Carribean Family Vacation Advice Please?

[Marauder]

I’m not sure of the age restrictions on Sandals, if it’s 16 and over or 18…
Breezes, their sister company accepts teens…

Actual Sandals is for couples only. Non-couples are only allowed on property for special events (i.e. a wedding.) Beaches is their sister company, not Breezes. Beaches allows families.

I have stayed at 2 Sandals properties and on Beaches property (that was later converted to a Sandals.) We had a great time.

 

[A_G]

I go to Europe every summer but for our honeymoon, we went to St. Lucia. We stayed at the northern part of the island and we loved it and hope to visit again some day!

 

[teresadeavila]

We love Marriott Vacation Club villas (St. Kitts or Aruba) but if all inclusive family resort is what you really want, Beaches resorts (beaches.com/vacation/ uo tp 65% off deals!), Atlantis Resort Paradise Island, Bahamas, or Cheap Caribbean.com (featured on Today show, serious deals here) or Jamaica villas by Linda Smith - if you get a group of families, serious savings, comes with maid, cook and perhaps a butler!

My family’s been traveling for years, my mom’s a travel agent, and we also love cruises (Disney is our fave). Happy travels and good luck! Maria

 

[teresadeavila]

I know you mentioned Caribbean, but we LOVED South Seas Resort in Captiva Island, Florida; renewed our vows there April 2011 and there’s so much to do for all ages.
Also try Casa Ybel Resort in Sanibel, Florida - and click here for Villas by Linda Smith.

 

[aicirt]

I know you mentioned Caribbean, but we LOVED South Seas Resort in Captiva Island, Florida; renewed our vows there April 2011 and there’s so much to do for all ages.
Also try Casa Ybel Resort in Sanibel, Florida - and click here for Villas by Linda Smith.

And try VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owners) for above and internationally.

 

[GoldenLight]

Actual Sandals is for couples only. Non-couples are only allowed on property for special events (i.e. a wedding.) Beaches is their sister company, not Breezes. Beaches allows families.

I have stayed at 2 Sandals properties and on Beaches property (that was later converted to a Sandals.) We had a great time.

Stand corrected… That’s what lack of sleep does to you!!

I’m off on a cruise shortly, for the most part we have done a few islands on the tour to death so will be getting day passes to Sandals in Antigua… (which I love) and a new one for us… Sandals St Lucia Grande…
Snowing here as I type so will be nice to get away!! (Travel is my addiction)

 

[lo_amo87]

We did a cruise for our honeymoon in the west carribean. It was amazing but mexico was a little scary. Our last stop was isla roitan (sp) and it’s actually part of honduras. It was the most peaceful, beautiful stop on the trip and felt very safe. As much as we loved the cruise though, we do want to try an all-inclusive resort at some place and but we would only do it on US-occupied ground. Puerto Rico is on our list for that!

 

[TheRealJuliane]

No one got seasick. First time on boat for the kids. This is not a cruise ship. It was a 55 ft. gaft rigged motor sailer. Hubby and I had the stern cabin, the two boys slept in a little hallway off the galley. I requested at the booking that the captain like kids,and it was a family vacation.(Didn’t want a CAPTAIN RON…love that movie ) We were told to write down what we liked to eat. You can opt to take some meals at a restaurant when you dock but, the captain’s wife was such and excellent cook, we ate on board. She was written up in Bon Apetite. We were advised to do the inward islands because the kids could see them from one island to the next.
All the kids from the other families who were teenagers loved the trip too. The captain made an effort to take the kids to “secret pirate caves” and would dive down, grab a lobster, and his wife would cook it. FUN!! Don’t do the bareboat trip. That’s where you and hubby are captain and crew. :bigyikes: You want moments to remember, not regret.

Oh, no, we are both landlubbers and wouldn’t know the first thing about how to run a boat! Hubby is sometimes overwhelmed with driving a car! LOL And I wouldn’t want to end up on one of those “I Survived a Disaster” shows…or not end up on one…KWIM?

