janmichele5

My fiancé and I are looking to book our honeymoon the end of June (2013). We are looking to the Caribbean but I’m a bit overwhelmed with the choices for both islands and resorts. We have been to Jamaica before and I loved it. Stayed at an AI (Secrets Wild Orchid). Loved everything about Jamaica but obviously looking to go somewhere new. Would like to stay away from Mexico and Dominican. Open to both all inclusive options and not AI.

We are beach people. While it is our honeymoon, we’d like a nice mix of relaxing on the beach, doing a few day trips….maybe charter a boat for the day, explore the island. A decent nightlife would be a plus but not a necessity. (Similar to Jamaica)

Any suggestions you can provide would be good. Would like to keep everything when all said and done around $7k - $8k.

Bassguy66

With that budget, I would rent a nice private villa on St John. Rent a jeep, and explore different beaches every day. The town of Cruz bay has some nightlife and some very good dining options. The island is very safe to go off exploring on your own.

The Villa will give you the privacy you'd want for a honeymoon. The budget you have will allow for a great villa with a killer ocean view, private pool...the works. I can't say enough about St John....Stunning magazine cover beaches that are uncrowded, great food, safe, and the private villa will give you guys a honeymoon to remember. Good luck.

KVR

You will only find AI resorts like Secrets in Jamaica, the DR and Mexico. You have an excellant budget and can probably go just about anywhere.

If you liked the topography of Jamaica, look at St. Lucia. There are some AI resorts there, but they are not as lux as Secrets. St. Lucia is also way more expensive than Jamaica, but you have the budget for it. Beaches will not be as nice with the white sand.

Look at Turks and Caicos. The Veranda is AI, but very expensive and nothing like Secrets. Grace Bay Beach is absolutely gorgeous and there are excellant water activites. Night life not so much.

Too bad you excluded Mexico from your criteria. If you loved Jamaica and Secrets, Mexico is a logical option. We've been going for the past 12 years and just booked again for December.

Maybe if you could be more specific about what you are looking for in a honeymoon/destination, we can give better suggestions. With such limited information, you'll probably only get people's favorite destinations and not necessary what you are looking for.

janmichele5

Thanks for the help so far...Let me go into a little more detail of what we are looking for in a honeymoon… (also...just to point out...we are both 30...if that matters)....

- 10 days. Flying out of Boston.
- Beautiful beaches
- More upscale/luxury resort
- Option to just sit on the beach and relax OR do a few different activities…where its exploring the island, chartering a boat, snorkeling.
- One thing I loved about Jamaica was the people…they were SO nice…loved Reggae music and the “island vibe”
- Good Food

While it is our honeymoon, I don’t want to be THAT secluded. I want the option to either relax by the beach or on our balcony with my new husband….OR be able to go to the bar on the resort or somewhere on the island and meet other people…looking for a nice mix.

I want to try and go somewhere that I may not get the chance to go to again (make it a little more special since its our honeymoon). We were originally trying for Hawaii but due to time constraints, we couldn't make it work since we only had 10 days….at a minimum, would want 2 full weeks for Hawaii since we are on the East Coast and travel time.

Would consider breaking up the trip into maybe 2 different islands if it makes sense. Something like Anguilla and St Marteen. Totally open to suggestions!!!!

Bassguy66

Based on your requests...

Caneel Bay St John....luxury resort directly on some of the most beautiful beaches in St John. It can be private, or you can mingle with other guests. I had dinner there and thought the property was amazing, beaches incredible.

I would also consider Frangipani Beach Resort on Anguilla. Very upscale, right on the beach, and the dining option on Anguilla are some of the best in the Caribbean.

You mentioned you liked the friendliness of Jamaica...I think you will find that on both my suggestions.

waynej

You can consider Curaçao. There is a new complex that will open this December which looks very nice. It is called Piscadera Harbour Village and they will offer condominium apartment rentals on Piscadera Bay, Curaçao. They will be full suites. http://www.piscaderaharbourvillage.com

RandyRoberts

With your budget,I can recommend Aruba, Bucuti Tara suites very nice penthouse adult only resort it's right on the beach. Went on my honeymoon last year, Had the best time of my life can't wait to go back. for more info go to www.Aruba.com or www.bucuti.com and best of luck.