Tropical Vacation or Cruise?

[Off The Deep End]

So I know that a lot of you travel frequently. I on the other hand have never been out of the country... thus leads me to my problem. My wife and I are planning on going on vacation but are not sure where to go. Do we go on a cruise or do we pick a destination and just go there? My wife has been out of the country, on a cruise, so that was her recommendation. I think that it might be nicer to find just one place to go and spend some time exploring there rather than being time limited and jumping from place to place. So we are looking for some advice. Do you think one location is better or is a cruise a better option.. Where are your favorite places to go and why (we are looking tropical).

 

[Andrew_bram]

I so go to Mexico and stay at all inclusive resort. Or Australia and see the barrier reef

 

[Mccoc033]

The only place I have ever been was turks and caicos. I was 18 at the time and I had a blast. Might have been cause I could drink legally and it was an all inclusive trip paid for by my mom, but the scuba and snorkeling didn't hurt. :smile:. Since it was all inclusive the scuba trips were free too.

 

[MuralReef]

The problem I see with cruises is you are on their schedule. If you stop at a location that you would like to see more you really don't have a choice but to leave when they say it's time. While you do have options as to where you eat on the ship if the food sucks you just have to deal with it since you are stuck on a boat. All inclusives are nice but a lot of people are afraid to leave the resort because of all the "bad" people who are going to beg for money or just steal it. Every time I have been traveling and someone got their pocket picked they were not concealing their money, like carrying their wallet in their back pocket. I would pick a location. I love Costa Rica for the ecotourism. Belize is also good for this plus it has ruins and diving/snorkeling. Belize City can be sketchy but the costal towns are nice and cater more to travelers. I really want to head to Hawaii next but it can be pricey. I am sure. Mike and Cindy can talk about Mexico.

 

[FinsUp]

I've been a lot of countries (15 or so, I think- PM me if you want and we can talk about what kind of vacation you want, where to go, etc), but never on a cruise, and I don't think I'm missing anything. The whole idea of a time constrained vacation is an oxymoron to me. I always want the freedom to go where I want, when I want, and not have to be back on the dock by such and such a time. I've also been in port when a cruise ship comes in, and watched the whole vibe of the place change for the worse. Trust me when I tell you that if you think you're getting a taste of a place by visiting on a cruise ship, you are absolutely wrong. The locals see you as Mr. Moneybags, and they want to relieve you of as much of your money as they can. If you want to really SEE a place, be a traveler, not a tourist. Take the time, go slower, get off the beaten path, talk to the locals and get their story. If you do it right, you leave a little of yourself there, and come back enriched by what you experienced there.

 

[mathewkofalk]

My opinion is a cruise is awesome for the Mediterranean because you want to see so much you almost need to know the boat is leaving or you'd never get to all you want to see. If your just going soith it is nicer to just explore and not worry about time constraints. Costa Rica is nice I like cental America over Mexico lots more rainforest.

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[fishguy69]

+1 on all the ideas! I like the all inclusive resorts for all you can eat/drink. Exploring the island of Maui was fun. Having two kiddos makes it hard to do the exploring aspect. All I hear is Disney World!!! LOL

 

[jda123]

We really liked the Keys. Kinda like Mexico, but you are in the US. The diving/snorkeling is pretty good in the Keys, but there are not as many beaches - you have to rent a car and drive up the keys to get to the a great beach... which is a pretty cool drive. Plus, the plane ride in from Miami is awesome at 300-400 feet over the reefs.

Personally, I would rather stay at home than go to Disney. I don't really know why since I have never been, but it just does not appear to be my thing... and my daughters hate me for it.

I don't think that you can go wrong here.

 

[Off The Deep End]

I so go to Mexico and stay at all inclusive resort. Or Australia and see the barrier reef

Wherever we go it will be all inclusive, that's the bad thing about a cruise its $110 a day for inclusive drinks which in my mind is ridiculous for a 7 day cruise!

The only place I have ever been was turks and caicos. I was 18 at the time and I had a blast. Might have been cause I could drink legally and it was an all inclusive trip paid for by my mom, but the scuba and snorkeling didn't hurt. :smile:. Since it was all inclusive the scuba trips were free too.

