Babymoon suggestions?

Hi all--

It's been a while since I've posted, although I do lurk from time to time. I have a question, though, and I knew you guys would be a great resource. I got a lot of great advice on here while I was planning our honeymoon, and now, not quite a year later, we're planning a 'babymoon.' Yes, I'm pregnant, 12 weeks along. We had been thinking of going on a big European second honeymoon this spring, but I don't think I'm up to that, so we've put it off. What we'd like to do is repeat our honeymoon, to some extent--we had wonderful, relaxing time at the Sandals Grande St Lucia. I'd really like to go to another all-inclusive, as I tend to worry about money, and restaurants, and the point of this trip is to relax. This time we'd like to spend a little less money (and it will be shorter) and we'd prefer a shortish, non-stop flight. The travel agent we used last time suggested the Excellence Punta Cana, but I read online that there's a risk of malaria there, and there is no way I'm risking malaria or taking malaria meds while pregnant. I took them once years ago on a work trip and got sick for at least a day every time I had to take a pill.
CDC Link

So! What do you suggest? We're thinking of the Caribbean (obviously) or perhaps Mexico. I did vow never to go back to Mexico after getting really ill in Acapulco years ago (and I didn't drink the water!) but, hey, never say never.

What about a Carribean cruise? That is what we might do.

Paradise Island in the Bahamas was also pretty fun...The Atlantis is gorgeous.

And congrats!!!

Due date, sex, names?

how bout jamaica or bahamas? both affordble and nice all inclusive resorts..

we just came back from couples swept away and had a blast. i'm 4.5 months pregnant.. so as much as i enjoyed it, i felt lke i wasn't getting the most out of my money cause i couldn't drink.. lol... we also did a cruise same vacation, and i actually didn't like that as much.. the boat was too big, and to go anywhere was such chore.. i'd be exhausted thinking about walking to dinner..


eta: CONGRATS!!!

I'm not really into the idea of a cruise because I'm afraid of getting seasick. I never used to get seasick, but I've been having a really hard time with nausea (I have chronic GI problems) and I get really carsick at times. In fact, one of the things that made me suspect I really was pregnant was I got carsick one day, and I never get carsick. We were just driving down a road, no bumps, not fast. So--I don't think a cruise. They say it gets better in the second trimester, but I can't bank on that.

I dunno about Paradise Island--we'd like something quiet. I don't drink anyway, and I'm not going to be going out dancing in the evening. I'm more into a nice quiet beach and some gentle sports (because of the pregnancy, I normally love sports). And I don't gamble, although my husband likes casinos occasionally.

And, thanks! We don't know the sex yet, it's too early, and we're not talking about names until we know the sex--we will know for sure, I'm having an amnio (I'm old!) I'm due September 23rd.

we just came back from couples swept away and had a blast. i'm 4.5 months pregnant.. so as much as i enjoyed it, i felt lke i wasn't getting the most out of my money cause i couldn't drink..

I'll take a look at Couples. I don't drink anyway even when I'm not pregnant so it doesn't matter about it being all-inclusive. I drank a LOT of frozen virgin daiquiris on my honeymoon, though! Mostly mango, they were amazing. I felt I should make up my share of the bar bill. And my husband make sure to drink the best whiskey they had (which wasn't great.)

How cute a BabyMoon.
Love the Idea.

I am thinking somewhere on a Beach!!!

Sorry I am No Help!!!
The only place I have ever been to is Florida & Punta Cana in the DR.

As I was reading your post, my first thought was an all inclusive in the Dominican Republic - I've been there MANNNY times (I'm 1/2 Dominican) and never even heard of the risk of malaria... I don't know anyone who's been there (half my family, many friends) that have gotten malaria or even been recommended to get a vaccine to go there. So weird!

That said, I would avoid Mexico if you are prego and want to go for a babymoon - the water is not drinkable and even though many resorts say they use filtered water for ice and washing dishes etc., I have found that every time I go to Mexico, I get sick to my stomach - not something I'd look forward to while pregnant. I wouldn't want to risk getting any bacteria in my tummy.

Ok, so with all this in mind, I think Jamaica would be nice. The Couples Swept Away in Negril was awesome when I went a few years ago and I heard it was recently renovated so it's even nicer. It's on 7 mile beach and so nice.

