Hello all...

I am looking for some suggestions. My parents will be celebrating their 50th anniversary, and we want to take them on a vacation. There will be a total of 11 of us, including 4 children from ages 4 - 12. My parents, while in their early 70s do not have problems getting around, although rock climbing and bungee jumping are out for them.

Can you suggest vacation spots, cruises, etc that would be good for us adults (good food, accomodations, etc.), but also good for the kids?

I would be open to any suggestions, whether a beautiful resort in Hawaii, or an 'off the beaten path' resort that people don't really know about. Please don't suggest a Disney cruise, too culty for me. LOL!

While their anniversary isn't until Sept., we aren't sure if we'll do something around then, or wait until wintertime when a warm weather vacation would be more appreciated.

Thanks everyone!!

Given the diverse ages, I suggest a cruise.

There are other lines besides Disney and they really do appeal to everyone.

What about one of the Hawaii cruises?

Do you mean a cruise to Hawaii? Or a cruise around the Hawaii'n islands?

There is a cruise to Hawaii from California that cruises around the Hawaiian Islands.

This is a pretty broad request. Could you answer some questions to direct recommendations:

1. Do you have any sort of budget, or would you consider resorts/and or rental homes and villas in any price range?
2. Do you want a hotel or would you consider a rental home or villa where you may have to do some cooking, shopping and or cleaning? (The latter is not a vacation to some people, including me at some times and that is perfectly valid IMO)
2. How long a trip do you want to take?
3. Can you really go in September when school is in session? Would that be September 2006? The weather is great then for many places I would suggest, but I am not sure that you really want to do this in September due to school.
4. How far are you willing to fly? Can your parents tolerate a long flight? Would you prefer to drive? If so, is everyone coming from the same basic area?
5. Would you consider places like Europe or the Far East, or would you prefer to stick to the US (where you have posted). Would you consider Central American or the Caribbean (not great in September due to hurricanes).

What about a trip to Mexico like Puerto Vallarta or Cancun area. Kids will love the beach and hotel pools, parents would like the tropical atmosphere and walking the ruins (if you go near Cancun). Tons of water sports for all ages, rent 4-wheelers, near PV you can walk in the jungle areas. PV would be less likely of any hurricanes in Sept.-Nov. than Cancun side would be. There are tons of all inclusive resorts that work great for a group of people also. Have your parents ever been on a cruise? My parents 40th anniversary is in Jan., and I would love to send them on a cruise, but my mom would hate it. So if they are seasoned cruisers, it would be ok to plan something like that without asking them, but if they have never been then I would be a little leary and stick to the ground!

Also, if you live in Vegas, you can drive to Long Beach and get cheap rates on cruises to Mexico. Don't have to pay for any airfare...that is always good!

you don't say where you live, but whistler in british columbia, and vancouver would both be a treat for any age.

there are many sport activites there, plus scenery to die for around every corner, going and coming.

you can also take a ferry ride to nearby island, etc, kayak, golf,intertube fish, mountain bike up to glacier, 4x4 tours, rafting,and have top dining experiences.

an upscale family celebration meal could be had at the RUÁ in whistler. if so, tell mario, the owner, the casanova's sent you! or if you go to CARAMBA, tell him the same!

we love that part of the country, along with the san juan's off seattle area.

Thank you all for your input so far...to be more specific..

I live in Vegas, but all of the others are in the NY/NJ area. Their anniversary will be in Sep 2007, so I guess an August 2007 would be the way to go, since the kids won't be in school.

As far as a budget, we aren't going for $$$$$, but we aren't looking for "Holiday Inn" either.

What areas would be good to visit around August, where it won't be 100 degrees with 90% humidity?

Thanks again!

british columbia.
believeme. you won't be disappointed

Round-trip Alaska cruise out of Vancouver or Seattle, with some quality city time on one end or the other.

September in San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
M

What about Montreal? In driving distance from NJ/NY. Feels more European than Canadian. A little bit of a break due to the exchange rate. Romantic for the 50th anniversary, but lots to do for others. Maybe book several rooms in an inn?

My parents took our extended family (9 adults total, no kids) to Maui to celebrate their 50th. We stayed in hotel/condo in Lahaina, went to the Old Lahaina Luau, drove up Haleakala, other times split up into 1s, 2s or smaller groups and did other things of interest.