Need good advice please
 

We are planning a vacation for a family of 4 with two kids... (a toddler and a 5 yr. old. We have already been to Aruba and loved it - any other suggestions for a safe, clean and enjoyable vacation? We will be travelling from the east coast so I guess we have lots of options... my main concern was the safety of the drinking water- the kids have sensitive stomachs...
Thanks for all the help

Hi,
We stayed at the Westin in St. John and loved it. The hotel was very kid friendly. Fly into St. Thomas and take the Westin ferry over to St. John. The Westin ferry drops you off right at the resort and a golf cart takes your family to the room. We have been to many islands and St. John is our favorite.

The water in Jamaica is great - tastes better than home and I have never heard of anyone having a problem. The water is also very kid friendly - shallow, clear and very calm. I would suggest Moon Dance villas - the smaller villa may be fine for you. You can arrange for your own cook. There are pools and plenty of shade. On a tighter budget, I would recommend Coco La Palm - shade right down near the water so the little ones can nap right on the beach. They have two pools - one also has shade around it, and because the water is so great, no on used it while we were there. Jamaica is great place for little kids - Jamaicans really make over the little ones and they love it.

When are you going?

I agree, Negril Jamaica would be a nice place. Wonderful beaches & cliffs- the best of nature. My sis-in-law went to Moon Dance with her 2 young ones & raved about it. The staff watched the kids while the parents strolled the beach.You have your own cook & bartender for your villa. They felt safe on all levels (food, personal safety,etc).

We are staying at Beaches Negril in May. It is a family resort & all inclusive. Contrary to other postings, we are not paying double digit thousands for our 5 night stay. We are getting one of the more expensive rooms (1 bedroom beachfront suite) that has 1 bedroom & 3 sofa beds with 2 bathrooms. Our 2 kids are almost grown & it should be fine. Younger kids would be ok in that setup if they sleep in regular beds at home. I'm sure that the resorts can fix you up with a crib if needed.

We are flying out of Memphis but there are flights from Newark as well.

Try checking at www.wheretostay.com & also www.tropictravelonline.com for their trip reports & messages.

Thanks for the advice... As far as Jamaica is concerned, did you feel "hassled" by the locals, etc. We want to try to explore the island as much as the kids will allow us to, but dont want anyone trying to sell us all kinds of stuff. Also, is an AI the best way to go? We are planning to go in June.

We were considering St. John as well, but are there any beaches right off the hotel? That would be so much easier for changes and nap times. Also, are there lots of activites to do?
Thanks

You should also consider Grand Cayman. Personally, I would choose Grand Cayman, St. John or Turks and Caicis over Jamaica. I've heard wonderful things about Jamaica, but safety can be an issue. I know people that have done all inclusive there, but if you want to explore and not worry about being approached I'd pass on that island.

My brother in law went there a few years ago, and actually paid someone to watch his car while walking around.

As for Jamaica the safety issue is, I think way overblown IMHO. Actually in the current issue of the travel mag. Caribbean Travel and Life per a readers poll Jamaica was 4th for friendliest people and 2nd for BEST overall destination. We have been there 3 times, loved it and would not hesitate to return. I would not go to Kingston because of the crime but the resort areas should be fine. I 2nd the water as well. The island has a natural limestone substrate which effectively filters the water so the kids would be OK. BTW the H2O in the Bahamas is kind of nasty. If you go there drink bottled H2O. As for GC it is very nice though I think Aruba is better. If you go there be forewarned of "sticker shock" at the cost of eating, esp. compared to Aruba. BTW Aruba rated as most friendly people and 2nd as overall value in that same readers poll. It may be hard to beat. Good luck.

What about T&C? Has anyone been there with kids? Is the water safe to drink?
Also, is there alot to do in Jamaica with young kids or is the hotel/ resort the main activity? We are not big eaters or drinkers so I was wondering if an AI is the best way to go... where would I be able to find a good rate? Thaks

If you are not big eaters or drinkers, then I would think all inclusive would not be a good choice. (you are paying for an abundance of food and drink)

We drank the water in the Caymans and it was fine. (wasn't crazy about taste, though) We bought bottled for our condo and I used that in the coffeemaker. I have a very sensitive stomach, so I can understand your concern in that area. (I will NEVER go back to Mexico)

There is quite a lot to do in Jamaica (Negril). There is the beach, visiting the falls, glass bottom boats, cliff divers,tropical vegetation to see, rum factory tour & more.For tours I would suggest Talk of the Town Tours. Soloman & his wife, Sienna, have been wonderful giving much free info & their prices are reasonable. They will custom make a tour for you.

The resorts have many kid activities. In fact, the Beaches resorts have signed a deal with Sesame Street to do a joint deal with them so you might see Bert & Ernie there starting this fall. There should be advertisements for the resort during Sesame Street.

You don't have to do all inclusive. There are several places that have limited meal plans & there are many inexpensive places to eat. I bet the kids would love the banana pancakes at Selina's.Norm's will pick you up & bring you back (no charge) if you want to eat there & he is great about fixing things off the menu.

As for being approached by sellers...you might be. That is the way they make their living. Most will accept a polite refusal & the resort areas limit vendors on their stretch of beach.It is not like panhandlers in the US.

If you want more info on Negril then go to www.negril.com. There is also usually a live webcast from Negril on Sundays.

Good luck wherever you go.

The Beaches resort sounds fantastic, but when I checked out their prices, they were almost in the double digits for 7 nights. Where do you get a decent price on a resort?

I wouldn't do AI in Negril with the kids - they are too small to get your moneys worth - especially if you are not big eaters and drinkers. I would look at something like Whistling Bird - big area for the kids to play in safely in the shade. I know my 5 year old could spend hours in the sand in the shade. There was a report on this board recently by a family that ended up at Whistling Bird and they loved it - good reports on the food too. You could work out a modified meal plan with them and they could probably accomodate the kid's appetites. I hear Nirvana is good for families too - lots of shadey areas for the kids for naps and playing.

For kids that age Apple vacations offered AI's for basically the air fare only. When our son was < 12 (their cut off point or around it) we did 10 days AI in Ocho Rios and paid $300.00 for him total.

I agree with the Apple rates for kids. We just booked a trip to Jamaica from Pennsylvania and the kids (7 and 3) were about $400 each including air, hotel and all taxes.

Try checking these places for rates on Beaches Negril-
www.tropictravelonline.com
http://tradewindtours.com/jamaica/beaches_negril.php
http://www.discount-all-inclusive.com/