A really good friend once told me this about travel.

When you're young, you have all of the energy in the world and all the time in the world, but you typically don't have the money to travel. When you get to the next season of your life, you have the money and you still have the energy, but you don't have the time. And when you get to the point in your life where you might have the time and the money, you are lacking the energy, or maybe even your health.

That's the thing about travel, and most things in life: it's really hard for all the circumstances to be perfect. Sometimes the three line up, and you are fortunate to get away and make those amazing memories with those you love the most. But most of the time, something does not align... and that's OK. Sometimes it's OK to NOT take the vacation at all.

Planning a vacation that works for toddlers, teenagers, parents, and grandparents all at once? That's not just tricky—it can feel impossible.

Someone wants adventure. Someone else needs downtime. The kids want non-stop entertainment. Grandma and Grandpa want quality time with the grandkids without being completely worn out. And somehow, you're supposed to coordinate dining, activities, and logistics for everyone while also… enjoying your own vacation?

This is exactly why I recommend Disney Cruises for multi-generational trips more than almost any other vacation style. I have an 11-person, multi-gen Disney Cruise leaving in just a few days (ages 4 to 74!), and watching this trip come together has reminded me (again) why this works so well for families trying to make everyone happy.