Hello, My sister and I are trying to plan a 70th B-day for Mom combined with my parent's 50th anniversay and have though allot about a cruise or an all-inclusive resort somewhere we can get to fairly easily from Tampa, Florida.

We want nice beach area for swimming and floating and nearby area for snorkeling or diving.

We want something that has nightlife (shows or gambling) so when parents hit the pillow, we can have something fun to do.

Daytime activies that we can sign-up for if we want (massages, or golf or fishing etc)

We want good food and service.

We want upscale 5 star if possible.

We are looking at all-inclusive so that we don't have to plan meals and events and we can enjoy ourselves.

The people will include adults from ages 40 to 75 and a few kids but none younger that 12 so kiddie type place is not necessary but adults only won't do either.

Please give me some ideas. I've looked all over the fodor boards but the choices are overwhelming.

forgot to add this is for May 2005

All inclusives usually include booze and tips while cruises do not include booze and tips. With your family that may not be a big deal but with mine that is a deal breaker.

For a spring cruise my family is taking, just the minimum tipping will cost me almost $700 and add another $1000 on for booze.

I know Aruba has all inclusives and gambling. The Marriott and Radisson are the nicest on the island but I don't know if either has all inclusive.

I think Jamaica has gambling and they have great all inclusives. Check out the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Beach, Grand Lido Negril, and Grand Lido Braco.

Go for a cruise... Some even leave from Tampa.

Just got back from a cruise last night. If your Mom isn't in good walking shape you may want to skip the idea of a cruise. I think I walked miles! And climbed many stairs (my choice). I did see some wheelbound cruisers so thats not a problem. Its just that I was surprised how big the ship (Golden Princess) really was.

Just had a thought, I think Seabourn and Seven Seas Cruises are both all inclusive. The Seven Seas Paul Gaugan to the South Seas (Bora Bora, Moorea, Papeete). I beleive Silverseas is also all inclusive. All three are top tier cruise lines, probably the best in the world and include you tips, alcohol and have gambling and shows.

Nancy: The first step is to ask your parents which they prefer. A friend of mine has been a cruise director for 20+ years, and according to him the repeat business on most cruise lines is less than 10%. I've heard the same figure quoted in several other places as well over the years. Which probably accounts for the tremendous amount of advertising these cruise lines do.

Personally I can take 3 or 4 days on the sea, then I want to get off the damned boat. Rock wall or no rock wall.

It's sad to say this, but be aware of health issues if you plan that far ahead.
We were planning a surprise cruise for my parents for their 50th anniversary. My dad had heart surgery and didn't make it. He died exactly 1 month before their 50th.

Just beacuse someone else "walked miles and miles" doesn't mean you, or anyone else with you, has to.

Nightlife...as described by you..available on most, if not all, cruises.

Not planning meals...available on all cruises and the food variety will probably surpass that available at any all-inclusive

Daytime activities..as described by you..some cruises have golf programs ashore and some even have miniature golf courses on the ship. Massages..full spa services and I mean FULL on many ships

The kids...get on a cruise with a dedicated kids program..you'll hardly know you even have the kids along if you pick the right cruise


Nice beach area..probably better at an all-inclusive. Snorkeling..available on many cruise itineraries.

You'll have a difficult time finding an all-inclusive that can match the services available on the so-called "top of the line" cruise ships such as Silversea, Crsytal, etc.

Tips and booze charges..you don't really think those all-inclusives aren't charging you for those things do you?

Nice "problem" to have. I'd look at cruise-addicts.com or cruisecritic.com rather than here for more in-depth cruise info and ship reviews than here IF you decide to go that route.

Have a great trip regardless.

The only thing with a cruise is the big variable of sea-sickness. Has everyone cruised before? Do they like the idea of it? Or is there someone who often gets vertigo or motion sickness?

If it's a warm weather trip, I'd recommend Bermuda. If not, then elsewhere in Caribbean proper.

What with some of the behemouth ships sailing these days (almost 1000 feet long and 105 feet wide) and very well-stabilized I seriously doubt there will be much problem with seasickness. I think I'd worry about the samo-smao boredom of an all-inclusive that stays in one place for a whole week.