jcarroll

getting married in Oct 2008 and want to go somewhere tropical. we are in our late 20's and really just want an AI where we can enjoy a beautiful beach and sparkling clear water. our perfect day would be sitting on the beach under an umbrella while someone brings us a drink with an umbrella in it! would like an option for night life but we're not going to party like it's spring break. budget is probably around $5000-6000 (total with flight). i just bought Fodor's Caribbean 2008 book but there is nothing like personnal communication.

RoamsAround

Your task is not as difficult as it may at first seem.

Getting the guide was a great first step. Start by reading the general descriptions of the major islands to find out which ones appeal to you. FYI - Caribbean islands are very different from one another. No two are alike, each has its own attributes and no one island has it all. So picking a specific destionation is all about compromise. As you begin your research start making a list of the 15 to 20 "things" you desire most in an island vacation. Put them in your order of preference. Keep the list in mind as you read about the different islands. After you do some basic reading you'll be able eliminate certain destinations as they won't match your list. After a while you'll have narrowed your island choices to the 2 or 3 that most closely match YOUR requirements. From there you can start looking at resorts and pretty soon you'll be ready to make your reservations.

Now for a useful hint - If you have your heart set on staying at an AI check out destinations like the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Cancun, Cozemel, Playa del Carmen, and Antigua as this places have lots of AI's and you'll find lots and may will be in your price range.

Good luck in your search.

jiffer21225

There is a resort in Maya Riviera, Mexico called the Iberostar Grand that will fit in your budget. It is a GREAT resort and top of the line everything. I think they even have a butler unpack your clothes if you wish. I dont think I would be comfortable with a butler checking out my undies but some dont mind. lol.

Dreams Punta Cana also fits your needs and the beaches in PC are really pretty. But one thing about PC you have to keep in mind that it is not recommended to leave the resort alone.

jcarroll

roams...you mention "if you have your heart set on an AI". are the non-AI's a better idea. i'm just going from the experience of a cruise and one trip to cancun. the AI food on the cruises are nice but at the end of the week the bar tab can be extreme. i went AI to cancun and there were no "surprises" at the end of the week on the credit card

RoamsAround

Well, some people love the idea of AI's and others abhore them. I'm in the latter category. In my younger days we went to a couple of AI's on early trips to the Caribbean some 20+ years ago and after a few stays decided we've been there, done that, don't have to go again. Spouse & I much prefer smaller resorts and we like the freedom of dining around the island we are visiting. We are real foodies and have never been to an AI that has exceptional food.

Young people on a fixed budget seem to favor AI's - as you get older and wiser you'll probably find that AI's are not so appealing - you can travel for about the same price gong "ala carte".

hockeyfan

To weigh in on the AI versus a la carte options...

Some resorts that are not traditionally AI also offer meal plans in addition to the rooms that takes some of the cost uncertainty out of the equation.

Where the real variable comes in on the AI versus a la carte is in the bar tab.

I have not stayed at an AI, but one trip to Caneel Bay, the resort mistakenly put us on the meal plan when we went to pay the final bill. Once corrected, the net cost of going a la carte was within about $100 of the meal plan option, so from a food perspective AI versus a la carte appears to be about a push.

Gin

Friends of mine spent their honeymoon at the RIU in Aruba (this was last August). They are in their mid 20's and after all the wedding planning they wanted nothing to do w/ decision making on their honeymoon. They loved their stay. Beautiful beach, great pool w/ swim up bar and newly built/renovated rooms plus a casino. They had no complaints about the food, but they did go out to dinner outside of the resort one night just for the experience. They also loved the location b/c they could walk to other resorts/casinos/bars. Just a suggestion.

jcarroll

thanks, i really appreciate the info. i'm actually thinking of meeting with a travel agent tomorrow (i know...very old school)in order to get some additional insight. i have really enjoyed reading all the posts on this website. the people are very knowledgable an helpful

EmilyMB

Congratulations! I'm also getting married in October 2008 and took into account hurricane season. Several fall wedding honeymooners consider the ABC (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao) islands because it is traditionally below the hurricane belt. Aruba sounds like just what you're looking for. We're going to Belize- southern part- and buying trip insurance. The honeymoon is one trip (for me at least) that I want planned with as much confidence as possible.

greenie

For first time travelers, Mexico is a good, easy destination. It's easy to get around and has good infrastructure.

