Planning a trip with multiple generations of your family? Before you book, listen to this essential episode! Travel advisors Ryan and Julie share hard-won wisdom about the most common mistakes families make when planning multi-gen vacations—and how to avoid them.

From the planning phase through your actual trip, they cover everything: why you need to nail down dates BEFORE contacting your travel advisor, the importance of having a "team leader" for your group, and why trying to do everything together is a recipe for stress (spoiler: those Disney families of 20 walking in a line aren't having as much fun as you think).

Discover why cruises and all-inclusives work so well for multi-gen groups, how to handle different budgets within the same family, and the critical conversation about who's paying for what. Julie shares real stories from her own family trips and client experiences, while Ryan offers practical tips about room configurations, meeting points, and making sure everyone's expectations are aligned.

The hosts emphasize that while planning some group activities is important, the magic often happens in the unplanned moments—cousins running to each other in the Magic Kingdom, spontaneous trivia sessions on the cruise ship, or simply sharing a meal together. They also tackle the delicate balance of ensuring the person treating the family doesn't have their preferences overlooked.

Whether you're planning a cruise, Disney vacation, or all-inclusive getaway with grandparents, siblings, and kids in tow, this episode will help you create a memorable trip that brings your family closer together—without the drama.

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Love the podcast? Help us continue to create great travel content by supporting the show. You can do that here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1197029/supporters/new

Ready to plan your vacation? Most families are confused and overwhelmed when planning a vacation. We work with you to plan a trip perfect for your family. Saving you time, money, and stress!

Visit our website www.allthingstravelpodcast.com and click on "Plan Your Next Vacation"

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Alaska cruising is unlike any other cruise experience—and the shore excursions truly make the trip. In this exciting episode, travel advisors Ryan and Julie guide you through their favorite excursions at Alaska's most popular ports, sharing the experiences that will create lifetime memories.

Start in Juneau with the ultimate triple-threat: whale watching, visiting the stunning Mendenhall Glacier, and enjoying wild Alaskan salmon grilled over a wood fire—all in one incredible day. Then explore Ketchikan's rainforest with a naturalist guide before marveling at the towering totem poles at Totem Bight State Park.

Ryan shares his absolute favorite Alaska excursion: the legendary White Pass Summit Rail in Skagway. This is THE train everyone talks about, offering a scenic journey through history and breathtaking landscapes, with a bus ride back so you see completely different views. Julie's dad insisted on this experience above all others, and for good reason.

But Alaska's surprises don't stop there. Would you ever think to go snorkeling in Alaska? At Sitka's Magic Island, you can spot colorful rockfish, sea stars, and even giant Pacific octopi in crystal-clear waters—then warm up with hot chocolate afterward. For fishing enthusiasts, Icy Straight Point offers stream fishing expeditions where you can learn fly fishing techniques while angling for trout and salmon.

The episode wraps up in Victoria, Canada (a required stop for maritime law reasons) with a cultural and culinary tour through Chinatown, featuring local breweries and the famous Nanaimo Bar dessert.

Ryan and Julie emphasize how Alaska excursions differ from Caribbean or Mediterranean options—here, the natural beauty and unique experiences are the main attraction, making careful excursion selection crucial to your cruise satisfaction.

Support the show

Love the podcast? Help us continue to create great travel content by supporting the show. You can do that here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1197029/supporters/new

Ready to plan your vacation? Most families are confused and overwhelmed when planning a vacation. We work with you to plan a trip perfect for your family. Saving you time, money, and stress!

Visit our website www.allthingstravelpodcast.com and click on "Plan Your Next Vacation"

Join the travel conversations and the fun in our Facebook Page and Instagram Page!

• Please share the show with your travel buddies!! Click this link and share the show!
• Never miss an episode and help us take you to the top with us by following and leaving a 5-Star review on your favorite podcasting app!

That cruise for under $100 a day? That week in Cancun for $500? They're real—but they're not the whole story. In this eye-opening episode, travel advisors Ryan and Julie pull back the curtain on the "hidden" costs of travel that can turn your dream vacation budget into a financial surprise.

The hosts emphasize they're not talking about scams—these are legitimate expenses that travelers simply forget to factor in. From ground transportation (how ARE you getting from the airport to your resort?) to travel insurance (especially crucial after hurricanes like the one that just devastated Jamaica), parking fees that can double your hotel costs in major cities, and those resort fees you don't see until checkout—it all adds up.

Julie shares how checked baggage fees, seat selection charges, and clothing purchases for specific climates (hello, Antarctica coats!) can quietly inflate your budget. The episode includes Ryan's real-time experience rebooking his honeymoon from Jamaica to the Dominican Republic due to hurricane damage, demonstrating how travel insurance and working with an advisor can save the day.

Beyond logistics, they dive into experience costs: drink packages, specialty dining, shore excursions (which can cost as much as the cruise itself), WiFi on ships, and international cell coverage. Julie confesses her weakness for Disney merchandise, while Ryan offers his son's wisdom: "Does it look cool at home, or just here?"

The truly forgotten costs? Pre and post-travel food, laundry services on longer trips, visa fees, passport renewals, overweight luggage charges, and Ryan's pet peeve—constantly buying bottled water. Julie's tip: bring your own water bottle (just don't fill it before the plane pressurizes!).

This episode arms you with a comprehensive checklist so you can budget accurately from the start and avoid that sinking feeling when unexpected charges appear.

Support the show

Love the podcast? Help us continue to create great travel content by supporting the show. You can do that here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1197029/supporters/new

Ready to plan your vacation? Most families are confused and overwhelmed when planning a vacation. We work with you to plan a trip perfect for your family. Saving you time, money, and stress!

Visit our website www.allthingstravelpodcast.com and click on "Plan Your Next Vacation"

Join the travel conversations and the fun in our Facebook Page and Instagram Page!

• Please share the show with your travel buddies!! Click this link and share the show!
• Never miss an episode and help us take you to the top with us by following and leaving a 5-Star review on your favorite podcasting app!