Glorious ‘Gramping’ Getaways

Multi-generational travel has morphed into skip-gen travel but more recently has been called “gramping” or “grandcation” where these getaways allows grandparents to bond with their grandchildren, without the parents. 

Grandparents are the best – they have the best stories, snacks and excuses to allow you to stay up way past your bedtime.

Michelle Fee, CEO and founder of Cruise Planners, the nation's largest home-based travel franchise organization, is committed to her Home Office Team and nationwide network of travel. When Michelle is not busy leading the Cruise Planners family in reimagining travel and in doing her part to help those in need, she is happiest with family.

Michelle is married to her high school sweetheart. They have two children and are a proud ‘Nonna’ (grandmother) and ‘Pop-Pop’ (grandpa) of three boys. Some of their favorite memories are traveling with their grandchildren.

Mark and Michelle Fee, CEO and founder of Cruise Planners, are a proud Pop-Pop and Nonna to Brecken (9), Cannon (6), Decker (3) and travel often with them. (The Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas)

In honor of National Grandparents Day on Sunday, September 8, check out these amazing trips to take with your grandchildren:

• The Perfect Day at CocoCay: What’s better than a quick three-day weekend cruise? Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay! The newly updated private island delivers a remote and exclusive feel you can’t get anywhere else. Chill Island is a relaxing beach escape, while the Oasis Lagoon is the ultimate island pool party. There is family friendly fun at the Captain Jill’s Galleon and the Splashaway Bay aqua park for the little ones, and the Thrill Waterpark with the tallest slide in North America for thrill seekers. If you’re not an adrenaline junkie, there is the 1,600-foot-long Zip Line and Up, Up and Away helium balloon that takes guests 450 feet above offering an amazing view of the island.

• Alaska Cruise: Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line are some of the most family-friendly cruise lines to visit Alaska. There are plenty of activities on the ships ranging from rock climbing, go-kart racing to waterslides or just relaxing at the spa. In the ports of call, there is something for everyone, such as helicopter rides, glacier viewing, whale watching, and of course, Yukon dog sledding.

Brecken (9) on a river cruise in Budapest

• European River Cruise:River cruising is an easy and popular way to unpack once and see multiple destinations, especially in Europe. AmaWaterways, Tauck and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises have family-friendly sailings for many ages offering onboard programming that is fun and educational and a variety of excursions such as guided bike tours or kid-only tours. Some lines have age restrictions, so work with your travel advisor to make sure to find the right one for your family.

• African Adventure: Africa is a beautiful and diverse continent and there is so much to do for adventurous grandchildren. South Africa, Botswana and Namibia are great destinations that are the most family-friendly and offer lodges and itineraries that cater to children. There is wild-life viewing, game drives to see the Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, Cape buffalo and black rhinoceros), boat trips, guided bush walks, bird watching, dune surfing, star gazing, relaxing by the lodge or camp’s pool or the beach. This is great bucket list trip to celebrate milestones such as graduations and birthdays.