misha2

What to do? The teen trip another parent was planning for March has fallen through. I'm now trying to juggle all sorts of needs to come up with a trip that will please many/most .

The players include a few couples and singles (parents), and, depending on what we can find, anywhere from 4-8 teens (many 17 years old). The budget is about $1000 per person (5-6 nights) including flights from Atlanta though a few of the couples would be happy to pay more and want luxury.

The teens want activities.,lots of them, and plentiful food. The couples want to know that the teens are contained and safe plus they want quiet places to escape. Cruises can fit the budget but would be really crowded at this time of year, it seems. All-inclusives would be ideal, but many nicer quality ones are over budget. I can't figure out if Atlantis offers meal plans and/or large villas in which we could save on costs to make up for the high airfare. Please help!

blamona

Atlantis offers meal plans, buti can tell you it will be way over budget

Most islands are fully booked by now. With your budget including air, you can only consider maybe Mexico? Even DR is roughly $1800 per person.

So, you won't please everybody, but you don't have the luxury of choice. And at the price your at the bottom the resorts, won't find much luxury.

schmerl

I would not go to Atlantis with this group. They do offer meal plans, but we have spent LESS money WITHOUT the meal plans. Food at Atlantis is expensive (even with the plan). Even soft drinks for the teens will be expensive there.
I would look for an all inclusive resort in Mexico's Riviera Maya area or Punta Cana in the DR.
ANY place you go during spring break will be very crowded...in fact many may be fully booked already.

misha2

Just as I feared. Wonder if a villa at a resort could work? Thoughts?

blamona

$1000 per person including flights? Not going to happen. Villas at resorts cost more than the resort rooms!

Your budget is way low, and Spring Break has been reserved for months.

So again, check out Mexico, especially Tulum area might be in your budget.

Weadles

Hmmm... Very tough parameters. Not sure of cost or if it's even available for that time period, but if they haven't been, what about setting them loose at Universal Studios? There may be some packages that would work. The Hard Rock Cafe Hotel might fit the bill for those on a tighter budget. Portofino Bay is a luxury hotel that mimics the real deal in Portofino and doesn't do a bad job of it. We have stayed there a few times, and would highly recommend it.

Both hotels come with the Fastpass, and now that Harry Potter has opened, that might be a draw for some of the kids going with you.

Certainly plenty to do in the Orlando area both on and off property, with Disney close, too.

Not as exciting for the adults as the Caribbean, but at this late date, IF it's affordable and available, may not be a bad idea?

Weadles

Another thought... have you checked on packages for Old San Juan? Puerto Rico often has good deals, although they may all be taken for that time period. Look at Jetblue vacations, for instance.

You could do easy day trips from old San Juan to the rain forest ( El Junque) and possibly arrange a Bio Bay tour, too, out of Fajardo if you stayed overnight. There's a Wyndham Resort nearby that we've stayed at- not very luxurious, but fine for a night or two.

Good luck!

virginia

email locogringo.com with your dates, budget and that you want an all-inclusive for mexico. cancun should be reasonable to fly. look from playa del carmen south to tulum to avoid some of the spring break crazies.
or go to vacationstogo.com if you put in an email you get access to their "90day ticker" which has good last minute vacations.
or applevacations.com , tntvacations.org , gwvvacations.com
all bundle air & resort

Sassafrass

Without knowing your dates, I couldn't see if any would fit, but I would not discount cruises - even full ones. Some ships are really nice and don't seem crowded even when at capacity.

As Virginia suggested, look at vacationstogo. March 2, there is a cruise on Crown Princess for $399 from Galveston. That is a beautiful ship with decent food, nice size staterooms and lots of pools, etc.

March 17, there is a Carnival ship from Tampa and one from Miami in the $500.00 range. I was looking at the cheapest because you also have gratuities, airfare and excursions.

Also, look at CheapCaribbean. They cover Mexico and Central America as well as the Caribbean, with lots of last minute deals and specials that include airfare. You can call them or look in their destinations listings. Some of them really are great prices compared with individual pricings.

Good luck.

misha2

Wow! Wow! Wow! Thanks for your great tips.

Jedidah

Hi misha2,

email [email protected] with your budget, dates and party size and they would be able to assist you in finding a villa to suit your needs. This company has villas for rent in Antigua and really helps to make a vacation a relaxing one. I've used them in the past when I traveled to Antigua. You won't regret it.

misha2

Thanks.