A beautiful resort for honeymooners I would recommend would be Secrets Capri. I assume that would fit your price range, but don't know where you're flying from.

It's adult only and we really enjoyed it.

Peace, Greenie

jcarroll

i've been anti-aruba since the natalie hollaway incident (i know, its not aruba's fault but i live about an hour from where she was from so it hit a little closer to home)but several people have recommended it due to hurricane season and various other reasons. i've further noticed that its cheaper than places like st. lucia and anguilla. any suggestions on a nice beach front AI in aruba to look into?

jiffer21225

Secrets Capri is a smaller resort with some really good food. You can walk from one side of the resort to the other in about 5 minutes. The service there is really good and the staff seem to have pleasure in helping people.

mesnorkle

Remember that October is still Storm Season...
I've been to Jamaica, Barbados, Cancun, Bahamas, Grand Cayman, St. Martin, Puerto Rico and just last week St. Thomas/St. John. For a Honeymoon I would think St. Martin might be nice. It's a beautiful island, usually you can get direct flights, and there are many choices for accomodations. We rented a car and felt pretty secure there. No one seems to like to talk about these things,but all inclusive resorts are really not worth it if the food makes you sick, which it often can at buffet-style meals in tropical areas. If you would like something very private, ther is a tiny island, very romantic, with a few small restaurants and bars, off Puerto Rico. Culebra. You can hace awhole beach to yourself at that time of year, and some of the beaches are rated top 10 in the world. Try the Bahia Marina Resort, perched on a hilltop.

jiffer21225

I dont think all AI make you sick. There are many AI that service thousands of people a year that does not make them sick. Even if you are in another country and dont go AI you can still get sick at at regular restaurant.

Most of the time people get sick at AI because they over indulge with food, drink and sun. I am not saying people dont get sick at AI but I dont think the rate is any higher then if you did a non-AI and ate out on the the town.

mesnorkle

People become ill when they travel because their bodies are not used to the local fauna (bacteria, etc.) in the water supply. Many visitors to the U.S. also become ill. However, standards for food are not as high, or as strictly enforced in other countries as they are in the U.S.: And we have enough problems here with foodborne illnesses. Some of us do not overindulge on vacation, as that would intefere with our active lifestyles. We also do not drink, as alcohol is unhealthy. Yet those new bacteria and protozoa can do a number on us!

Bri

Couples Jamaica is a AL that is for couples only. They have four resorts in Jamaica,two in Negril and two in OchoRios.

Check out their web sight. Alot of the things are icluded in their price, such as snorkling,party boat,golf, and scuba diving.

We have been to Jamaica many times and have stayed there a couple of times, and really enjoyed it.

TnTWalter

I think AI is perfect for a honeymoon as you'll need to de-stress. Then next year do the non-AI.

I loved Secrets Capri BUT there is a new Secrets on a better beach that just opened called Secrets Maroma.

Secrets have a la carte restaurants which I prefer and they do offer some buffet nights in ADDITION to the a la cartes.

I would recommend an Adult-only AI for your honeymoon so you're not overrun with kids in the hot tubs etc.

With your budget you can also do some adventuring which I recommend. If you pick the Mayan riviera, I'll suggest some items.

www.secretsresorts.com

I like secrets because they're smaller than the typical AI.

That said, this one gets high regards as well.

aventura spa palace. It's in port aventuras and doesn't have a walkable beach but has many cool features. It's large though. great reviews.

http://www.palaceresorts.com/RESORTS...lace/Index.asp

Congratulations!

Trish

jiffer21225

Secrets Maroma is suppose to be really nice but it is not schedule to open until Aug. I would not recommend staying at a resort until it has been open 6 months to work out all of the bugs