Can we discuss vacations?

IrishCoffee7

I'm totally overwhelmed with all of the ways you can book vacations.  Our honeymoon we did through a travel agent and our Ireland trips we spent hours and hours researching places to go and planned out our itinerary ourselves.  However, we had no child so were totally flexible to make last minute changes.

Now I just want to go take my kid somewhere all-inclusive with a beach, a friendly staff, family-friendly facilities and plenty for my kid to do.  And booze.  I would prefer two rooms, especially since I'm considering inviting my college-age sister to come on a free vacation in return for helping out a little with her godson. 

I think where I'm really getting caught up is I can't tell which places are truly child-friendly or if my kid is included in the pricing.  And I'm not sure if I can get a better deal booking all together (hotel, airfare, etc. for one lump sum price).

Please advise.

Tl: dr.

ETA:  By two rooms I mean maybe a small suite or something.  Although it's not required if it jacks the price way up.

How much should I expect to pay?  Haaaalp!

chlsbshp

I'd say call every place your interested in and ask. I've found that it's usually not fully explained on their website, unless they're Disney.

numeria11

Have you thought about doing something thru like Funjet or Apple Vacations?  My mom always books thru them and speaks really highly of them.  That way you can talk to a person and get a better idea of what's included and what's not.   I'm not much help with all inclusives otherwise since I've only been on one for our honeymoon.  Occidental down in Costa Rica nice place but the beds sucked.

Wine O Mite

I love vacations!

I just did an all inclusive with my sister and my mom in May and the best bang for your buck is definitely Playa del Carmen/Riviera Maya, Mexico.  I looked everywhere else and it was crazy expensive.  And the flights out of Chicago weren't that bad.

As far as kid friendly, most resorts are family friendly (the one we went to had an entire play area for kids) unless they say "adult only".  

We stayed at the Grand Palladium Colonial (https://www.fiestahotelgroup.com/en/hotels/destination/america/mexico/riviera-maya/grand-palladium-colonial-resort-spa/resort-home/) and I thought it was nice.  Not 5 stars, but definitely a great price for what you got.

ETA:  And while I'm somewhat of a food snob as well Irish, I looked at pricing for the Gourmet all inclusive resorts and it was 3-4 times as expensive.

I guess it all depends on your budget. 

 

Wine O Mite

IrishCoffee7:

Also curious if anyone has used cheapcarribbean.com? 

My coworker did and took his family to the DR for a week for under $800/person.  But I'm curious what that gets you and I'm afraid to ask him without sounding snobby...like "was your vacation up to my standards?"

LOL.

 

My friends used cheapcarribbean.com for a trip a couple weeks before mine and they got screwed on the hotel.  It gave it 3-4 stars and they got there and said it was disgusting.  They ended up leaving a finding another hotel on a whim and later got a credit back from them.

I booked the trip for my sister, mom and I and I did everything separately.  Mainly because we were all flying from different places and most travel agents won't do that for you.

 

ATMmom324

I had always booked vacations myself on the internet.  Last two we booked through AAA.  It was so much easier and saved us money.  If you are a member or know someone who is I would go through them.

Wine O Mite

IrishCoffee7:

Wine O Mite:

I love vacations!

I just did an all inclusive with my sister and my mom in May and the best bang for your buck is definitely Playa del Carmen/Riviera Maya, Mexico.  I looked everywhere else and it was crazy expensive.  And the flights out of Chicago weren't that bad.

As far as kid friendly, most resorts are family friendly (the one we went to had an entire play area for kids) unless they say "adult only".  

We stayed at the Grand Palladium Colonial (https://www.fiestahotelgroup.com/en/hotels/destination/america/mexico/riviera-maya/grand-palladium-colonial-resort-spa/resort-home/) and I thought it was nice.  Not 5 stars, but definitely a great price for what you got.

ETA:  And while I'm somewhat of a food snob as well Irish, I looked at pricing for the Gourmet all inclusive resorts and it was 3-4 times as expensive.

I guess it all depends on your budget. 

 

We stayed at the Occidental Royal Hideaway in the Riviera Maya for our honeymoon .

DH is a little funny about going to Mexico with DS right now since there's been so much violence, etc.  I know it's pretty unfounded for where we'd be but considering we're bringing the kiddo I'm respecting his brand of crazy.

 

I get that.  I just mentioned it because I did a ton of research to find the best deal for our trip in May and Mexico was the best deal.

PR doesn't have any AIs.

St. Thomas does, but they are around $500/night just for a regular room.

Jamaica is kind of the same in regards to safety as Mexico or at least I've heard.

I don't know anything about the Bahamas, but you could check that out.

