Is the Bahamas the right island for my situation?

Nassau/Bahamas will not be warm and tropical in February. It will be nice, but not not warm enough for swimming. I have been there during that time of the year and and it was too cold to even sit on the beach. we were able to sit by the pool in bathing suits, but not go in the water.
You may want to look further south in the Caribbean. US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, andy of the other southern islands would be good.

Thank you. Based on the destination routes I'm going to focus on Puerto Rico or Belize and see what I can find out on those choices. Appreciate it, we definitely want warmer weather!

can't get your link to work. if you tell us which city you'll travel from we could be more helpful.

You should call Northwest and see if you can use those tickets on any of their partner airlines. They share codes with many, many airlines such as Delta.

Grand Cayman would fit your bill nicely. It is an expensive island, but can be made cheaper. It is just below Cuba, so can be reached quickly and the water and weather are just amazing.

We stayed here which is apartments with kitchens that they clean every day:

http://turtlenestinn.com/

Basically Grand Cayman is shaped like a long, wide U. The big resort area and downtown and the amazing beaches are along the west leg of the U. Turtle Nest is on the south side of the U, so it is much quieter, but only about a 10 to 15 minute drive into town.

For kids, there is the world famous sting ray city and the sea turtle farm. There is also an amazing public beach called Smith's Cove where we would go a lot.

The beach right in front of Turtle Nest isn't the greatest (sea grass), but again, world-class Smith's Cove is about a ten minute drive.

You can keep expenses down by making your own lunches.

Turtle Nest will provide a babysitter too, if you and the misses just want a little time alone.

Have a good trip!

Belize would be fine with children at the reorts on Ambergis Caye just off the mainland. It has many hotels but you really have to check them out for a number are shabby while others are very nice with excellent snorkeel opportunities and nice beaches. The biggest cost is air so if you can get there free you just have the "puddle jumper" probably now $125RT for the 10 minute flight from Belize City to the Caye. There are condo communities so with a modest kitchen you can cut expenses on bkt. and lunches if you wish. You do not need a car where on GC it is very inconvenient without one ($300+ for a week)

You may want to think about a cruise to the caribbean or even Cancun. Marriott Casa Magna had a children's program and the pool and beach are lovely..family place away from the action..reasonably priced...rcl has some nice islands to visit and get a taste of for the future..I love Grand Cayman also..but very pricey and still recovering from storms. Bette

Hi there,

We just returned from Ambergris Caye, Belize. It was great at the Belizean Shores resort(most decently priced...with the best pool environment), however I would not take a two year old there...because you can't swim off the beaches...too much turtle grass & a bit mucky in most places...the beaches are not good for just sitting on or for a child to play on because there are dogs that run the beaches so it could be unsanitary for a child. The time and effort to get there is too much for a child. From Belize city via a flight it takes 15 minutes to get to San Pedro, then about 10 min. to get to your resort via a boat. There are only 4 restaurants within walking distance. I've been to the Caymen's and I would definitely take a child there because the beaches are very clean and you can swim off of them.

Hmmm...for some reason from your post I assumed you were a man. I don't know why I did. I just realized that your post doesn't specify. This must say something about me and social assumptions, I just don't know what.

Thanks everyone, this really helps. I had no idea you could possibly utilize other airlines, as you mention, who partner with Northwest. That would certainly improve things a bit so I will give them a call and see.

Appreciate the feedback on Belize. I have a friend building a house there, who has 2 children, so I can always get her input but it does seem rather far to me. A cruise doesn't interest me, just not the cruise type I suppose.

Grand Caymans sounds like it would be a great option. Will keep you posted!

p.s. I'm female and in Nashville.