We will be going snorkeling and maybe even diving depending on where we go, added turks to our list to look at!

The problem I see with cruises is you are on their schedule. If you stop at a location that you would like to see more you really don't have a choice but to leave when they say it's time. While you do have options as to where you eat on the ship if the food sucks you just have to deal with it since you are stuck on a boat. All inclusives are nice but a lot of people are afraid to leave the resort because of all the "bad" people who are going to beg for money or just steal it. Every time I have been traveling and someone got their pocket picked they were not concealing their money, like carrying their wallet in their back pocket. I would pick a location. I love Costa Rica for the ecotourism. Belize is also good for this plus it has ruins and diving/snorkeling. Belize City can be sketchy but the costal towns are nice and cater more to travelers. I really want to head to Hawaii next but it can be pricey. I am sure. Mike and Cindy can talk about Mexico.

That was my main issue with a cruise, I do not want to be on anyones time schedule but my own, 9-10 hrs at one destination does not seem long enough for me to do what I want, plus in that amount of time I could be so hammered I might not find my way back to the boat!

 

[Off The Deep End]

I've been a lot of countries (15 or so, I think- PM me if you want and we can talk about what kind of vacation you want, where to go, etc), but never on a cruise, and I don't think I'm missing anything. The whole idea of a time constrained vacation is an oxymoron to me. I always want the freedom to go where I want, when I want, and not have to be back on the dock by such and such a time. I've also been in port when a cruise ship comes in, and watched the whole vibe of the place change for the worse. Trust me when I tell you that if you think you're getting a taste of a place by visiting on a cruise ship, you are absolutely wrong. The locals see you as Mr. Moneybags, and they want to relieve you of as much of your money as they can. If you want to really SEE a place, be a traveler, not a tourist. Take the time, go slower, get off the beaten path, talk to the locals and get their story. If you do it right, you leave a little of yourself there, and come back enriched by what you experienced there.

I like the idea of being a traveler and not a tourist and the mr moneybags makes sense, I personally don't want to be on a timeline as I am a very spontaneous person and I might just jump off the ship

+1 on all the ideas! I like the all inclusive resorts for all you can eat/drink. Exploring the island of Maui was fun. Having two kiddos makes it hard to do the exploring aspect. All I hear is Disney World!!! LOL

Added maui to the list, oh and this will just be me and the wife, Yay no kids!!

We really liked the Keys. Kinda like Mexico, but you are in the US. The diving/snorkeling is pretty good in the Keys, but there are not as many beaches - you have to rent a car and drive up the keys to get to the a great beach... which is a pretty cool drive. Plus, the plane ride in from Miami is awesome at 300-400 feet over the reefs.

Personally, I would rather stay at home than go to Disney. I don't really know why since I have never been, but it just does not appear to be my thing... and my daughters hate me for it.

I don't think that you can go wrong here.

We will be going in mid march and I think the keys will be packed with tourists we are trying to go more remote even though it will be the peak of the season. Anyone been to Jamaica?

 

[goslugsgo]

Why all-inclusive? If you get a condo in the islands or keys you can go to Safeway and get breakfast and lunch stuff and have way more money to blow on daytrips and good restaurants.

My vote is for Kona. Insane dives and snorkeling, plus a ton of fun land adventures. If you want more nightlife, go to Maui; less, go to Kauai. Just don't go to O'ahu.

 

[goslugsgo]

Jamaica was OK. I wouldn't go back.
St Croix is a good Carib island. Tons of history and good diving.

 

[jahmic]

All inclusive because...who wants to cook and do dishes on vacation.

My family is from Jamaica...you just need to know where to go. If you decide to head that way, drop me a PM...I have plenty suggestions.

If you want to try a small island and get off the beaten path, Antigua and St Kitts/ Nevis are places I've been and enjoyed out that way.

 

[goslugsgo]

...you just need to know where to go.

Universally true.

 

[FinsUp]

Why all-inclusive? If you get a condo in the islands or keys you can go to Safeway and get breakfast and lunch stuff and have way more money to blow on daytrips and good restaurants.

My vote is for Kona. Insane dives and snorkeling, plus a ton of fun land adventures. If you want more nightlife, go to Maui; less, go to Kauai. Just don't go to O'ahu.

Agree completely! Skip dishes by using paper plates, etc., but use the money you're saving on awesome experiences. Get a condo or rent a guesthouse from a local. MUCH more authentic experience than resorts. The all-inclusive ones are the worst because you can't justify leaving the resort, because it means spending extra, but staying at the resort means missing out on everything.

 

[Off The Deep End]

has anyone been to the Dominican Republic? What do you think? Yes or No?

 

[CRW Reef]

has anyone been to the Dominican Republic? What do you think? Yes or No?

I did a 7 day all inclusive there and it was the third greatest time of my life !!!!! ( next to the births of my two sons ) We stayed at the Dreams - La Romana http://dreamsresorts.com/la-romana

things we did right from resort

- gambled
- drank $$$$$$$$$ in booze
- midnight champagne room service (free due to all inclusive)
- ate @ 6/7 4-4.5 star restaurants with in the resort (this is in addition to the 24hr buffet they have)
- scuba dived 6x
- borrowed paddle boat
- smoked cuban cigars
- drank Mama Juana
- watched several entertainment shows
- watched thursday night NFl on giant projector on beach with gigantic bonfire
- ate amazing fresh fruit all day long
- couples massages on the beach
and so much more that I could prob type here for a few more hours.

NEEDLESS TO SAY WE LOVED IT AND PLAN TO GO BACK SEVERAL SEVERAL MORE TIMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Catfish Charlie]

In my mind any vacation anywhere in the tropics is FANTASTIC! If I can make a suggestion to you, call Weaver's Dive and Travel in Boulder weaversdive.com (no I don't work for them)! They're EXTREMELY EXPERIENCED in tropical vacations anywhere in the world even if you're not planning on SCUBA diving! I've used them exclusively for my SCUBA diving adventures all over the world for over 30 years now! Besides setting up a custom individual vacation for you they also have some FANTASTIC group travel too ( over 12 each year)! I've done BOTH through them and not ever been disappointed and have made some GREAT new friends in their group travel! They usually match or even beat prices on line that you can "book yourself" and they'll do all the work. You can give them a call at 303-499-8500 and ask for Jane or Lisa and "drop" my name (Ron from Catfish Charlie's) and I'll bet you'll NOT be displeased! No matter where you go..........ENJOY!

 

[Off The Deep End]

I did a 7 day all inclusive there and it was the third greatest time of my life !!!!! ( next to the births of my two sons ) We stayed at the Dreams - La Romana http://dreamsresorts.com/la-romana

things we did right from resort

- gambled
- drank $$$$$$$$$ in booze
- midnight champagne room service (free due to all inclusive)
- ate @ 6/7 4-4.5 star restaurants with in the resort (this is in addition to the 24hr buffet they have)
- scuba dived 6x
- borrowed paddle boat
- smoked cuban cigars
- drank Mama Juana
- watched several entertainment shows
- watched thursday night NFl on giant projector on beach with gigantic bonfire
- ate amazing fresh fruit all day long
- couples massages on the beach
and so much more that I could prob type here for a few more hours.

NEEDLESS TO SAY WE LOVED IT AND PLAN TO GO BACK SEVERAL SEVERAL MORE TIMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's what im talking about! Thanks Chad this one is in the top 3 on our list now!

 

[Off The Deep End]

In my mind any vacation anywhere in the tropics is FANTASTIC! If I can make a suggestion to you, call Weaver's Dive and Travel in Boulder weaversdive.com (no I don't work for them)! They're EXTREMELY EXPERIENCED in tropical vacations anywhere in the world even if you're not planning on SCUBA diving! I've used them exclusively for my SCUBA diving adventures all over the world for over 30 years now! Besides setting up a custom individual vacation for you they also have some FANTASTIC group travel too ( over 12 each year)! I've done BOTH through them and not ever been disappointed and have made some GREAT new friends in their group travel! They usually match or even beat prices on line that you can "book yourself" and they'll do all the work. You can give them a call at 303-499-8500 and ask for Jane or Lisa and "drop" my name (Ron from Catfish Charlie's) and I'll bet you'll NOT be displeased! No matter where you go..........ENJOY!

Cool I will check them out!