Help Me Choose a Caribbean Island and Hotel/Resort
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Help Me Choose a Caribbean Island and Hotel/Resort
I'm looking to spend about a week with my family on an island in early April. I've only been to Bermuda, and that was 20 years ago. Now I'd be traveling with my husband, 23-year-old daughter, an
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Cat:Caribbean and the AtlanticForum:0EE6B316
Cat:Caribbean and the AtlanticForum:0EE6B316Discussion:79a2d1c7-f19d-491e-bffe-c34e2db08b83
I'm looking to spend about a week with my family on an island in early April. I've only been to Bermuda, and that was 20 years ago. Now I'd be traveling with my husband, 23-year-old daughter, and 14-year-old twin boys. I'm open to any destination, but was thinking of Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands.
I could use advice on how to narrow my choices. I don't think I'd want to rent a car, so conveniently located would be good. My family enjoys the beach, pools, biking, and kayaking. We'd love to try snorkeling. I'd want to make sure we did some sightseeing. If I go with Puerto Rico, is there one area more desirable than another?
If I went with the Virgin Islands, is one island a better one to start with? Is an all-inclusive the way to go or would I be better booking the flight and hotel, and winging it for meals. (Food is important to the two boys, but it doesn't need to be high cuisine or unique). We're not drinkers so all-inclusive might not be a "deal" for us.
I have frequent flyer miles with Continental and American -- not enough for a whole vacation but at least one person's airfare.
Any suggestions would be appreciated, and as mentioned before, I am not limiting myself to those two islands, that was just my first thought.
We've never done a cruise, so we could consider that also. I'd prefer to leave from the NY area since that wouldn't require a plane trip in addition, but since I know little about cruises, there might be a reason not to.
If you have never been on a cruise, the eastern Carribean is the cheapest and takes you to a variety of islands. That was the first cruise I took and enjoyed it. Took my kids. Flights from NYC to Punta Cana are cheap, there are all inclusives there that are very nice, I have not been but i have talked to ppl who use that as their vacation island from NYC. And also Aruba which I havE been and it is NICE. I think I would skip P.R., it's very populated, and congested. I personally like cruising the southern carribean the best, then western after that. The islands down south are very nice, Aruba, Curacao, down there, it is very hot and you are out of the hurricane zone. If you were going to stay on an island, St. John's is everyones favorite. But because you have teen kids, check out Costa Rica, taking a tour of the country, the variety is great, lot's of high adventure things to do, plus animals, hummingbirds, beautiful beaches, $1 beers, rain forests, cloud forests... I took my 23 y.o. daughter on a 10 day tour, via Gate 1, and we had a blast. But you could just stay at the beach.
Thanks for the suggestions. I started looking at cruises and realized that ones leaving from NYC don't go anywhere I'd want to go in the time we have, so airfare is involved. If we go for a cruise, it looks like we'd have to do two rooms. Any hints on what rooms to aim for or to avoid. It's overwhelming looking at the choices.
I have heard many people love Costa Rica, and will check out that. My kids might be satisfied staying on the beach, but I can't pass up an opportunity to explore, so sightseeing is a must at least some of the time.
I realize the cost is quickly adding up. I had hoped to find something for a family of 5 that wouldn't break the bank.
Other than Puerto Rico, are there other islands you can recommend scratching off my list?
Scratch off Dominica, no great beaches, and it's mostly rainforest. I guess it would be easier to tell you the ones I think you would like: look for all inclusives as the kids can eat all the time without an extra charge. Like: Grand Cayman, Stingray City is a great place to take the kids, water is beautiful there. Bahamas, St., Maarten, Antigua, Aruba and Curacao, and Roatan. All are beautiful. Of those Roatan is probably the cheapest. St Lucia is pretty too but extremely poor.
For the cruise, you would have to put the kids in a room alone, they only hold 4 but you could get them an inside room on the same general area of your room, and the lower the deck the cheapest, and no balcony, the cheapest. Some cruise lines are cheaper than others, like Carnival, which I haven't taken, but I have taken Princess (too big in my opinion), Holland America (kids would hate) old ppl, Celebrity, and Royal CArribean, which they would prob. like the best or Disney Lines. Or consider flying to Ft Lauderdale or Miami and taking cruise from there, more itinerary's. I have cruised from NYC, Ft. Lauderdale and Puerto Rico, and Baltimore. The cruise extras really add up, for instance, drinking anything costs, even water, but not tea or coffee, but you can carry on soda, water etc, not booze. The excursions for 5 will be costly, unless you did things on your own each stop. Do check out Costa Rica, it's not that expensive. Let me know what else?
Thanks Sharon, I'll start checking out your suggestions. We would fly out of Hartford, so I think I'll check out what flys non stop out of there and then start my vacation planning - for either an island or a cruise. My husband hates the traveling part of getting to any destination!
