Tropical Recommendations

Snaggletiger · « **on:** February 21, 2012, 04:23:30 PM »

Need some input from some of you world travelers about planning a Spring Break (Last week in March) tropical vacation. Needs to be family friendly and preferably all-inclusive. I have limited experience in teh coconut groves. Been on 2 cruises. Carnival suxed but Disney was the titz. Have their own tropical island. Stopped in Nassau/Bahamas on both and don't care if I ever see that place again. Flew to Jamaica year before last and stayed at a Beaches Resort. Great vacation but I think there's much better out there than Jamaica, mon. Went to the Keys about 20 years ago so I'm sure that's changed X100 since then.

Didn't GF got to some Punt-A-mommy part place or something like that? I keep leaning towards Cabo but don't know that much about it. Not adverse to another cruise. Input?

ssgaufan · « **Reply #1 on:** February 21, 2012, 04:25:25 PM »

St. Thomas USVI.

Godfather · « **Reply #2 on:** February 21, 2012, 04:25:45 PM »

Quote from: Snaggletiger on February 21, 2012, 04:23:30 PM

Need some input from some of you world travelers about planning a Spring Break (Last week in March) tropical vacation. Needs to be family friendly and preferably all-inclusive. I have limited experience in teh coconut groves. Been on 2 cruises. Carnival suxed but Disney was the titz. Have their own tropical island. Stopped in Nassau/Bahamas on both and don't care if I ever see that place again. Flew to Jamaica year before last and stayed at a Beaches Resort. Great vacation but I think there's much better out there than Jamaica, mon. Went to the Keys about 20 years ago so I'm sure that's changed X100 since then.

Didn't GF got to some Punt-A-mommy part place or something like that? I keep leaning towards Cabo but don't know that much about it. Not adverse to another cruise. Input?

Budget?

Snaggletiger · « **Reply #3 on:** February 21, 2012, 04:26:12 PM »

Quote from: Godfather on February 21, 2012, 04:25:45 PM

Budget?

Yes

Snaggletiger · « **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2012, 04:27:04 PM »

I don't really have a budget. As long as I don't have to drop $10K on it, I can work it out.

The Disney Cruise for 4 people hit me up for about $4K. I can live in that area.

JR4AU · « **Reply #5 on:** February 21, 2012, 04:29:44 PM »

Quote from: Snaggletiger on February 21, 2012, 04:23:30 PM

Need some input from some of you world travelers about planning a Spring Break (Last week in March) tropical vacation. Needs to be family friendly and preferably all-inclusive. I have limited experience in teh coconut groves. Been on 2 cruises. Carnival suxed but Disney was the titz. Have their own tropical island. Stopped in Nassau/Bahamas on both and don't care if I ever see that place again. Flew to Jamaica year before last and stayed at a Beaches Resort. Great vacation but I think there's much better out there than Jamaica, mon. Went to the Keys about 20 years ago so I'm sure that's changed X100 since then.

Didn't GF got to some Punt-A-mommy part place or something like that? I keep leaning towards Cabo but don't know that much about it. Not adverse to another cruise. Input?

Honeymooned in Nassau about 20 years ago. Bare titties on the beach! Fun times! When they say "don't drink the water" they mean it, and that includes not getting ice in your drinks. Squirtz = damper on fun times.

Snaggletiger · « **Reply #6 on:** February 21, 2012, 04:31:43 PM »

Quote from: ssgaufan on February 21, 2012, 04:25:25 PM

St. Thomas USVI.

Description please. We'll have mini-Snags with us. 11 years old. When we hit Jamaica, we immediately met this guy and his daughter, who was my son's age. Their wife/mother had died recently and they did a lot of traveling. That made the trip much better because he had someone his age to hang with and we didn't have to entertain. That's why I'd like to be somewhere that he's got a lot of opportunities to have a good time without mom and dad trying to keep him pleased.

Godfather · « **Reply #7 on:** February 21, 2012, 04:44:13 PM »

I am not a huge cruise fan. I don't dislike them but, if I had my way I would choose other vacation choices. That being said, with little snags in tow I would go the cruise route.

#1 Stay away from Carnival...they are shitty shitty. I would go Royal Caribbean and do Eastern Caribbean, you have to fly to Puerto Rico but the island destinations are much much better.

The Western Caribbean which I have done leaves from Miami. You are going to hit Labadee (Their private island) nothing to do but snorkel and sun bathe, Jamaica (Dun's River Falls is great for the kids), Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. Grand Cayman is Shopping and Beaches, Cozumel is drinking, but for little Snags I would recommend the 4 wheel adventure, where you get a shitty beat up wrangler that you get to ride on a beach then have a mexican fiesta and beach trip.

Plus with the cruise little Snags is old enough to have run of the ship, you can let him run off and do his thing and y'all can chill and sip Mi-ties. My $.02.

Really with kids you can't beat it...they have the kids clubs, basketball, rock-wall climbing, wave pools. For the adults gambling, clubs, drinking. The Royal Caribbean Ship I went on while huge (5000 guests) will blow away Carnival.

I did hit up Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. There were kids there, but I don't know how much fun he would have. It is pretty much drinking and sun bathing. You don't leave the resort. Chillaxing!

