Ahh! SO many choices and even though I have been reading back thru old posts for quite a while, I still can not come to any sort of direction.
Planning a 5 or 6 night vacation in first week of January out of NYC. Most important point is for the place to have 'walk out from the beach' snorkeling in calm pretty water. I also would strongly prefer an A-I or a place that has meal plans so we don't have to worry about spending money while we are there. I also would like some form of nightlife and a casino would be nice but not crucial.

I was thinking of Jamaica because my boyfriend will probably want to go look at the waterfalls and jungle area. But I want to make sure there aren't some better options out there for walk-out snorkeling.
I also like to play with the kayaks and water toys but then again I don't want to have to worry about being run over by a jet ski!
I have been to:
Atlantis (hate the beach there- waaay too rough)
Barbados- loved the hotel but the water was cloudy and the beach by our hotel was very narrow. (we stayed next door to the almond beach resort)

Jungle and waterfalls in Jamaica =
Port Antonio and although there are no casinos on island--a few slot machines at some North Coast hotels -- there is a large Chinese gambling hall in town, generally busiest during marlin tournament season in Oct. Seakayaks and snorkel/dive operators can be secured.
Walk-door-to-beach is more difficult, as on-water places will run US$4-6k/week and up during January winter season. No AIs in Portie/thank god, but there is one wonderful place called
Rio Vista Hotel/Villas just west of town. In Jamaica, Negril is the obvious
choice and offers more nightlife ops by far. Recommend The Caves or Idle-A-While,the former with packages available.

If you do Negril, schedule a day trip to Mayfields Falls in the Dolphin Head Mts, about45 min. away, for jungle/waterfalls; and another to
Pelican Bar/Black River with a private
boatman.

I went to Rennasance Resort & casino in Nov. The Resort has it's own pricate beach with lagoon. A great resort for snorkling. The boats picks you up inside your hotel and takes you to the private island where the water there is crystal clear.Only 7 minutes to the private island. For $10 a day you can rent snorkel gear. You go right off the beach and all these other people are out ther with you. It was so much fun!

Kalik,

Is that Aruba? I think I just read a post that you visited there.

Yes. We loved it. I might be booking again for April.Let me know if you have any question and i'll try to answer them.

Walk-out snorkeling can be dicey at times in the winter in the Caribbean because storms to the north can kick up swells even that far south. It may be difficult to find a guaranteed calm water place. Caneel Bay Resort on the north shore of St.John might be the closest thing, because they have 7 beaches, all with wade-in snorkeling. If one beach is choppy, another may be calm.
Where did you stay in Barbados? A hotel with gorgeous grounds on a snorkeling beach is Coral Reef Club (also bordering Folkstone Underwater Park). Also Colony Club is next door, not as pricey as Coral Reef.

Try Sandals Negril or Sandals Whitehouse...super beach at both resorts.

No questions Kalik,

I'm a Bucuti Beach gal!

Hope this isn't too late, but I can personally recommend the Barcelo Maya AI resort on the Mayan Riviera. It is on one of the best and quite private long cove of a beach that has on site snorkeling. There is a great evening theatre and a very good disco. It does not have a casino.

Hey, Onzgo!

Where have you been? I was thinking the other day that I hadn't see you or Christie around.

Then again I haven't been around too much lately either

Hi alya, I been busy with Christmas and all the things that have to be done to get ready for it.

Hope you and yours have a wonderful Festive Season and all the best for 2006 and this goes for everyone else as well. Hope 2006 has many great vacations for everyone. 8-)

Onzgo,

I kind of know what you mean, when our 'offspring' were younger I was a manic planner at Christmas.

This year only 2 of them are spending Christmas with us (our youngest daughter is going to England to visit her boyfriend and our families)our son is 16 and will probably want to sleep til noon. His christmas list has 2 small inexpensive items on it and while I know I should be glad he's not materialistic, It doesn't make filling a stocking easy!

So I can't quite get in the 'mood', I've spent more time planning a trip to NY next week than I've spent on organising Christmas - It's just not the same without family around.

But on the bright side - it's going to be a White Christmas here in MA