Hawaii or Caribbean for Honeymoon?
 

Will be going on our honeymoon in late August. We were thinking of a 7-day cruise to the Western Caribbean (Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios, and Labadee) on Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas. OR a 12 day day trip to Hawaii (4 days in Maui, 4 days in Oahu, and 4 in Kauai). We've never been to either place, but need to decide soon. Help us decide!

Janice - <BR> <BR>3 words: HAWAII, HAWAII, HAWAII!!! You'll never regret having made that choice. Congratulations and good luck!

Ditto......you'll never regret going to Hawaii. Perfect honeymoon.

there is no comparison...HAWAII! i lived there for 2 years and would vacation/live there again in a heartbeat. i would recommend the big island of hawaii, if you have time. enjoy!

If you have 12 days, I would definitely choose Hawai`i, however I would limit it to two islands, definitely not more than three. Since you will likely need to fly into or out of O`ahu anyway,yuo probably should spend at least few days on it. Many other people have pointed out that you lose too much time w/ the inter-island flights, car rental agencies, checking in and out, etc., to make too much island hopping worhtwhile. <BR>

I think that that Caribbean cruise will always be there for you, but Hawaii does need a longer time and is more exotic, romantic. I would choose Hawaii.

More crap from the Hawaii Travel Agents. <BR>Caribbean beats the SHIT out of Hawaii any day. OK Tossers ?

The Caribe is ok. In fact, if you like Tijuana you'll luv the Caribe. <BR> <BR>Hawaii any day. And you can drink the water.

Hello Janice, Congrats on the pending nupts. <BR> <BR>We took the Royal Caribbean West/Caribbean cruise on The Majesty around 6 years ago. Sounds like the same cruise you're taking. It was nice but we found out cruising was not "our thing". <BR> <BR>Too many people in close quarters. Not that the quarters(gorgeous ship) were bad, just a full ship. Deck chairs were hard to come by. <BR> <BR>Too regimented. Have to be at certain places at exact times or.....We're more "seat of the pants-spur of the moment" travelers. <BR> <BR>RoyCar was first class and if we do another cruise, especially a Mediterranean cruise, we'd have to go with them again. <BR>BUT... <BR> <BR>We been fortunate to be able to go to Kauai each year since '89 and we always seem to find something new, beautiful and romantic each year! <BR> <BR>Hawaii has my vote...with more than 4 days on Kauai. <BR> <BR>Mahalo, <BR>Kal

If you just want to lay around on a beautiful beach, then I would do the cruise as long as there is enough time in port to see the islands. If you want to see some of the most breath taking landscapes you'll ever see, go to Hawaii. I've been twice and would suggest for 12 days that you do 5 Kauai, 5 Maui and 2 Oahu.

Take this simple test and you can see whether you're a "Hawaii person" or a "Caribbean person": <BR>1) The fear of being robbed, even in broad daylight, makes me A)nervous/uncomfortable, or B) feel like I'm right back home in Tijuana. <BR> <BR>2) Being treated like an unwelcome supremacist time travelling slave owner by local islanders makes me feel A) nervous/uncomfortable, or B) how can those people see right through me like that? <BR> <BR>3) having people constantly trying to sell me drugs or begging for $5 bills makes me feel A) nervous/uncomfortable, or B) gives me a hankerin' for a hit of crack. <BR> <BR>4) vacationing in luxury while surrounded by islanders living in poverty and decay makes me feel A) nervous/uncomfortable, or B) like dropping out of society to join the Peace Corps. <BR> <BR>If you answered "A" to the above, go to Hawaii. <BR>For "B", save your $$ and pack a cooler for a weekend at the Gary, Indiana Super 8 Motel.