Or Florida?  What about Key West? 

numeria11

IrishCoffee7:

Wine O Mite:

I love vacations!

I just did an all inclusive with my sister and my mom in May and the best bang for your buck is definitely Playa del Carmen/Riviera Maya, Mexico.  I looked everywhere else and it was crazy expensive.  And the flights out of Chicago weren't that bad.

As far as kid friendly, most resorts are family friendly (the one we went to had an entire play area for kids) unless they say "adult only".  

We stayed at the Grand Palladium Colonial (https://www.fiestahotelgroup.com/en/hotels/destination/america/mexico/riviera-maya/grand-palladium-colonial-resort-spa/resort-home/) and I thought it was nice.  Not 5 stars, but definitely a great price for what you got.

ETA:  And while I'm somewhat of a food snob as well Irish, I looked at pricing for the Gourmet all inclusive resorts and it was 3-4 times as expensive.

I guess it all depends on your budget. 

 

We stayed at the Occidental Royal Hideaway in the Riviera Maya for our honeymoon .

DH is a little funny about going to Mexico with DS right now since there's been so much violence, etc.  I know it's pretty unfounded for where we'd be but considering we're bringing the kiddo I'm respecting his brand of crazy.

 

Yeah to Wine's point I don't know if I would go into an all inclusive expecting amazing food.  Good sustance yes, amazing food probably not unless like she said you are going to pony up for more of a gourmet meal style all inclusive.  Honestly that's part of the reason we haven't done another all inclusive, in theory I like the idea.  In reality I am also a total food snob and while the food was good enough at the Occidential we stayed at it didn't wow me and I want to be able to go off resort for good food (or local cuisine) and not feel like I just wasted a meal that I could have had for free.  Honestly for what we paid for a nice all inclusive we probably could have almost done it as just a hotel and food seperately, but we arent really heavy drinkers either.

Wine O Mite

Key West was fun when I went there a couple years ago.  I was obviously not with any children though.  The beaches kind of suck and are very rocky.  Or at least the ones we were at.

 

 

Wine O Mite

IrishCoffee7:

Wine O Mite:

Key West was fun when I went there a couple years ago.  I was obviously not with any children though.  The beaches kind of suck and are very rocky.  Or at least the ones we were at.

 

 

Haha.

Being the considerate big sister I am, one of the reasons I'm looking outside the US would be the drinking age.  What 20-year-old wants to go to Florida over the Carribbean?  None I can think of :P.

 

And yeah, take the girl somewhere she can legally drink! 

When are you planning on going?  What season? 

Kitiara5512

Go on a cruise - you'll have to pay per drink on some cruise lines but most have daycare included for your kid. Also you will have to pay for kid's accomodations but some cruise lines discount either children or a 3rd person in the room. ie Carnival discounts the 3rd, 4th, 5th person 50% and spreads that discount to adjust the cost of all the people in the room. Kids 2+ can go to their daycare (Camp Carnival) at no charge, and I have loved the toddler room on the ship I saw it on, and the kids were having a lot of fun. They also do babysitting in the evening but it is extra. Someone last year said Caribbean discounts $100-200 or something for children. I think they also offer daycare service. And cruises that allow kids tend to be really kid friendly.

numeria11

Virgin IL's I dont know just throwing stuff out there. 

I know St. Lucia's supposed to be awesome but pricey if you need two rooms probably. 

Honestly the Bahamas may fit all your requirements pretty well.  Plus it would be a very short plane ride, which with a toddler is not a bad thing ever.

nanabanana06

Have you looked into Atlantis? That place is pretty kid friendly and awesome.

numeria11

IrishCoffee7:

Wine O Mite:

IrishCoffee7:

Wine O Mite:

Key West was fun when I went there a couple years ago.  I was obviously not with any children though.  The beaches kind of suck and are very rocky.  Or at least the ones we were at.

 

 

Haha.

Being the considerate big sister I am, one of the reasons I'm looking outside the US would be the drinking age.  What 20-year-old wants to go to Florida over the Carribbean?  None I can think of :P.

 

And yeah, take the girl somewhere she can legally drink! 

When are you planning on going?  What season? 

Assholes that we are we would LOVE to go for Christmas but no way that would fly.

We're thinking February.  And actually there's a good chance I'll be in my second trimester of pregnancy, which is the other thing we're taking in to consideration.  I don't want to be exhausted (first tri) or huge.  I may well not be able to drink, so I want at least pretty damn good food.

The more I think about it AI is probably NOT the way to go.

 

So this is me totally being nosy but when are you guys thinking about starting to try?  Sorry I know we've compared notes on the whole kids plans before and I thought you were holding off so I'm excited, I might (God willing) have a pregnancy buddy on here.

