can. You can take an awesome 15 or 20k trip and then take two more later.

I agree. Some of my best travel experiences have been free or inexpensive. The more money spent sometimes buys you first world experiences (high end hotels, first class travel, high end cuisine etc) that distance the traveler from authentic local experiences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m gonna rain on your parade.

I wouldn’t plan my trip of a lifetime for kids that young. I’d wait until they’re older. They’re not going to appreciate it and it won’t be worth the money.

We’ve gone on several “trips of a lifetime“, including our entire family on a luxurious safari, but we waited until everyone was older.

+1, they will not remember it in a few years and would probably like disney more.

I’m okay with them but remembering everything. Also open to domestic but we have visited a fair number of places in the US. As a family we have gone to Costa Rica, Hawaii, Southern California including San Diego and LA, Vail/Beaver Creek/Denver, Martha’s Vineyard/Nantucket, NYC, Boston, San Francisco/ Carmel/Monterey, Grand Canyon, Utah Arches, Taos NM, Disneyland, Disneyworld, Amelia Island and St Augustine, Charleston, New Orleans, Seattle + San Juan Island, Coeur d’Alene Idaho and Philadelphia. Stand out trips for the kids have been skiing, Southern Cal, Costa Rica and NYC. They liked Disney but didn’t love it and don’t ask to go back much.

You are clearly raising children of privilege. Nothing you do with them is going to be the “trip of a lifetime” because you’ve already bombarded them with experiences.

I agree with this. I think it’s nice to travel with kids but you are really ratcheting it up at a young age. They’re going to be bored and unimpressed teenagers who won’t be excited by anything and won’t appreciate anything. You’re gonna have to get them seats on a submarine to visit the Titanic just to up the ante.

This x1000. They will have nothing to look forward to. Nothing will seem special.

+1

Totally agree. Kids won't even remember most trips before age ten. Sure, you will have photos, I guess? That won't matter much. Having a memorable trip when your kids are teens or young adults, and can actually enjoy, savor, and remember the trip, is something else, entirely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Omg - these trips all sound like nightmares for your kids. Can they stay home?

I agree. The trip of a lifetime with kids is going to be Disney, OP. That’s what they’d love, the trips you’ve suggested are adult trips.

Disagree. NZ/Australia would be amazing if they can have 3-4 weeks to do it and have it planned out really well

I grew up in NZ. All anyone from there wanted to do was to travel to Disneyland.

[Anonymous]

Do the trip you want. Your kids are too young to regard this as anything special.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please stop touring in Antarctica. Leave it be.

Agree.

Clearly neither of you have ever researched or taken an Antarctica cruise. They are INSANELY protective of the environment. One example, Your gear is put through bio hazard cleaning before you leave the ship when you land on the continent. The cruises going there are not your Carnival cruises with casinos and belly flop contests; they are expedition ships focused on education.

Additionally, there are no children allowed on these cruises, so it's out for OP until they hit 18.

[Anonymous]

JFC, just take them to Disney. This is prime disney age. The sense of wonder that Disney gives children at that age is amazing to see as a parent. THAT is a trip of a lifetime to them at that age. They have their whole lives to go tromping around Thailand.

[Anonymous]

How about going on multiple trips over decades. Your 6 year old isn't concerned about bragging about going on the most expensive trip.

[Anonymous]

Haven’t read the answers but I would 100% choose a private sailing trip w/chef around the BVI.

Second choice would be a Disney cruise to Alaska/Europe/Caribbean or whatever appeals to you most. Kids would probably like this better but will still like the first option.

[Anonymous]

Send the kids to summer camp, which they will actually enjoy, and go on an adult trip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please stop touring in Antarctica. Leave it be.

Agree.

Clearly neither of you have ever researched or taken an Antarctica cruise. They are INSANELY protective of the environment. One example, Your gear is put through bio hazard cleaning before you leave the ship when you land on the continent. The cruises going there are not your Carnival cruises with casinos and belly flop contests; they are expedition ships focused on education.

Additionally, there are no children allowed on these cruises, so it's out for OP until they hit 18.

No way would I feed into the disappearance of nature by getting on a cruise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH’s company is having a very large exit and to celebrate with our kids we want to take a really special once in a lifetime type trip. Something we wouldn’t normally even consider. Kids are 7 and 9. Budget is up to $60k for the right trip. I was thinking Antarctica might be a great option, New Zealand/Australia or an African Safari, although it would have to be the right lodge for this age. Another idea is chartering a catamaran and island hopping in the Caribbean or Europe. Give ideas please!

Why am I not surprised that the person posting is not the person who did the work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please stop touring in Antarctica. Leave it be.

Agree.

Clearly neither of you have ever researched or taken an Antarctica cruise. They are INSANELY protective of the environment. One example, Your gear is put through bio hazard cleaning before you leave the ship when you land on the continent. The cruises going there are not your Carnival cruises with casinos and belly flop contests; they are expedition ships focused on education.

Additionally, there are no children allowed on these cruises, so it's out for OP until they hit 18.

No way would I feed into the disappearance of nature by getting on a cruise.

Stay away then - cheaper prices for the rest of us! Antarctica is absolutely amazing. And the only way to get there is on a ship.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH’s company is having a very large exit and to celebrate with our kids we want to take a really special once in a lifetime type trip. Something we wouldn’t normally even consider. Kids are 7 and 9. Budget is up to $60k for the right trip. I was thinking Antarctica might be a great option, New Zealand/Australia or an African Safari, although it would have to be the right lodge for this age. Another idea is chartering a catamaran and island hopping in the Caribbean or Europe. Give ideas please!

Why am I not surprised that the person posting is not the person who did the work.

Maybe her DH sucks at trip planning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please stop touring in Antarctica. Leave it be.

Agree.

Clearly neither of you have ever researched or taken an Antarctica cruise. They are INSANELY protective of the environment. One example, Your gear is put through bio hazard cleaning before you leave the ship when you land on the continent. The cruises going there are not your Carnival cruises with casinos and belly flop contests; they are expedition ships focused on education.

Additionally, there are no children allowed on these cruises, so it's out for OP until they hit 18.

No way would I feed into the disappearance of nature by getting on a cruise.

Stay away then - cheaper prices for the rest of us! Antarctica is absolutely amazing. And the only way to get there is on a ship.

Or by documentary like most people.