My husband and I are celebrating our 10th anniversary on January 1. Since family is always in town, we have never managed to celebrate our anniversary alone. This year we've told them not to come, we will be out of town. But now we don't know where to go. We have been many places, so many would be repeats for us. We don't ski, tired of Vegas. We live in Phoenix and want to go minimum of 4 days, maximum of 7 days and about $2500 to spend.
Here's our suggestion list so far (or feel free to add your own to the list).
-- 4-5 days in Sedona at L'Auberge (have been to Sedona many many times, but never splurged on the room.
-- 4 day cruise from LA including Catalina and Ensenada. Never done a cruise before.
-- 7 day cruise from LA to Mexican Riviera incl. Cabo and Puerta Vallarta
-- San Francisco/Napa Valley/Carmel/Monterrey
-- Other suggestions?

bbjj, congratulations on your upcoming 10th anniversary. Isn't is fun when special celebrations land on holidays and so the special celebration gets lost in the shuffle.

What interest you two? Do you feel like sunshine, water, beaches etc. Or do you like big cities. Or just a calm laid back great resort somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Can you post what sounds good to the two of you.

I know for me just a "do nothing" vacation works, when I am tired and have felt stressed. Other times need a city atmosphere. Let us know.

The San Fran/Napa/Carmel would have been my first choice, but I don't think it's the best time of year to go there. Save it for a May/June or Sept/Oct trip!

If it's your first cruise, I'd keep it to 4 days. Some people ending up not liking cruises, and it would be a shame to spend your entire vacation bored, annoyed or seasick.

How about spending a couple days in New Orleans celebrating the New Year, followed by a relaxing cruise into the Gulf?

Not sure which ports are included, but some else posted here with a question regarding NOLA prior to her cruise, so you could do a search for that.

Have fun, and Congratulations on your Anniversary!

Looks like both Royal Caribbean and Norwegian cruise out of NO.

If you are interested in snow, you might check out Mt. Tremblant, Quebec, or Stowe, VT. Even though you don't ski, it might be a very romantic change of pace. You could always include one afternoon of beginner adult lessons!

Have you already been to San Diego? There's so much to do there as well.

Well, he's a mountain biking guy, I'm a sit by the beach and read girl. We both think our favorite place in the world is Italy. We love cities, but also appreciate some quiet time in the country. We've never cruised because he thinks he'd get bored with just eating and I'm afraid I'd get seasick. The upside of a cruise is that we can do lots, or do nothing, whichever we prefer.
Should I be concerned about spending a special anniversary on a cruise that I may not like? How many first-time cruisers didn't like it?
And thanks for the NO suggestion, neither of us have ever been there. If the weather isn't too bad that time of year, that might be a good one to add to the consideration list.

If either of you is a USAA member, you might want to check out the Clipper Cruise Line's "2 'fer" Yorktown Clipper Dec departures in the USVI and BVI.
M
I used my AA miles last Jan - the diving/snorkling was great.
M

Hmmm...better book soon, New Year's Eve is on a Friday this year and that's gonna be one heckuva busy weekend most anywhere.

bbjj,
Congratulations! I had the same reservations about a cruise. We went on one and it was wonderful. That being said, I have no desire to go again. I still feel very lucky that the water happened to be like a lake and yes, I feel the emphasis is on eating, drinking and not alot beyond that. I would not use my 10th anniversary for an inaugural cruise.

I love the SF Bay area, but it is an iffy time of year for the weather there.

Congrats!

You should also know that the weather will not be all that warm on those Mexico cruise itineraries in January. I have been on those cruises on girls' trips, but not with my husband, because I know he would get antsy, and he would prefer not to get "dressed-up" every night for dinner.

L'Auberge de Sedona is one of our very favorite places, but since you live in Phoenix, might not seem that a real getaway.

I would vote for New Orleans for the great restaurants and jazz clubs. However, most of the cruises from NO are on the older, more rundown ships of RCCL or Carnival.

Have a great time!

splurging on a nice ocean view room, with a cozy fireplace around carmel/monterey might be nice but it may be rainy in january.
if you enjoy the ocean, a popular spot on vancouver island, canada is tofino. some very nice accommodations there and watching the winter storms are interesting. beautiful area.

I would be a little careful with the cruises, particularly the shorter one to Catalina and Ensenada. I have heard (but have never been) that these cruises are filled with 20-somethings getting drunk and out of control.

Maybe another poster has been on a cruise out of LA?

I've done the 4 nt cruise RCCL and there weren't drunks Many older Asians and couples. The 3 day weekend sailings may have more of a party crowd but this was not true at all for our mid-week sailing.

Hubby and I just renewed our 10 year anniversary vows on a cruise ship last week If you are considering a cruise you better book now, the departures may already be mostly sold out.

Diamond Princess is doing the 7 day itinerary you're looking at (as well as HAL and RCCL) - I did the Diamond in May and will be sailing the Mexican Riviera on Dec. 11th. I am very happy with the ship, it is the largest doing the itinerary which makes the sailing smoother.

To learn more about the cruise ships, visit cruisecritic.com 's message boards.

Value wise, if it's not too late a cruise may be your best choice, I imagine L'Auberge will be really expensive over the holiday.


Warmest wishes for a great anniversary!