Discover the Freedom for Family Travel
One of the many rewards of living in a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) is the ability to travel with ease. Say goodbye to the stress of home maintenance and other homeowner headaches, and hello to the freedom of worry-free adventures!
Just ask Nancy and Lowell Starling, residents of Bethany Village in Mechanicsburg, Pa. Since 2012, this trendsetting couple and their kids and grandkids, have set sail on an impressive 11 cruises, exploring everywhere from the Caribbean to Northern Europe.
The travelers include Lowell and Nancy, their daughter Sandra and her husband Mark, their kids Stephen and Lauren, and their son Travis and his wife Carrie, along with their children Kennedy, Carly, and Will. They even invited Lowell’s sister Lisa and her grandson Landon on one trip.
The Starlings started these trips because they wanted to spend more time together as a family. Initially, they would gather at a lake house, but coordinating schedules became tough. So, they tried family cruises, which gave them lots of time together while still letting everyone do their own thing.
“The first trip, a 2012 Disney Cruise in the Caribbean, was planned as a once-in-a-lifetime adventure” says Lowell. But four days into it, “the family was already talking about the next one.”
For Lowell, the highlight is sharing experiences, whether it’s exploring historic sites in Europe or enjoying warm weather on Christmas cruises. Coordinating activities for everyone can be challenging, but Disney Cruises provide something for all ages. They combine sightseeing with hands-on activities, ensuring that everyone has a great time.
And by living at Bethany Village, the Starlings have more time to plan their trips and enjoy the enriching learning opportunities, improved health, and flexible lifestyle offered there.
Benefits of CCRC living for family travel include:
- Easy Planning: Travel organization become simpler.
- Closer Family Ties: Family bonds strength during trips.
- Less Stress: Seniors enjoy a relaxed lifestyle that extends to travel.
- Learning Opportunities: Educational programs enrich travel experiences.
- Better Health: Amenities help seniors stay healthy for travel.
- Collaboration: Families plan trips together.
- Lifelong Learning: Continuing education programs enhance travel experiences.
- Flexibility: The lifestyle is perfect for travel.
Their fondest memories include visiting Ephesus, Normandy’s beaches, and Iceland’s stunning landscapes. And their grandkids have gained a lot from these trips, with one proudly claiming to have been “pretty much everywhere” at just 20.
Next on their list? Australia, with a 14-night Disney cruise from Sydney to Honolulu.
While Lowell and Nancy have been the main planners, they’re passing the torch to the younger generation. Travis is taking on more planning, and Will is eager to design future trips, showing that this family tradition will continue.
The Starling family’s adventures show how important it is to stay connected across generations. The ease of their Bethany Village lifestyle has helped them keep traveling, fostering family bonds, and creating memories to last a lifetime.
