Resort in lieu of a cruise

Marilyn · 05-15-2008, 05:28 PM

We had to cancel a short cruise next week and are looking for something similar later this summer - the cost of cruises are much higher after Memorial Day so we thought of a resort. One idea is the Atlantis in the Bahamas but it also quite costly. We picked the cruise since we could each go our own way (me, DH, and DS) then meet up when we wanted. I want pool/beach and shopping, DH wants activity and good food, DS wants excitement and familiar food! We all want variety and maybe some glitz. Any suggestions?

Lafalum84 · 05-15-2008, 05:51 PM

I've heard many great things about Atlantis, but it is pricey and remember you're talking about the Bahamas in hurricane season (esp if by "later" you mean August"). I think any decent all-inclusive resort will be pricey though. I think Sandals has some family resorts as well.

ucsd_ucla_dad · 05-15-2008, 06:11 PM

In addition to various islands you could always go to someplace like San Diego. Not quite as exotic but it has some nice resorts on the beach and familiar food and depending on where you are you might be able to get halfway decent airfares (but they're all going up). Sailing, kayaking, surfing, boogie-boarding, body-surfing, pools, all kinds of restaurants, zoo, wild animal park, seaworld, Mexican food, pretty much guaranteed not to rain, etc.

BunsenBurner · 05-15-2008, 06:39 PM

^^And there are more amusement parks just a short drive north to LA.

There are some (not too many) all-inclusive places in Hawaii, but they are not that kid-centered, from what I've heard.

Has anyone stayed at any Beaches resorts? What was your experience?

Marilyn · 05-15-2008, 06:40 PM

I love San Diego but we did that a few years back - a split week between Paradise Point and Loews Coronado. Wonderful week. We've also done a lot of city vacations and were looking for something different. Since DS is 20 we don't need a place geared to children, but we do want to be able to separate yet still be in proximity. And yes, moving into the summer we have to consider both heat and hurricanes. I don't know much about AI resorts except some of them are time-share traps.

BunsenBurner · 05-15-2008, 06:57 PM

Actually, those time-share traps (the non-all-inclusive ones) in HI are great. The Westin condo resorts are not pushy at all. We usually book our trips through Expedia or some other venue, and not a single time we've been approached by anyone about buying anything. It's just like being in a condo on Maui without worrying about tidying it up every day. Having a kitchenette is great, too. We buy food for the week at Costco and other stores and make our own quick meals. My favorite part is grilling fresh fish or steaks by the poolside while watching beautiful Hawaiian sunsets... Good times. And we were free to explore the island on our own (drive up the mountains, take the crazy road to Hana, go ATV-ing or snorkeling).

LongPrime · 05-15-2008, 11:32 PM

Vancouver BC/Victoria, and Seattle. Shopping, Green, Mountains, Water (ferry to Seattle and San Juan Islands), Food, Cosmopolitan atmosphere,

bookworm · 05-16-2008, 05:51 AM

Many years ago we stayed at a Beaches all-inclusive resort. Totally positive. S tried water skiing, fishing trip; we did dance classes, hikes, sailing. Lots of activities, good food. Met nice people. Only negative was the flight back, which was overbooked.

jackief · 05-16-2008, 06:41 AM

I stayed at the Atlantis 8? years ago, I think it was right after it opened. It was a company party (ah the good old days) after we had shipped a product so it wasn't my pick or my dime. Not my cup of tea. It was very Disney-like in my mind, the man-made aquariums etc. It was fun though, just too American/touristy for us.

We prefer Club Meds, we haven't been to other types of resorts, we haven't been since they went more upscale with tvs phones in the rooms, drinks included. I like having the activities and the chances to meet others. We went to one pre-kids, one with kids, and then we tacked on a couple days w/o kids to the one next door to Atlantis before that trip.