I would choose Isla Mujeres Mexico, a small Island 20 minutes off the coast of Cancun. Many places to stay at all prices. Do not go all inclusive, Many wonderful restaurants at all prices. North Beach world famous for sun and sand. Bikes available for rent. We always stay at Plaza Almendros, two blocks from North Beach and with a nice pool. If above sounds good spend $10 and get an Isla map from Laura @cancun map.com Full of information, places to eat and things to do. One thing I would definitely do is a trip to Contoy Island with Captain Tony. Questions ask at Isla Mujeres.info You can find me on that site under May arrivals. I will answer any questions you have by email.
I always vote for Grenada. Direct flights from NYC. Unspoiled, friendly. We lived there on the beach and loved it. No resort chains, only local. Great all inclusive, but pricey. Others very nice and moderately priced.
I would recommed Puerto Rico... excellent beaches , great shopping, delicious food. and great night life ...the best area to stay in San Juan preferbably Old San Juan..most people speaks English and you can take trips to the forest "El Yunque" also the west side of the island "Rincon" beaches are one of the best in the Caribbean
My husband and I have traveled the caribbean for 20 years. We first started with a cruise to find out what islands we liked best. I personally am not crazy about a cruise. Ships visit busy ports so you don't get a beach visit w/o booking an expensive excursion off the ship. Then, they take you for 2 hours, drop you off at the beach, pick you up and the rest of the day spent on the ship. Lounges around the pool are crammed together plus you usually have to get up early to stake a chair out. Meals are often on schedule. If you take a cruise ship I recommend leaving from Miami as you would be in warm weather immediately. Many ships leave from Puerto Rico but increases the expense due to flying there before boarding the ship. I also like the Southern caribbean itineraries. I personally like an individual island where you are more unscheduled. Stay away from Dom Republic, St Lucia (beautiful but not kid friendly). My favorite islands with accessibility are Grand Cayman, Grenada and possibly St Thomas. Grand Cayman is more Americanized with wonderful beaches. There are many restaurants so I would not go all inclusive. We try to get a room with small kitchenette. Then we buy breakfast foods, snacks, and have a fridge for pop, beer, water. I would definitely plan a 1/2 day trip on a small boat. The boats take you snorkeling, to private beaches, and sightseeing. We rented a 2 bdrm condo on 7 Mile Beach through VRBO.com. There is a cheap shuttle bus to take you wherever you want to go.
Love Turks and Caicos. The water is unbelievably blue with gorgeous beaches. We stay at the Sands in a 2 bdrm condo unit. They have free water sports (kayak, sailing etc) which we all enjoy. They have a moderate dining restaurant right on the beach, plus walking distance both ways there are other restaurants for lunch or dinner. Also, free bikes into town. We don't bother with a car on any island, just cab it for the few times we need it. Both these islands have great snorkeling.
St Thomas the resorts are more isolated so you need to stay on property for meals or drive a distance. Here you need a car. Driving is not fun here. I do not find snorkeling to be great here. It is fun to take the ferry to St John where you rent a car and go to some great beaches.
Granada is beautiful, with wonderful beaches, but not as much for teens to do. Resorts are a fair distance from town(nothing there) so mostly stay in resort. We like the Coyoba there.
People may disagree with me but we are staying clear of Mexico due to safety issues. It is more bang for the buck but not worth it for safety. There are more problems internally, but the beach resorts are also having problems safety wise.
Please feel free to reply if you have more questions. We have been to most islands and have a good handle, especially when traveling with teens. Our own kids are now older but they still travel with us as they absolutely love the caribbean. Karen
Carnival has some cabins (cheap) with bunk beds for the kids. You could get an outside or inside cabin nearby. however you can get 4 persons in a cabin.... I was just on the Allure of the Seas and you and the kids would LOVE IT! mose cruise ships have cabins with connecting doors. and include stopping at islands, entertainment, and food included.
Ports of Call: Cape Liberty, Bayonne, New Jersey; King's Wharf, Bermuda; Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Labadee, Haiti; Cape Liberty, Bayonne, New Jersey
there are lots of caribbean cruises from the New Youk area
Southwest Airlines flys out of Hartford to Ft. Lauderdale VERY CHEAPLY, and you can get non-stop flights. I know because my brother and wife fly down from there next week for a cruise that leaves out of Ft. Lauderdales Port Everglades.
Look at The Bitter End inclusive resort on Virgin Gorda, BVI. There should be something for everyone there, boating, snorkeling, exploring a beautiful island. They have a variety of accommodations from which to choose one to suit your needs and tastes.patblakes
We think nights are cool and the water is cold in most of the Bahamas at that time, however we do live in the South and are accustomed to Gulf Coast water in the summer. Jamaica is nice that time of year. The temps are nice, water is warm and the rates have usually dropped. If you stay somewhere like Negril you can get by without a car. Also, there are lots of all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica which we really like. It seems high at first look but when concidering all is paid for upfront, you usually get a pretty good deal. We stay at Sandals most of the time when in the Caribbean. We have heard the family version, Beaches, is really nice also but don't have first hand knowledge. We also use VRBO to rent condos when we don't want to stay at a resort.
Anse Chastenet in Lucia would be perfect for your family. Check it out at www.ansechastanet.com
I know they have one suite that has an upstairs bedroom.....perfect for the two boys. They also have jungle biking, scuba instruction, snorkling, and a private beach!
