3 Tips to Make Your Next Group Vacation Fabulous and Hassle-Free

A couples getaway can be a joy. Not only does it give you some personal time in an inspiring, exciting location, but it’s also a breeze to plan. The logistics for two people who will be sharing one accommodation means you only need to put minimal effort into the booking process. What could be better!

Unfortunately, this can all change quite quickly when you involve a whole family or large group. But though it will always be a bit more complicated, it doesn’t have to be a nightmare. And think on the bright side: In some cases, the large group can help you get better deals on ground transportation, unlock group rates and secure package discounts from companies eager for business.

Doing it right takes the requisite knowledge and a little bit of forethought. So, if you stick to the following three tips, you will be well on your way to having the best group vacation of your life.

1. Plan in Advance
One way booking a large group vacation can turn out terribly is if you try to do everything at the last minute. First off, you’re likely to get half-hearted commitments that later turn into people pulling out with no time to spare. Moreover, you’ll likely be paying higher rates for airfare, transportation and lodging.

Further compounding the problem is that you won’t have the time to look around for deals or pinpoint the best season to get a lower price. Such factors not only hurt everyone’s pockets individually but may cause some loved ones who otherwise would join you to back out. While there is no hard-and-fast rule in terms of how many months ahead you need to book, stick with the old adage of “the sooner, the better.”

2. Book a Cruise
Booking a cruise is one of the best ways to plan a wonderful vacation that your whole family or group can enjoy. Cruise companies are accustomed to hosting large crowds, and they can easily help facilitate all comers, whether it’s a family of four or an entire office retreat for 50-plus people.

Though the Mediterranean and Caribbean get all the attention, many other great options exist. Especially if you book at the right time of year and find packages that offer the best bang for your buck, you should definitely consider getting off the beaten path with the best Alaska cruise or by traveling through a locale like the British Isles.

Regardless of your destination, you can have a memorable experience in style that’s easy to arrange and provides great entertainment for friends and family of any age.

3. Go All-Inclusive
All-inclusive resorts are appealing for some of the same reasons that cruises are beloved. For one, instead of worrying about how much you need to budget on food and drinks every day to keep trip costs reasonable, you will know exactly how much you’re laying out before you even arrive.

Beyond that, resorts also allow everyone in the group to customize their trip. If a few people just want to stick by the pool all day long, that’s fine! Others can head out for some snorkeling at the reef, and another group is free to head off to see some local cultural sites. This type of flexibility gives everyone exactly what they want and saves you the headache of pre-booking excursions that are nearly certain to disappoint someone.

The Time Is Now
At some point, everyone should go on a trip with a large group. It really adds so much to the experience and creates lasting memories that you can all reminisce about for years to come.

And, as you can see, there is no reason to put it off any longer due to worries about how difficult everything will be to plan. Give yourself enough lead time, book a cruise for a remarkable vacation everyone will love, and consider an all-inclusive option to take the stress out of budgeting.

Now that you’re equipped with the right information, you don’t need to keeping saying “maybe next year” when it comes to your next fabulous group vacation. Just pick the options that will work best for you and prepare to set sail on your next adventure.