Traveling With Teens

School has started (where did the summer go) and thoughts turn to Holiday and Spring Break vacations.  With two tweens now in our household we are getting a taste of what is to come when traveling with teens.
There are plenty of ways a family vacation can be ruined. Weather, illness, and natural disasters have all caused grief to families over the years. There’s one factor, however, that can truly ruin a vacation.  I’m referring to the thorn in the side of traveling parents everywhere: an unhappy teenager.

A cranky, bored, miserable teen has the ability to suck the fun out of just about any experience — making parents regret wasting their time and hard-earned cash on travel in the first place.  Side note: I am positive that I was NOT one of these teens when growing up!

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent having to travel with an unhappy teen (really, there are). Companies are paying more attention to this segment more than ever before and are designing travel experiences with teens in mind. Teen programs and teen-only lounges have become common place at resorts and on cruise ships.  If we can make a teen happy on vacation, we have come a long way to guaranteeing a rewarding family vacation.

There are a lot of choices when it comes to family vacations, but escorted tours combine many benefits of other forms of travel in order to please everyone in the family — even teenagers. For one thing, family travel is hard enough, so why wouldn’t a parent prefer to have someone else handle the logistics?
Traveling as a family on an escorted tour removes all the logistic hassles from the vacation so the family can actually relax and enjoy one another’s company and their destination.  All I can think of is Chevy Chase in European Vacation circling the roundabout in the UK yelling “Kids .. Big Ben .. Parliament”   “Kids .. Big Ben .. Parliament”   “Kids .. Big Ben .. Parliament”

Another benefit of traveling as a group is that the teens and all the children bond together as a group.  We travelled with Adventures By Disney to the Southwest a couple of years ago.  We were hesitant to travel with an escorted tour … but it was a trip of a lifetime.  We could have never planned out the logistics as well as Disney did.  The boys enjoyed all the experiences with their new found friends.  

As an example, all of the tour programs at Adventures by Disney emphasize storytelling and unique ways to experience a destination. For instance, guests see the pyramids in Egypt while riding a camel, learn about the architecture of Versailles from the seat of a bicycle or discover the natural history of Costa Rica from the harness of a zipline. This approach is especially popular with active teens.

Another benefit of escorted touring — is value.  Families can save up to 40 percent on an escorted tour versus putting the trip components together separately.

Cruising is also an excellent value and ideal vacation for families with teens.  Teens often are allowed a bit more freedom while on a cruise with their own teen club and activities.  Then there is the surfing simulator, water parks, pools, 4D movie theaters, ice skating, comedy clubs, bowling, mini golf, rock wall climbing, 24 hour food, and zip lining ….. all while onboard !!  What teen would not have an outstanding bonding with new friends and enjoying some of these activities?

The opportunity to travel with family and children before they move out on their own is a special one.  We know firsthand how crazy schedules can get, and a vacation may be the only time a family has to slow down and take the time to truly be together — not just rushing to a practice or quick meals at home,  but actually laugh together, have fun together and have real memories together.  Time is precious and children grow up so fast, there are very few opportunities in today’s hectic world to truly connect.   We fully understand how important these memories can be which is why we are diligent in finding the perfect experiences for our clients.  Do not wait – time is short - get out there and start planning that vacation (even with your teens!).

Happy Cruising!!