Roxanne

I need help! My fiance and I are getting married in June, and we are still at a loss about where to honeymoon. We've finally decided that the Carribean is probably the best choice because we don't want a hideously long flight to somewhere like Bali or Fiji. But we don't know where in the Carribean! First, we thought we'd do a 3-day stay at Ladera and 4-day at Sandals in St. Lucia. But we got worried that Sandals was not going to be what they promise and that Laders would be beautiful but boring. Then we thought we'd do the Ocean Club on Paradise Island because it's close to Atlantis, but more private and upscale. Then I thought that the food prices alone would make us annoyed. So....Help! We're 25 years old, not big drinkers or partiers. We like entertainment options, but also like some privacy. We want luxurious accomodations. Somewhere like Peter Island seemed great but I think we would get bored. Are the All-Inclusives like Sandals actually nice, or nice like Carnival cruise lines (lots of food and drinks but tacky and not high quality)? Any advice? Please! Oh yes...and money is not a huge problem, but we would like to keep it under 5,000. Less than that would also be great. 5,000 is max.

Lee

Roxanne: Can the Ocean Club be "more upscale" than Atlantis? I don't know that, but Atlantis is more like Disneyworld than anything else. I wouldn't think it a honeymoon spot, but many do.

How about the Turks and Caicos? They are certainly more quiet than many others and they have a lot to offer, both in resorts and in natural beauty. June would probably be a good month, rain is always a possibility, however.

Another choice is Aruba. Not lush and tropical, but beautiful all the same. The hotels on Palm Beach, particularly the Marriott are beautiful. June is getting into "off season" (less money, fewer people), but the weather is about the same year round: 80's, sunny and dry. There would be lots to do with beautiful beaches, great restaurants and couples' kinds of activities like a "sunset cruise" for instance. Very safe, clean and pretty.

Check those out maybe.

Roxanne

Lee,
Thank you! What I meant by "upscale" was that I heard the rooms at Atlantis were not very luxurious. Meanwhile I went out and bought wedding magazines and I'm now even more confused! Why is this hard? It's supposed to be fun. My fiance and I have been together for over five years, so I doubt we're going to want to stay in the room for seven days (if you catch my drift) so we're trying to find someplace where there's lot to do. We actually love Disney, but we've been there too many times for a honeymoon. But I think Atlantis will be extremely expensive. So...back to the drawing board. Thanks for your help. I'll look into what you suggested.
Roxanne

Karen

Roxanne,
Only because you obviously checked Peter Island and the BVI's maybe something that Rosewood offers might work for you. They offer a "split" between Little Dix on Virgin Gorda (always comes in on the very top of most lists!) and the sister Caneel Bay on St. John, USVI. St. John does offer more to do but it is also easy to ferry to St. Thomas for shopping and exploring a third island as well if you get "bored." Of course, the main activity in the Caribb is the sun, beach and water activities. You can opt for meal plan part or all of the time at either and both have picnic lunches and other activities that you might enjoy - a trip to the Baths, maybe an evening sail, snorkling, jeeping about the island(s), etc. The web site explains the options available! I always feel that at an a/i, since I am not a big drinker or partier - too old! - I would be paying for the drinks of those who do and I am not a big fan of cruises but both would offer more "structured" activity options than many resorts don't!! Little Dix would be the smaller more intimate resort of the two with Caneel having seven different beaches and most of the pristine island is Nat'l Park for hiking and other activity. Both resorts are "upscale" and private and since both are small do offer some things the larger ones can't but you have to check the rates to see if they fit your budget. There are options, more on St. John than Virgin Gorda to eat out on the economy rather than taking the meal plans! Check www.caneelbay.com and I think you can link to Little Dix from there and find details on the split that includes transportation between the two. If I can answer any questions, please feel free to email me. Good luck in your search and happy weddingmoon!!!

