Having trouble finding nonstop flights from Boston
 

We are relatively open to which island we will visit, but my 'marching orders' are to find nonstop flights from Boston in late May/early June. About 4 hrs' flight time. I am not having much luck.

We were planning to travel Sunday- Saturday, but it seems that nonstops to the DR are only offered on Saturdays, I think on JetBlue.

The DR might be our least favorite choice, though.
Also not really interested in Mexico, Puerto Rico, St Maarten, or Costa Rica because family members have been there.

We might prefer Bermuda, or St John.

Recommendations, please?

Try explore on kayak. You can specify the flight time and the airport and whether your flight needs to be non-stop.

Well, Bermuda certainly fits your flight time/non-stop requirement - just over 2hrs (on Delta), and the weather is gorgeous that time of year.

What other recommendations are you looking for?

I can't give you specifics about which islands can be reached non-stop from Boston but I can tell you this - you are pretty much limited to the larger islands as those will be the ones that have larger airports that can accommodate big jets.

See if any of the following destinations
are serviced by airlines that fly out of Boston:

Dominican Republic
Grand Cayman
Jamaica
St. Martin (which you ruled out)
St. Lucia
Aruba
Puerto Rico (which you ruled out)
Cancun
Cozumel
St. Thomas

Good luck.

I fly out of Boston, and can't even remember the last time I had a non-stop flight to anywhere, let alone the Caribbean. All the non-stop prices are beyond ridiculous.....I'm guessing its been at least 15 years since I had non-stop.

The Caribbean coast of Mexico has lots of exactly what you are seeking. Too bad if it's off the list because someone in the family has been somewhere in Mexico before.

I don't think there are nonstops from Boston other than the seasonal/Saturday BlueJet flights (they go to Jamaica too).

RoamsAround, Cancun and Cozumel would also be "ruled out" since they are in Mexico ;-)

Yup.

You can fly nonstop to Provo in Turks and Caicos Saturday-Saturday out of Boston. Just over three hours from Boston.

Thanks, WWK. Have you been there?

Yes, many times! Most recently in January. Daughter and son-in-law to be flew round trip from Boston. We love Grace Bay Beach. It's really gorgeous! However, it's a quiet island, with hardly any nightlife, and can be pricey, though maybe not so much in May/June.

I fly out of Boston as well and the sad fact is there really aren't too many non-stops to the Caribbean from Boston. I'm flying to St. Thomas this Sunday non-stop on JetBlue. The return stops in San Juan, no non-stops. The most convenient airport to St. John is St. Thomas (STT).

Sometimes you can find a non-stop to Aruba, but those flights are mostly during high season (winter). And the T & C flight that WWK referenced.

TNT Vacations used to offer charters to some islands. It looks like they are now part of FunJet Vacations but you may find something here:

http://www.funjet.com/?plcode=tnt

In addition to Delta, Jet Blue also flys non-stop to Bermuda (in high season) from Boston.

Thank you! We are looking for a great snorkeling beach on property. Does Bermuda have that? It seems much more expensive there, though.

Turks & Caicos looks nice, but a friend thought it wasn't very special. ????

Turks & Caicos would be at the top of my list.

I love St. Lucia but I don't think it would match your requirements. A family member goes to T&C quite often. I'll try to find out the name of the resort.

Thanks, starrs! There is a Club Med at T&C, but it looks in need of an update. I'd love to hear your family's recommendation. We'd like a lush island, though.

And,what about Jamaica? The Negril area has the huge beach, but is it too crowded? Is it 'safe'?

You will (not) find a "lush island" if you plan on going to T&C.

Beaches to die for....but island is flat and scrubby at best.

I've been to Negril Jamaica three times. The main beach is "7-mile beach" but the All-Inclusives are mostly located a bit further from town. No it is not too crowded. Yes it is 'safe' but a bit rustic and some of the locals a bit aggressive (vendors).

I don't think you would like it.

If you want "lush" go to St. Lucia, just not the north (dry) end. Stay near the Pitons. I loved the former Hilton Jalousie between the Pitons or Ladera (honeymoon type resort) on the ridge above. Take water taxis anywhere you want to go, including the markets, snorkeling and the black sand beach on the other side of the right Piton. There are all-inclusives there. We stayed at a Hyatt which became an AI but that's in the dry side of the island, not the lush side. I'm pretty sure there are other AIs on the island.

I also love St. Croix, but it doesn't have the easy access you want. LOVED the villa we rented. Again, not an AI. I have zero experience with AI because I have a bias against them.

That's my concern, Bassguy. What island do you like?

