Hygeia

Planning a family reunion can be a lot of work. For the hosts, much stress is involved, with cleaning the home, picking up people at the airport, lodging someone in their spare bedroom, trying to accommodate everyone’s dietary requirements and tastes with their cooking, spending hours in the kitchen, washing the dishes, watching children and cleaning up the aftermath. It can be downright exhausting! For the other family members, it’s just as hectic with traveling for hours in the car, finding parking, bringing a dish, helping with chores, booking hotels, sometimes renting a car. This is not to say that family gatherings aren’t worth the trouble, because anyone who has been to a family reunion in the last year knows there is nothing better than a rip-roaring good time with their closest of kin. However, it might be time to consider a family reunion resort or cruise to take some of the stress out of home hosting.

One of the best ways to plan a family reunion is to book an all-inclusive family reunion cruise or a stay at an all-inclusive family reunion resort. This option is best suited for active and far-flung families, many of which have to travel across the country to get together with relatives anyway. This option is also suited for family members who enjoy a convenient, no-fuss vacation that allows for a myriad of fun family reunion activities. The best part about these family reunions is that there are no hidden expenses — generally all meals, sodas, transportation, rooms and entertainment are included. Additionally, no one has to cook, clean or drive anywhere! The one con to booking this way is that extra costs like shore excursions and alcohol expenses can potentially rack up the bill. One can expect to pay anywhere from $250 to $600 per person (plus airfare) for a 5-day cruise, assuming that 20 or more people attend. Naturally, the more people that go, the lower the price and often times, the party planner gets to sail or stay for free.

Planning a family reunion aboard a cruise line is now easier than ever, with so many family reunion cruise operators out there now. Mainstream lines like Carnival, Disney, Royal Caribbean and Holland American now specialize in bringing large groups together on memorable cruises. Their reunion packages often include activities like scavenger hunts, private receptions, stateroom upgrades, door decorations, special certificates, family photos and special discounts. Activities are seemingly limitless, with spas, golfing, theatre, bars and cafes for adults, as well as arcades, internet centers, pools, shows and youth programs for kids. Hawaii, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean are all popular destinations.