Caribbean trip planning with 23 month old in May
Apr 10th, 2011, 09:56 PM
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Caribbean trip planning with 23 month old in May
We just decided to take a vacation with our 23 month old in May before we have to start paying full price for his air ticket 
We've narrowed it down to Caribbean. Me and my husband have been to Puerto Rico before so would like to go somewhere else. Do you have recommendations on where to visit in the Caribbean based on the following:
1. Weather in May - would like to avoid 90 degrees or rainy areas
2. Kid friendly - activities for a 23 month old, and good facilities for kids - safe town, and good hospitals in case we need them
3. Best connection from seattle - we'd have to change flights, but want to keep it to one stop.
Other things that might help -
1. 7-8 day long trip, perhaps including travel (and for us it will be a 12 hr flight each way with stops likely)
2. Would like to know if it is better to rent a condo with a kid where we can prepare basic meals, or should stay in a resort?
3. Any recommendations for specific deals on resorts? and choosing an all inclusive vs. not resort.
4. We have dietary restrictions - we are primarily vegetarians but can eat chicken. We do not eat sea food.
Thank you! I hope someone helps me with the questions so I can get underway with my planning.
SeattleTraveller
We've narrowed it down to Caribbean. Me and my husband have been to Puerto Rico before so would like to go somewhere else. Do you have recommendations on where to visit in the Caribbean based on the following:1. Weather in May - would like to avoid 90 degrees or rainy areas
2. Kid friendly - activities for a 23 month old, and good facilities for kids - safe town, and good hospitals in case we need them
3. Best connection from seattle - we'd have to change flights, but want to keep it to one stop.
Other things that might help -
1. 7-8 day long trip, perhaps including travel (and for us it will be a 12 hr flight each way with stops likely)
2. Would like to know if it is better to rent a condo with a kid where we can prepare basic meals, or should stay in a resort?
3. Any recommendations for specific deals on resorts? and choosing an all inclusive vs. not resort.
4. We have dietary restrictions - we are primarily vegetarians but can eat chicken. We do not eat sea food.
Thank you! I hope someone helps me with the questions so I can get underway with my planning.
SeattleTraveller
Apr 11th, 2011, 05:49 AM
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I'll try to address some of your concerns:
1) Weather-wise May is one of the best times to visit any island in the Caribbean - average daytime temperatures will be in the mid-80's (varying only a few degrees between the northern islands and the southern islands).. May is usually one of the driest months of the year so that's not a problem.
2) Wen you say kid-friendly - exactly what do you mean? A 23 month old child is quite young and YOU are going to be your child's main source of entertainment. You can find some resorts that have "children's programs" like the Four Seasons on Nevis or that cater to families like Beaches in the Turks & Caicos or Atlantis in the Bahamas but they are going to be on the pricey side.
Regarding hospital/medical care - the major island will have hospitals and medical facilities which provide adequate care but it won't be anything like you have back in Seattle. If you have serious medical concerns you should get a recommendation from your family doctor as to which island destination might be best suited to you.
3) Can't really advise you on flight itineraries from seattle but suggest you look at flights that connect through Miami as you can reach almost every major island from that airport. Coming from Seattle you are going a long way to reach the Caribbean so don't be surprised if you have to overnight somewhere while on route to your final destination. Check fares and schedules to the following islands which are easily reached non-stop from MIA: Nassau, Providenciales (Turks & Caicos), St. Thomas, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Barbados, St. Martin, Antigua, St. Kitts, St. Lucia and Aruba.
4) There's no right answer to your question - which is better renting a condo or staying at a resort. They are just different options - and those differences are obvious - condos give you more room and all the comforts at home while a resort usually offers more amenities and a full staff to pamper and cater to your needs. There's plusses and minuses for each. It's a choice YOU have to make. Since you have dietary restrictions you may find staying in a condo more convenient as you can prepare some or all of your meals.
5) May is "Low Season" in the Caribbean so you'll find some of the lowest room rates of the year no matter where you go. Start by choosing picking your island then check rates for resorts/condos on that island - you'll get an idea of prices. Check resort websites, airline websites and travel websites to see what type of deals are being offered.
6) You won't have any trouble finding vegetarian meals on any island and chicken is a mainstay in almost every restaurant throughout the Caribbean.
