CMurphy88

Hi all! This is only my 2nd time posting on Fodors. I recently joined Fodors and after my first post for help with a European trip I am so grateful for all the advice and help I have received. So I'm back for more advice, suggestions, and help!

My husband and I are in our early 30's and will be traveling just the two of us. We both have off of work for a week the 3rd week of March 2013. We would love some ideas for a trip!
We have been to the Bahamas many times, sailed two Caribbean cruises on Princess and loved them both. Here are a few things about us to help with ideas:

1. We live in NJ so a trip that takes us to some place warm after a long winter.
2. We both love to snorkel
3. Love beautiful scenery
4. Like to sightsee and do excursions
5. Love laying by the pool & walks on the beach
6. LOVE visiting the spa & fitness facilities. (yes, we work out on vacation)
7. We are really into great food and wine
8. We like to have some kind of night life after dinner.

I guess this is why we enjoyed cruising because they provide all of this and there was always something to do. We just aren't sure if we want to do another cruise or go to an island or something else? Thats why I would love suggestions and advice.



Just to add: We do have American Express points and Marriott points. I am also a little hesitant to travel to Mexico with everything this has been going on there.
Looking forward to hearing what you all suggest for trip ideas! Thanks!

KVR

Where did you go on your Caribban Cruises? Did you want to stay longer on one of the Islands you already visited? Do you want to stay at a Marriot?

From your list, my first thought was Barbados or Aruba.


There is no need to be hesitant about vacationing in Mexico. The tourist areas are fine. I am consistantly defending Mexico on this site and others to people that just don't understand the concept of location. It's like telling someone who lives in Florida don't vacation in New York because of crime they heard about there. I live in West Texas. 3 hours from the Mexico border. There is more crime in my own backyard than the tourist areas of Mexico. You would never, ever find me in El Paso, Acuna, The Rio Grande area or Juarez.

We've been going to Mexico for the past 12 years and our winter vacation is planned for Cabo San Lucas. Not that I'm insisting that you vacation in Mexico, just that you don't cross it off your list for the wrong, incorrect reasons.

BTW, I would rather vacation in Mexico than New York City. Been there 4 times in the early 90's and that is the only place I've ever been that it scared the be-jebbies out of me.

CMurphy88

KVR: Thank you so much for your response. On our Caribbean cruises we traveled out of Puerto Rico and went to St Lucia, Barbados, Antigua, St Thomas, Tortola/Virgin Gorda
On our 2nd cruise we went out of Ft Lauderdale and cruised to Princess Cay, St Maartin, St Thomas, and Grand Turk

We don't have to stay at a Marriott. I just wanted to add that we had those points & AMEX. Thank you for the info on Mexico. It is something to consider.

I'm just not sure whether we should choose an island and go to experience it for more than a few hours or enjoy another cruise. My family has traveled to the Atlantis in the Bahamas for many years now and we really loved everything it offered and how there was so much to do during the day and at night. We never left the resort at night. My husband and I aren't the ones that can lay out in the sun all day long. We get bored after a few hours and look for activities or visit the spa and fitness area. Are there resorts you can suggest?

StanKase

I will pass on my comments on Mexico since it will only create issues but a MedJet evacution from insect bites has taken that destination off our list.
Is you want some people but not the 1000+ of a cruise and luxury in the remaining quality beaches combined with snorkeling with real living coral and a wide variety of fish and a good spa I would spa Caneel Bay Resort on St. Johm staying in the Turle Bay Section, Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda in a Deluxe Beachfront room are two good places. These first two you need to avaid the general school/inter-session/Easter breaks. A nice place with less snorkeling and a nice but smaller beach but nice spa and excellent food would be Birus Creek on Virgin Gorda (but less people because of it's location) and lastly gorgeous beaches, decent snorkeling, nice scenes, but a small resort (100 guests) would be Peter Island in the BVI's. The last two you sometimes can get 25%-35% if you pick up a 7 day package on LuxuryLink.com. Allshould have nice weather in March.

KVR

"I will pass on my comments on Mexico since it will only create issues but a MedJet evacution from insect bites has taken that destination off our list.

