Large Family Trip to Caribbean

Old Jun 26th, 2015, 10:47 AM
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Large Family Trip to Caribbean

We are planning our 50th anniversary trip with our whole family next summer and are giving thought to the Caribbean. We are an active family of 12, including 6 adults, 2 teens, 3 older elementary children, and a 4 year old.

I have been looking at Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas and would appreciate input from those who have visited there. The activities look somewhat "canned" to me, yet I may not be seeing it correctly. Tell me about things like the dolphin encounter and swimming with the sting rays. When looking at their website, those type activities seem a bit cookie-cutter. We want to avoid a spot that is basically a water park with a few added activities and eating at the same restaurants for a week. So should we avoid Atlantis? I'm not being critical of anyone who chooses this as their favorite vacation spot. Vacations are so personal. Just trying to find the best fit for our family.

We would love to enjoy the ocean. We want to take some great snorkeling trips that go away from the hotel, parasail, go deep sea fishing, the kids want take some beginner scuba lessons and go on a basic dive, windsurf, boogey board, jet skis, etc. We don't want to be at the hotel and a water park for the entire week.

My husband and I have visited St John and love it. Not sure if the activity level is a bit laid-back for our whole group. Our group likes to stay busy most of the time and we want a beautiful beachfront location to call home for the week.

I would appreciate input. Thanks!
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Old Jun 30th, 2015, 03:30 AM
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Budget please!
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Old Jun 30th, 2015, 05:31 PM
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Sorry...$40K
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Old Jul 1st, 2015, 02:00 PM
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You can do everything on your list in Turks and Caicos. We go every year and really love it. We stay at The Venetian on Grace Bay, a condo/hotel with gorgeous oceanfront 3 bed apts. You would need two or possibly three of these depending on family configurations.

Only downside is I don't know if it would be too quiet for you? Most activities are water-based, and there's not very much going on in town day or night. We like it that way, but others may not.

To access the island's other beaches and restaurants, you would need a car. It's very easy to drive even though it's on the left, since there's not much traffic.

BTW, Provo is only a 3 hour flight from JFK on Jetblue.

Good luck!
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Old Jul 2nd, 2015, 05:05 AM
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Another potential option may be Grand Cayman. Plenty of accomodation options on 7 mile beach.
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Old Jul 3rd, 2015, 10:03 AM
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Also check out St. Martin. Orient Beach has every water sport imaginable. There's plenty to do on the island, it has some of the best restaurants in all of the Caribbean, and there are easy day trips to Anguilla or St. Barts via ferry. Check out a villa rental company such as Wimco for accommodation possibilities.
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Old Jul 4th, 2015, 09:07 AM
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Thank you for the tips...now researching options in the Caribbean!
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Old Jul 10th, 2015, 11:17 AM
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Have you considered the out islands of the Bahamas? Green Turtle Cay offers lots of family activities from snorkling, boating and diving and feeding pigs. This list goes on. We have Brendals dive center where he does offer diving lessons.
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