Hope this helps.
1) Weather-wise May is one of the best times to visit any island in the Caribbean - average daytime temperatures will be in the mid-80's (varying only a few degrees between the northern islands and the southern islands).. May is usually one of the driest months of the year so that's not a problem.
2) Wen you say kid-friendly - exactly what do you mean? A 23 month old child is quite young and YOU are going to be your child's main source of entertainment. You can find some resorts that have "children's programs" like the Four Seasons on Nevis or that cater to families like Beaches in the Turks & Caicos or Atlantis in the Bahamas but they are going to be on the pricey side.
Regarding hospital/medical care - the major island will have hospitals and medical facilities which provide adequate care but it won't be anything like you have back in Seattle. If you have serious medical concerns you should get a recommendation from your family doctor as to which island destination might be best suited to you.
3) Can't really advise you on flight itineraries from seattle but suggest you look at flights that connect through Miami as you can reach almost every major island from that airport. Coming from Seattle you are going a long way to reach the Caribbean so don't be surprised if you have to overnight somewhere while on route to your final destination. Check fares and schedules to the following islands which are easily reached non-stop from MIA: Nassau, Providenciales (Turks & Caicos), St. Thomas, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Barbados, St. Martin, Antigua, St. Kitts, St. Lucia and Aruba.
4) There's no right answer to your question - which is better renting a condo or staying at a resort. They are just different options - and those differences are obvious - condos give you more room and all the comforts at home while a resort usually offers more amenities and a full staff to pamper and cater to your needs. There's plusses and minuses for each. It's a choice YOU have to make. Since you have dietary restrictions you may find staying in a condo more convenient as you can prepare some or all of your meals.
5) May is "Low Season" in the Caribbean so you'll find some of the lowest room rates of the year no matter where you go. Start by choosing picking your island then check rates for resorts/condos on that island - you'll get an idea of prices. Check resort websites, airline websites and travel websites to see what type of deals are being offered.
6) You won't have any trouble finding vegetarian meals on any island and chicken is a mainstay in almost every restaurant throughout the Caribbean.
Hope this helps.
Apr 11th, 2011, 01:03 PM
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I know this isn't on your list of questions, but it came to mind as I was reading your post - make sure your little one is still 23 months old before your return trip - or you will have to pay full fare!
We travelled quite a bit with our DD before she turned two, and for us, kid-friendly meant that there were highchairs, she was allowed in the pool and that there was a grocery store reasonably accessible, for snacks, diapers, etc. We packed a few inflatable pool toys and left them behind for the housekeeper's kids. The lizards, flowers, sand and seashells will make up the rest of the entertainment.
Enjoy your trip!
We travelled quite a bit with our DD before she turned two, and for us, kid-friendly meant that there were highchairs, she was allowed in the pool and that there was a grocery store reasonably accessible, for snacks, diapers, etc. We packed a few inflatable pool toys and left them behind for the housekeeper's kids. The lizards, flowers, sand and seashells will make up the rest of the entertainment.
Enjoy your trip!
Apr 11th, 2011, 03:08 PM
#4
Is there a reason you are choosing the Caribbean over Hawaii? I ask only because Hawaii is sooooo much easier from Seattle (where I live also, & I've done both). Getting to any of the Caribbean islands (I went to Jamaica last summer, using Delta on a red-eye, then transfering Atlanta and into MoBay the next morning) takes longer, is just more difficult and more expensive than an easy nonstop 6 hr flight over to Hawaii.
Apr 13th, 2011, 10:08 PM
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Hi Suze
We've been to Hawaii so just wanted to go someplace else. Also I've been to the pacific coast a few times but only once to teh carribean as part of our puerto rico trip and I loved the carribean waters...Thanks for all the tips...We decided to change to Cancun primarily because the flights are going to be shorter than Carribean...and also some friends recomemnded Cancun.
Thanks!
We've been to Hawaii so just wanted to go someplace else. Also I've been to the pacific coast a few times but only once to teh carribean as part of our puerto rico trip and I loved the carribean waters...Thanks for all the tips...We decided to change to Cancun primarily because the flights are going to be shorter than Carribean...and also some friends recomemnded Cancun.
Thanks!
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