Re: Calling all honeymooners!!

so where do you think you're going to stay in Aruba?? This was a whole new discussion for us once we decided on a place. it's crazy how many decisions there are. Once you choose the place, it's what type of room?? then what activities? anyway you can't go wrong - no matter what you'll be in tropical paradise somewhere with the man you LOVE!!!:):):)

Re: Calling all honeymooners!!

all i can say before you book,

www.tripadvisor.com

Re: Calling all honeymooners!!

just remember that it's hurrican season in Oct

something to think about when booking- espeically after this year

Re: Calling all honeymooners!!

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Posted by lauren16

so where do you think you're going to stay in Aruba?? This was a whole new discussion for us once we decided on a place. it's crazy how many decisions there are. Once you choose the place, it's what type of room?? then what activities? anyway you can't go wrong - no matter what you'll be in tropical paradise somewhere with the man you LOVE!!!:):):)

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I think we're going to do the all-inclusive at the Tamarijm. That way you get all their stuff as well as at the Divi resort. We stopped in Aruba on a cruise last year and it's so beautiful. Plus, it's HALF as expensive as Sandals in St. Lucia. So, that was a HUGE plus for our budgets.

Re: Calling all honeymooners!!

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Posted by Beth1210

just remember that it's hurrican season in Oct

something to think about when booking- espeically after this year

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Aruba is way out of the hurricane belt so you're safe going there throughout hurricane season. In fact, they suggest Aruba during that time if you're planning a vacation.

Re: Calling all honeymooners!!

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Posted by Chelle

Ok, this is getting to be quite confusing for me to decide where is the best, most beautiful, most fun place to go for a honeymoon.

Originally we were thinking Sandals Grande in St. Lucia. But after doing some research and upon reading a FEW bad reviews, I'm second guessing my choice It seems like the more research I do, the more confused I get!

Does ANYONE have ANY reviews, or suggestions that might help make my decision a bit easier?

We are looking for an all-inclusive place for 2 weeks staring Oct. 9th. It doesn't have to be a party place, but we're looking for a good social atmosphere with things to do during the day (water activites, fishing, golf, etc.) and good food is important.

THANK YOU LADIES!!!

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Where did you read bad reviews about Sandals Grande in St. Lucia? We want to go there!

Re: Calling all honeymooners!!

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Posted by thefirstlady

Where did you read bad reviews about Sandals Grande in St. Lucia? We want to go there!

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I went to tripadvisor.com and checked out some reviews. There weren't necessarily 'bad', but some said there wasnt much to do. Some said that it wasn't worth the money they paid... etc.etc. Check out that site, people give all sorts of reviews.

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Posted by Chelle

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Posted by thefirstlady

Where did you read bad reviews about Sandals Grande in St. Lucia? We want to go there!

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I went to tripadvisor.com and checked out some reviews. There weren't necessarily 'bad', but some said there wasnt much to do. Some said that it wasn't worth the money they paid... etc.etc. Check out that site, people give all sorts of reviews.

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i agree. Sandals is not worth the money. Its more hype then anything else. If you are really intrested, they still may offer test flight honeymoon that leave out of JFK for 159 per person. You fly down for the day, check out the 1 location they allow this, and you get a couple of hours down there. If you book, they put what you paid for the test flight towards the HM.

For the amount I spend on my HM. (3 days OLD San Jan - Old San Juan Hotel (Sheraton) right along the water, great room) and 7 day on Princess Cruises (souther carreberrian - 6 Islands, 1 day at sea - Top deck and balcony room),

had i spent that much at Sandales, i probally would of been able to stay like 4 days including air.

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Posted by BKtoLI

I change my mind so much to the point where FH doesn't want to go near me if I bring up the HM!!!

I was looking into Secrets and Couples because a lot of the Sandals get mixed reviews, and one TA told me it's mainly younger couples, of which a lot of them get rowdy and some cannot hold their liquor.

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That was the exact oposite of ours Sandals experience! I could have done with some rowdy young kids getting drunk!

Re: Calling all honeymooners!!

Ok, now I'm confused again!

Last night at the Giorgio's bridal showcase we got talking to a travel agent and he kind of discouraged us about Aruba. NOT because of Aruba itself, but the hotel we were thinking of staying at and what you get with their 'all-inclusive' as opposed to Sandals St. Lucia.

