Hello,<BR><BR>My fiance and I are trying to plan our honeymoon and really wanted to go to Hawaii but ubfortunatly are budget is only for $3500 which does not cut it in Hawaii. <BR><BR>We were wondering if any of you can give us suggestions as to what Carribean island you would recommend for our honeymoon and why? We like the tropical, nice beaches, nice resorts with excellent pools, some nightlife and shopping, and great dining, sight seeing, etc.. this is what we are looking for but also in fear of hurricanes. <BR><BR>Thanks for any info!<BR><BR>Pam

Hi Pam,<BR>I, too, honeymooned in August, and had also had my hopes set on Hawaii. (Un)fortunately, we couldn't quite afford it, either(the airfare rom NYC was too expensive). However, we ended up going to Anguilla for 4 nights and St. Martin for 4 nights. The time at Cap Juluca in Anguilla was absolute perfection: powder, white sand beaches with the clearest, calmest water you could imagine. The rooms, and the resort as a whole, were amazing. We took a boat trip around the island one day--went snorkeling and had lunch at other beautiful sites on Anguilla. Only downside: no real nightlife or &quot;sightseeing.&quot;-that's why we went to La Samanna in St. Martin for a few nights. There were great French restaurants, and some casinos, shopping, etc. here, but nothing compared to the experience at Cap <BR>Juluca.<BR><BR>My advice? Head to Anguilla--the weather was perfect in August. And stay at Cap Juluca, even if you have to shorten you trip (It is about $320 a night during the summer.)<BR><BR>Good Luck!<BR><BR>PS: I was so worried about hurricanes, too, that I bought &quot;trip insurance.&quot; It costs approx. $100 per person. We didn't need it, but it gave me great peace of mind...

Maybe consider Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. Its the area about 45 min. south of Cancun with beautiful caribbean water. My husband and I stayed last year for our 1 year anniversary at the Royal Hideaway. It was during the second week in October and the weather was perfect. We flew from Newark, NJ and stayed 6 days/ 5 nights and the total came to $2970 for EVERYTHING. The food, service, accommodations, beach/pools, 5 stars. Definitely worth checking out. I saw a few weeks ago that www.luxurylink.com had a special on this place for $175 per person per night that includes everything... all your food, drinks, etc. Its definitely a bargain. I could even email you photos of this resort. I really wish I went here for our honeymoom (we opted for the Sandals, St. Lucia - which was a beautiful island but I felt the resort felt too chainy, if you know what I mean) well good luck with your search and again I would be happy to email you photos, etc. Congratulations!

I just also wanted to say that the price I gave you also included round trip airfare.

Why don't you call a travel agent and find out what $3500 can buy in Hawaii. I saw yesterday (and I can't remember where) an advertisement for $859 per person for Hawaii for a week. It's worth checking out if that is what you have your heart set on!

bermuda

excuse me,there is no night life there,maybe aruba might better choice

Thank you for all the great suggestions! We currently are working with a couple travel agents to see what kind of bargains we can get in Hawaii....we were just a little sticker shocked when we were given our quotes. We just need about $2000 more to make it to Hawaii. We are paying for our entire wedding and trying to get into a house so money is super tight. <BR><BR>I will look into some of the ideas that all of you have given us and just be sure to get that insurance for peace of mind. Thanks again!

Look into the beautiful Marriott Hotel in Curacao--see travelers reviews in Where2Stay. The rates are very affordable and very highly rated. American Airlines and Air Jamaica both fly to Curacao. We were in Curacao one day while on a cruise and we really liked the island.<BR>Being August you should be aware of tropical storms which can cause a lot of rain. Away from the hurricane belt are the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao) so these are your safer bets.<BR>As for Hawaii we have traveled there several times and it is truly beautiful. We stayed at a small resort on the Big Island of Hawaii called the Keauhou Beach Resort that was delightful and very affordable. The big island is huge and a car is necessary, no problem driving.

Keauhou is now an Ohana property at ohanahotels.com or just type out ohanahotels.<BR>Good luck with your plans.

If $3500 won't take you to Hawaii, you need a new TA. In August I'd stick to Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Grenada and Barbados.

luxurylink.com has weekly &quot;best shot&quot; auctions of the Kapalua Bay hotel. 6 nights ocean view room for between $1400-1600 breakfast included which is a great deal. Also you could priceline it - see www.biddingfortravel.com where you can get a beach resort on Maui for $145/nt. One thing to know is that meals will be expensive but definitely doable for $3500.

Hi,<BR>Do you live on the East Coast, Midwest or West Coast? If you live on the East Coast or even Midwest, I can't imagine you going to Hawaii for just $3,500. I guess you can but it'd be pretty cheap accomodations. My advice: It's your honeymoon, don't do it on the cheap!! You only have a honeymoon once!! (hopefully-smile). Do your next vacations on the cheap!!<BR>We've done Hawaii and it was great but it cost.<BR>I agree with Maureen's suggestions of one of the ABC's islands if cost is an issue and you're worried about hurricanes. You could get a really nice honeymoon for that cost maybe even all-inclusive if that's what you'd prefer.<BR>We enjoyed Aruba. We're planning to do both Curacao and Bonaire at some point. We've already researched the two and they both look very nice.<BR>Have a great wedding and honeymoon!<BR><BR>

Hello,<BR><BR>Thanks for the advise! We are from Michigan so airfare is the killer to Hawaii. We are currently looking into Aruba and found deals in our budget at the Hyatt for 10 days so we are considering it. You are right, in order for us to do Hawaii on our budget we would have to cut back on the resorts and stay in the not so great places. Another good point that you made is it is our honeymoon and we want to make it as special as possible and would we have to go the cheap route in Hawaii. This weekend we are going to do some serious honeymoon research! Thanks again for all the helpful advise...we greatly appreciate all of the posts.

2 of my husband's cousins (2 different couples) honeymooned at the Hyatt in Aruba. They LOVED it and RAVED on and on about it.<BR>So if you end up choosing it, I think you will be just fine.<BR>

Just a suggestion---try Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays---they own many resorts in Hawaii and have some killer deals. But try to go for at least 7 nts. Good luck !!

Aruba - several couples I know honeymooned at the Hyatt and loved it. I have stayed there as well and it was great. The weather is great and there is nightlife - and you can take a day trip to Curacao or Caracas. Best sunsets in the world! Enjoy - I hear they have a sunshine on sale promotion. (5th night free - so only pay for 8 nights) Although 10 nights may be alot for Aruba. You might want to go to 2 places....Good luck <BR><BR>Ritz Carlton in St. Thomas is nice. Near several islands for day trips and shopping. Bear in mind that August is off season.<BR><BR>By the way - I agree you should be able to go to Hawaii for $3500. and then some from Michigan. Go directly to Maui from Michigan or Chicago. You might want to book your travel yourself and see the cost.

If it makes you feel any better, the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao) are considered to be outside the hurricane belt. They are about the &quot;safest&quot; places to go in the Carribbean if you want to maximize your chances of avoiding hurricanes. (The storm surge from Hurricane Lenny which hit Bonaire several years ago was an extremely rare event).