My husband and I are planning a family vacation to the Caribbean this late summer/fall. We have a 2 1/2 year old daughter. And this is our first "true" vacation (we didn't take a honeymoon) so we're really excited.

I'm looking for some advice on where to go in the Caribbean, if choosing to go in September is just asking for trouble, and if anyone has anything positive to say about all-inclusives. I seem to hear lots of horror stories about AIs, but I thought it would be a good choice for us because I really like the idea of not having to worry about how much I'm spending on food. Our daughter is a very picky eater, and a couple of family members might join us on our trip, and they have very simple tastes. My husband and I are more adventurous when it comes to food. I think I have realistic expectations about AIs, but I'd welcome some comments/suggestions.

I think our primary goal for this trip is sheer relaxation...a chance to be supremely lazy. Kid-friendly is a must. We're looking to stay 5 days/4 nights.

I've checked out the Websites for Our Lucaya, Atlantis, and Beaches Turks & Caicos, although thanks to some really unflattering reviews, I think Atlantis is out.

Thanks for any advice/suggestions!

Just read the post titled "Letter to Atlantis Ketzner management" and I think that Atlantis would definately be out!

I really cannot comment on AI's as I have not stayed at any.If you chose Aruba as a destination..I would say do not do AI as the restaurants are very good.

Since you want to relax and be lazy on vacation...I think that Aruba would be a good choice as it does not offer alot for the adventurous type.I would stay on Eagle beach in the low rise area.Check out the Bucuti.

We stayed at the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino its in town (Oranjestad)but is a very convenient location to everything.It also has it's own private island that a boat comes into the lobby to take you to.The boat runs about every 20 minutes.

Good luck!!

I agree with the prevous poster regarding Aruba.. but I'm not sure the Bucuti woul dbe agood choice as they discourage childern as there isn't much for them do. Manchebo, just next door, would be a better choice. But overall, I think the Radisson on Palm Beach is better for familes - more activities and a much better pool area.

You pose a thought-proving question as to whether get an AI or not. We have done it once, in the Bahamas. Upside: you definitely don't have to worry about the $ that you are spending on food and drinks. There are usually several restaurants on the property to choose from and the food is good. Downside: not getting to see as much of the island that you would normally see on the way to dinner/lunch. Not experiencing true island food & culture. We felt like we had to eat b/l/d because of the $ we had spent. We are really not big eaters, so it is cheaper for us to pay as we go. We usually split a sandwich and then have a big dinner. I don't know if this helps or not. An AI may be a safe way to go since it is your first big vacation and it's always nice not to have to worry. Just thought I'd put both sides out there for you to consider. I have not been to T&C, but I have read positive things about it. We loved St. Kitts and Nevis. The Marriott on St. Kitts has a nice AI and lots of restaurants to choose from. The food was good. Lots for little ones to do and just a fabulous place to visit.

ateelock-

I recommend Aruba as it is out of the hurricane paths....

Anything higher up in the Carib. can get hurricaned out and ruin a vacation.
We had to evacuate St Thomas one year as a hurrican was approaching...not a fun thing to do on a relaxing vacation--and that was the FIRST week of Sept.

You wouldn't want to do AI in TCI or Aruba because there are a great number of restaurants in every price range. If you were going to Jamaica or Punta Cana, I would say go AI. Aruba has every kind of restaurant you can imagine even Burger King and Taco Bell. They also have great grocery stores and barbecue joints (King Rib is excellent).

TCI is the same. Great grocery store, many restaurants from Mexican (Carters Cafe) to steak houses (Iquana) to Chinese (Chinsons), seafood (Hemingways) and the list goes on...

Why limit yourself to the buffets at your AI.

Just a thought. Peace, Greenie

You might want to check out Moon Dance Villas in Negril Jamaica. For about the same price as a Beaches AI vacation you get your own villa with staff including cook. All your meals are prepared just for you. The staff even watched my sis-in-law's little ones while she & hubby walked the beach. I think kids your daughter's age stay free. It is a beautiful place & Negril is amazing. The beach is nice & people there were very friendly. You could get a 1 bedroom villa because I believe it has a sofabed. My sis-in-law reserved the 2 bedroom but when she got there they upgraded her to the 3 bedroom for no extra.
Sept is still hurricane season but people still go to the islands.

We just returned from a week's stay on Turks and Caicos with our kids. We stayed at The Sands and really enjoyed it. It's perfect for families OR anyone without kids just looking to relax. The beach is fabulous with crystal clear, calm water that couldn't be safer for children. The pool area is also great for kids--big enough and spread out so there's never an area overrun by children if you're looking to relax poolside. The resort isn't luxurious, mind you, but it's very lovely and relaxing and on a perfect stretch of Grace Bay.

We checked out Beaches T&C while we were there and all i can say is, "yuk!" We thought about booking there last year and thank goodness we didn't. Way too crowded, way too loud and IMHO, not even on the best stretch of beach. We've never stayed at AI's before, but have stayed in villas on Jamaica and St. Thomas. If you can swing the villa vacation, there's nothing quite like it. In lieu of that, I'm sure you'll find exactly what you're looking for if you keep posing questions on this site! good luck!

If you're going in September, then I would definately try to stay out of the hurricane zone. Which for the most part means Aruba. There are other destinations with low hurricane probability, but Aruba is the most mainstream, and is probably good for a first trip to the Caribbean.

We have only gone AI in the Mayan Riviera area of Mexico. Almost all the resorts in that area are AI. Its a very nice option if what you want to do is just veg out on the beach. You can still go into town for local restaurants if you want. I highly recommend the area... great resorts. But I'd be reluctant to head down there in September. The area just recently got hit by a hurricane...

If you're going in Sept-Oct, I would recommend Aruba. There aren't many AI options in Aruba, because there are so many good restaurants.

If you're decide to look into Aruba, there are lots of Aruba specific boards with people who go there every year and know a lot of details. Good luck in your planning.

Ken

I would recommend The Ritz Carlton Rose Hall golf Resort in Jamaica. We stayed there in August of 2003 with our 2 teenage girls and it was fabulous. It is an AI which I never knew-- I found that to be great with our kids, one of which is picky the other eats nonstop. I think the total price for a family of 4 including air was about $4000 for 6 nights. The Ritz also has a great childrens program not to mention impeccable service! There is another resort near the Ritz that is a little less formal but I can't recall the name...they have waterslides etc. The beach at the ritz is a bit rustic but there is a free shuttle that can take you a gorgeous beach not 10 mins away. we did that one day and the girls enjoyed the snorkeling and banana boat ride. I know your daughter is much younger but other family members may enjoy that.

Aruba is NOT outside the hurricane belt as commonly believed. Check out this report from the Meterological Services of Netherlands Antilles & Aruba for more information.

http://www.meteo.an/meteo2/eng/repor...tm#climleeward

There was a hurricane warning out for Aruba last year when Ivan went through, luckily Ivan must missed Aruba, but there was some major flood, beach errosion and resort damage done.

Barbados is also another destination that rarely gets a hurricane.