My wedding anniversary is coming up. We never really do anything for any holiday or special dates because we work so hard Monday - Friday that on days off we're like "Pbst. Fuck that."
Since I know I'm not going to get that huge bling-bling ring that all Southern girls should have I might as well settle for something we both can use. We are, however, trying to find time to take a vacation. I immediately thought "Cruise! Cruise!," however I must confess that I'm minorly turned off by all the nasty food poisoning inicidents of last year and the year prior. I'm also severely nauseated by the smell of salt water when experienced from within he bowels of a boat (ferries included).
I surmise that flying somewhere and booking a hotel would be less expensive than a seven day cruise, don't you think?
Anyone know from experience? Any recommendations?
I've never left the country, so I'm exicted to go somewhere tropical.
Posted by Tiffany at July 5, 2005 06:26 PM | TrackBack*resorts to comment box because i couldn't locate your e-mail address :-/.* e-mail me when time permits and i'll fill you in about our trip to grand bahamas island.
Posted by: MsThing at July 5, 2005 07:00 PMI was a bit disappointed in my recent trip to the US Virgin Islands. I remember the Bahamas as being pretty cool, but I was there a long time ago and was young at the time.
Puerto Rico has been by far my favorite Caribbean destination thus far. Although, technically, that is not leaving the United States.
I can't fathom how a cruise would be fun, but that's just me.
Posted by: Erica at July 6, 2005 04:09 AMLast October we did an all-inclusive in the Dominican Republic and I CAN NOT WAIT to do it again- it was wonderful! And you cannot beat the price, considering it includes airfare, hotel, all meals and all beverages including alcohol. (At the rate we drink it was worth it just for the alcohol ;-)) The resort was stunning and the food was terrific.
Try faredeals.com or travelzoo.com for last minute specials that really cannot be beat. Good luck!
I've never cruised but I've always wanted to go to Bermuda which by flight or boat is a pretty short trip from your location. I'm not crazy about being on a boat (the drowining thing) but I'd rather boat than fly anymore. If it weren't for being retired military, I'd love to visit Cuba. Call a travel agent and just see what she can tell you.
Posted by: Nanc' at July 6, 2005 09:50 AMI've visited Jamaica and most recently Grand Bahama Island. Loved them both. I plan to visit Cayman Island next.
Go, go, go! And bypass the cruise :).
Posted by: MsThing at July 6, 2005 10:31 AMI have went on cruises and done the all inclusive thing. Overall the all inclusive ends up being less expensive and offers a lot more options.
I suggest Iberostar Lindo in Playa Del Carman, Mexico...just south of Cancun. Great place, great fun couples to hang out with, overall awesome experience. The best part is the total price with air included for 7 days is around 1000.00.
Check into it!
Posted by: Charlie at July 6, 2005 11:26 AMI have a little time this morning, so I thought I'd give you my thoughts on this, so pardon the long post:
All-inclusive is the way to go. There are resorts all over the world where there are package deals for 3, 5, 7 days and upwards. I'm not so sure about a cruise, either, but I hear they are actually very economical (they're all inclusive, too). I always worry about the food poisoning, sewage backup, storms, etc. I've seen one too many disaster films and too much daily news. I have friends that would never do anything else but cruise for their vacations. However, I think it's kind of like snow skiing - either you love it or hate it - there's no middle ground. I'm not willing to risk that much money and my very few chances to get away from my kids on a "might like it" scenario. The only cruise I REALLY want to take is to Alaska. That would be fantastic.
The Bahamas are nice (went several times as a teen/young adult), but I hear that the only place really worth staying now is the Atlantis on Pardise Island. Expensive as far as I know. I've been to Grand Bahama and Nassau and had a great time both places, but I was young and easily impressed also.
St. Lucia is wonderful and still very wild and non-commercialized as far as the Carribean goes, however, it takes forever to get there (down near South America). We stayed at this older place, Anse Chastenet (www.ansechastenet.com)that was designed by the German architect/owner. Each room is a little private house set in the hill (no a/c, mind you) with a lanai and handbuilt furnishings made of local mahogony and decorated in the local madras prints. We were at the top and it's like 10-15 stories of steps, I swear. It is also on a small bay right by the Grand Pitons (two mountains) with the best diving and snorkeling on the island. It now has a world class spa and they have a great art collection. It is, to me, really experiencing the Carribean. It is quite primitive, yet it has a fantastic restaurant and the service was superb. As I remember, it was kinda pricy, but maybe I would have thought everything a bit expensive at that time in our lives. Ha! Now, if you're not in to climbing steps for EVERYTHING, you insist on A/C and want to really be near the nightlife, I would not suggest it. There are other beautiful places on the island that are more in keeping with the Sandals type resorts if you're in to that kind of thing.
My husband lived in Trinidad for a while (long work assignment) and said that it was okay as long as you stuck to your resort. Otherwise it was pretty gross. However, most of the Carribean is that way - you stick to the "tourist spots" and you are fairly safe and things are clean and "poverty-free". The places where the locals really live are usually horrific and a huge buzz kill.
He also spent some time in St. Croix, but I don't know what's up there since the devastating hurricane several years ago. He loved it and we were going to go back together, but then everything got wiped out.
I used to work for a company whose owner was a huge investor in Antigua. I never got to go on business (I was brokerage and we had banks there) but those that did really loved it. The Dutch influence made it quaint.
Costa Rica used to be a fabulous vacation destination, but I don't know what's going on in that part of the world right now. It's supposedly really clean and neat and the people are nice and it's got cool things to do.
I guess I'd steer clear of Aruba right now. That's gotta be a bummer with everyone scouring looking for that teenage girl.
Mexico (Cancun, Cozumel, Acupulco, Puerto Vallarta) is supposedly nice and econimical as well, but you have to be careful with your reservations and you can't wander around a lot (from what I hear people like to steal passports, etc.)
Recently a friend went to Destin to a brand new beach resort (The Destin West Sandpiper) and it was really cheap and beautiful. I think they are trying to get it filled up with it being so new. However, you are not experiencing anything really exotic.
I always love New Orleans (Melrose Mansion - beautiful) and San Francisco as getaway spots, but if you're looking for tropical, they're not it. N.O. is freakin' hot this time of year, also.
As for cooler spots, one of my friends swears by Banff, Canada. As I said before, I'd love to explore Alaska either by cruise or any other kind of tour. I also love, love, LOVE Colorado. We actually went skiing for our honeymoon and it was wonderful. If you ever want to go skiing, go to Crested Butte and stay in the town (not the village) at the Crested Butte Inn. It is better in person than in the brochures and the brochures are fabulous. Artsy little town with very interesting residents and FANTASTIC restaurants. Several 4 star. IF you want to go to Colorado for summer fun, it's all gorgeous.
Same friend that likes Banff suggests that you never go to Hawaii in the summertime because it is HAWT! She didn't enjoy herself at all.
I also loved going to Disney World/Universal Studios with just my husband. Taking the kids was fun, but with just the two of us it was a blast. The most fun vacation ever. Really.
That's all I got. I'm with Nanc' sit down with a travel agent and see what you come up with. It's free and you don't have to use them to book if you don't want to, but you can use them as a resource. I reserach in travel books, online and also use a travel agent.
Just a side note - October and February are excellent months to vacation. The hot places are temperate and the cold places are cold but not completely frigid. Crowds are low in most places as well.
Posted by: Momotrips at July 6, 2005 01:01 PMMy friend said Jamaica is pretty cool, as long as you have a man with you.
Posted by: Rori at July 6, 2005 03:01 PM