Vacation Sites

[kmoose]

So Koon should drop $1100 on his RT flight and spend $100 accommodations and food? $1200 might get you one night on a Viking cruise. Some cool ideas in there but I'll need a few more commas in my paycheck before I think about paying for five people to take on those trips. Club Med? Seriously? Feeling kinda vacation snobby in here.

You can get airfare included in a lot of VRC cruises, and they are currently running a 2 for 1 cruise special. Included in the available cruise is the "Romantic Danube" cruise, which is 3 countries, 6 guided tours, in 8 days. The packages start at about $2550, so they don't have to be outrageously expensive. But I wasn't suggesting that koon look into VRC. I was just throwing it out there for those who might be thinking about taking a vacation soon. I figured since the thread had kind of turned into a "which vacation places do you like?" thing, I would toss those out there.

 

[woolybug25]

yep i've known people to go to Costa Rica and say the same. They get a glimpse of the culture of the nation only on their way to and from the airport. it's really depressing. I've never understood why Americans don't visit South America more. There's a whole continent a 3/4 hour flight away - jungles/deserts/snowscapes that not enough people take advantage of.

My guess is political instability. Columbia, Venezuala and the like are really the only ones 3-4 hours away, and nobody wants to get stuck there when shat hits the fan. Rio is a 9 hour flight from Florida.

It's warmer, it's prettier, it's another country, it's a different government, it's a different language (potentially), there's more marine life, there are different rules, it's typically cheaper, I haven't been to the Ocean in 8 years. Do I need to go on? Next time you want to put words into my mouth to try to lift yourself up, just eat them, please.

-It's not warmer than places like Florida.
-Every resort is pretty. If you're not leaving the resort, how is it prettier?
-While it's in another country, how would you know?
-There isn't necessarily more marine life. I would take Key West over Jamaica.
-There aren't different rules, because you aren't actually participating in their community.
-It isn't cheaper to travel abroad. That's simply not true.

 

[kmoose]

You were starting sh*t and you know it. Your first question was intentionally condescending.

I just don't get the need for confrontation when there wasn't anything wrong with the thread. Even the usual "give Koon a hard time" stuff was normal.

I don't know why you are attacking me.

 

[IrishLion]

I don't know why you are attacking me.

Haha

 

[RDU Irish]

Isn't Koon in Wisconsin? Consider for a second that 95% of that god forsaken state never leaves the state and consider Chicago or Minneapolis an intimidating trip. Then consider the miserable climate. I GTFO of there choosing NC largely due to nearby beaches, I can be on one in two hours - make it a day trip if I want and it is awesome. Guess what, beachfront property is damned expensive because a lot of folks like to soak up rays by the ocean for weeks on end without needing to feel like some cultural genius for knowing that people in third world countries live in squalor or Europeans have old buildings and don't speak English. However, if you want to guaranty you will have great weather for your 4 -5 day trip in April/May - you are better serve hitting a place like Punta Cana over Myrtle Beach. It will be 80 degrees, if it rains it will be short lived, the water will be warm, you do not run the risk of 55 and rain ruining your trip. Even though beaches are nearby, I still enjoy a week long all inclusive family getaway to an island - and once you are there the cost is cheap. Judging by the preponderance of Russians and Europeans there, Punta Cana must be doing something right.

 

[woolybug25]

So Koon should drop $1100 on his RT flight and spend $100 accommodations and food? $1200 might get you one night on a Viking cruise. Some cool ideas in there but I'll need a few more commas in my paycheck before I think about paying for five people to take on those trips. Club Med? Seriously? Feeling kinda vacation snobby in here.

My wife and I went to Belize for 5 days last year. I fly fished, snorkeled, did a jungle tour, kayaked and ate out every night. It was less than $1,500 per person.

 

[yankeeND]

Totally agree. I really never got the all-inclusive thing. It's a vacation where you don't actually have to experience the place you are visiting. Seems like an incredibly lame way to see the world.

Absolutely. I never would have been able to experience other cultures had I not joined the military. I lived in Japan for 4 years, got to go to Germany, Italy, Kuwait, Qatar, and Iraq. I know the last three aren't ideal, but it gave me new perspective on the world and just life in general. My four years in Japan was the greatest time of my life, and I hope to get back there several times before I am gone.

