All inclusive Caribbean trip?

[Jr]

Hello,

Will people that have done the all inclusive Caribbean trips share their experiences? I am trying to figure out where to go... Thanks

[67ChevILL]

I have, been to the bahamas once and turks and caicos once as well. To be honest I liked both place's but turks was alot nicer, well keep island.
Out of the both I would recommend looking at the mayan riviera next to Cancun if you want a really nice beach experience. People were nicer here to locals and the water was alot nicer.. and theres alot more to do.

I have traveled to Costa Rica, Chile, Colubia, Baja, New Zealand and Fiji but i really love the Cancun area. Its not as small as the bahamas but not a large a Costa,Chile,...you dont have to travel 4 hours to go to the beach and 4 more hours to get to the forest... Everything is about 30 mins away..

Plus+ is alway cheaper/faster to travel down south from Cali then cross the whole nation - land in FL and take a connecter...



jMHO, hope this helps!

:cheers:

[ErikLS2]

I stayed at the Westin on St John and got a killer deal through Costco. Not all inclusive though but I liked the thought of going to eat where we wanted. St John doesn't have much in the way of night life and things like that but if you want a beautiful white sand beach and crystal blue water with no crowds it's great. It's a small island, rent a car and go anywhere on it in less than a day and it doesn't even have an airport, have to take a ferry from St Thomas. We rented a boat for one day but due to weather didn't get far but if you have any boating experience (or you can hire a captain) you can travel to various islands and some cool snorkelin spots too all in a day.

Here is the island's most famous beach, breathtaking, and there's one right like it just down the road that has very few people on it. In fact, one afternoon my wife and I had the whole beach to ourselves.

http://m2kmedia.com/bestvacationislands.com/images/stories/st-john-trunk-bay-usvi-national-park-hz.jpg

[67ChevILL]

One more thing, Right now is Hurrican season so you might get a killer deal but just make sure to get insurace on you package.
As far a good deals go, I always go through travelzoo.. good website and is usually a little cheaper then other places.



:cheers:

[Jr]

I will probably be scheduling this for October or November. My wife hates hurricane season.:thumbsup:

[AM.MSCL]

I have been to Jamaica twice and 2 different resorts via the Super Club company.
I enjoyed it both trips. Went in Sept both times.
The Sandals Club Resorts caters to couples if it is just you and you wife.

[MoparCar]

My wife and I are yearly Caribbean travelers. We've been to the 3 US Virgin Islands, St. Martin, St. Barts, Turks and Caicos, Etc. Some of the places several times.

You asked about all inclusive. We normally don't do all inclusive because you usually get a sub par trip at a higher price. That said, this year we went to the Turks and Caicos (which we've been to 3 times) and stayed at a brand new all inclusive resort that opened in February called Veranda. All I can say is this changed my mind about all inclusive. Top Notch 4-5 Star. The rooms were perfect, they had and have right now 30% off to attract new people. Their "house" vodka at the bar was Grey Goose (unlimited food and drinks)! The staff was awesome, the rooms were awesome and Grace Bay beach is one of the best. When we checked out the only cost was any tips we gave during the stay.

Turks and Caicos is an easy island to get to, very friendly, American dollar, English speaking and has never fought us. Highly recommended although the island itself is more resort driven than island driven meaning the island can be a little plain compared to others.

My favorite island is St. Barts hands down. It will make you work for it though. No going to the web and booking unless you really like spending money. To go there you need to book each piece individually since you will have a villa, a island hopper flight and a major flight to St. Martin to get there. Plus it is French speaking (although all speak some english) and the Euro at a somewhat higher rate. What you get is european cool and a very exotic island with the best restaurants and vibe anywhere. The island has crazy hills and crazy drivers! I could imagine myself being on it in a little R5 Turbo Renault instead of the normal JIMNY 4 x 4 rental or smart car! I love this island and we go off season to save money---anytime after April 15th is usually off season until Thanksgiving and Xmas when it gets really high.

The plus side to St. Barts is 8 total square miles, picture perfect beaches (all empty), 80 plus restaurants, "european style" on the beach, and a total adventure. If you don't like adventure and the occasional surprise, then it may not be for you. The single engine plane ride from St. Martin is the first adventure. They STALL the plane on landing---short landing right against a beach!

Go for it. If you have any questions PM me.

Wes

[clill]

What do you like to do ? Do you want to hang out at beach or do stuff ? Do you want to snorkel ?

This year we are going back to Roatan Island Honduras. Great snorkeling right off the beach so you don't have to take a boat to get to the reef, it is right there. Very laid back. Perfect place to hang out and Continental has flights from Houston right to the island.

[ProdigyCustoms]

We have done the Caribbean quite a bit on both business and pleasure.

I spent 6 months, 3 weeks on, 1 week off in Costa Rica setting up tours, no all inclusives there. Costa Rica is a Gentlemens paradise. Wife not like it so much

Spent 3 months, 3 weeks on and 1 week off in Belize setting up tours, Will NEVER go there again. I could wipe my ass with Belize. No all inclusives there either.

Cancun is great if you like to go off the resort, shop and party. And the all inclusives are a good deal.

We have done a few resorts in Jamaica. If you like staying on the resort, and require no off premise shopping or partying (totally safe on the property, not so safe off the property), Jamaica does the all inclusive best at a great price. We have been to multiple resorts there, different brands, Sandals does it best.

