Caribbean Vacation Help

Snaggletiger · « **on:** January 05, 2009, 06:44:38 PM »

Last summer, there were 4-5 of us families that took a cruise together. Absolutely awesome. We're trying to get up another excursion and a tropical island resort looks to be the ticket. Going the first of June. Looking for suggestions on a family friendly, all-inclusive resort. I'm an older fart and have kids, as do all the other folks. I'm pulling up stuff on line but would rather get some first hand accounts from people I trust.

Wait, WTF am I doing asking you people?

Anyway, Jamaica...Antigua...Atlantis in Nassau/Bahamas...Cancun...other suggestions????

Iraq in the summer?

chinook · « **Reply #1 on:** January 05, 2009, 06:54:40 PM »

make sure you buy travel insurance if that shit covers hurricanes.

anyhoo. grand cayman is the only caribbean destination i have taken. my wife and i went early april. best 10 days of my life. rented a jeep and stayed at the hyatt. hemingway's was the best eats. i realize you are asking all-inclusive.

if you wanted to do another cruise try the western side of mexico. the mexican rivera. stops in cabo, mazatlan, puerto vallarta and acapulco. we went two february's ago. we left port out of los angeles.

AUTailgatingRules · « **Reply #2 on:** January 05, 2009, 06:59:31 PM »

The wife and I went to St Lucia for our honeymoon and stayed at the Rendezvous (couples only) and had a ball. The Island was beautiful and the natives were very friendly. I know some folks that have one to the Sandals resort there and say that it is very family friendly and nice for carribean standards. For reviews of resorts I have found that trip advisor is the best site to see what real people think of resorts.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147344-d263015-Reviews-Sandals_Grande_St_Lucian_Spa_Beach_Resort-Gros_Islet_St_Lucia.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/

GarMan · « **Reply #3 on:** January 05, 2009, 07:31:43 PM »

Just my two cents...

I've been to St. Lucia, Turks and Caicos Islands, and Freeport/Lucaya in the Bahamas. Freeport is good for families. St. Lucia does have some family friendly resorts, but it's a lot quieter and laid back. The largest resorts in the Turks and Caicos Islands only have about 100 rooms, so it's perfect for a couple's adult vacation, not a family one. I've been there several times.

Nowadays, all-inclusive only works if you don't mind mediocre food and limited low-end alcohol. I did the all-inclusive deal back when they included alcohol, even the top-shelf stuff. I don't think they do that anymore unless you pay a substantial premium. They also surcharged for the higher end meals.

You'll find good deals everywhere right now, but the Bahamas is probably the most economical and the closest. Many of the places I visited in Freeport were carrying counterfeit Cuban cigars, even the high end bars and restaurants. I didn't have that problem with the more exotic destinations.

Ranger12 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 05, 2009, 08:32:02 PM »

Aaaargh! Just shoot Mike Leach an e-mail.

ggraf71 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 05, 2009, 08:48:35 PM »

Quote from: GarMan on January 05, 2009, 07:31:43 PM

Just my two cents...

Nowadays, all-inclusive only works if you don't mind mediocre food and limited low-end alcohol. I did the all-inclusive deal back when they included alcohol, even the top-shelf stuff. I don't think they do that anymore unless you pay a substantial premium. They also surcharged for the higher end meals.

Went to St. Lucia last November for a very late honeymoon. Stayed at the Sandals regency, and yeah, mediocre food at best. They did have a bomb ass brick oven pizza there and the local "herb" is some awesome shit. As far as the alcohol, though, I had at least three nights when I went to one of the bars on the resort and just took a bottle of Crown back to the room, drank that shit smoked a cohiba and chilled.

Also, there's a resort on St. Lucia called the Windjammer or something like that, and I believe they are family friendly. Probably expensive as fuck, though.

Aubie16 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 05, 2009, 08:57:46 PM »

I've been to St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, Grand Cayman, and Grand Bahama Island.

Of those I would say we had the best time at Grand Cayman.

AWK · « **Reply #7 on:** January 05, 2009, 09:00:07 PM »

I have been to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and I'm going to the Bahama's in March. Out of those three, I would recommend Jamaica. Nothing is more bonding then smoking weed with the family.

