Mom and daughter getaway

Old Jan 5th, 2012, 04:42 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Mom and daughter getaway

I want to take my Mom somewhere in the Caribbean as she's always wanted to see the "blue water". She is 67, I'm 39. We like the beach, I will snorkel a little otherwise we like sightseeing shopping, food, and a little casino gambling. I'm debating either a cruise or going and staying on an island with great beaches. I'm intrigued by inclusive resorts but most looked geared to the couple or kids. Any advice or direction is appreciated.
Karen_PughGallo is offline  
Old Jan 5th, 2012, 05:10 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 13,881
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Whether a resort is all inclusive or not...there will be either couples or families with chldren.
What time of the year will you be going? What type of budget are you considering???
Where is your departure point?
schmerl is offline  
Old Jan 5th, 2012, 05:17 PM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I meant the all inclusives are often geared toward one or the other. We are open to time of year. We will fly from Baltimore or Philadelphia, cruise from either of those or eastern florida. Budget maybe $2000 but I have flexibility. Thanks!
Karen_PughGallo is offline  
Old Jan 5th, 2012, 05:59 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 747
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
For your budget- do you mean $2000 for accommodations or for AL for accommodations and food? Or do you mean airfare and hotel? Be a little more specific so others can help you. Also, like schmerl pointed out, the time of year might be a big factor in the price and therefore the recommendations you get.
ishkribbl is offline  
Old Jan 5th, 2012, 09:30 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
good girl. have fun. sorry I cannot help.
baishamiss is offline  
Old Jan 6th, 2012, 04:11 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,959
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Is your $2,000 budget per person or for the two of you? Is that just for your accommodations or does it include food and airfare? How long a trip are you planning? Answers to those questions will help us narrow down suggestions.

FYI - $2,000 per person for a week is not much especially if you are going in high season and your budget includes airfare (which can easily eat up $400 to $700 per person).

Here are some hints:

No matter where you go or where you stay you are going to find families and/or couples. Resorts like Atlantis (Nassau) and Beaches (Turks & Caicos) and a handful of others like them do cater to families but by and large the vast majority of resorts in the Caribbean are used to having "single" guests. FYI - cruises are perfect for "non-couples".

Cruises - often the most economical way to visit the Caribbean. You can find varying itineraries and prices that will fit your budget. Consider taking a Caribbean cruise that leaves from Miami or Fort Lauderdale as airfares from Baltimore or Philadelphia might be lower. Other option is to cruise out of San Juan, Puerto Rico - there's often low airfares to that island. Cruises are somewhat like AI's in that accommodations and food are included. Some cruise lines also include adult beverages, land excursions and even airfare in their price structure but those will probably be out of your budget range. Still, you should have no difficulty finding a week long cruise in the $2,000 range.

Airfares - it's less expensive to fly into one of the "major" islands (Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Dominican Republic) or those you can reach non-stop from your nearest international gateway airport (perhaps St. Thomas, Aruba, St. Martin, etc.) - taking connecting flights and/or ferries to smaller out of the way islands can add significantly to your travel costs.

Beaches - almost every island has beaches and "blue water" so don't let that be a driving factor. Some islands are noted for having excellent snorkeling on others it's just average and still others it's almost non-existent so determine how important snorkeling is TO YOU and choose your island accordingly.

Gambling - not every island has casinos so if gambling is important to you that will limit your choices. Islands that have casinos include: Aruba, St. Martin, Antigua, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts and a few others. FYI - if you take a cruise most ships have on board casinos.

Shopping - while you can shop on every island destinations noted for lots of duty free shopping include St. Thomas, St. Martin and St. Kitts plus Puerto Rico has lots of stores.

Food - you'll find interesting food on every island. You expressed an interest in All inclusives - most moderately priced AI's have mediocre food (your budget of $2,000 even if its for one person and doesn't include airfare WILL NOT get you into any high end AI) so if you don't go on a cruise and food is important to you plan on eating "off resort" to maximize your dining pleasure. You can often find some very good and reasonably priced "local food" on any Caribbean island.

Good luck in your search.
RoamsAround is offline  
Old Jan 6th, 2012, 04:56 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 12,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
www.hardrockhotelpuntacana.com
www.atlantis.com
My top 2 for what you want...
Usually hop a cheap Big Front seat flight down on
Spirit.com first class for coach price.

Have fun!
qwovadis is offline  
Old Jan 6th, 2012, 04:58 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 12,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
travelzoo.com check their top 20 for awesome sales
cheapcaribbean good deals on sales.
qwovadis is offline  
Old Jan 6th, 2012, 11:50 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 13,881
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Again...we need to know when you'll be going. For instance...the Bahamas would not be a good choice during winter months...other areas are prone to hurricanes at certain times of the year. Please give us more info as to time and and whether your budget is per person and includes flights.
schmerl is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
fredandgingermad
Travel Tips & Trip Ideas
8
Jan 28th, 2014 09:28 AM
Jana1963
United States
8
Aug 15th, 2009 12:06 PM
mayilove
Europe
7
Feb 13th, 2006 02:56 PM
DougP
Europe
16
Jan 10th, 2005 02:13 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

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