Roxanne

Roxanne, I would suggest going to the www.where2stay board and look up resorts there. You will find pictures and info as well as rates.

That said, I would recommend looking at Pink Sands or Romora Bay on Harbour Island, both have bunglalow accomodations, excellent food and amazing beach to discover. IF you like to snorkle or dive, there are 2 dive shops on island and you won't find a prettier island in the carribean, sort of a Martha's Vineyard of the carribean.

Hope this helps, have a great trip.

gail

Tina

Hi Roxanne - This should be an exciting decision for you. YOur honeymoon will only happen once. If you want an all inclusive vacation under $5000 for a week I suggest Sandals. You might not get the best room/suite as they price higher. However, what you can afford will be lovely. Now if you plan on staying on the property and not touring much I suggest Sandals Negril. It's really nice and the beach is beautiful. If you want to tour and still stay at an all inclusive go for Sandals Halcyon. It's more laid back than Sandals St. Lucia and has a wonderful staff and guests generally aren't as "uptight" (no offense to anyone, please) just meaning beach/pool chairs aren't reserved by 9am, it's just more intimate and less flashy.

If you prefer not AI, my suggestion is Bermuda. YOu would enjoy exploring the island/coves & beaches. The scooters are a fun way to get around. The Reefs is a lovely hotel, plus there are others. June is a great month in Bermuda!!!

Eileen

Don't be discouraged, I think you will be able to get a great honeymoon for $5,000 -- it is the off season and lots of great places have decent rates. If you want luxurious rooms, check at Cap Juluca on Anguilla, their rooms are consistently rated the best. Also, the Ritz-Carlton on St. Thomas gets very high marks and may be a good choice cause there is lots to do on St. Thomas (you could even split your stay between St. Thomas and St. John). For really ggood reviews on Ritz St. T and BVI's destinations check at www.scubamom.com
We are going to Point Grace in Turks and Caicos next April -- the accommodations are really large and luxurious and you can split your stay between Point Grace, which is on Provo and Parrot Cay Resort on its own island and I think it is about $3,500 off season with some meals included. www.pointgrace.com Hope this helps.

Cheryl

Since you are going in June, I would definitely recommend Bermuda. May and June are great time to go to Bermuda for the best beach weather. I went there last June with my husband and loved it! We stayed at Cambridge Beaches which I would highly recommend for a honeymoon. Although The Reefs has a good location on Bermuda, Cambridge Beaches is a much more romantic atmosphere. It is actually a "cottage colony" with the cottages being more upscale. I would recommend getting the best room you could afford there, as the best views are from the higher end rooms. We splurged for a Cambridge Suite and had sweeping view of the ocean from our room with a large balcony overlooking the ocean. The sunset views were incredible! Although Cambridge's location is more remote, I would not let that deter you. They offer ferry service a few times per week to Hamilton, including a Friday evening transport to Hamilton if you're interested in nightlife. You can also make arrangements right there to rent a scooter. Also, there are activities arranged right through Cambridge if you're interested, i.e., sailing and snorkeling excursions, tours, etc. If you just want to relax there, they have a few small beaches (not as dramatic as those on the south shore, but nice and private; you can snorkel right off their beach.) They also have indoor and outdoor pools and a wonderful spa (which I thoroughly enjoyed on a rainy afternoon.) There is a "dine-around" option for dinners which we tried, although we found the dinners at their restaurant to be excellent.

Lisa

I think Hawaii might also be a good option. I know the flight is longer than the Caribbean, but not as long as south Pacific, and well worth it. There are lots of sight seeing along with great beaches. Not the poverty that you would see in the Caribbean if that would bother you at all.

I have been to four Sandals, Jamaica and in Bahamas. They are very nice. Some of the restaurants are great, some soso, but they are kind of party places.

We also went to Beaches Turks and really enjoyed that the most. GREAT beach and diving/snorkeling. Sailing is fun and we saw 5 turtle while we were snorkeling.