Anonymous
Post 01/02/2026 15:11     Subject: Can a cruise family and a non-cruise family ever happily vacation together?
I'm an anti-cruise person. And for what its worth, also an anti multi family trip person.

I like just travelling with my immediate family. I don't enjoy trying to coordinate a huge group. I like hiking, I like cities, I like backpacking. You know what my extended family and DH's extended family hate? All those things. They're cruise and/or beach people. Fine. Good for them. Not our thing.

And, frankly, both my brother and DH's sister are selfish. obnoxious people married to equally selfish and obnoxious people, who constantly dump their kids on everyone else. It's not enjoyable.

I sucked it up and did a multi-generational beach trip last summer because that's what my dad wanted for his 75th birthday. Fortunately we all had our own rentals. By day 3, everyone, including my parents, were completely over my brother and his wife and their 8 children. Never again.
Anonymous
Post 01/02/2026 13:53     Subject: Can a cruise family and a non-cruise family ever happily vacation together?
Anonymous wrote:Have the anti cruise people actually been on a cruise? It’s all about expectations. It’s not the kind of trip where you are authentically immersing yourself into new parts of the world. The food isn’t great (even in the concierge level). They can absolutely be too crowded. Some of the people suck. The entertainment is hit or miss. The pool area itself is loud and crowded. But like any trip, it’s what you make of it.

My uncle can drink and gamble. DH can go to trivia and karaoke. The kids can go on water slides and play mini golf. The teens and young adults can listen to live music and dance. And I can spend a day in the spa and can always find a tucked away quiet corner to read a book. And no one has to plan meals or clean.

It works really really well for mixed groups if people keep an open mind and think creatively about how to get what they want out of it.


I’m sure some of the anti cruise people have been on one and others haven’t but that isn’t the point. Read what you just wrote above…the food isn’t great, entertainment is hit or miss, pool area crowded and now couple this with t costing 1-2 weeks of PTO, thousands for the cruise, flights to and from ports, extras on board and excursions. It’s a huge expense in time and money for a trip that you have to lower expectations for not to be miserable and have at best a mediocre time all to make older people happy.

The pro cruise posters themselves are saying it’s a suck it up, just do it for the boomers, or keep your mouth shut and pretend it’s a great vacation. Just no.
Anonymous
Post 01/02/2026 11:37     Subject: Can a cruise family and a non-cruise family ever happily vacation together?
Have the anti cruise people actually been on a cruise? It’s all about expectations. It’s not the kind of trip where you are authentically immersing yourself into new parts of the world. The food isn’t great (even in the concierge level). They can absolutely be too crowded. Some of the people suck. The entertainment is hit or miss. The pool area itself is loud and crowded. But like any trip, it’s what you make of it.

My uncle can drink and gamble. DH can go to trivia and karaoke. The kids can go on water slides and play mini golf. The teens and young adults can listen to live music and dance. And I can spend a day in the spa and can always find a tucked away quiet corner to read a book. And no one has to plan meals or clean.

It works really really well for mixed groups if people keep an open mind and think creatively about how to get what they want out of it.
Anonymous
Post 01/02/2026 09:37     Subject: Can a cruise family and a non-cruise family ever happily vacation together?
I’m not a cruise person but I married into a cruise family. I genuinely see the draw for large groups and/or multigenerational families, but I get sea sick and feel claustrophobic on boats in the open ocean. I’ve been on a cruise to Alaska, one in the Mediterranean, and a river cruise (which is totally fine), by DH’s family like the Caribbean and say I just need to be on a larger boat.🤢
Anonymous
Post 01/01/2026 23:10     Subject: Can a cruise family and a non-cruise family ever happily vacation together?
Anonymous wrote:I guess my question for anti-cruise is, what are you pro? Are you going to do all the work of booking accommodations and 3x restaurants and entertainment for 15+ people?


A large beach house, or multiple beach houses. Each family unit provides one dinner for all. Order pizza one night. Breakfast and lunch are on your own.
Anonymous
Post 01/01/2026 18:05     Subject: Can a cruise family and a non-cruise family ever happily vacation together?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I guess my question for anti-cruise is, what are you pro? Are you going to do all the work of booking accommodations and 3x restaurants and entertainment for 15+ people?


My favorite vacations are with our adult children where we go to Europe and spend at least several days to a week in each city. We will book ahead one or two meals but play it by ear for the rest of the time. I love boutique hotels with a rooftop lounge or restaurant in a convenient area. We usually all do breakfast together or if one couple wants to sleep in no problem. We usually have 2-3 days where we have timed tickets or a tour of a museum, usually mid morning. The rest of the afternoon we just explore, sometimes together and sometimes apart. If there’s an area we love, we will go back again. It’s nice to be able browse an old bookstore or go back to see a site at night. I like sitting in cafes in more neighborhood areas and just listening to the language. DH loves to go through grocery stores in different areas. DH and I love getting up early and walking around the city when it’s quiet. We also love having a drink on the rooftop bar/lounge at night knowing we just have to go down to our room. Our kids will go out at night. Sometimes we pick a city as our base and do day trips which are similar to the cruise excursion but instead of going back to a boat we are going back to the city. Our adult kids might spend the night in a hostel if they want to stay later in the day trip area.