I’m not the adventurous vacation type. I’m more the put-your-chaise-lounge-on-the-beach-and-have-a-fancy-drink-brought-to-you type. Hubster is more of the checklist, have to be on the move type. Sigh…no rest for the wicked…

 

[trinichiqn]

I did a cruise last year and that is a great choice. You get to see a few different islands, food is free, quite a few free entertainment options (I went surfing, boogie boarding, ice skating, rock wall climbing, ice show, plays, headlining show, comedy show, water and dive shows, there was a zip-line that I didn’t do, basketball courts, table tennis, mini golf, arcades, library, gym), there are activities for teen, kids, toddlers. Besides your fare, you only pay for extras like specialty dining, tours and things like that which you don’t really need. I did one tour which wasn’t overly expensive but on the other stops I wandered with some friends, I did not feel unsafe at anytime. If you follow practical safety precautions that you would anywhere, don’t walk alone, don’t flash large amounts of cash, stay in public areas that sort of thing you should be fine. You have a number of cruise lines to choose from and a couple of them offer Mass daily and all have a chapel.

 

[TheDoctor]

Thank you all for your amazing (name removed by moderator)ut. We are going to see a travel agent to get some more info. I think the family is leaning toward an all-inclusive resort (although that cruise sounds great).

Safe travels to all and God Bless.

 

[GoldenLight]

I did a cruise last year and that is a great choice. You get to see a few different islands, food is free, quite a few free entertainment options (I went surfing, boogie boarding, ice skating, rock wall climbing, ice show, plays, headlining show, comedy show, water and dive shows, there was a zip-line that I didn’t do, basketball courts, table tennis, mini golf, arcades, library, gym), there are activities for teen, kids, toddlers. Besides your fare, you only pay for extras like specialty dining, tours and things like that which you don’t really need. I did one tour which wasn’t overly expensive but on the other stops I wandered with some friends, I did not feel unsafe at anytime. If you follow practical safety precautions that you would anywhere, don’t walk alone, don’t flash large amounts of cash, stay in public areas that sort of thing you should be fine. You have a number of cruise lines to choose from and a couple of them offer Mass daily and all have a chapel.

Sounds like you were on RCCL !! ( I enjoyed my Christmas Cruise on Mariner of the Seas) Gosh that was around 10yrs ago

 

[trinichiqn]

Sounds like you were on RCCL !! ( I enjoyed my Christmas Cruise on Mariner of the Seas) Gosh that was around 10yrs ago

Yes I was on the Oasis of the Seas. I had the time of my life, there was so much to do and see, I could have stayed on the ship and never get bored. The food was magnificent and so many choices.

 

[dachsiemom2]

I love cruising though haven’t in several years. Hope to cruise to Burmuda or up the east coast next year. My favorite days are days at sea. Love sitting out on the deck looking out over the water, with a good book and a frozen fruity drink. Very relaxing. Grand Cayman is a gorgeous island and my favorite. I didn’t see anyone mention Grand Cayman so may want to look at what is there in terms of a resort. Just a thought.

 

[Bezant]

Hello my dear friends. We are looking to take our first family vacation in a number of years (my wife and I, 3 older teens). This will be a combination of our 25th wedding anniversay, son’s H.S. graduation and youngest daughter’s sweet-sixteen so we are looking for someplace special around June.

First pass was the carribean and/or Mexico.

Anyone have a favorite family friendly place (I don’t mind “all-inclusive”) we can consider?

Thanks in advance.

Congratulations!

As a general piece of advice, while all-inclusive packages are excellent (especially for weddings), I recommend that you travel at least one day outside of the resort, to somewhere less touristy.

I don’t know of any hotels but Jamaica is nice. I’d recommend you go to Negril or Montego Bay. Ocho Rios is another major, popular destination, and it’s beautiful, but I’ve heard Negril is better. I wouldn’t recommend Kingston.

 

[GoldenLight]

Yes I was on the Oasis of the Seas. I had the time of my life, there was so much to do and see, I could have stayed on the ship and never get bored. The food was magnificent and so many choices.

I see you are located in Trinidad, I haven’t made it there… ‘yet’ Was in Tobago last year though!!

 

[trinichiqn]

I see you are located in Trinidad, I haven’t made it there… ‘yet’ Was in Tobago last year though!!

Well it’s one country just 2 islands. Outside of Carnival most tourists go to Tobago, it has a slower pace and vacation vibe. We are currently tourists packed and more coming everyday. Did you enjoy your time in Tobago?

 

[Emerite]

We really enjoyed our trip to Puerto Rico quite a few years ago. Lots to do: El Yunque Rain Forest, Luquillo Beach, Old San Juan, with lunch at El Convento, artwork and shopping. Try a family-oriented stay at Palmas del Mar Resort in Humacao – 2700 acres of beach front, lots of golf courses and tennis courts, group tennis lessons,planned daily activities for children, many restaurants, pools, open cocktail hours, plus tours available to island points of interest, etc. Have fun, whatever you plan – it’s just fun to be a family together on vacation!