akshay2801

We want to plan our honeymoon within the carribean islands scheduled for February 2014. We would want to plan for around 3 weeks including the travel time from Asia (to-n-fro)
Not a great fan of rocky beaches. We can even include costa rica if that would add flavour...

Please suggest some ideas as the planning is at a very nascent stage.

Thanks!!!

RoamsAround

Do you have a budget in mind for accommodations, food and activities?

Getting to the Caribbean from Asia is going to be a long trek. You'll most likely have to fly into the US and get one or more connecting flights to reach the Caribbean - or possibly fly to either Paris or London and get a flight to the Caribbean on either Air France or British Air.

Your tag line indicated an interest in the Bahamas. they are pretty far north and can get cool in February so I'd cross them off your short list.

Anguilla has 35 fantastic white sand beaches and 80+ restaurants some of which are among the best in the Caribbean. The island is easily reached by ferry (20 minute trip) or small plane (7 minutes) from St. Martin. Since St. martin is served by non-stop flights from the US, England and France it could be your best option.

Grand Cayman has lots of fine beaches so that island is a contender, however,I'm not sure how easy or difficult getting their from Asia will be.

If you give us some idea of what type of activities and what type of island you are seeking it would help narrow down your choices.

blamona

Budget most important and for reference, Caribbean is much more expensive than Asia.

You are also going the height of peak season, most expensive time of year.

In 3 weeks you might get bored with 1 island, most are really small.

So tell us mre

BUDGET
Do yu need shopping?
Nightlife?
Gourmet restaurants?
Excursions?
Island hopping?

akshay2801

Basically below is a list of things we want:

Island Hopping
Shopping
Nightlife
Adventure Sports

We were even thinking of spending 2 weeks in caribbean and including a week in the USA (Las Vegas or Miami/Florida)

What do you suggest?

RoamsAround

St. Thomas has loads of shopping, you can easily island hop to St. John and just about all of the British Virgin Islands. You'll also have access to lots of night life and all sorts of water and adventure sports.

Las Vegas is very far from the Caribbean and you'll find it difficult to reach the Caribbean without stopping somewhere else on route to change planes (perhaps even overnighting). Skip Las Vegas and spend time in Miami instead - lots of flights to the major Caribbean islands from that city.

akshay2801

Its 3 weeks we shall be there....I am flexible with all options

Was thinking of the below

10 days in caribbean islands
10 days in miami + las vegas

Any feelers?

blamona

Again, budget really helps!

diann24

If you want to relax quite a bit I would not jump around so much. Have you checked flying time from say Aruba-Las Vegas? You really don't have that much time to cement these plans. Places in the Caribbean fill up fast as this is there busy time of year. I would go to Aruba, then you could take a plane to St. Thomas for a few days. From St.Thomas you can take a ferry to St. Johns. Or from Aruba you can go to Curaco or Bonaire but they are very quiet island. I would choose a few island but then go to Miami Florida. You could do a lot in Florida. not sure what you are really seeking or budget? In Florida you could get to the Keys, even Disneyworld in Orlando space center--many interesting things to see in Florida. Again your budget would help. Personally if I were you I would not want to spend so much time in the Caribbean. After awhile the island seem the same (sort of) and the water is turquoise here and it is the same there. Again it depends on what you are looking for---relaxation, or more things to see since you are in this country. If las Vegas I high on your list then cut down the Caribbean time and make a point to go there then fly home from there.

akshay2801

Ok, Budget would be around USD 20K-25K

I am planning for a 3 week trip and would like to break it into 3 places at the most....

Fly into Miami and connect to carribean

1st week
Now, I am confused at to what islands do I choose to go for......Bahamas, Grand Cayman Islands, Aruba? We would like to relax, enjoy pristine beaches, diving, snorkelling and ofcourse pampering...I want to spent the whole time at one major island

2nd week
We thought of then flying to Florida and enjoy a mix of both south beach miami, universal resort orlando at our pace becasue I am sensing huge crowds

3rd week
Fly from orlando to las vegas and enjoy las vegas....fly back from vegas

Your thoughts will be appreciated....

RoamsAround

Again, cross the Bahamas off your list - they are far north and could be too cool for swimming and beach related activities in February. If you want diving/snorkeling choose the Grand Cayman, those activities are better on that island then Aruba.

From Grand Cayman you can easily get a flight back to Miami and there are multiple daily flights from Miami to Orlando or, if you want, you can drive the 250+ miles.

As for getting to Las Vegas, you'll have to check airline schedules as I'm not sure if you can get there from Orlando non-stop, direct (i.e. same plane but making one or more intermediate stops) or by a connecting flight (changing planes).

Same with flying back home from Las Vegas - you'll need a connecting flight either through Los Angeles or San Francisco to get back to Asia.

diann24

Ok. Sorry I did not mean to confuse you I was under the impression you wanted to see many islands. I agree Grand Cayman should do for diving or Turks and Caicos--also great diving there with the most beautiful color of water.

