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Travel
Traveling with Grandchildren
Cruising for the first time
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Intergenerational travel is a win-win-win situation: parents get a well-needed
break; grandparents get quality time with the grandkids; and the grandkids get a
time learning about the world with their grandparents. Yet while more and more
seniors are leading active lives, it can be difficult to match the energy and
interest level of a child for an entire week.
Create a Multi-Generational Itinerary:
Too often seniors plan activities to solely please the children, running
themselves ragged to keep the trip in a high gear of constant fun. Plan an
itinerary that appeals to both generations, paying special attention to natural
attractions, like mountains and canyons, and historical sites, like lost temples
and medieval castles.
Consult the Parents:
Talking with your grandchild's parents is a critical step in planning a successful trip. Parents know their children's favorite activities and subjects, along with their sleeping and eating habits.
You're the Guardian, So Be Prepared:
Always have proper identification and medical histories wherever you go, for emergencies enjoy being unpredictable. During the vacation, you are 100 percent responsible for the children, so make sure you have their proper identification, health insurance, contact information, recent photos and notarized authorization from their parents in case they need medical attention. All identifying documents for the children should comply with the latest federal requirements for passports and other entry/exit documents. Also, it's your job to know their medications and dietary needs backwards and forwards.
Play Favorites:
Since a child's energy level escalates exponentially with each additional child in the room, it's wise take no more than two grandchildren at a time, or even just one. As much as you would to include all eight grandkids, in reality you should play favorites and take only a few at a time. You can always plan more vacations for the others.
Keep the Kids Excited:
Just like a movie studio builds excitement for an upcoming release, so should you with your impending excursion. Have your grandchildren help plan the trip by reading guidebooks and studying maps. As the date approaches, send your grandchild e-mails about the activities or maps and pictures of the destination in the mail.
Like E.T., Phone Home:
An effective way to alleviate homesickness is to make periodic phone calls to the parents and let the kids gush about the day's exciting adventures. The parents will feel better knowing their children are in good hands, and you'll feel better listening to the kids rave about the activities you planned.
You Need Downtime, Too:
Many places provide supervised activities for kids. If the resort or cruise offers these, take them up on that offer and get some much-needed rest.
Music to Their Ears:
If you're traveling by car, especially with teens, let them enjoy their portable CD and MP3 players. Trust us - you won't like what they're listening to. And don't try and force Sinatra on a teen either. They will learn to appreciate Old Blue Eyes later in life; everyone does.
Are you afraid of becoming seasick? Cruise liners have been built these many years with stabilizers that limit the rocking motion of the waves. Many even have billiard tables that adjust to stay level--so your ear canals are no problem! And seasick pills are quite effective.
If you are afraid of being bored, take a cruise to the Caribbean or along one of the coasts where you land in a different port just about every night. On a coastal cruise, you really don't spend that many nights at sea.
Even if you do end up spending a lot of time on the ship, there is a huge variety of things to do - walking around the decks, swimming, shuffleboard, dancing, gambling, and eating. Cruise lines are really floating five-star restaurants, and there is always a place to get something to eat on the ship.
Perhaps you are afraid that shipboard etiquette is too confusing. Don't worry - except for higher end cruiselines, there isn't much formality on cruise vacations these days. There might be one formal night in a five-day cruise, so you might want to rent a tux or a gown to take with you (you can also do this on board the ship), but it is not required. Though most nights are casual, it is a good idea for men to bring a jacket and a sports shirt.
Cruise the web for the right cruise for you. There are all sorts of bargains, particularly on discount Internet sites. There will be some added expenses. You are expected to tip the waiters and maids at the end of the cruise, at a rate of around $3 to $4 per day. Also, alcoholic drinks are not included in the price of the ticket.
The ships also offer tours when you arrive in the various ports and run between $30 and $40 per person. To save money, opt to wander around town on your own or hire a cab, which can often be cheaper.
If you are flying to the embarkation point, you might want to leave a day before the cruise begins in case the plane is delayed or your luggage misses your flight.
Contributed by Joe
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