I see cruises as really limiting and don’t want to spend a good percentage of my vacation on a boat anymore than I would want to spend a good percentage of my time in a hotel rather than exploring the city around us.


That sounds lovely for a group of adults none of whom are elderly or have mobility impairments. For those of us planning a trip with more generations that sounds challenging.


That sounds nice but as someone with health issues I couldn't handle that anymore. A cruise is nice as if I feel terrible I can stay on the ship and there is food and what I need and my family can go without me.
Anonymous
Post 01/01/2026 10:56     Subject: Can a cruise family and a non-cruise family ever happily vacation together?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think it depends what they like about cruising. If they like the kids clubs and ability for everyone to eat different food, that's probably the hardest to replicate. Vacations with small kids can be really tiring even if they're easy going kids. There are some great all inclusives that have kid clubs, but they're really no different than cruises.

If they just like the ability to see different islands and lay by the pool, that's easy to replicate.


There are no vacations with kids. There are only “trips.”



Not true, if you’re willing to spend the money, you can have a family vacation.
Anonymous
Post 01/01/2026 07:02     Subject: Can a cruise family and a non-cruise family ever happily vacation together?
Anonymous wrote:I think it depends what they like about cruising. If they like the kids clubs and ability for everyone to eat different food, that's probably the hardest to replicate. Vacations with small kids can be really tiring even if they're easy going kids. There are some great all inclusives that have kid clubs, but they're really no different than cruises.

If they just like the ability to see different islands and lay by the pool, that's easy to replicate.


There are no vacations with kids. There are only “trips.”
Anonymous
Post 01/01/2026 06:59     Subject: Can a cruise family and a non-cruise family ever happily vacation together?
Anonymous wrote:I am the anti-cruise, anti-all inclusive in my family while DH LOVES them. I don't like being confined to just a resort/ship. I don't like having to eat at the same place(s) every single day. I prefer vacations where you explore, go to museums, go to different restaurants, see many sites, on my own schedule.

I have to suck it up some times and just go. We got back from a 3 generation all inclusive vacation, I hated it, but kept it to myself and went with the flow. Otherwise I don't know how you make it work.


This is the answer. It’s called being an adult and hanging out with family, finding a way to enjoy things, even if it’s not your favorite
Anonymous
Post 12/31/2025 22:37     Subject: Can a cruise family and a non-cruise family ever happily vacation together?
My god, separate vacations. Who wants to travel with that many people in the first place? That is not a vacation!
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 19:25     Subject: Can a cruise family and a non-cruise family ever happily vacation together?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I guess my question for anti-cruise is, what are you pro? Are you going to do all the work of booking accommodations and 3x restaurants and entertainment for 15+ people?


My favorite vacations are with our adult children where we go to Europe and spend at least several days to a week in each city. We will book ahead one or two meals but play it by ear for the rest of the time. I love boutique hotels with a rooftop lounge or restaurant in a convenient area. We usually all do breakfast together or if one couple wants to sleep in no problem. We usually have 2-3 days where we have timed tickets or a tour of a museum, usually mid morning. The rest of the afternoon we just explore, sometimes together and sometimes apart. If there’s an area we love, we will go back again. It’s nice to be able browse an old bookstore or go back to see a site at night. I like sitting in cafes in more neighborhood areas and just listening to the language. DH loves to go through grocery stores in different areas. DH and I love getting up early and walking around the city when it’s quiet. We also love having a drink on the rooftop bar/lounge at night knowing we just have to go down to our room. Our kids will go out at night. Sometimes we pick a city as our base and do day trips which are similar to the cruise excursion but instead of going back to a boat we are going back to the city. Our adult kids might spend the night in a hostel if they want to stay later in the day trip area.

I see cruises as really limiting and don’t want to spend a good percentage of my vacation on a boat anymore than I would want to spend a good percentage of my time in a hotel rather than exploring the city around us.


So how would you tailor this trip to accommodate a larger group with multiple needs? Not saying you have to just that it seems very tightly tailored to accommodate your circumstances.


You don’t! The minute you try to arrange a huge trip with extended family including multigenerational it ceases to be an enjoyable vacation. It’s a trip or an obligation.
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 16:56     Subject: Can a cruise family and a non-cruise family ever happily vacation together?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I guess my question for anti-cruise is, what are you pro? Are you going to do all the work of booking accommodations and 3x restaurants and entertainment for 15+ people?


