Traveling with my mom and college-age kids can be tricky. A cruise gave everyone what they wanted.

Family trips can be stressful, especially when you're planning activities for a range of ages.
Booking a cruise took a lot of the stress away and provided a little something for everyone.
My 80-something mother and college-age sons had such a good time we're planning to do it again.

Several years ago, I took my teen sons and my mom to Florida on a brief spring break vacation. I hoped we'd have a great time and make happy memories. Unfortunately, no one could agree on activities or when and where to eat. By the end of four days of nonstop togetherness (and bickering), I vowed never to do it again.

A few years and a case of vacation amnesia later, I was determined to try again. With my mom in her 80s and my college-age sons about to leave the nest and embark on adulthood, I didn't know how many more opportunities we'd have to take a family vacation.

This time, I wanted an alternative with plenty of dining and entertainment options. Enter: a cruise.

Because we live in New Jersey, we chose a voyage setting sail from Manhattan and heading to Bermuda. This eliminated the airport stress that typically involves my husband and mom panicking about passports and my sons splurging on sports-themed neck pillows and junk food.

We booked three cabins on the same floor. After a quick pass through security, we were aboard and bound for our first buffet.

To our delight, the trip was so much fun that we're going to do it again this summer.

You don't need to be "on board" with every activity to have a great time.

Each evening, we received a newsletter with the list of activities and events for the following day. There was something for everyone to enjoy together or separately.

While a few of us checked out the pool and waterslides, the rest of the family joined a ping-pong tournament. My husband, two of my sons, and I attended an evening comedy show while my mom and my oldest bonded at a Fleetwood Mac tribute band concert.

The author playing Deal or No Deal on a recent cruise.

As we sailed, we played bingo and Deal or No Deal as a group, wearing matching T-shirts our oldest designed for the trip. We even won a few games. My mom introduced our 18-year-old to nickel slot machines while our older sons played blackjack together.

When we docked in Bermuda, my husband, sons, and I took a snorkeling excursion. My mom, who's been to the island several times before, opted to read while overlooking the turquoise water..

We met up each evening for dinner, then, depending on the entertainment, either stayed together or went in different directions.

The author with her husband, three sons, and mother.

Most things are included

On other vacations, I often feel like my main activity is opening my wallet. From paying for meals and snacks to coughing up credit cards for activities such as golfing or jet skiing, family fun comes at a steep cost.

On a cruise, there are higher-end restaurants and drink packages you can add on, of course, but for the most part, everything is included. If my boys wanted ice cream or nachos in the middle of the day or at midnight, they could find them. And the best part: I didn't have to pay extra for it or drive them anywhere.

There's room to spread out

Even with a balcony, the cabin can feel cramped, but the ship itself is enormous. Lounges, a library, restaurants, and decks on multiple levels allowed everyone who wanted some space to find it.