So NOW, we're back to square one

I am going to my travel agent to day to sit down and talk the nitty gritty.

What to do? What to do? What to do?

Re: Calling all honeymooners!!

So we're back to going to the Sandals Grande in St. Lucia.

This HM planning is driving me CrAzY!

Re: Calling all honeymooners!!

Trust me, you are NOT the only one going nuts!!!

The more people we ask, the more freaking confused I get!! Everytime we talk to someone they rave about Aruba, but a friend of mine said it's just like Miami, since it's Americanized, and there is no 'Carribean' feel to it. So I'm still confused.

I was thatclose to booking the Fairmont Royal Pavilion in Barbados. But now I'm not sure about it.

If we split Aruba and Curacao (which was my original plan) we would stay at the Golden Tulip Bucuti Beach in the Tara Suites in Aruba, and the Marriott in Curacao for 4 days each. Total cost would be about $4200.

I'm also concerned about Aruba because of the gambling aspect. I don't need to see FH pissy because he lost at the blackjack table on our HM!!!

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Posted by BKtoLI

...Aruba... [is] just like Miami, since it's Americanized, and there is no 'Carribean' feel to it.

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You are absolutely right. If you want, I will FM you some pics tonight from my trip to Aruba two years ago. Other than the one strip with the hotels and casinos, it felt like we were in like Arizona or New Mexico.

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I'm also concerned about Aruba because of the gambling aspect. I don't need to see FH pissy because he lost at the blackjack table on our HM!!!

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Honestly, since you can do all of the sightseeing in one day, there will be nothing much else to do except lie on the beach and gamble. Since him gambling is one of your concerns, I wouldn't risk it. You'll be dreading it or anticipating a problem and that will ruin the feel of your honeymoon. (This is obviously only my opinion, though.)

Re: Calling all honeymooners!!

I have been to Sandles Montego Bay Jamaica and Sandles in cable beach Bahamas( I think its called the Royal Bahamian) They both were very good. Jamaicia was a younger group of people made a few long term friends. Food was decent. Generally a very casual fun place we loved it.
Bahamas was a little prettier, newer, a little better food, but the other guests were a little more to themselves and not as eager to get a game of beach volleyball going. But We still really loved it , it was just a little more layed back.
Good Luck

Re: Calling all honeymooners!!

I know someone that went to sandals in st. lucia, they didnt like it at all

Re: Calling all honeymooners!!

We went to Greece for about 5,000 total...

Re: Calling all honeymooners!!

Well, we decided that we're going to the Grande in St. Lucia. I think it depends on what you and your FH are looking for. Some like the nightlife, some like to relax, some want to see the sites, some don't want to do anything, some want to be rowdy, some don't even drink. I think everyone's entitled to their opinions and experiences. I guess we're just going to find out for ourselves

I'm going with my gutt on this one ladies!

This by far has been the MOST difficult of all the wedding plans.

Re: Calling all honeymooners!!

ETA: We may be the only ones who didn't like Aruba as much as everyone else that has gone there has. 'The island that never rains' poured for two days, but whatever, it was only in short spurts. We rented a Jeep and drove all over the island and saw literally everything. We had a decent time and it was nice, but I wouldn't go back there. Curacao is more fun than Aruba, in my opinion.

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You're not the ONLY one! Definitely choose curacao over Aruba ANY day! I had heard so many wonderful things about Aruba...think it just couldn't live up to the hype. I have to agree that there were many activities to do, most I've seen on an island.

Re: Calling all honeymooners!!

We are also racking our brains on this one.

I think we're going to stay at the Adventuras Spa Palace in Riviera Maya. The palace resorts have great reviews on tripadvisor.com, and we were very impressed by what we saw on the web site - palaceresorts.com. It is an all inclusive, and they also include tours - snorkeling, mayan ruins, ecological and water parks, etc. We picked it b/c there is so much to do.

Good Luck!

Re: Calling all honeymooners!!

Is anyone concerned about the damage from Wilma??? Secrets Excellence in Riviera Maya was my first choice, but I have to wonder what condition it will be in by May of next year.

I know a lot of people have their honeymoons booked for Cancun & surrounding areas, and just wonder what the word was from the travel agents.