 

[wizards8507]

You can get airfare included in a lot of VRC cruises, and they are currently running a 2 for 1 cruise special. Included in the available cruise is the "Romantic Danube" cruise, which is 3 countries, 6 guided tours, in 8 days. The packages start at about $2550, so they don't have to be outrageously expensive. But I wasn't suggesting that koon look into VRC. I was just throwing it out there for those who might be thinking about taking a vacation soon. I figured since the thread had kind of turned into a "which vacation places do you like?" thing, I would toss those out there.

I looked into Viking River Cruises. I ran into a message board post where someone asked if they'd be too young for the typical crowd. The answer was "yes." The poster was like 50.

 

[IrishLion]

I looked into Viking River Cruises. I ran into a message board post where someone asked if they'd be too young for the typical crowd. The answer was "yes." The poster was like 50.

But what if you love old people

 

[wizards8507]

It's warmer, it's prettier, it's another country, it's a different government, it's a different language (potentially), there's more marine life, there are different rules, it's typically cheaper, I haven't been to the Ocean in 8 years. Do I need to go on? Next time you want to put words into my mouth to try to lift yourself up, just eat them, please.

It ain't cheaper when you throw in airfare and medical bills after you contract a parasite.

 

[Ndaccountant]

My guess is political instability. Columbia, Venezuala and the like are really the only ones 3-4 hours away, and nobody wants to get stuck there when shat hits the fan. Rio is a 9 hour flight from Florida.



-It's not warmer than places like Florida.
-Every resort is pretty. If you're not leaving the resort, how is it prettier?
-While it's in another country, how would you know?
-There isn't necessarily more marine life. I would take Key West over Jamaica.
-There aren't different rules, because you aren't actually participating in their community.
-It isn't cheaper to travel abroad. That's simply not true.

Florida average temperatures range from 58 in Jan to 81 in July. Punta Cana average temperature in Jan is 77 and gets up to 82 in July. So, Summer months are not much different, but winter months definitely are. Even Key Largo ave temp in Jan is about 70.

 

[dang227]

My wife and I went to Belize for 5 days last year. I fly fished, snorkeled, did a jungle tour, kayaked and ate out every night. It was less than $1,500 per person.

Ambergris Caye off the coast of Belize is one of the coolest places I have visited. Also, Anguilla has beautiful beaches and water.

 

[kmoose]

I looked into Viking River Cruises. I ran into a message board post where someone asked if they'd be too young for the typical crowd. The answer was "yes." The poster was like 50.

Well, if it is posted to a message board, then it must be true and accurate, right?

I honestly don't know how old the crowd is because I have never done one of the river cruises. But you can do more in a shorter amount of time and relax during the travel from city to city. Take your wife/girlfriend and spend all of the time not sightseeing in bed. Then, who cares how old the rest of the cruisers are?

 

[koonja]

For those who have done the Carribbean/Central America/Mexico, is there a general consensus of which location/resort might have the best snorkeling?

 

[wizards8507]

Well, if it is posted to a message board, then it must be true and accurate, right?

I honestly don't know how old the crowd is because I have never done one of the river cruises. But you can do more in a shorter amount of time and relax during the travel from city to city. Take your wife/girlfriend and spend all of the time not sightseeing in bed. Then, who cares how old the rest of the cruisers are?

From what I understand, the entertainment offerings are highly tailored to the elderly crowd. Like, shore tour groups are sorted based on mobility level.

 

[wizards8507]

For those who have done the Carribbean/Central America/Mexico, is there a general consensus of which location/resort might have the best snorkeling?

Seriously, based on everything you want, go on a cruise. All-inclusive, snorkeling, warm weather, and you get to visit several different countries.

 

[koonja]

Seriously, based on everything you want, go on a cruise. All-inclusive, snorkeling, warm weather, and you get to visit several different countries.

I've read that the cheaper cruises can get crowded and I don't want to be on a ship from 5pm to 8am everyday. Not knocking cruises and I thought about it, but I want to be on land so I can spread out if needed.

 

[Irish#1]

For those who have done the Carribbean/Central America/Mexico, is there a general consensus of which location/resort might have the best snorkeling?

The 10 Best Caribbean Snorkeling Spots

 

[woolybug25]

Seriously, based on everything you want, go on a cruise. All-inclusive, snorkeling, warm weather, and you get to visit several different countries.