StanKase, Please elaborate when, where and how many since you decided to post anyway. Have not heard of this. Cryptic one line statements like this is not helpful to anyone and is only used as a tatic to "scare" people who are unaware of the full story.

suze

When people are 'afraid' of going to Mexico these days it's usually because of the violence from drug cartels they have read about in the media. Not from insect bites requiring hospitalization.

Most major tourist areas of Mexico are now and have always been safe. When you see a newstory you need to pay attention to who is involved (not tourists) and where it is taking place (which is not Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cabo or PV).

Sorry can't help with the Caribbean, I do have a few favorite places but they are more rustic than it sounds like you are seeking.

StanKase

On a walk in the north section of Puerto Vallarta in May 2010 my cousin was bitten and local medical facilities were unable to diagnose the condition and with TravelGuard evacution coverage they approved the MedJet to Houson. The other 4 were bitten but were not paralized for more than 7-8 hours and took scheduled airlines out but the insurance company put them in first class trying to isolate them a bit to the nearest hospital of their choosing.
I am not talking about the severe vomiting and diahea cases that occur regular because people drink the local water when they should avoid it.

beachykeen

Consider the Ritz Carlton in Puerto Rico, the Ritz or Marriott on Grand Cayman. Barbados is another good choice. Also consider the Riviera Maya in Mexico

KVR

I have a friend that her son was bitten by a mosquito in Florida and is currently in the hospital diagniosed with West Nile virus. Based on that type of logic, I should cross off ever visiting Florida as a vacation destination.

I've read reports for years about malaria in the Dominican Republic, but I don't recommend that destination based on that issue.

I did a google search and read that the current warnings for mosquito and bug bites are in the areas around Costa Rica. I would still visit Coast Rica if I could come up with the money. I do heed warnings, but I don't let them make my decisions for me.

Unfortunate things can happen to anyone anywhere. A few isolated incidents is not a reason to not recommend a place to go on vacation. With that type of thinking people should just stay home and lock themselves in their house.

I agree with Grand Cayman. There is Marriott on 7 Mile Beach. I also stick with my above of Aruba. There is a Marriot there also, but I would go with the Radisson or the Hyatt. You might consider Curacao also. There is a Marriott there too. We stayed at the Lions Dive and loved the smaller feel and the better location. Even though Curacao was not one of our favorite destinations, if does fit most of the criteria you listed.

juliae_mei

Hi!

Have you looked at Grand Cayman/Cayman Islands or Turks and Caicos? Those have great beaches and snorkeling, quiet and relaxing, beautiful hotels and resorts, not too touristy. They are similear to the Bahamas with beautiful beaches, but not as big or busy as the Atlantis.

You might also like Jamaica as it has all-inclusive resorts, which are like cruises that meals and some activities are included, but also all non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages and watersports and all activities are included, along with tips and taxes and fees. There are adult-only resorts that get rave reviews: Sandals, Couples and Secrets or Zoetry resorts. You sound, from your basic intro, like you might enjoy Zoetry or Couples....

I agree with previous posters about Mexico - look at Los Cabos, look at the Riviera Maya. They are upscale areas with luxury resorts and security services and many of those crimes happen in big cities, in areas used only by locals. Some of the most luxurious, gorgeous resorts and hotels are in those locations at remarkable prices. We still see lots of people traveling to Mexico, especially Canadians and Europeans.

Best wishes,
Julia

CMurphy88

Thank you all for your suggestions! One of our cruise stops was to Grand Turk and even though we didn't get to see much of it, we fell in love with the water and swimming with sting rays. I would love to visit Provo if we decided to go to Turks. Would that be a good choice? What hotels would you all recommend there?

I have also heard wonderful things about the Grand Cayman Islands. I have heard most people really enjoyed staying at either the Ritz or Marriott. Which one would you all recommend or is there another resort that is better?

Weadles

Take Turks and Caicos off your list if you are looking for nightlife. I love it there, but it's a really quiet island.

