6 Common Mistakes That Turn Multigenerational Holidays Chaotic

There is nothing more beautiful than having all the people you love the most in one place. If you’re someone with a large family spread across the world, a multigenerational holiday is an excellent opportunity to spend time together and make lifelong memories.

But here’s the thing — planning a multigenerational holiday is challenging. And even small mishaps can ruin that holiday fun. This is why we have made a list of common mistakes people make when going on a multigenerational holiday.

Whether you’ve opted for a luxury resort, a theme park, or a world-class cruise, avoid the following mistakes to make lasting memories!

Waiting till the last month to confirm flights and accommodations is a big no-no. While you may be able to book everything, the facilities won’t be worth the price.

Start planning your multigenerational holiday at least 6 months in advance. You need to align school, work, and personal schedules for multiple, separate households.

Moreover, many popular and high-end hotels book up quickly, at least those interconnected rooms do. This is also true for world-class cruise ships like Carnival Adventure. Booking early ensures you get the best cabins that accommodate everyone.

Planning in advance also gives you time to organize better activities.

We understand — doing everything on your own feels so much better than explaining technicalities to someone else. But taking on too many tasks can lead to stress and burnout.

Besides, planning a multigenerational holiday is supposed to be a team effort. Delegate tasks. Maybe the eldest uncle can handle the flights, and one of the aunts can look into activities.

Working together will make sure everyone’s preferences are met. It will also prevent budget disagreements since everyone will be on the same page from the beginning.

Speaking of budgeting, many families avoid money-related conversations when planning a multigenerational holiday, thinking it’ll be awkward. But the thing is, how much you can afford to spend is a very big deal. Moreover, everyone has a different understanding of holiday making.

Before pressing Book Now for a luxury cruise, discuss how much it’ll cost. Ask everyone to send a realistic number they can spend. Being upfront will save you from a lot of uncomfortable situations while you’re on the cruise.

It’s okay to do a lot of activities on a multigenerational holiday. But there’s a fine line between creating an itinerary and planning every minute of the day.

Overscheduling during a holiday can lead to physical and mental burnout and stress. It reduces quality time with family — the one thing you’re supposed to enjoy. Follow these tips to avoid overscheduling:

• Prioritize rest. Downtime isn't wasted time; it's an opportunity to unwind and get excited about what’s to come.

• Limit activities. Plan one or two main activities per day

• Create a schedule, but ensure it is flexible.

• Stick to your normal sleep and exercise routines as much as possible to keep your energy levels up.

All the uncles, aunts, and grandparents have flown miles to holiday together, so it’s fair that you want to spend as much time together as possible. But assuming the entire group must do everything together is a mistake. It can take the fun out of a multigenerational holiday.

Instead, create breakout groups for specific activities. Smaller groups can split off for activities that match their specific interests.

An accessible family holiday is a memorable family holiday. Keep in mind specific needs when planning. Does a grandparent use a wheelchair? Maybe there is an infant on board. List what you all collectively need and make arrangements.