You don't get to "visit" several countries. You get to spend 2-4 hours on privately held beaches located on other countries. The restaurants, activities, etc are all seperate from the actual community. Completely closed off and usually not even employed by locals. Even if you do an excursion and leave the beach (ie camp), they simply drive you to the location without stopping. You don't actually see shat...

 

[ClausentoTate]

Me and my girlfriend just booked an all inclusive trip to DR in June for about 1K each. There's plenty of other cheap deals on this site cheapcarribean.com. I highly recommend.

Done this twice myself, definitely a good, cheap 5 day vacation. You can splurge and spend more to go to a nicer resort as well. Nearly all resorts are all-inclusive or sell a package.

 

[wizards8507]

You don't get to "visit" several countries. You get to spend 2-4 hours on privately held beaches located on other countries.

That depends entirely on the cruise line and the itinerary. The seven night western Caribbean itinerary I recommended for Koon has a full day in Grand Cayman, a full day in Cozumel, a full day in Belize, and one day on the private beach you described.

The restaurants, activities, etc are all seperate from the actual community. Even if you do an excursion, they simply drive you to the location without stopping. You don't actually see shat...

I would never book excursions through the cruise line. My wife and I would leave ports on our own and walk or taxi to our excursion destinations.

Besides, Koon doesn't want culture. He wants snorkeling.

 

[woolybug25]

That depends entirely on the cruise line and the itinerary. The seven night western Caribbean itinerary I recommended for Koon has a full day in Grand Cayman, a full day in Cozumel, a full day in Belize, and one day on the private beach you described.

What cruise did you refer? Because I don't see it.

I went on a cruise once and they said the same thing, but the "full day" really meant 5 hours in their community. This was my first experience in Honduras. While it was technically in Honduras, the area the ship comes into is completely blocked off from the rest of the country. It's a resort owned by the cruise lines.

 

[koonja]

Belize has the Mayan ruins, solid beach life (I assume), and the 2nd largest barrier reef from what I'm reading... This sounds like 3 birds if I can find an affordable package. I also have to make sure seeing all 3 is feasible, not sure how big/where they're located.

 

[wizards8507]

What cruise did you refer? Because I don't see it.

I went on a cruise once and they said the same thing, but the "full day" really meant 5 hours in their community. This was my first experience in Honduras. While it was technically in Honduras, the area the ship comes into is completely blocked off from the rest of the country. It's a resort owned by the cruise lines.

Yeah each cruise line has its own island and/or beach on some country's island. On the short itineraries, that might be all you do. Once you get to seven nights, you get some legit nights.

Belize has the Mayan ruins, solid beach life (I assume), and the 2nd largest barrier reef from what I'm reading... This sounds like 3 birds if I can find an affordable package. I also have to make sure seeing all 3 is feasible, not sure how big/where they're located.

Go ziplining in the jungle. They make you eat termites.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Belize has the Mayan ruins, solid beach life (I assume), and the 2nd largest barrier reef from what I'm reading... This sounds like 3 birds if I can find an affordable package. I also have to make sure seeing all 3 is feasible, not sure how big/where they're located.

Belize isn't that big, I'd be surprised if you couldn't do all that over 5 days.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

[koonja]

Does anyone have any experience with resorts that are near/have the best access to the berrier reef in Belize?

 

[kmoose]

Does anyone have any experience with resorts that are near/have the best access to the berrier reef in Belize?

Yes.......... your local travel agent. They would be a much better resource than us shmucks here on IE.

 

[IrishLion]

Yes.......... your local travel agent. They would be a much better resource than us shmucks here on IE.

^I've only left the country once, but we set things up through AAA and they did a fantastic job of setting us up, hooking us up on the "things to do" department, but also leaving us plenty of "explore for yourself" time/options.

 

[calvegas04]

Belize has the Mayan ruins, solid beach life (I assume), and the 2nd largest barrier reef from what I'm reading... This sounds like 3 birds if I can find an affordable package. I also have to make sure seeing all 3 is feasible, not sure how big/where they're located.

I've heard Belize is great, and I would try the cruise thing in the future great way to get out and explore other countries even if just for a day

 

[dublinirish]

Cruise's are so lame old nearly dead people, same for package tours. What's stopping people from actually travelling and doing it on your own? Are people afraid of getting robbed or whatever? Never understood the fear factor about this whole thing.