The Ultimate Family Cruise Experience | Guest Contributor: Suzanne Wolko

By Suzanne Wolko of PhilaTravelGirl.com

On a sunny sea day, my friend and I bumped into my mom in the atrium and invited her to join us for lunch. She cheerfully declined, saying, “I’m busy with other things, see you at dinner,” as she walked away, leaving me laughing. Even at 75, my mom had her own adventures on the cruise ship!

Only she would find a way to celebrate her milestone birthday with two trips around the special day. I had arranged a luxury trip to Paris and London for her first international experience, and upon returning, she decided we needed to celebrate properly with a Southern Caribbean cruise. She meticulously researched the Caribbean ports and picked St. Lucia for its breathtaking aerial tram excursion.

Planning a multi-generational vacation on land can be challenging, but on a cruise, it's a breeze. With a range of cabins to fit every budget, diverse dining options catering to all tastes (including gluten- and dairy-free), and entertainment for everyone, each family member can enjoy their own slice of paradise. Dinogo even offers studio cabins for those who prefer a little solitude.

While Mom explored the ship, my friend and I enjoyed lunch at the café before heading off to our activities—me to a movie, her to the pool. My sister, her husband, and the kids were nearby; I could hear a cheerful “Hey, Aunt Sue!” as my niece dashed by on her way to a kids club event. For them, it was a chance to connect with peers from all over while getting a taste of freedom. Meanwhile, my sister and her husband indulged in wine tastings, spa treatments, and sought out quiet corners—something rare with teenage girls around.

Mom had a few must-haves for her birthday cruise: family dinners every night and three port excursions that she was excited to experience together (including the canopy tour in St. Lucia, watching the girls swim with dolphins, and an island safari in Antigua). Our dinner table became the perfect setting to share our daily adventures, just like when we were kids, talking about school and dreaming of the future.

Now that my sister and I are adults, we can offer Mom the experiences we missed growing up, but what she truly wants is our undivided time. We prioritize multi-generational family travel, unplugging from the world to dive into the joy of creating memories with her while we still can, especially after losing Dad too soon. When the dining staff surprised Mom with a cake and song, her smile lit up the room as she made a wish (most likely for more family adventures) before blowing out the candle.

A huge thank you to Suzanne for sharing this wonderful piece about family travel! Follow her adventures on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. For more insights into her travels, check out her website, PhilaTravelGirl.com.

Photo credit: Header image courtesy of Suzanne Wolko.

Video credit: Personal vacation footage by Suzanne Wolko.