Wine O Mite

IrishCoffee7:

Wine O Mite:

IrishCoffee7:

Wine O Mite:

Key West was fun when I went there a couple years ago.  I was obviously not with any children though.  The beaches kind of suck and are very rocky.  Or at least the ones we were at.

 

 

Haha.

Being the considerate big sister I am, one of the reasons I'm looking outside the US would be the drinking age.  What 20-year-old wants to go to Florida over the Carribbean?  None I can think of :P.

 

And yeah, take the girl somewhere she can legally drink! 

When are you planning on going?  What season? 

Assholes that we are we would LOVE to go for Christmas but no way that would fly.

We're thinking February.  And actually there's a good chance I'll be in my second trimester of pregnancy, which is the other thing we're taking in to consideration.  I don't want to be exhausted (first tri) or huge.  I may well not be able to drink, so I want at least pretty damn good food.

The more I think about it AI is probably NOT the way to go.

 

Ummmmmmm....look at my ticker!  St. Thomas would be a great place for you to go in February.

Personally I'm not a huge fan of AIs.  We only did one because well, my dad paid for my sister and I and we didn't want to break the bank.

Look at this place.  2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms.  It's not right on the beach, but it's up the hill from a beautiful beach (my ILs stayed there for our wedding).

https://www.vrbo.com/134380 

 

Wine O Mite

Hey....hey Irish....don't be mine travel buddy then.

klondikebar

Atlantis Bahamas

https://www.familyfunatatlantis.com/?gclid=COSgscbPpLICFYUWMgodny4AEg

I think the drinking age is 18. And there is a casino.

nanabanana06

KlondikeBar:

Atlantis Bahamas

https://www.familyfunatatlantis.com/?gclid=COSgscbPpLICFYUWMgodny4AEg

I think the drinking age is 18. And there is a casino.

This is what I would do. It's pretty much awesome. I am planning on taking the kids in a few years.

Wufroggy79

Wine O Mite:

I love vacations!

I just did an all inclusive with my sister and my mom in May and the best bang for your buck is definitely Playa del Carmen/Riviera Maya, Mexico.  I looked everywhere else and it was crazy expensive.  And the flights out of Chicago weren't that bad.

As far as kid friendly, most resorts are family friendly (the one we went to had an entire play area for kids) unless they say "adult only".  

We stayed at the Grand Palladium Colonial (https://www.fiestahotelgroup.com/en/hotels/destination/america/mexico/riviera-maya/grand-palladium-colonial-resort-spa/resort-home/) and I thought it was nice.  Not 5 stars, but definitely a great price for what you got.

ETA:  And while I'm somewhat of a food snob as well Irish, I looked at pricing for the Gourmet all inclusive resorts and it was 3-4 times as expensive.

I guess it all depends on your budget. 

 

I have had two or three friends stay at this same resort over the past few years, and all have said great things and have returned more than once.

Wine O Mite

Wufroggy79:

Wine O Mite:

I love vacations!

I just did an all inclusive with my sister and my mom in May and the best bang for your buck is definitely Playa del Carmen/Riviera Maya, Mexico.  I looked everywhere else and it was crazy expensive.  And the flights out of Chicago weren't that bad.

As far as kid friendly, most resorts are family friendly (the one we went to had an entire play area for kids) unless they say "adult only".  

We stayed at the Grand Palladium Colonial (https://www.fiestahotelgroup.com/en/hotels/destination/america/mexico/riviera-maya/grand-palladium-colonial-resort-spa/resort-home/) and I thought it was nice.  Not 5 stars, but definitely a great price for what you got.

ETA:  And while I'm somewhat of a food snob as well Irish, I looked at pricing for the Gourmet all inclusive resorts and it was 3-4 times as expensive.

I guess it all depends on your budget. 

 

I have had two or three friends stay at this same resort over the past few years, and all have said great things and have returned more than once.

My sister went there on her honeymoon about 7 years ago and said it was nice. I thought it was nice for the price. Lots to do.

It's huge and there are 4 hotels and a tram to get around. And it's a natural habitat for animals. I'd go back again.

Wine O Mite

IrishCoffee7:

Oooh that rental could be sweet too.nbsp;
I just have to make sure if we're not in a resort we're near stuff for my crazy overactive toddler to do.nbsp; So he doesn't freak out. '
nbsp;

There is a lovely beach, 2 pools, and you can take him off the resort to coral world or to another island.

It's not the best resort because it is dated, but it's a fantastic beach. I had all of our guests stay there for the wedding and they loved it. And it's inexpensive, with a kitchen and a great location on the island.

Message me if you want to talk more. We are most likely staying at one of the properties when we go.