Godfather · « **Reply #8 on:** February 21, 2012, 05:12:41 PM »

I meant Southern Caribbean not Eastern above.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/cruiseDetails/itinerary.do?hasSenior=&hasMilitary=&hasFireandPolice=&cruiseType=CO&state=&packageCode=SR07D069&date=201202

Western:
http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/cruiseDetails/itinerary.do?hasSenior=&hasMilitary=&hasFireandPolice=&cruiseType=CO&state=&packageCode=AL07W066&date=201202

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/cruiseDetails/itinerary.do?hasSenior=&hasMilitary=&hasFireandPolice=&cruiseType=CO&state=&packageCode=FR07W070&date=201202

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/cruiseDetails/itinerary.do?hasSenior=&hasMilitary=&hasFireandPolice=&cruiseType=CO&state=&packageCode=AD07D058&date=201202

Godfather · « **Reply #9 on:** February 21, 2012, 05:14:41 PM »

Oh and if you need a good Travel Agent call the people on the front of Tigers X

www.atlastravelweb.com

Ask for Sue, tell her you are a friend of mine. Ask her questions, she is a great resource.

Godfather · « **Reply #10 on:** February 21, 2012, 05:17:49 PM »

I also suggest you get your ass in gear, way to wait until the last minute.

Snaggletiger · « **Reply #11 on:** February 21, 2012, 05:28:18 PM »

Quote from: Godfather on February 21, 2012, 05:17:49 PM

I also suggest you get your ass in gear, way to wait until the last minute.

Thanks for the suggestions and bite me....we just found out that week is freed up. The Disney Cruise we took a couple of years ago was great. One big factor there was we had like 4 other families that went so there was always someone to party with and kids for mine to hang with. When I thought of Disney I was not too pumped because I didn't want to go cruising with Goofy and Pluto. I actually like Disney but if I want that, I'll go to Orlando. However, it wasn't anything like that. 90% of the boat and activities were normal and did not involve anyone in a Snow White outfit...except that session back in the cabin after shooting tequila.

We'd be safe going on another cruise but I really want to do something we haven't done before. Grand Caymen sounds intriguing because of the shopping. Mrs. Snags is big on the shopping thing. Much to do for the kiddies?

CCTAU · « **Reply #12 on:** February 21, 2012, 06:33:49 PM »

Bartles and Jaymes fruit punch?

RWS · « **Reply #13 on:** February 21, 2012, 06:46:47 PM »

My wife and I went on a cruise for our honeymoon in 2009. Not sure how Nassau was when you went, but we were OK with it. We just walked around "downtown" and did some people watching. Not particularly stunning or anything, but it wasn't nearly as bad as Freeport. If you do go on a cruise and Freeport is a port of call, just stay on the boat. It's like sailing to Prichard and getting off the boat at the Alabama State docks.

We stopped off in Key West as well on our trip, and it was wonderful. One of the excursions we went on was in an open air trolley bus for a guided tour of Key West. It was only like $30 a person, but we thought it was by far the best excursion we went on. It takes you all over Key West and lasted about 2 hours. I would be happy to hook you up with some pictures we took of stuff down there if you want a bit of a preview.

We are leaving out of New Orleans on April 8th for a 7 day cruise to Jamaica, Grand Cayman Islands, and Cozumel. Really looking forward to Cozumel.

chinook · « **Reply #14 on:** February 21, 2012, 06:52:26 PM »

cabo san lucas...give it a whirl.

you can stay @ riu sante fe or riu palace. both are all inclusive including teh bourbons. mini-bar in room stocked with beer, pop and water.

the food is okay...we chose to eat in town for dinner during part of our stay.

ssgaufan · « **Reply #15 on:** February 21, 2012, 07:44:18 PM »

Quote from: Snaggletiger on February 21, 2012, 04:31:43 PM

Description please. We'll have mini-Snags with us. 11 years old. When we hit Jamaica, we immediately met this guy and his daughter, who was my son's age. Their wife/mother had died recently and they did a lot of traveling. That made the trip much better because he had someone his age to hang with and we didn't have to entertain. That's why I'd like to be somewhere that he's got a lot of opportunities to have a good time without mom and dad trying to keep him pleased.

Hell I'm not really sure. I spent most of that vacation buzzing from the all inclusive alcohol. I do remember a downtown area with lots of shopping, and there was a ocean park that offered swimming with the dolphins that the mini snags might be interested in.

GarMan · « **Reply #16 on:** February 21, 2012, 08:22:56 PM »

I don't do child-friendly trips. Sorry... (Well, not really.) If there isn't a casino. there better be a beach, islands, a reef, a boat, fishing, cigars, broads and plenty of alcohol.

Pell City Tiger · « **Reply #17 on:** February 21, 2012, 08:39:05 PM »

From my sailing days, either St Thomas or St Croix are nice. Aruba is ok, as long as you don't bring along a blonde teenaged girl.

Fuck Puerto Rico & Mexico. Shoot for one of the Lesser Antilles, like Martinique.

chinook · « **Reply #18 on:** February 21, 2012, 10:21:03 PM »

are your testicles going on vacay? most resorts do have safes to keep the family jewels secure.

Godfather · « **Reply #19 on:** February 22, 2012, 09:10:36 AM »

Quote from: chinook on February 21, 2012, 06:52:26 PM

cabo san lucas...give it a whirl.

you can stay @ riu sante fe or riu palace. both are all inclusive including teh bourbons. mini-bar in room stocked with beer, pop and water.

the food is okay...we chose to eat in town for dinner during part of our stay.

WTF is pop?