🌊 Multigenerational Cruise Tips From Our Family’s Summer at Sea
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If there’s one thing I’ve learned after two multigenerational cruises last summer, it’s this: cruising is the easiest, happiest way to get three generations in the same place without anyone feeling overwhelmed. My parents — who have been retired for almost 20 years — love cruising more than any other type of travel. And honestly, after watching how seamlessly it works for all of us, I completely understand why.
If you’re new here, we’ve shared a lot about how my parents travel comfortably in retirement — and cruising fits their style perfectly.
1. Let Everyone Travel at Their Own Pace
One of the biggest gifts of cruising is that everyone can choose their own rhythm. My parents love slow mornings with coffee on the balcony, while my crew is usually up early exploring the ship. No one feels guilty, no one feels rushed — we just meet up when it works.
On our Alaska cruise, we’d often split up during the day and then reconnect for dinner. It kept the trip relaxing instead of chaotic. Same thing on our Norway cruise — flexible days were the secret to keeping everyone happy.
2. Pick Shore Excursions That Work for All Ages
This was a game-changer for us. We found excursions that were accessible, scenic, and didn’t require intense physical activity — but still felt like an adventure.
Two of our favorites:
The Skagway train ride— my parents still talk about this one.
The boat ride in Stavanger— calm, beautiful, and perfect for all mobility levels.
I love that both my dad and my 17 year old so still talk about these two excursions all the time.
💸 How We Save Money on Shore Excursions
To save money, I mix and match how I book excursions. Sometimes I book through the cruise line (especially when the port is far from the ship), sometimes I go full DIY, and sometimes I use third‑party sites like GetYourGuide or Viator. It really depends on the port, the timing, and how confident I feel about getting back on time. I break down the pros and cons of each in my How I Book Shore Excursions guide.
3. Build in “Together Days” and “Do-Your-Own-Thing Days”
This is the secret to avoiding burnout. On our Norway cruise, we planned a couple of full family days — breakfast, excursion, dinner, the whole thing. But we also intentionally planned days where everyone could choose their own adventure.
My parents might head to trivia or a lecture, while we hit the gym or explored the ship. Then we’d meet up later and swap stories.
If you’re planning your first cruise, here’s why we love interior cabins for multigenerational trips— its a great way to save money since you are hardly in your room.
4. Introduce Your Parents to the Thermal Spa
This one still makes me laugh. I took my parents to the thermal spa for the first time last year, and now they’re fully obsessed. It’s become their favorite sea-day ritual — and honestly, it’s such a great low-impact activity for retirees.
If you’re sailing on Princess, our Majestic Princess review has more about what the spa experience looks like.
5. Choose Cruises for the Predictable Budgeting
This is one of the reasons cruising works so well for retirees. My parents love knowing exactly what the trip will cost upfront — no surprise meals, no unexpected transportation costs, no stress.
And because we use points and miles for flights and hotels, we usually save over $1,000 before we even step onboard. Here’s how we use points to make cruises more affordable and the simple strategy we’ve used for years.
6. Don’t Overplan — Let the Ship Do the Work
The beauty of cruising is that the ship itself is the destination. There’s always something to do: shows, trivia, live music, lectures, lounges, quiet corners, and endless food options. You don’t need a packed itinerary to have a great time.
Some of our favorite memories weren’t excursions at all — they were simple moments like sitting on the deck together watching the fjords go by.
If you’re prepping for your first cruise, here’s what we pack for multigenerational cruises— simple, practical, nothing over the top.
7. Capture the Little Moments
The big moments are great, but the small ones are the ones I treasure:
My dad winning hot seat in the Casino
My mom laughing during [ABBA trivia on the Majestic Princess]
All of us bundled up on the balcony watching glaciers
Tanner helping his grandparents navigate the ship like a pro
These are the memories that make multigenerational cruising so special.
More Cruise Posts You’ll Love
If you’re planning a multigenerational cruise, these posts will help you feel prepared without overthinking it.
About the Author
Julie Davis is the creator of No Point Left Behind, where she helps families and retirees travel better using simple, practical points-and-miles strategies. Her parents — now in their mid-to-late 70s — are the unofficial mascots of the blog and the heart behind her retiree travel series. Julie lives in Tennessee with her husband Brandon and their two college-aged sons, Tanner and Finn, who have already visited 16 countries thanks to the family’s travel-hacking system.
Want a place to ask questions, learn the basics, and get real‑life travel hacking help? Come join my Travel Hacking Moms Facebook Group — it’s the friendliest corner of the internet for beginners.
