Zika-Free All-Inclusive Vacation

Old Apr 25th, 2016, 11:28 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Zika-Free All-Inclusive Vacation

We are looking to book a vacation for this September for 7-10 nights. We are also thinking that we want to start our family this year, so I've been looking into Zika-free destinations.

For our honeymoon last year we spent 10 nights at the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall in Jamaica. We were considering going back there or to Couples Swept Away this year since we loved it so much, but Jamaica is now on the Zika list.

I am looking for suggestions for a similar type of trip. All-inclusive, lots of resort activities, not too big (we are not Sandals people), nice beaches and pools, and beautiful rooms. I have looked into Antigua extensively and get the impression that it's a much more laid back, quiet type of vacation. I'm not sure that we would enjoy it. We were looking at Galley Bay, Verandah, and St. James. I have also looked at the Bahamas, Grenada, and Anguilla, but it's tough to get out there from Canada. As well, my husband is worried that the boutique-type hotels with under 100 rooms will fee too small and isolated.

Our budget is around $5,000 for 7 nights and around $7,500 for 10 nights.
courtsara is offline  
Old Apr 25th, 2016, 11:35 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,126
Received 26 Likes on 4 Posts
Given the risk involved, I'd go somewhere far away from the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and parts south. A vacation isn't worth the potential price. I suspect it'll get worse before it gets better.
MmePerdu is offline  
Old Apr 25th, 2016, 11:44 AM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You're probably right. Hawaii was another option, but my husband would have to accept that it isn't going to be the same type of all-inclusive experience! Though still beautiful...

Thanks for your input!
courtsara is offline  
Old Apr 25th, 2016, 11:56 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,126
Received 26 Likes on 4 Posts
"...but my husband would have to accept..."

How would he accept the possible consequences of the alternative? I assume Hawaii is the lesser of the evils. No one will suffer there. Have a great time!
MmePerdu is offline  
Old Apr 26th, 2016, 05:11 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 13,823
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
There is no guarantee. The zika virus areas are growing by the day. Hawaii would be the safest so far.
schmerl is offline  
Old Apr 26th, 2016, 06:44 AM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It is definitely spreading quickly. Perhaps the best choice would be to stay home this year
courtsara is offline  
Old Apr 26th, 2016, 07:14 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,718
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hawaii has the same risk as anywhere not on the list, matter of time before it's on it.

Many States already have cases, maybe even where you live!

If not pregnant yet, use DEET ("Off spray") will prevent bites.

But to pick a place now for future months? Same chance as anywhere, plus it's getting warmer so spreading.

And if not mistaken, Hawaii was the first case of Zika to produce a baby affected by it.

Was the first State with a case--

http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/13/us/haw...ncy/index.html

So best advice? Avoid everywhere or discuss with your doctor
blamona is offline  
Old Apr 26th, 2016, 08:28 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 27,607
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
How about Europe?
thursdaysd is offline  
Old Apr 27th, 2016, 10:18 AM
  #9  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We had briefly discussed Spain and Greece as options. Any Europe suggestions?

I also have an appointment set up to discuss with my doctor!
courtsara is offline  
Old Apr 27th, 2016, 11:27 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,718
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
suggestions? We would need to know more about you, as every place is great!
blamona is offline  
Old Apr 28th, 2016, 09:37 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,368
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Maybe research the Azores, Portuguese islands in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, half way between Boston and Portugal.
mnag is offline  
Old Apr 30th, 2016, 04:31 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,098
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you wish to be completely safe then you'll have to travel to a country that is completely free of aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Remember, if a country or state has the aedes aegypta mosquito present, just because that country or state is not on the Zika affected List doesn't mean Zika is not present in that country or state. It only means that there may be no reported or confirmed cases of Zika.

Because the symptoms of Zika can be so mild many cases will go unreported. Most affected countries do not have the ability to test for Zika so many cases will go unconfirmed as well.
JAGIRL is offline  
Old May 3rd, 2016, 01:49 PM
  #13  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think we are going to have to have more discussions... My husband doesn't want to only do a week in Europe as he has never been and wants to make it a worthwhile trip (would only be five full days since we live in Calgary and have long travel days. So any vacations will have to be closer to home.

