5 essential travel tips for larger families

Travelling as a troop may seem like some people’s idea of chaos but it doesn’t have to be. Just because you’re a larger family doesn’t mean you should miss out on all of the joys of a family holiday, even if that does take a little bit of extra effort. Here are 5 essential travel tips that will hopefully make your next trip an easier one to manage. 

Tip 1: Plan ahead.

As the saying goes – fail to prepare, prepare to fail, and this is particularly poignant when it comes to travelling with a large family. Multiple people, multiple personalities, and multiple preferences can all create a planning nightmare. But by planning ahead you can eliminate most of the stress. 

Tip 2: Don’t overpack.

The tendency to overpack for a holiday is an affliction we all struggle with at one point or another. The problem with packing is, you must unpack too. However, unpacking a well-organised suitcase can be a time-saving and stress-reducing experience. It allows you to quickly access what you need, making your journey more efficient. Traveling with a larger family can be made significantly more comfortable by opting for big luggage options that allow you to pack all the necessary items for each family member without overpacking. Choosing smaller suitcases may result in the need for multiple pieces of luggage, leading to added storage for unnecessary items. This is where extra large suitcases from Eminent, for instance, can help, providing ample storage space and reducing the requirement for numerous bags, ultimately ensuring a smooth and enjoyable family trip. By selecting the right luggage, you streamline the packing process and make the journey more convenient for everyone.

Not to mention the requirement to have to repack it all to take home at the end of your trip, only to have to unpack it all again. And then there’s the piles of washing that it can create too.

Tip 3: Stick to 1 activity a day.

Overstimulation is a word no parent wants to hear and can send the whole family into a spiral of despair. By planning and sticking to one activity a day you can reduce the risk of holiday burnout. It might also be helpful to let each member of the family choose an activity each, so everyone feels included and you know that everyone has done at least one activity that they have enjoyed. 

Tip 4: Remember the importance of downtime.

Everyone isn’t going to love each other all the time, it is natural for families to have conflict, by allowing downtime at regular intervals throughout a trip you are providing the opportunity for everyone to take a break from each other. This way disagreements and family feuds are less likely, and it also gives individuals the chance to enjoy the holiday in their own way. 

Tip 5: Be flexible.

It’s not always going to go to plan, there are many moving parts to travelling and not all of them are going to move in sync with one another all the time. By being flexible you can prevent any frustration that may arise when plans don’t work out. Also, it tends to be the case that when the pressure is taken off plans, they are more likely to work out naturally with the least amount of input.  

Get the best.

By putting all these tips into practice, you can get the best with Cunard cruises. You can plan ahead with booking available for cruises up to 2 years in advance. If you fall into the overpacking trap then it won’t be a problem with the spacious cabins and ample storage space. An array of activities are available to suit everyone, so choosing that 1 activity a day might be harder than you think, and there is space for all ages to unwind with play zones and spas for that all-important downtime.