You could then fly to Orlando from the islands and spend some time there doing Universal studios or Epcot. Crowds should be minimal as school is in session in February.

Then lastly go to Miami--chances of getting a direct flight through Miami to Las Vegas would be best. Then spend the rest of your time in Las Vegas. This sounds like a good plan. You will then need a direct flight out of LA or San Fran for home.

sharona

<Crowds should be minimal as school is in session in February.>

Actually, Presidents' Day in 2014 is Monday, 17 February and that week is a big school vacation week in the Northeast. Many, many families head to DisneyWorld so avoid that week if possible.

The Cayman Islands will have better diving/snorkeling than Aruba but Aruba will have warmer weather. Aruba will also have a lot of families that third week of February since it's also a popular family vacation destination.

I agree that the Bahamas are too far north for February to be assured of warm enough beach weather.

I think you have a nice plan of an island, then Florida and ending in Las Vegas. It sounds like a wonderful trip.

akshay2801

Thank you all 3

So Grand Cayman is final as it offers the perfect weather and wont be as crouded as Aruba. Is 7 days enough or too much for Grand Cayman (considering the fact that it shall be my 1st stop all the way from Asia)... I think 7 days would be just perfect for Grand Cayman. Would you suggest mixing the 1st week with another island closeby?

Then, I head to orlando and spent 2-3 days visiting Universal Studios & Walt Disney. And then drive to Miami for relaxed couple days. Is the drive scenic or worth it from Orlando to Miami?

From Miami I shall see to get a direct flight to Las Vegas and spent a week there. Getting back home via SF or anywhere else is fine...

Would you feel, that this would be a decent trip for our first honeymoon!! We would like to relax, enjoy the thrill and party all together... Would appreciate suggestions of anything that must have been left out.

schmerl

When you go to Universal Orlando, stay at one of their on site hotels. That gives you early entry and unlimited express access to the rides and attractions. A one night stay on site gives you two full days of those perks.

RoamsAround

The only islands "close by" to Grand Cayman are Little Cayman and Cayman Brac - unless you are planning to do a lot of diving it's not really worth the effort and time to visit those islands - stick with Grand Cayman if you are only going for 7 days.

The drive from Orlando to Miami is not very scenic pretty much all Turnpike/Interstate driving through relatively flat countryside - figure on about 4 hours drive time. Flying is an option but with the time it takes to get to the airport, check-in for the flight, clear security, flight time and then getting from the airport to your hotel in Miami you are probably looking at 3 to 3.5 hours - not much difference.

diann24

I agree totally with RoamsAround--not sure it is worth it to fly into Miami with the airport hassles, it is up to you. I would just drive-I guess if you wanted to make it more scenic you could. I believe A1A some highway runs right along the beach but it goes through many towns lights etc. That would be up to you. I drove from Jax-Fll on 1-95 or 295 2 years ago I can't remember but there were no tolls--Nice easy ride did it in 4 hours.

Just stay in Grand Cayman and REST up after the long flight and jet lag. There is also a place in GC where you can pet sting rays. I know they offered it on the cruise we were on.

In Orlando get a nice hotel inside the park so you can do more. If you have time visit Epcot--interesting place I think. It sounds like a wonderful vacation/honeymoon. Congrats to you both.

akshay2801

Hi, We would rather want to visit Cuba and not Grand Cayman Islands. Would you please suggest on the same.

Will there be a drastic difference in the weather between Cayman Islands & Cuba?

RoamsAround

Grand Cayman will be slightly warmer than Cuba, otherwise not much difference. You can research historical weather for any destination at the following websites:
www.weatherbase.com
www.wunderground.com

Can't comment on Cuba - never been there.

diann24

There is a forum on here geared for Cuba. Seek info there.

I have never been. I have always been under the impression we were not allowed there and besides with so many other island choices I have not given it a second thought. No it will not be as warm there. It is 90 miles from Florida.

RoamsAround

First, let me start by saying I'm not an expert on travel to Cuba but it's very difficult for US Citizens to go to Cuba - they must get a "license" from the US State Department.

OP is from Asia and therefore doesn't have such restriction but he and his new spouse will have great difficulty getting to/from Cuba if they want to travel via the US.

There are no scheduled commercial airline flights between US and Cuba but there are a few US based companies that are authorized to do special charters for "licensed" US Citizens wishing to visit relatives in Cuba. Not sure how difficult it would be for a foreign national like OP to get tickets for those charters.

If OP & spouse want to go to Cuba they will find it easier to get there from some other country (like Canada). Same with their return. If they want to end up in Miami (as indicated) they will first have to fly to some other country since they won't be able to get to the US directly from Cuba.