I'm just going to talk with my doctor later this month and then make a travel plan after that appointment. If we decide to go somewhere where there are instances of Zika, we will have to wait a bit longer to start our family and that's okay

Thank you for all your input!
courtsara is offline  
Old May 12th, 2016, 05:01 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 10,210
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
As long as you are going after the US Labor Day weekend, September is lowest of low seasons in the Caribbean. You can safely wait until mid-July or August to make your arrangements, and by then you can get an accurate list of zika-free countries in the Caribbean and will be able to plan your vacation accordingly ... or switch to Hawaii or some other destination.
doug_stallings is offline  
Old May 12th, 2016, 05:28 AM
  #15  
WWK
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,582
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just so you know, Hawaii recently had an outbreak of Dengue, also a mosquito-borne illness. I don't think these issues are going to go away anytime soon. In fact, it's likely to spread, according to the CDC.

I think the only way to avoid mosquito-borne diseases completely is to not go, or choose a cold weather destination. Other than that, you can take your chances like we just did in the islands by covering yourselves with bug spray day and night. BTW, so far we've had no problems.

Good luck!
WWK is offline  
Old May 16th, 2016, 05:17 AM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 10,210
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The other thing to keep in mind is that zika can't harm you if you don't catch it. If you practice mosquito-avoidance (and I must admit it's almost impossible in the Caribbean to avoid getting bitten), that lessens your chances. And by all means not every mosquito will carry zika. But I've never caught a mosquito-borne illness in my travels, and I've been to the Caribbean a lot when dengue and other viruses have been a problem.

Also, it's not a danger if you don't catch it. So if you and your husband don't catch the virus on your trip, then there's no danger. The real danger is to women who may be pregnant at the time of infection.
doug_stallings is offline  
Old May 16th, 2016, 06:06 AM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 27,607
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
"The real danger is to women who may be pregnant at the time of infection"

That is not the only danger. There is also a (lesser) risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome. See:

http://www.cdc.gov/zika/about/gbs-qa.html

Zika can also be transmitted during sex, not just by mosquitoes.

People who are thinking about getting pregnant should also be concerned, not just those already pregnant. See:

http://www.cdc.gov/zika/pregnancy/th...pregnancy.html

But, more important, get your medical advice from medical professionals, not people on travel boards!
thursdaysd is offline  
Old Oct 1st, 2016, 02:30 PM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Misinformation is a dangerous thing. Here is part of the information you need, extracted from www.healthycanadians.gc.ca which I suggest that you go to. Blanketing the Caribbean as a "no go area" is at the very least, strange. Millions visit there and continue to do so. Do you know how many visitors have been negatively affected there?

" How many cases are there of Zika virus around the world?
The virus was first identified in humans in the 1950s. From 1951 through 1981, evidence of human Zika virus infection was reported from African countries and in parts of Asia.

In 2007, the first major outbreak of Zika virus occurred in Micronesia (Yap island) in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. This was the first time that Zika virus was detected outside of Africa and Asia.

Between 2013 and 2015, several significant outbreaks were noted on islands and archipelagos from the Pacific region. This included a large outbreak in French Polynesia.
In early 2015, Zika virus emerged in South America with widespread outbreaks reported in Brazil and Colombia.

To date, 6 countries, territories and areas have reported cases of microcephaly and/or central nervous system malformation potentially associated with Zika virus infection. Monitoring of pregnant women in other countries experiencing Zika virus outbreaks is ongoing."

Someone was suggesting Hawaii?
rogandgee is offline  
Old Oct 1st, 2016, 03:46 PM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 11,786
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Is Greece easy to get to for you?

We were just at Santorini, and can't say enough about how fabulous it is. Stunningly gorgeous. Like walking around in a postcard. People very welcoming and gracious. Great food. Low prices. Mostly adults, lots of honeymooners and weddings.

The perfect place to start a family.

Fly directly to/from Santorini. Skip Athens.
Tabernash2 is offline  
Old Oct 1st, 2016, 03:51 PM
  #20  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 11,786
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you are interested, we loved the Gold Suites on Santorini. It's exactly in the location you want. There are several equally beautiful little hotels right near it. And charming restaurants.

There are only 12 suites at the Gold Suites. All have private balconies that overlook the expansive caldera. Breakfast is served on your own balcony. We got back last Sunday and are seriously resisting getting back into the real world, after being there 5 nights.

Santorini is more spectacular than I expected, even.

Its weather starts turning right around now, though. And I just realized you must have already gone someplace.
Tabernash2 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -