help needed for husband who will not fly.
 

We live in the Dallas area and my husband will not fly airplanes willingly. I want to go to an island for our 19 year anniversary. We took a cruise from Galveston once, it was okay, but I'd love him to experience a real Caribbean island, like the Virgins in a great resort. I may be able to get him to drive to Florida.

There is a ferry where you can get to the Bahamas from Florida. That is about the only island close enough to make this possible, everywhere else is too far. The Caribbean is a big sea. As far as I can see, your options are:

1. Drive to Florida then:
A. Ferry to Bahamas, or
B. Cruise out of Florida
2. Find a cruise departing from TX

What is your husband's issue with flying, is it paralyzing anxiety? If so, would he be open to taking a Xanax before a flight? It isn't uncommon for people to get a prescription from their doctor just for this purpose.

There is no way to get to any Caribbean island fr the US without flying unless you go by cruise ship and most cruise ships departing from US Ports will not allow you to disembark and remain on any island without special permission. If you were granted permission you'd still have to pay the full fare for the cruise for the both of you. You would then have to go through a similar procedure and pay for a "second" cruise to get back to the US. So in effect you will be paying for 2 cruises plus your stay at a resort on the specific island you choose.

Your only other option would be to charter a private yacht to sail you from a US Port to the island of your choice. That will be even more expensive ( think in terms of tens of thousands of dollars),take about a week to 10 days each way (assuming you have a perfect weather window) to the Virgin Islands - even longer if you go to an island further south and you will be crossing a lot of open water - a trip best left to experienced "blue water sailors".

What don't you skip the idea of an island resort stay and just book a cruise through the Caribbean. There are plenty that leave from Florida ports.

Have him go to the doctor and have them prescribe him some xanax or something similar. My mom has extreme flight anxiety so that’s what her doctor prescribes for her.

Thank you Mazey and RoamsAround! I really didn't think there would be an easy way. I'll start working on the Xanax idea since we're going to have to fly!
Have a blessed day.

Why couldn't you drive to a cruiseport city, and catch the ship from there? That wouldn't require a plane trip.