Hi!

I'm getting married in June, and we're looking to do our honeymoon in January (2015). I understand resorts typically say honeymoon packages are only applicable within a few months of the wedding, so I know we won't be getting that.

I haven't been to a resort before so I need some help. I figure I'll post what we're interested in and see if anyone can help me out.

-Can't do Mexico
-All-inclusive
-Adult only
-Clean, preferably not known for issues with plumbing and such
-Quality food (not necessarily fancy fine dining, but at a minimum is better-than-average quality that won't wreak havoc on our bowels)
-On a beach with good swimming
-Options for fun excursions
-Budget of $6,000 Canadian for two, including airfare from Toronto (YYZ)

Also when do you think would be a good time to book?

Oh sorry forgot to mention looking for a one week stay

sorry one more stipulation - she also doesn't want to go to Jamaica.

FYIs:

January is peak season, (thru Easter) most expensive time of year
"honeymoon package" is just a clever package name, you don't have to prove it's a real honeymoon to get the package
All inclusive and great food are oxymorons! AI caters to masses, so food is usually buffet or generic, even sit down dinners are okay (like eating at amusement park vs outside at a regular restaurant, amusement park food gets the job done but it's never great)
Not every island is known for AI, so you have to stick to AI destinations (of which you knocked out 2) Mexico, Dominican republic, Jamaica. Other islands that have AI are either way over your budget in January or not worth mentioning because not great.

DR might wreak havoc on your bowels

From Canada, sometimes Westjet has some good specials, start with them.

One of the best adults only AI is Sandals chain. But they are expensive! So if you increase your budget, you can look into the one in Antigua. I would highly suggest the one in Exumas Bahamas, but January can be chilly there.

So what are you willing to give up? Money for your must haves? Non AI for better food? Adults only for better resort?

Willing to add Jamaica and Mexico for your must haves, or rather give up some must haves?

For AI, if better food, would you prefer better food if included without drinks, or want unlimited drinks? (drinks, many of them, is where AI saves you)

Do you need other stuff, shopping, casino, nightlife? Many islands that make great honeymoons, don't have these things.

Are you a beach snob? Do you mind small beaches in coves, or need Corona commercials with white sand and turquoise waters?

And discounting Mexico, there are other areas you can look at, for example the excellent Marmona Resort, altho for what you want in January is probably over budget (although it ticks all your others)

I'm just wondering why Mexico & Jamaica are ruled out if you are a "newbie"??

Those two destinations probably offer the best AI deals & resorts in the Caribbean.

Majestic Elegance, DR. Majestic elegance club is an adults only section within the majestic elegance hotel. Beach was fantastic, nice pools, rooms were nice and food was decent.

Yes, agree with others - if you want All Inclusive Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic are where you'll find the highest concentration of All Inclusives and get the biggest bang for your buck. By rejecting those places you are effectively eliminating about 90% of the All Inclusives in the Caribbean.

There are a few mediocre AI's on Antigua that could possibly be in your price range - it will depend on how much you'll need for airfare. I doubt any of them will have "quality food".

AI's in your budget range serve food - the quality of which is rarely described as "better than average". Think in terms of "theme night" buffets such as Mexican Night on Monday, West Indian Night on Tuesday, Caribbean Night on Wednesday, NAME OF ISLAND Night on Thursday - you get the picture - with the only real difference being the name tags on the chaffing dishes and the table decorations.

If "above average quality food" is a high priority for you then you are better off going non-AI. If you do, you'll find your island, resort and dining options will vastly increase.

If you are still set on going AI maybe KVR (one of the regular contributors on this form) will see your thread and offer some advice. She's the "resident" All Inclusive expert on this forum.

I am not an AI expert as I have only been to one but take a look at the Divi All Inclusive in Aruba. While it's not adults only, if you don't need super luxury but want a great beach with decent food then this a good option. I don't think there will be many kids there in January anyway as schools are in session. I think it will be in your budget.

I was surprised with the quality of the food in some of the restaurants and there are seven of them I believe (it shares all services with sister resort, Tamarijn, next door). Many of our meals were quite good, some were OK and I think there was only one we really didn't like. One of the guests in our party who is a regular at the all inclusives in DR said the quality of the food at the Divi was much better than what she had in DR.

Again if super luxury is not needed and you will consider a resort that is not Adults Only, then take a look at this place. The big pro for this resort is the beautiful beach. What is nice about Aruba is that if you decide you don't want to eat on the resort one evening, there are so many good restaurant choices around the island. There are also a lot of activities to choose from and you can rent a car and explore on your own as Aruba is quite safe. You will not have any bowel problems either and you are guaranteed warm weather even in January. Aruba is a bit more commercial than many other islands as you will find chain stores and American fast food places, but you can also avoid those places easily.

You don't have much to choose from if you insist on going All Inclusive and have ruled out both Mexico and Jamaica.

Thanks for the info, I'll make some adjustments based on your responses:

Jamaica is ok
Doesn't have to be adults only
Food doesn't have to be better-than-average, but would like some a la carte options

There are several AI hotels on the smaller islands to suit all budgets. The ones I have stayed in might be too mediocre for your requirements but these islands might be accessible for you
Barbados - The Almond Beach is now taken over & refurbished, turn left out of the hotel & you are on Sandy Lane beach or Couples Barbados (beach a little rougher though)
Antigua - something like the Cocos Hotel
Grenada
St Lucia - Tikaye has AI option, but remote but beautiful
As others have said these options might be more expensive than Mexico etc although personally I did not find it so.

You may want to take a look at this:

http://howsafeismexico.com/

Thanks Bassguy66. I'm always surprised when people eliminate an entire country like that. I thought in this case (the way it was stated) perhaps there is a specific reason like passport/visa/citizenship why they "can't" go there.

I (used) to think the same way....was terrified of Mexico due to the media providing the wrong info. After doing some research, I found it to be as safe or even safer than most cities in the US.

I have been all over the Caribbean, but never to Mexico. 2 years ago, I finally went, and was blown away at just how nice and affordable Mexico was. Safety wasn't even an issue. As a matter of fact, I felt (much) safer in the Riviera Maya than I did in St Lucia, St Thomas, or St Croix.

So at this point, when I see people eliminate Mexico with no real reason, I figure it's (usually) based on fear that someone who is very mis-informed provided them.

Not going to the Riviera Maya due to fear of drug cartel problems, is like not going to Miami due to problems in Boston. It's beyond silly....

I am not concerned about safety issues in Mexico and I hope to visit someday, but I have heard from many friends who have traveled to Mexico that they had gastrointestinal problems at some point during their stay. This has ranged from a day or two of needing to be very close to the bathroom to some friends who were violently ill and it ruined most of their vacation.

Now, I know this can happen anywhere, including at home, but anecdotally I have to say I hear it most often from people traveling to Mexico. Even friends I know who love Mexico and return often, when I have asked about getting sick most (if not all) have said they have experienced illness during some vacations there. Over the past 25 years I have traveled many times to Europe, Asia, Caribbean and South America and only once did I experience a mild gastrointestinal problem. I hope to add Mexico to that list of places but I have to admit I am hesitant because I don't want illness to ruin my vacation.

I myself have been to Mexico 24 times (so far). I have never had some horrible gastrointestinal problem like you describe.