I think either Grand Cayman or Aruba sound like good bets for you. BOth of them are pretty Americanized, but they do have excellent resorts, beautiful beaches, and plenty of good restaurants and nightlife.

Of the two, I prefer Grand Cayman. I think its beach is much more beautiful and it has a slightly more Caribbean feel to it than Aruba. There are some excellent day trips you can take ( Sting Ray City for instance) and better snorkeling than we found in Aruba. That being said, I think the Marriott is on the former site of what was the SLEEP INN hotel, and that's on a stretch of beach that ebbs and flows according to the tides.

The Ritz is absolutely gorgeous, but very expensive. If you do book there through Amex Points ( do they have that?) make sure you request the beach side Ritz rooms, because the ones on the other side of West Bay Road are a hike from the beach.

In Aruba, we have stayed at the Marriott timeshares, which are at the far end of the beach. Is that what you're thinking of or were you planning to stay at the Marriott Stellaris? I don't really like that beach because it is wall to wall people during popular vacation periods ( March is one of them since it's school break time for lots of U.S. elementary/high school kids).

We had really nice rooms at the Marriott Surf Club, but prefer the layout and beach at The Radisson.

My only other suggestion to add into the mix is possibly St. John. It's absolutely gorgeous, has a funky downtown with lots of small clubs etc., and a wonderful snorkeling trail at Trunk Bay. However, you have to go through St. Thomas to get there, so that eats up at least part of a day.

CMurphy88

Weadles: Thank you so much for your suggestions. My husband and I actually went to St Thomas on our 2nd cruise and did the excursion that takes you to St John. We did snorkel the trail at Trunk Bay. It was beautiful!

I think we are leaning more towards an island that we can take a nonstop flight from Newark and arrive with maybe just a taxi ride to our hotel.

And yes, you can use AMEX points at Ritz Carltons so we would use them if we decided to go to Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman is high on my list as both my husband and i have never been. We just want to get a bunch of ideas together and narrow them down.

We are really having a tough time deciding between just going to an island or doing a cruise again. The cruises that we are considering are either Celebrity on its new ship the Reflection or RCL on the Oasis or Allure. Knowing that, what do you think you all would choose or how would you go about choosing?

KVR

I agree with everything Weadles stated. If you haven't been to Grand Cayman that would be my pick. We've been twice and loved it.

Though we have done 3 Caribbean cruises, I really dislike them. So, personally, it would not be an option I would consider.

If you haven't and get the opportunity, I would recommend an Alaska cruise. The only cruise we loved and would consider doing again. But, not available in March.

Weadles

I know that others absolutely love cruises, but I have never been on one and never will. Maybe I'm too much of a control freak! I like to spend more than a couple of hours at an island when I arrive, and prefer being at a resort or condo. Best of luck whatever you decide. I don't think you can go too wrong in March. That's the most beautiful time of year to go, I think. Well, that and April!

Weadles

Just wanted to add that Grand Cayman has a gorgeous botannical garden where you can spend part of the day. And you can walk that beach for at least a few hours. It's beautiful. We used to go every year and stay at VILLAS OF THE GALLEON, next to The WESTIN. But if we were to go again, I'd probably look at THE AVALON condos, if we could afford them! Have fun!

TPAYT

Weadles----great suggestion about The Avalon. We haven't been to GC in years (we've been going to Grace Bay, TCI) but that looks like a fabulous place to take the grandkids.

Knowing

May I suggest Curacao? There is a very nice Marriott there if you choose to use your points. We enjoyed the dining at a number of restaurants around the island and came back to the hotel afterwards. There is a bar down by the water/pool to have a Moody Blue or some other great cocktail and we enjoyed the entertainment. Breakfasts at the hotel were good. Comfortable, spacious rooms with nice balconies and the housekeeping was excellent. This Marriott, like most of them, has very comfortable beds. Just a really nice vacation spot!

Weadles

TPAYT,

So funny! Took out first trip to T&C last year, and fell in love. Going back in the fall. I love Grace Bay beach, but miss the ease of walking to so many restaurants from our old condo in Grand Cayman.

TPAYT

Weadles----small world, isn't it?