We also went to a Westin on Grand Cayman (another company trip, sigh now we just have potlucks) and it was very nice with the waitress service on the beach and the jetskis they rented for us, but it was a nice long weekend I would want more to do if it were a longer stay.

cangel · 05-16-2008, 07:16 AM

Marilyn, I don't know what your budget is, but consider dude ranches, some are a far cry from a real ranch, others have a nice mix. I have a real love for Tucson, because there is such a wide spectrum of things to see and do there - history, nature, astronomy, golf, Canyon Ranch, good restaurants, awesome airplanes. It is not really a city, so it is easy to navigate in a car, plenty of coeds if DS gets a little tired of Mom and Dad. Yes, it is hot in the summer, but more bearable than you might think and it is the slow season for some activities. There are a number of upscale resorts - some spas like Canyon Ranch, some more golf oriented, others more ranchlike.

StickerShock · 05-16-2008, 08:18 AM

We went to Atlantis last summer. The pools are beautiful & we had a blast on all the water features. Great slides and tubing "rivers" for all levels of bravery. Beautiful beaches, too. It's lovely to stroll around the resort & pass through the aquariums. Having sawfish & other cool creatures floating over your head is fun. The kids got to feed some rays & other species throughout our stay. We rented snorkeling gear & fun water tricycles.

We're not usually resort people -- we prefer traveling around and seeing the area. However, when we venured out to a Junkanoo festival, we were struk by the sad conditions of the actual island. At a hospital we passed, the parking lot had an ambulance up on blocks. The taxi driver just left the van's sliding side door open for fresh air. What a contrast to the Disneyesque perfection of Atlantis. The service was really slow. In fact, on two seperate occasions an enormous pool was closed because of a -- how to put this delicately?-- bio hazzard. Hours later said bio hazzard was still floating while employees just stood around the pools perimeter watching it. Very odd.

As to price -- we were surprised to see crazy fees tacked on to the bill. $30 a night maid fees. I've never seen that at any hotel -- shouldn;t that be inculded in the price? $17 luggage transportation (even though we wheeled our own.) Very high food prices (good meals, at least.) We had just tagged along on H's business trip so the hotel cost was covered. But it was very expensive despite that expense being his company's responsibility. Our neighbors wanted to do Atlantis & were able to just buy day passes. That's an option you might consider. The kids did the dolphin experience, and I was charged $25 just to be on the beach & watch. I felt like a human ATM machine, but it was a great experience.

kelsmom · 05-16-2008, 04:16 PM

I am a fan of the other side of the country for family vacations. We love the Atlantic Ocean, and we have had some amazing vacations at Cape Cod, Ocean City, the Outer Banks, and Hilton Head.

Another cool idea is my home state, Michigan. The west coast of MI is unbelievable ... as beautiful as Cape Cod! The southwest coast is artsy, while farther north is great for those who love the outdoors (beaches, hiking, dunes, dune buggy rides, lots of interesting spots to check out). Traverse City & Mackinac Island are awesome, as well (no cars allowed on MI). There are some beautiful resorts and great restaurants. With MI's depressed economy, there are sure to be some real bargains available.

Marilyn · 05-17-2008, 12:57 PM

Some interesting ideas - we've done lots of city vacations and have already been to most of the places mentioned including the Cape, Myrtle Beach, Seattle and to Michigan many times (my home state). DH and I love Mackinac Island but DS basically only appreciates the fudge. I'm mainly interested in lively resorts - doesn't have to be in the Caribbean. Something that would give the general feel of being on a cruise ship. I have looked at the Beaches resorts along with Atlantis - and that Westin Grand Cayman looked beautiful.

Karen Colleges · 05-17-2008, 02:40 PM

To tell the truth, we enjoyed the cruise ship, but would have preferred being at a nice hotel. The rooms were claustrophobic, I got seasick when the ship wasn't moving, and the extras (drinks) were over the top- expensive.

We did like the food and the entertainment, but it wasn't all that fabulous.

northeastmom · 05-17-2008, 05:57 PM

Karen Colleges this is why I won't go on a cruise. I tend to get very seasick. My idea of a nice vacation is not spent being sick.