My favorite vacations are with our adult children where we go to Europe and spend at least several days to a week in each city. We will book ahead one or two meals but play it by ear for the rest of the time. I love boutique hotels with a rooftop lounge or restaurant in a convenient area. We usually all do breakfast together or if one couple wants to sleep in no problem. We usually have 2-3 days where we have timed tickets or a tour of a museum, usually mid morning. The rest of the afternoon we just explore, sometimes together and sometimes apart. If there’s an area we love, we will go back again. It’s nice to be able browse an old bookstore or go back to see a site at night. I like sitting in cafes in more neighborhood areas and just listening to the language. DH loves to go through grocery stores in different areas. DH and I love getting up early and walking around the city when it’s quiet. We also love having a drink on the rooftop bar/lounge at night knowing we just have to go down to our room. Our kids will go out at night. Sometimes we pick a city as our base and do day trips which are similar to the cruise excursion but instead of going back to a boat we are going back to the city. Our adult kids might spend the night in a hostel if they want to stay later in the day trip area.

I see cruises as really limiting and don’t want to spend a good percentage of my vacation on a boat anymore than I would want to spend a good percentage of my time in a hotel rather than exploring the city around us.


So how would you tailor this trip to accommodate a larger group with multiple needs? Not saying you have to just that it seems very tightly tailored to accommodate your circumstances.
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 15:03     Subject: Can a cruise family and a non-cruise family ever happily vacation together?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I guess my question for anti-cruise is, what are you pro? Are you going to do all the work of booking accommodations and 3x restaurants and entertainment for 15+ people?


My favorite vacations are with our adult children where we go to Europe and spend at least several days to a week in each city. We will book ahead one or two meals but play it by ear for the rest of the time. I love boutique hotels with a rooftop lounge or restaurant in a convenient area. We usually all do breakfast together or if one couple wants to sleep in no problem. We usually have 2-3 days where we have timed tickets or a tour of a museum, usually mid morning. The rest of the afternoon we just explore, sometimes together and sometimes apart. If there’s an area we love, we will go back again. It’s nice to be able browse an old bookstore or go back to see a site at night. I like sitting in cafes in more neighborhood areas and just listening to the language. DH loves to go through grocery stores in different areas. DH and I love getting up early and walking around the city when it’s quiet. We also love having a drink on the rooftop bar/lounge at night knowing we just have to go down to our room. Our kids will go out at night. Sometimes we pick a city as our base and do day trips which are similar to the cruise excursion but instead of going back to a boat we are going back to the city. Our adult kids might spend the night in a hostel if they want to stay later in the day trip area.

I see cruises as really limiting and don’t want to spend a good percentage of my vacation on a boat anymore than I would want to spend a good percentage of my time in a hotel rather than exploring the city around us.


That sounds lovely for a group of adults none of whom are elderly or have mobility impairments. For those of us planning a trip with more generations that sounds challenging.
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 14:53     Subject: Can a cruise family and a non-cruise family ever happily vacation together?
Anonymous wrote:I guess my question for anti-cruise is, what are you pro? Are you going to do all the work of booking accommodations and 3x restaurants and entertainment for 15+ people?


My favorite vacations are with our adult children where we go to Europe and spend at least several days to a week in each city. We will book ahead one or two meals but play it by ear for the rest of the time. I love boutique hotels with a rooftop lounge or restaurant in a convenient area. We usually all do breakfast together or if one couple wants to sleep in no problem. We usually have 2-3 days where we have timed tickets or a tour of a museum, usually mid morning. The rest of the afternoon we just explore, sometimes together and sometimes apart. If there’s an area we love, we will go back again. It’s nice to be able browse an old bookstore or go back to see a site at night. I like sitting in cafes in more neighborhood areas and just listening to the language. DH loves to go through grocery stores in different areas. DH and I love getting up early and walking around the city when it’s quiet. We also love having a drink on the rooftop bar/lounge at night knowing we just have to go down to our room. Our kids will go out at night. Sometimes we pick a city as our base and do day trips which are similar to the cruise excursion but instead of going back to a boat we are going back to the city. Our adult kids might spend the night in a hostel if they want to stay later in the day trip area.

I see cruises as really limiting and don’t want to spend a good percentage of my vacation on a boat anymore than I would want to spend a good percentage of my time in a hotel rather than exploring the city around us.
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 13:59     Subject: Can a cruise family and a non-cruise family ever happily vacation together?
Anonymous wrote:For me, the mom, cruises mean

1. I don't have to plan meals
2. I don't have to cook or order food
3. I don't have to do the dishes
4. I don't have to plan activities
5. I don't have to hear people complain that have to do things they don't want to do
6. There are built in playmates/friends to hang with
7. I don't have to plan evening activities

For me, a cruise is about not having to handle the mental load. I'm just as happy renting a villa in Jamaica with a staff to handle most of these things. But a cruise is cheaper.


So much this.

I love all kinds of vacations, have taken my child around the world with me, hotels and villas and Airbnb and Europe— don’t worry travel snobs I see you!

But when I have to please 4 dietary restrictions (one dangerous) an adult who really wants to relax poolside or be at a spa and one who refuses to go a day without a run, eight kids (and six bedtimes) etc in my extended family? Thats just exactly why Disney cruises exist.