Hawaii or Bermuda?
 

Been to the Caribbean, Mexico, and the Bahamas. Visited Hawaii 17 years ago. We've never been to Bermuda however. Planning a July '03 trip with our kids ages 17 and 14. Torn between Hawaii or Bermuda. Just not sure we can afford Bermuda! Budget is $5-6,000 for the week for the four of us. Help!

Bermuda is very expensive and the most economical way is to cuise there. There are ships leaving for Bermuda from Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore. We will be doing our tenth cruise to Bermuda this September. This time we will be sailing out of NYC and the ship will be docking in the Dockyard, Hamilton and the lovely and charming St. George. There are great sale prices going on right now.

Bermuda is, on the whole, very expensive. It's also very small and does not seem interested in encouraging children or the hoi polloi to visit. There are, however, houses and condominiums for rent. Golf and water sports are the main outdoor attractions. Unless you all rent scooters, you're left to locomote by taxi or pink bus (do your children get on the yellow ones?), as there are no cars available to rent to visitors. It is more gentile than Hawaii-short shorts and t-shirts are not worn in public off the beaches.<BR>It's also very pretty in pink and convenient to the east coast.<BR>Hawaii has more variety in geography, demographics, housing rental options and children's activities, among other things. Not particularly accessible to east coasters. Very pretty. Can be expensive.<BR>Can't imagine a lower ring of hell than a week on a cramped cruise ship with teenagers.

Completely disagree with you..during the summer months the cruise ships are filled with kids and not only are there programs for all ages the teens manage to find friends. Depending on the ship you normally spend three to four days in Bermuda. Beside the Crystal Caves, the Ocean Discovery Center, the Aquarium/Zoo, snorkeling, swimming and beaches it's a great place to explore. As for the transportation...personally I think the mopeds are pretty dangerous, but taking the buses is an experience...(there are also ferries). There is something about Bermuda that draws us back (we travel to other countries too)...we are BOP's...Bermuda Obsessed People..and most important and this is a big draw....the Bermudians actually like tourists. If you have anyother questions please write me at [email protected]

Hawaii and Bermuda are beautiful in distinctly different ways. Hawaii's beauty is wilder, with more remote reaches, Bermuda's more tamed and developed, but developed beautifully. I've been to both, loved Maui, but Bermuda is probably still my favorite.<BR><BR>We took our kids to Bermuda when they were almost exactly the same age as yours. Our daughter, 16 then, had just gotten her drivers license in the states so was able to have her own scooter and she did beautifully with it. Driving habits aren't as firmly entrenched in their minds, so switching to driving on the left was less of a problem for her than us. Our son rode double behind my husband, (a double moped) eying his sister with envy.<BR><BR>Both kids recall this as their all time favorite vacation growing up. We are all &quot;water people&quot;, and I planned snorkel excursions to different beaches from one end of the island to the other each day, touring on our way out while we still looked decent, snorkeling then returning to the hotel (Marriott Castle Harbour). The beaches are varied and magnificent--many with cliffs, small hidden coves, pink sand, golden sand, beautiful coral formations that attracted tropical fish, some beaches so remote we had them completely to ourselves, and never crowds at any of them. The narrow, flower covered, and rock wall lined lanes were beautiful to drive, and the white tile roofed pastel cottages all so pretty. It's one postcard pretty scene after another.<BR><BR>It is an expensive vacation, no doubt about it, but worth every cent when we hear the kids' fond recollections of the trip 15 years later. Have you looked at the rates on Expedia vacation trips? Their package prices, airfare/hotel, seem quite reasonable. Our son is now looking on Expedia for a spot for a honeymoon and is torn between going back to Bermuda, or going to Maui, which he's never seen--goes to show what a special vacation it was for him! Either way though, HI or Bermuda, you can't go wrong--the trip will be one the kids will always remember!

Don't know where you are flying from Brenda, but if you live the east coast, Bermuda's biggest attraction is that it is close by.<BR><BR>We went to Hawaii for our honeymoon and then went to Bermuda a year later to celebrate our 1st anniversary. There is absolutely no comparison between the two. For young people, Bermuda is just plain boring compared to Hawaii. I'm not saying Bermuda is a bad place--it's a pretty little island with good beaches, snorkeling and golf. The weather will be fine in July. On the other hand, Hawaii is beautiful with many natural wonders to explore, depending which islands you visit plus some of the best snorkeling in the world and awesome golf courses. I think the islands' rich history from its volcanic origins to the present would be far more stimulating for you and your kids. <BR><BR>If you are a cruise type of family, maybe Bermuda is a better option as some of the above posters indicate.<BR><BR>Hawaii is not cheap but lodging could be less than Bermuda. You need to factor in the cost of getting there and getting from island to island (if you visit more than one). You also need to factor in the cost of renting a car. If you choose only one, either Maui or the Big Island is best, IMO.