Some comments. <BR> <BR>1. If you are marrying someone whom you truly love and are commited to [1] and vice versa, then the details of the wedding itself should matter very little. The main priority in planning a wedding should be that all of your close friends and relatives should be able to attend and unless all of your friends and family are wealthy and have a lot of free time, then weddings in far away places are not such great ideas after all. <BR> <BR>2. The N. West coast of FL is known for beautiful beaches w/ translucent emerald waters. What about having your wedding there and saving your money to be able to go to Hawaii in the future when you really need some time to get away and relax and rejuvinate your romance? <BR> <BR>Notes: <BR>[1] Sure it's easy when you are young and infatuated w/ someone to utter the marriage vows but how many people really think realistically about the future? How many people think about the fact that the initial romance and excitement will ware off and there will inevitably be challenges? How many people think about the fact that there will likely be times when someone young and hot will tempt them and that taking those vows meaning resisiting the tempations? <BR> <BR>

The above post was intended for a different thread! I mistakenly posted it here!

Caribbean all the way! I've been to both several times. As a West coast person everyone is always going to Hawaii. Beautiful - but the water in the Carib is GREAT!! Stay on an island - no cruise. Try St. John - Caneel Bay or Virgin Gorga, BVI.

Janice, <BR> <BR>I have been both places and have returned to Hawaii for the past 3 years. The Caribbean is nice but is humid and hot, while Hawaii doesn't seem to get that hot not that humid. I suggest Maui and/or Kauai. If you choose the Caribbean....try staying on Tortola or St. John....both great islands. A cruise is nice but you don't get the chance to really explore the islands.

Go to Hawaii...especially if you're on the east coast. The beaches and the landscape are unlike anything you've ever seen. If you do go to Maui, you must visit red sand beach! Congratulations on your marriage!

Hello Travel Agents. Go to Barbados for a REAL holiday & stop the nauseating blathering about Hawaii - you've been sussed.

Janice, <BR>Consider that August is the middle of Hurricane season in the Caribbean. I wouldn't risk it. Hawaii would be a better bet.

Jule makes the best point. Late August is a bad time to plan a honeymoon. You can get some good deals in the Caribbean at that time of year - but that's why. Unless you go somewhere out of the hurricane belt - like Aruba, Bonaire - Trinidad - maybe Barbados - once you start heading up the island chain, you're getting into hurricane areas. I'd consider Hawaii first. Best wishes!

The Bajans are by far the freindliest people on the planet. ( Don't forget the Hawaiians killed Captain Cook !!! ). <BR>Go to Barbados !!!!

I have been to Hawaii twice and really enjoyed it, beautiful lush surroundings, beautiful beaches and the water is amazing. <BR> <BR>But I have to admit I love the Carribean, there are so many islands to explore and in all the travels I have done I have never had a problem. <BR> <BR>That said, you might check with a local travel agent on package deals, they often have special packages for honeymooners, and it can include air and hotel and even meals. That way in your planning you can get an idea of what is out there and available. <BR> <BR>If you live on the East Coast go to the Carribean, but I would do a nice resort not a cruise, after the wedding you will just want to relax. <BR> <BR>You should also take into consideration that August is the start of the Hurricane Season in the Carribean so if you do choose to go there get insurance for the trip, just in case. <BR> <BR>Look into Compas Point on Nassau for a perfect getway/honeymoon spot. <BR> <BR>Secondly if you live in the midwest, I would suggest Macinaw Island in Michigan, it is beautiful, no cars allowed, transportation is horse drawn carriges and beautiful, laid back. <BR> <BR>Congrats on your wedding have a wonderful day and enjoy the honeymoon.

Janice, don't forget that Hawaii is the AIDS capital of the Pacific Islands. Ensure that you take all possible precautions during your ( ill-advised ) visit. If you must go then ensure your vaccinations, insurance etc. are up to date. Good luck & please return in one piece.