[GregWeld]

I stayed in a Holiday Inn Express in Manteca once... got a free breakfast... :woot:

[cspecken]

This place is top notch, all inclusive, great service. We are going again at the end of August, same time we went last year. The food offerings here are absolutely fabulous. Last year we got a great deal thru our time share. This year my wife booked thru another company for the same price. Let me know if you want more info.

http://www.karismahotels.com/resort/el-dorado-royale-spa-resort-karisma

If you have excess money to spend I would recommend upgrading to a casita, otherwise request a swim up.

http://www.karismahotels.com/resort/el-dorado-casitas-royale-karisma

[EBMC]

Dont forget Tahiti, from Socal, there are some pretty decent deals. We went there a few years back and stayed on the island of Moorea and it was awesome. Everywhere you look its like a postcard. Weve been to Carribean. Mexico, Hawaii many times and liked Tahiti the best.

[Jr]

What do you like to do ? Do you want to hang out at beach or do stuff ? Do you want to snorkel ?

This year we are going back to Roatan Island Honduras. Great snorkeling right off the beach so you don't have to take a boat to get to the reef, it is right there. Very laid back. Perfect place to hang out and Continental has flights from Houston right to the island.

I would love to go snorkeling! The wife will stay on the beach and read magazines or books.

I like that Continental has a direct flight. The wife will not get on a "nimbly bimbly" plane. I have no idea why she will not trust a puddle jumper...?

[Jr]

This place is top notch, all inclusive, great service. We are going again at the end of August, same time we went last year. The food offerings here are absolutely fabulous. Last year we got a great deal thru our time share. This year my wife booked thru another company for the same price. Let me know if you want more info.

http://www.karismahotels.com/resort/el-dorado-royale-spa-resort-karisma

If you have excess money to spend I would recommend upgrading to a casita, otherwise request a swim up.

http://www.karismahotels.com/resort/el-dorado-casitas-royale-karisma

Which resort did you go to?
http://www.karismahotels.com/riviera-maya-mexico

[cspecken]

We went to the El Dorado Royale. While we were there we went to Xelha for a day trip. http://www.xelha.com/ It is a great all around place that has something for everyone.

[BlazerSpeed]

Hope this helps - I'll give you mine and the wife's recent trips. When ever we do our big trips, we try to make them all inclusive.

We did the Iberostar Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic back in 2007. Very nice resort, great beaches, but there was a definite language barrier. My spanish was rusty, but knowing German really helped. Apperantly it's a big European vacation spot. The food was meh.

Marriott in St. Kitts - by far mine and the wife's favorite island so far. We went back in 2008 and are looking for an excuse to go back. We are both big into snorkeling/SNUBA/SCUBA excursions, as well as horseback riding. This resort offered everything.

We just did the Windjammer Landings in St. Lucia for our honeymoon in May...My personal advise - stay away from St. Lucia. It was over priced, and I think there is more reputation holding it up at this point. This was supposed to be a higher end resort...I've never seen one with cans of raid in every room, and half eaten food in the fridge.:censored:

Jamaica - good if you're under 26 but over 18, other wise there are better places to go.

I saw a few guys above me posted about the Eldorado Royale in Mexico. I've heard nothing but good things about these resorts, especially the private cassitas (personal houses with private pools). I would say check it out.
-Derek-

[clill]

Roatan pics

http://www.thecamarosite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206

[Rybar]

We went to the El Dorado Royale. While we were there we went to Xelha for a day trip. http://www.xelha.com/ It is a great all around place that has something for everyone.

Xel-ha was awesome, awesome snorkeling and swimming with the dolphins was so cool. Expensive but worth it. We went to the Mayan Riviera in Mexico a few years ago and stayed at Gran Bahia Principe Tulum 5 star resort and it was awesome. Great price: http://www.bahia-principe.com/en/Hotels-Of-Bahia-Principe/Hotels-Of-Bahia-Principe-In-Riviera-Maya-Mexico/Hotel-Gran-Bahia-Principe-Tulum/General-Information/index.htm

[96z28ss]

I stayed in a Holiday Inn Express in Manteca once... got a free breakfast... :woot:

Ditto. LOL

Resort stays:

I been to Bahamas 2 times Breezes Resort. all inclusive great time.
Once to The Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. Spendy but the resort is awesome.

Cozumel: twice. No complaints.

Cancun: 3 times Stayed at the Oasis (spring break, barely remember anything and thats my story and sticking to it.)

Jamica: don't bother not worth it, too many other places to see.

St. Lucia: Sandals resort, all inclusive great time.

Turks and Caicos: Beaches Resort: great place to visit and relax. Resort was more family oriented and lot of kids.

Aruba: real nice place,great beaches and very well kept island. friendly people. Also they have a drag strip there.

Cruises.
Cruises are nice but I don't care for the whole trip being on a schedule.

Voyager of the Seas. Royal Caribbean: Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Labadee.
The ship was awesome and its amazing the thing floats.

Princess Cruises. Alaska trip. Great Time, The excursions on this trip were the best. Must do cruise highly recommended.

[Rob07002]

Punta Cana in the Dom Rep. Stayed at Paradisus first time and Excellence (Secrets) third trip.

Excellence is adults only.

Beaches are beautiful. Rival some of the best in the world IMHO.

Food is ok.

Dollar for Dollar, or should I say peso for peso, best bang for the buck.