The Family That Cruises Together: 5 Reasons Multi-generational Travel “Rocks”

Imagine holding your grandson’s hand when he sees the ocean for the first time, listening to your niece giggle in the warm water of a Caribbean beach or gasping in unison as you marvel together at an Alaskan glacier. These unforgettable moments happen every day on cruise ships all over the world—and are a big reason why more and more extended families are deciding to travel together on a Christian cruise.

According to travel marketing firm MMGY, one out of every five leisure travelers is a grandmother or grandfather. Around 10,000 members of the baby boomer generation retire every day, and are eager to see the world with their families on a multi-generational vacation. A third of these grandparents have traveled with their grandchildren over the past year.

Cruises are an ideal way for families to travel together. Here’s why:

Flexibility: From connecting staterooms to flexible dining options, cruise lines are making it easier for families to spend time together. They are configuring staterooms and adjoining suites with an eye toward multi-generational families. With a variety of dining rooms, specialty restaurants, open-seating options and diverse menus, meeting the dining needs of a large family with particular tastes is simpler than ever.

Entertainment: A trip to a beach resort offers limited options. Families can generally choose between hanging out at the beach or hanging out at the pool. But on a cruise, the scenery changes daily. Children can enjoy interactive entertainment experiences. Teens may have their pick of water slides, rock-climbing walls or ropes courses. Adults can relax at the spa or even take dance or cooking lessons. The opportunities are endless—and that’s just aboard the ship! Most ports offer a variety of excursions for every age and activity level. Where else but a cruise can you find something that appeals to toddlers, teens and grandparents at the same time?

Pricing: Cruises include transportation, lodging, food and entertainment in a single, reasonably-priced package. They are almost always more economical than flying a group to Alaska or the Caribbean, booking a resort, then paying for meals, entertainment and everything else involved in a family vacation. (And the logistics are so much easier!)

Education: Rather than being confined to one location, families on cruises experience a variety of languages and cultures from the different islands and ports they visit. Learn about the historic Gold Rush, Russian settlements or Native American culture in Alaska. Cruise the Caribbean and see Spanish architecture in San Juan, Dutch architecture on St. Maarten and British culture on Grand Cayman—all in the same week.

Spiritual impact: Christian cruises with Inspiration include all of the above—along with the added benefit of traveling with like-minded believers who have so much in common with your family. With opportunities to worship together, fellowship with new friends and learn from dynamic speakers and Bible teachers, a Christian cruise is like a week-long floating church service. Families can, first and foremost, unplug; then relax and grow closer in an uplifting environment, surrounded by the larger family of God.

Traveling with a big family presents challenges. You have to balance interests, manage dietary preferences, locate family-friendly entertainment and coordinate activities for all ages. The great news is: all of those things are built into a cruise already—which is why cruise vacations have become such a popular choice for intergenerational travel. So, get the cousins together, find a beautiful location to cruise to and get ready to make memories that will go down in family history.