When SD18 was SD15 I had us three go on a trip south and booked a fun thing while husband was fishing. She was on her phone or pad the entire drive down and up and then while in the hotel room overlooking the ocean. She did go boogie boarding with us. And she did walk 5 steps ahead of me everywhere...next to husband. It so UNFUN, I cant even describe it

I have not nor do I ever intend to take a trip with her ever again. Local fun stuff with me stopped also. Not that she isnt having a GLORIOUS time with her friend "group", tripping around while I work. She guides them to places I used to take her, because they were fun places. I too love the beach! Take me!!!

In my opinion, any vacation with kids, bio or step, at any age, doesn't work well.  We all have that fantasy but my experience says no.  I went to Europe with my mom - not great, we have different tastes.  I went to a ski resort with my grown bios and their kids - I was nervous the whole time thinking they couldnt afford the $ they were spending and not enjoying some of the activities.  My mom went to Alaska with my adult brother and sister - my sister said it was hell.   I'm not even discussing the trips with the steps - horrible.

I've come to the conclusion the we are better off vacationing with compatible friends.

The great thing about being adults is we get to have some choice in how we spend our time and money.  I vote for doing things that are either legally required.. or give you joy.  

I have enjoyed traveling very much with my YSD.. as a child she was a good traveler.. and even as an adult.. we have done trips on our own.. just the two of us.  She's married now.. so it's not as frequent.. but I would not hesitate.

OSD? nope.. she is a vibe sponge.. she sucks the joy out of me honestly.. she is a generally unhappy and "unimpressed" person.. so her? no.. no family vacations.. if we ever did anything.. it would have to be something like a cruise where she and her family had their own room far away from us so we could visit" but not be up each other's hind end.

I don't blame you for not traveling with her anymore. You can take what you'd put towards her expenses and use it for something on a trip that you'll enjoy (probably enjoy more without her being there too). It is sad that she won't allow herself to show excitement over anything. Do you think there's some depression at play? I can't imagine a girl that age not enjoying at least something about south beach. So weird. 

My SDs went through moody, nothing could impress them, generally annoying phases around the ages 13-15. I feel like that's kind of predictable teen behavior. So we took a hiatus from traveling with them for a while. But before that and since then, they've always been enthusiastic and pleasant travel companions. In the last 8 months I've gone on separate week long trips with both of them and had a great time. 

I also travel a ton with my DD10 and rarely do we make the trips 'little kid' centric. Thus far, she's always been a delight. Even stuff she doesn't love (art museums), she won't complain, sulk, or try to rush me. I don't know if this is just her natural temperament, or if it's because I started her young and she knows that we're gonna do what we're gonna do, whether she's happy about it or not. I hope and pray she remains this pleasant, but I do kind of dread the teen years. 

Are never happy and unpleasable.  And then there are the "unfair" crowd who couldn't be grateful for what they have if they were granted the entire world's riches.   

They disguise themselves as "caring for others" when in fact they are envious of others and secretly desire for them to be as miserable as they are.

THe lesson I got from your post and this thread is "Don't risk your bliss on those who are not worthy and do not earn a place doing fun things with you."

When he was younger, SS was a blast to do stuff with.  As he got into his brooding teen years, not so much.  So, we did what we wanted, he came with us, and his mom and I had a blast whether he was having fun or not.  He could walk behind us moping all he wanted if that is what he chose. We were going to enjoy it. His enjoyment or misery was entirely on him.  He knew better than to try to move is woe is me Eyore syndrome bullshit to the front.  

When we did our last vacation prior to his launching, he was mopey and silent for about 1K miles of a 3K mile road trip that incuded a number of stops at beautiful national parks and resorts.  He participated minimally though he did show inclings of enjoying it. Until we got to the N rim of the Grand Canyon.  Utter moping silence until we got to the edge of the canyon at the N Rim lodge.  "WOW!"  After that he started to get engaged with enjoying the trip. 

He was stressed on many levels. He had graduated from HS, under a cloud 3mos before. We had just moved at the beginning of the summer and were living in an extended stay suite hotel, we had picked him up from his last SpermClan visitation under the CO. He had asked to extend that visitation to include his 18th Bday.  We had decided that we needed to pick him up in person from his final visitation to minimize the risk of him telling us he was not coming home and was staying in SpermLand with the SpermClan.

We have taken several vacations together with SS since he launched 14+ years ago.  He is a joy on trips after launching though there is still some morose periods even now.

Do not risk your bliss!  If they are old enough to be left home or dump on the X, go and enyoy yourselves leaving them to wallow in their misery.

Keep it simple.