Bermuda does fit most our criteria, but it is so expensive, it's at least twice what we'd pay elsewhere. aaarrgh

starrs, it does seem there's a bias against AIs.

We've actually never stayed at one. I guess we could drop that idea, if it's the 'perfect' resort with several places to eat and snack, and we could just charge things to the room.

I've liked it when we've been at other large resorts where we could just charge whatever whenever. I'd like to not be watching the budget or anyone else concerned about it, either.

There will be 4 of us, immediate family members, and I'd like everyone to feel free to do whatever, and eat/drink whenever.

Snorkeling right there at the property; snorkeling trips available, covered chairs at the beach with drink/snack service, a little bit of history in a town close-by, no need for a rental car, music, like in Jamaica, is appealing, etc.

My dream island vacay! Does it exist?

One of my favorites is St John, but finding a direct flight to St Thomas out of Boston will be tricky....

I know. I've seen some doozy flight itineraries that are about 20 hours!

"Snorkeling right there at the property; snorkeling trips available, covered chairs at the beach with drink/snack service, a little bit of history in a town close-by, no need for a rental car, music, like in Jamaica, is appealing, etc."

That almost describes staying at the Jalousie on St. Lucia. They have (or had) the European pricing that included two meals - if you wanted it. You'd have to take a water taxi to the town for the market or Rodney Bay for a lunch/snorkeling excursion. Snorkeling right off the beach against the Piton and FABULOUS snorkeling - better than anything in Hawaii or the Keys. It's my little slice of heaven.

Here it is now -
http://www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.c..._and_accolades

Absolutely gorgeous.

Hope to get back one day...

Thank you!

You can have AI package at Sugar Beach. I would recommend a package including at least some meals if you don't take the AI option, as it is remote and not always convenient to go out looking for restaurants.

I would not think Sugar Beach will be less expensive than a similar standard hotel in Bermuda/T&C or somewhere in the Bahamas.

I love Negril, Jamaica, but think you'd find it too rustic. Not many AIS I'd recommend there, either. It's all about small boutique hotels on a wonderful long stretch of beach.

About Turks: The island has some of the most gorgeous beaches in the Caribbean, but the interior is not so pretty. There's not much going on besides the beaches, water sports, and some excellent restaurants. It may be way too quiet for you. And it can be pricey, though in May/June, you'll find deals.

Too bad you've discounted Mexico. To my own surprise, I am now a big fan of Cancun. There are lots of resorts on the beach that would fit most of your requirements, and probably cost less than many other places. We've gone several times with absolutely no problems, and really enjoyed it.

Just looked at flights to Cancun from Boston. Not good news.

<<One of my favorites is St John, but finding a direct flight to St Thomas out of Boston will be tricky....>>

Perhaps you missed my post above. I have a non-stop flight to St. Thomas this Sunday on Jet Blue. It's a great flight time: leaving Boston at 8:57 a.m., arriving STT at 12:59.

We've stayed at Caneel Bay on St. John. There is good snorkeling right off the beach and it's a lush island. There are a lot of snorkeling opportunities all through the USVI's and BVI's. There are no AI's on St. John however but there is a nice little town with restaurants and a bit of shopping.

There are some good AI's in Jamaica. Check out Iberostar Grand. We really liked it but it's in Montego Bay and not Negril. If you want an AI in Negril then Swept Away and Couples get very good reviews. We didn't find the snorkeling to be that good in Jamaica but there's lot to do on the island.

I will look into your recommendations, sharona. Thank you!

Got any friends in New York? Leaving from JFK would open up a world of options!

We thought of that, WWK! It would be more of a hassle, though.

<We really liked it but it's in Montego Bay and not Negril.>

I think Montego Bay makes more sense if Jamaica is the pick. First off, it's right at the airport, maximizing time on a short trip.

As has been mentioned a few times by a few different people, even the more high end places are very rustic in Negril. That's kind of what it's all about there. It is *not* a luxury destination by any stretch of the imagination!

Just in case you're still interested in T&C.... Forgot to mention that WINDSONG resort is next door to CORAL GARDENS, which is one of Provo's main snorkeling spots. And also happens to be next to one of my favorite restaurants on the island, SOMEWHERE cafe, which has excellent Mexican food, margaritas, and beautiful sunsets. You would need a taxi to go back and forth to other restaurants/beaches. You should be able to get a good deal for May/June.

Also look at THE SANDS and OCEAN CLUB WEST, although you would need a car or taxi to access snorkeling, etc.

Thanks. I'll look up Windsong.