Give me a break Jilly! <BR>Are you a Florida/Caribbean travel agent specialist? <BR> <BR>I thought the Caribbean leads the Western Hemisphere in STDs? <BR> <BR>For you to post such nonsense like that would be for me to post something like "Don't go to the Caribbean because Pirates still roam the islands and will rape, pillage and plunder your beach outing". <BR> <BR>I believe the Caribe leads the world in Pirate attacks so be on the look out with guys with one eye and a pegged leg! <BR>And I hope you come back without having to walk the plank! <BR>Harrrrrrr...harrrrrr

Janice <BR> <BR>HAWAII!! HAWAII!!! HAWAII!!! <BR>We went to Hawaii for the 1st time last year in October and we can't stop thinking about that place!!! We desperately want to return SOON!!! Go to Maui!! Beautiful and lush.. Romantic. You won't regret it!! <BR>Congrats & Good Luck!!

BARBADOS ! BARBADOS ! BARBADOS ! BARBADOS !!!!! <BR> <BR>Don't even THINK about Hawaii ! <BR> <BR>Consider somewhere better than the 'Rip-Off Archipelago', like the South Bronx, Harlem etc. And while you're deciding, have a great vacation in the Caribbean !

Been to Hawaii three times-especially love Kauai-and it holds a special place in our hearts. Haven't been to the carribean yet so I can't comment on that. However, did a mexican riveria cruise and we found out we just weren't cruise people. Very close quarters, dinner times set and lot's of dress up. frankly we enjoy being able to do on the spur of the moment. Nothing against cruises, it just wan't us. <BR>

Well, I've never been to Hawaii and am considering it for my honeymoon in November. How can anyone say Hawaii has more culture than the Caribbean? Hello?! Spanish, Jamaican, West Indies, British, and European influences! I don't know if I'd go to the Caribbean in August. And I definitely wouldn't do a cruise. I hated having a time restriction on my time on each island. When we found one we really enjoyed spending time on (Barbardos; great!) it was time to get back on the ship. Also when you live on the east coast it's so much cheaper and eaiser to fly to the Caribbean.

Know someone at work who got caught in a hurricane on a Caribbean cruise in August on her honeymoon-don't waste your money. DON'T GO TO THE CARIBBEAN--GO TO HAWAII!!

Of course Mugging & other crime is just as endemic on Hawaii as it is on the rest of the US. It IS a nice place but somewhere like Barbados, St Lucia, Curacao in the Caribbean will blow Hawaii out of the water !!!!!!

I am a fan of cruising but think for your honeymoon you should go to Hawaii. August is very hot and muggy in the Caribbean and it is at the start of hurricane season.I also would probably limit my trip to only two moves and skip Oahu. I'd hate to see you "move around" too much as part of the joy of Hawaii is just relaxing.Enjoy and congrats!!

I have to admit I am a travel agent and enjoyed the note about all of the diseases, LOL, my suggestion to you is HAWAII, I dont really suggest cruises for Honeymoons that often but may I suggest if you are doing 12 nights doing 6 Maui 6 Kauai, you get a free night usually when you stay for 5 and Waikiki is great but I think you would really appreciate the our islands. This will save more packing and unpacking and for a $99 ROUND TRIP YOU CAN FLY OVER TO OAHU FOR A DAY, SEE THE SIGHTS AND HEAD HOME, I usually try not to book more than two islands, just a suggestion <BR>George

This is a No Brainer!!! <BR>HAWAII!!! Hawaii all the way!! You won't regret it! Beautiful Lush need I say more. Very Romantic for a Honeymoon. <BR>Let us know what you decide. GO TO MAUI!

Janice - We took the RCCL Western Caribbean Cruise last yr. & it wasn't for us. Very uncomfortable...people begging & trying to sell everything to you. Cruise very regimented - not for us. Went to Hawaii yr. before. Would go back in a heartbeat. There is no comparing the two vacations. However, this is my opinion. You may love cruising - many people do. Good luck. Debbie

I went tothe Caribbean and then I went to Hawaii and since then I've never gone back to the Caribbean. Hawaii has so much more diversity, both culturally and in landscape. I would skip Oahu - Maui has enough nightlife. Kauai is more primitive and less crowded, so it's a great place to relax. I agree that you should only go to two islands. You won't regret it.