Snaggletiger · « **Reply #8 on:** January 06, 2009, 06:18:42 AM »

I've only done the one day Nassau thing getting off a cruise ship. The cab ride with the stoned ass cab driver was the most exciting thing about it. Since there will be several families going, I'm thinking a place where there's more to do than just the resort. Jamaica possibly? Anyone been to Cancun?

ssgaufan · « **Reply #9 on:** January 06, 2009, 09:36:26 AM »

I've been to St. Thomas, and the Bahamas. I went on a cruise to the bahamas, with the all inclusive deal. The resort was top notch, but like the others have stated the food was very average. Oh yeah, the Bahamas was a better trip and atmoshpere than the USVI. IMO.

wesfau2 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 06, 2009, 10:15:53 AM »

Natalie Holloway says that your daughter should watch out for the Dutch guys.

What? Too soon?

Saniflush · « **Reply #11 on:** January 06, 2009, 10:17:07 AM »

Quote from: wesfau2 on January 06, 2009, 10:15:53 AM

Natalie Holloway says that your daughter should watch out for the Dutch guys.

What? Too soon?

We were on the same wavelength.

Tiger Six · « **Reply #12 on:** January 06, 2009, 11:51:17 AM »

Quote from: Harvey Birdman on January 06, 2009, 06:18:42 AM

I've only done the one day Nassau thing getting off a cruise ship. The cab ride with the stoned ass cab driver was the most exciting thing about it. Since there will be several families going, I'm thinking a place where there's more to do than just the resort. Jamaica possibly? Anyone been to Cancun?

Damn. Litigation must be good these days.

When I get back, me and the little lady are going on a three day trip to Gadsden.

Don't hate!

AWK · « **Reply #13 on:** January 06, 2009, 03:10:06 PM »

Quote from: Harvey Birdman on January 06, 2009, 06:18:42 AM

I've only done the one day Nassau thing getting off a cruise ship. The cab ride with the stoned ass cab driver was the most exciting thing about it. Since there will be several families going, I'm thinking a place where there's more to do than just the resort. Jamaica possibly? Anyone been to Cancun?

Steve, if you are going with your family, DO NOT go to Cancun. It is bad news bears.

AUTailgatingRules · « **Reply #14 on:** January 06, 2009, 03:13:18 PM »

Of all the Carribean islands I have visited, Jamaica is by far the worst. It is an absolute shithole. If you try to go from one side of the island to another be prepared for some of the worst traffic and roads you have ever witnessed. There is absolutely no redeeming factor to Jamaica (off course i don't smoke weed so that may be it's one redeeming factor)

AWK · « **Reply #15 on:** January 06, 2009, 03:14:32 PM »

Quote from: AUTailgatingRules on January 06, 2009, 03:13:18 PM

Of all the Carribean islands I have visited, Jamaica is by far the worst. It is an absolute shithole. If you try to go from one side of the island to another be prepared for some of the worst traffic and roads you have ever witnessed. There is absolutely no redeeming factor to Jamaica (off course i don't smoke weed so that may be it's one redeeming factor)

Eh. Montego Bay is amazing. Also, all of the natives/Jamaicans are always nothing but nice.

Snaggletiger · « **Reply #16 on:** January 06, 2009, 03:26:47 PM »

Quote from: AWK on January 06, 2009, 03:14:32 PM

Eh. Montego Bay is amazing. Also, all of the natives/Jamaicans are always nothing but nice.

Do they share?

AWK · « **Reply #17 on:** January 06, 2009, 03:30:19 PM »

Quote from: Harvey Birdman on January 06, 2009, 03:26:47 PM

Do they share?

Indeed, these two San Diego girls we meet last time we went took a cab ride around the Island... When they returned, they were high like planes.

Snaggletiger · « **Reply #18 on:** January 06, 2009, 03:44:05 PM »

Quote from: AWK on January 06, 2009, 03:30:19 PM

Indeed, these two San Diego girls we meet last time we went took a cab ride around the Island... When they returned, they were high like planes.

Unfortunately, one of them went missing and the authorities have been frantically searching ever since.

Godfather · « **Reply #19 on:** January 06, 2009, 03:44:12 PM »

Personally for family fun I would do Grand Bahama- Atlantis. It aint cheap but were talkin the Birdman so thats not a concern. I've been to the b-hamas a bunch of times, been to jamica, been to caymans, been tu de mehico. Basically there are four things to do at all these places drink, beach, gamble, fish, and fuck.... oops thats 5. Anyways Atlantis offers the most for families, if it was just you and the misses I would probably say Caymans.

Caribbean Vacation Help

Tiger Six