Nevis Nisbet Plantation or Royal PLantation Jamaica
 

Wife and I are want to get away from CT for a winter vacaton w/o the baby. Plan is to fly from NY to RDU to drop our son off with his grandparents and fly out to the Caribbean the next day. She only wants be away for a max 5 nights. Stay in RDU for a night or 2 and fly back to home to CT. Since we have these flights before we really "leave" and are leaving from RDU it seems like best I can do is a 10 hour trip into NEV. Flights into Montego Bay from RDU are like 5-5 1/2hours w/ a 1hr or so car ride they provide.

Between flights and hotel the prices work out to be of little difference, so for a 5 night trip I am worried that the travel NEvis is too long. Never been to Jamaica but heard some iffy things, though RP looks real nice and we would probably just stay at the resort for a short stay.

So I guess my question is, is Nevis & Nisbit that much better that makes the extra travel worth it?

Thanks for any and all insight.

How far is RDU from the Charlotte airport? Charlotte is US Air's hub and there will be many more flight options (and quicker travel time) from Charlotte than Raleigh.

Charlotte is over 3 hours from RDU. All the flights I have looked at originate in RDU and connect thru CLT.

I hadn't realized Charlotte was that far away. Coming from a tiny state, I don't always appreciate the distance between places in other states.

In that case, if it were me, I'd strongly prefer the Royal Plantation because of the shorter travel time. Don't get me wrong - I love the Nisbet Plantation and think that would be an ideal vacation choice. But with just five days, you don't want to spend 10 hours traveling each way. Keep Nisbet in mind though if you're ever planning a longer trip.

I just received a brochure from Royal Plantation and it looks great. I requested the brochure b/c they have a good package deal that comes up on Luxury Link.

I read the Tripadvisor reviews and they are all overwhelmingly positive.

Laby, Thanks for your help. I am afraid you are probably right and for this trip Nevis may be just too far. Too bad as I have heard so many great things about Nisbit. RP looks great too, I hope it lives up to it!

Not only is Nisbet wonderful, but Nevis is a WHOLE lot safer than Jamaica. There is little or no crime in Nevis, the people are welcoming and friendly, and you can drive all over the island without the sligtest fear. In Jamaica you have to exercise quite a bit of caution anywhere outside of your hotel. In my opinion, basing a trip on flight time is missing the point. It takes us 5 hours from Florida, and only because of the layover in San Juan to catch the American Eagle to Nevis. There are more flights into St Kitts, and the ferry only takes about 45 minutes. Nisbet is a wonderful, peaceful, beautiful place with some of the friendliest staff anywhere. Too bad a some extra flight time would get in the way.

here we go

again.

Why is it required to *bash* an entire country when asked, simply, for a comparison.

Dave...you've been to Nisbet so your positive comments were appropriate.

Have you been to Royal Plantation ? Or to Jamaica...ever ?

Marion

DaveFMFL, too bad for whom? I realize that you have written a string of posts all saying some variation of "Nisbet is a wonderful, peaceful, beautiful place" (which, by the way, I tend to agree with, even though there are many other equally wonderful, peaceful, beautiful spots). But promotion to the tune of Jamaica bashing and disdain for people who worry about hurricanes? No man, you too forward.

Not Jamaica bashing, Nevisun, - statistics don't lie. I have been to Jamaica, loved it, and think it's a special place in the world. But, that doesn't mean I'd let my wife and daughter drive around the island alone. Again, statistics don't lie. Jamaica DOES have a much higher crime rate, unfortunately. Places like Nevis, St Kitts, Anguilla, Dominica, etc. ARE much safer, however much those who “promote” Jamaica wish it not to be true. I wish it weren’t true. I’m also not over-promoting Nevis, it IS a great island. I also like Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Dominica, and Anguilla. These posts are, however, specifically about Nevis, so, duh, I mentioned that Nevis was nice. I guess that’s somehow “promoting” which is somehow bad. I personally wouldn't give-up a superior vacation because of a few extra hours travel time, nor would I scare someone away from a great honeymoon because of a hurricane phobia.

A child is one thing, Dave, but you wouldn't "let" your wife drive around Jamaica? I'm curious what other things you don't "let" your wife do when you travel and why she would put up with that.

I agree that saftey is a concern anytime you tavel. And I have heard and have had friends who have had some bad experiences there but coming from New York City and having traveled throughout the Caribbean I think we are aware crime and saftey can not be guarenteed whereever you go. Besides, I think this trip, since we would be there for such a short time, the main idea was to get away and relax at the beach/pool, enjoy good food and just chill. Not much for activities or sightseeing on this trip.

While I have heard many wonderful things about Nisbit on this site I have not found much on RP and was just looking for poeple's opinion if anyone had been there and if it lives up to how good it looks.

We have actually decided to go to RP as the flights from RDU-MBJ are under 5 hours w/ 1 1/2 hr private car ride to the resort, compared to flights over 10 hours to NEV. For only 4 full days it just seemed too long w/ too many connections, personally I would rather get a couple of 1/2 days in. Hopefully NEV will work another time.

I would still love to hear peoples comments/experiences on the Royal Plantaion. Be Well.

Dave is right. Nevis is safer than Jamaica and smaller and alot easier to negotiate on a short trip. This doesn't detract from Jamaica!! It's providing a realistic framework from which to make a decision. Why the snarky comments marion, ejcrowe? Remember, this board is about respecting other points of view.

I'm not a big Jamaica fan after discovering the many other Caribbean islands but after looking at Royal Plantation's website and reading the reviews on tripadvisor.com, it makes me want to go! It sounds like a wonderful resort and one of the great things about Jamaica is it's so easy to get to. I never felt really unsafe there, just felt an undercurrent of dislike for tourists. Jamaica does have beautiful beaches and great resorts. Have a wonderful time!

sandyjoy, you're right. My comments were snarky, but I did try to keep them travel-related. I'm still amazed that the poster named Dave thinks Jamaica is "a special place in the world" yet would not "let" his wife and daughter drive alone there. I'm having trouble imagining what I would say to my husband, whether at home or in our travels, if he tried telling me that he wouldn't let me do something.

Don't know what you've decided timewise - and don't want to get into the Nevis vs. Jamaica discussion...but just spent a week at Nesbit over the holidays and I highly recommend it! It's peaceful and lovely. The staff were so helpful and charming and the food was really fantastic! Dinner menu completely changed each day and there wasn't one disappointing meal. Nevis is a nice island, no crime, some nice places to visit (the botanical gardens, Four Seasons, Montepelier). It was a great trip. Highly recommend it.

a quote from http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p.../cis_1026.html

"CRIME: There has been an increasing number of crimes against U.S. citizens in St. Kitts, including armed robbery, break-ins, sexual assault and burglary. In late 2004, nine Americans were robbed at gunpoint in four separate incidents a few days apart. While less crime is reported in Nevis, break-ins and burglary have affected American citizens there as well. Although many of the major resort hotels provide additional security, U.S. citizens should exercise caution outside these areas. Valuables left unattended in public places are vulnerable to theft."

Well! isn't that the same every where? Caution is a wonderful word to be used when ever you leave your home!

mah, you bargain hunter! :-D

Have you used LL? they do seem to have some real bargains if you can travel 'off season'