Planning a family reunion often can be more enjoyable in theory than in fact. Picking the place, the food, the activities and the entertainment that every member will enjoy and appreciate can be close to impossible. This is particularly true when the group includes all ages, families with children, couples without children, singles, seniors and teens.

Advantage Travel, in conjunction with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and its members have a remarkably simple solution, within the reach and budget of every extended family: a family reunion cruise vacation. Shipboard multigenerational group vacations, including family reunions, represent one of the fastest growing segments of the cruise industry for many reasons, not the least of which is the extraordinary ease of planning. Almost 90 percent of cruise vacations are sold by travel agents who do all the work - from talking with any or all members of the group to assess their needs and expectations, to recommending a cruise that matches those requirements and working with the cruise line to obtain the best price and make all the arrangements. Once onboard most cruise ships that cater to groups, the family has access to around-the-clock services and assistance of group and event coordinators who ensure that needs are met and activities run smoothly.

The top reason why cruises and family reunions are the perfect match - and very easy to plan - is that on a cruise, all family members can do whatever they want, when they want, individually or with others. There are babysitters for the youngest travellers, supervised activities for toddlers and young children, clubs and dances for teens, and a broad range of activities for adults and seniors. Depending on the ship, recreational activities may include climbing walls or ice skating rinks, spa and fitness programs, dance lessons, cooking classes, wine tastings or other learning opportunities. Multiple choices of dining experiences and venues - from poolside snacks to the most elegant haute cuisine – all ensure that everyone enjoys themselves in the style and ambience they prefer. Daily entertainment, from movies to spectacular Broadway style musicals, guarantees that every taste and interest is accommodated. And, in each port - there may be as many as six different destinations visited during a seven-day cruise - a wide variety of shore excursions, including golf on some of the world's best courses, means land excursions of interest to everyone.

The choices of things to do and ways to enjoy the cruise mean that every member of the group can plan his or her own vacation. Individuals may choose to pursue their own interests, families or pairings of families may choose to share experiences, or the entire reunion group may choose to share meals or nightly entertainment. The possibilities are limitless, and, most important, no one in the group is stuck with planning for everyone, pleading for consensus or risking hurt feelings.

Now, where can we plan your next family get together?

Source: www.cruising.org June 2009