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It’s time to catch up with your relatives and have fun by planning a family reunion. But you might be wondering where to have it and how to prepare it. What about having it on a cruise ship that sails across the ocean? You can visit multiple destinations, plan excursions, and have fun with your family members you haven’t seen in a long time.

A family reunion on a cruise can be an excellent option as it offers various activities for all ages. Everyone, from kids to grandparents, can have a great time doing things they love.

You can ask for help from family members to organize the planning process. Planning and managing a vacation can be overwhelming, especially for a large group. So, it’s always good to get some help. You can also hire an experienced travel planner to ease your burden. They can handle everything, including keeping track of the cruise ship updates, weather, member payments, and more.

Here, I will share ideas on planning a family reunion on a cruise ship, what to expect on a cruise ship, how to communicate with everyone attending, creating an itinerary, and more. I have experience booking small and large group vacations, and the process was about the same, so that this post will be helpful to you during the planning process.

Please note: Some of the Tools below have my affiliate link attached, and I may earn a small commission, with no extra charge to you, of course.

Start Planning Early.

Planning early for a family reunion on a cruise ship is essential to ensure everything goes smoothly and everyone has a great time. When planning a reunion, the first question that comes to mind is how early is too early to start planning. The answer is that it depends on how often your reunions are scheduled. You should prepare a little in advance if they’re annual. But if they only happen every few years or so, it’s best to start early and research well in advance.

When planning a cruise ship reunion, giving yourself plenty of time to prepare is essential. For example, if you plan to reunite in another country, you’ll need to ensure everyone has valid passports and that any necessary visas are obtained. This process can take time, so it’s best to start early.

Here’s a Tip: if you or anyone attending the reunion does not have a passport, you should start the application process and purchase as soon as the deposit for the trip is made. Yes, I know you think you have time and are not sure you will definitely attend the reunion, but I noticed since the shut-down request or changes to passports are taking very long to arrive to you, “till dis day!” Trust me, start early to avoid issues.

Another reason to start planning early for a family reunion on a cruise ship is that it gives you more options. Cruise ships have limited availability, especially during peak season, so the earlier you book, the better your chances of securing the dates and accommodations you want. You’ll also have more excursions and activities options if you book early.

Starting early also allows you to communicate with everyone attending the reunion and get their input on the itinerary. This is important because everyone has different preferences and interests, and you want to ensure everyone has a great time. Starting early gives you more time to gather feedback and create an itinerary accommodating everyone’s needs.

Start the Communication.

You heard the saying, “Communication is key,” which is valid and very important. With so many family members involved, it’s crucial to communicate clearly and efficiently with everyone. You can set up a free website with information about the reunion and a sign-up form to collect email, phone numbers, and social media sites. Here are some tips for communicating updates with everyone:

1. Email: Email is a great way to communicate about the family reunion with everyone. You can send mass emails to everyone on the guest list and include all the important details, such as the date, location, and itinerary. You can also use email to gather feedback and preferences from everyone attending.
2. Social Media: Social media is another excellent way to communicate about the family reunion with everyone. You can create a private group on Facebook or another social media platform and invite all the family members to attend. This allows everyone to share updates, pictures, and information about the reunion in a centralized location.
3. Phone Calls: Phone calls are a more personal way to communicate with family members about the reunion. You can call family members that you know are knowledgeable about technology and the internet. They may need someone with experience to keep that individual updated on the reunion.
4. Zoom Meetings: Meeting on Zoom or other virtual meeting spaces is another great way to communicate with family members about the reunion. You can schedule a video meeting with all the family members attending to discuss the reunion details, get their input on the itinerary, and answer any questions they may have. This is a great way to involve everyone in planning, even if they can’t attend the in-person reunion.

A Friendly Tip: schedule a Zoom meeting. It’s a better and more effective way to get the message out to everyone on the live Zoom meeting; plus, you can record, save the video, and send it to everyone who attended and did not attend the meeting. They can recap the video on their own time.

Start Booking and Manage Trip.

Once you have a date, destination, and number of attendees, it’s time to start booking and managing the trip. Be sure to inform others who have yet to sign up to attend early; late entry prices may increase, or cabins are unavailable, so they should make a small deposit to secure their spot. Now, here are the steps to follow to book your family reunion:

1. Choose a cruise line: There are many different cruise lines, each with strengths and weaknesses. Research other cruise lines and choose the one best suits your family’s needs and interests.
2. Choose a ship: Once you’ve chosen a cruise line, you must select a ship. Different ships offer different amenities and activities, so choose a ship with something for everyone in your family.
3. Choose a cabin: Cruise ships offer various cabin types, from inside to balcony cabins and suites. Consider your budget and the size of your family when choosing.
4. Book your cruise: Once you’ve chosen a cruise line, ship, and cabin, it’s time to book your cruise. You can do this online or through a travel agent. If booking online, read all the terms and conditions carefully and check for hidden fees.
5. Make a deposit: When booking a family reunion on a cruise, you’ll usually need to deposit to secure your booking. Make sure to check the deposit amount, deadline, and cancellation policy.
6. Plan your itinerary: Once your cruise is booked, it’s time to start planning it. Research the ports of call and plan activities and excursions that everyone in your family will enjoy.

When you contact the cruise line company, the representative will advise and share helpful information to start booking. They also can look for deals or affordable rates for you and your family. Then, use the confirmed booking information to create an itinerary. You can create a beautiful and helpful itinerary through Canva or use this template, enter the information, download it as a PDF, and share it in an email for everyone to print a copy to bring on the cruise ship.

You Got the Plan, So Let’s Get Started.

The information in this blog helps ease the stress and overwhelming excitement of planning a family reunion on a cruise ship. Planning any group vacation, whether small or large, on a cruise ship, resort, or a local venue in your area can be a daunting task. Still, starting early and having a clear plan can be a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Remember to search for the best deals, destinations, and accommodations. Ensure everyone has valid passports and any necessary visas if needed. Book as early as possible to secure the desired dates and accommodations and plan excursions and activities.

Hiring an experienced travel planner can be an excellent option for those who may find the planning process overwhelming. Travel planners can handle everything from keeping track of cruise ship updates, weather, member payments, and more, making the planning process much easier for everyone involved.

Overall, the information shared in this blog should be of value to plan a successful family reunion on a cruise ship. Following the tips and suggestions can simplify the process, and everyone can have a great time without worrying about the logistics and planning.

If you found this blog helpful, please like and share. Also, if you have experience planning reunions, please share some valuable tips and recommendations. Thank you.