Turks and Caicos is supposed to be beautiful too - I believe they have all inclusive resorts.

Good luck and MANY CONGRATULATIONS on your pregnancy!!!!!

I personally am in love with Aruba and St. Johns! I think you can get an all inclusive there for a pretty good price. I stayed at the Occidental Grand Aruba. And Caneel Bay in St. Johns is absolutely gorgeous!!!

Congrats, have a happ and healthy 9 months!!

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Posted by Pencils

we just came back from couples swept away and had a blast. i'm 4.5 months pregnant.. so as much as i enjoyed it, i felt lke i wasn't getting the most out of my money cause i couldn't drink..

I'll take a look at Couples. I don't drink anyway even when I'm not pregnant so it doesn't matter about it being all-inclusive. I drank a LOT of frozen virgin daiquiris on my honeymoon, though! Mostly mango, they were amazing. I felt I should make up my share of the bar bill. And my husband make sure to drink the best whiskey they had (which wasn't great.)

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aww.. i know all about the frozen daiquiris. . lol. i would go the bar and say.. i need something fruity, frozen with no alcohol. and they'd mix up something delicious..

i'mma keep stalking this thread because i'm interested in taking a babymoon as well. lol..even though i just came back from my honeymoon.. i guess i' mscared that aft this baby i won't be going anywhere for a while..

Malaria in Punta Cana? Really? Did you look into that well? I mean we didn't have any issues but granted I wasn't preggers and it is a risk if its true but I would research it better because it is a GORGEOUS place. We really loved it. The staff is just so attentive and the food ewas the ebst I have ever had at an all inclusive-they had a hige spread for breakfast and lunch buffets.

We went to the one in Eiviera Maya in Cancun the year before and we loved it because teh resort was newer and better laid out, but the food and staff was better in Punta Cana. Also gorgeous beaches. The local driver we had told us that its on one of the best stretches of property.

Hmm later this year SECRETS is openign resorts again. I ehard through our travel agent they are going to be offerign GREAT deals because they are openign up brand new and now have to compete with the Excellence reosrts (they used to be one resort) so both they and Excellence are giving good deals.

The Secrets opening in Maroma Beach Mexico is supposed to be one of the most gorgeous stretches of beach in Mexico. They will also have a new one in Silversands and then there is Secrets Capri as well in Mexica in the Riveria Maya,

In 2009 they are opening ones in La Romana and Punta Cana DR. Friends that live in DR told me La Romana is supoosedly AMAZING lush area but thats next year

Check out PREFERRED RESORTS. Secrets and Excellence and Dreams all fall under that.. They are usually some of the nicer hotels.

In Vancun you can also look at Le Blanc-its a more boutiquey feeling hotel. Ultimate luxury but its an all inclusive as well. We wanted to try that one.They have a pillow menu! LOl like lavender, chamomil and I forget the others, to promote a better sleep.

SECRETS RESORTS

The Excellence resorts seem to be offering promotions of 15-20% off at the hotels-go check it out.
EXCELLENCE RESORTS

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Posted by PeteysBride Malaria in Punta Cana? Really? Did you look into that well? I mean we didn't have any issues but granted I wasn't preggers and it is a risk if its true but I would research it better because it is a GORGEOUS place.

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From what I understand, it's not common, they get a couple of cases a year, and they may actually have come from Haiti. However, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) does say that pregnant women shouldn't travel to areas with possible malaria. The link's on my first post. It's very unlikely that it would happen, but the thing is, now that I know about it, I'm going to worry, and I'm going to want to coat myself in bug repellent, which isn't good either when you're pregnant. The point of this vacation is to relax and not to worry about things--that's why I like all-inclusives, you don't have to worry about money or where you're going to eat dinner or anything. I'm a bit of a worrier anyway, and I'm worse now that I'm pregnant. At least my husband is humoring me. If I had to go to Punta Cana for some reason, like for work, for for a wedding, I'd go. But since there's an entire Caribbean out there, there's no reason to go there when I can go someplace else just as nice and not have to worry. I didn't see an single mosquito on St. Lucia, for example.

Bermuda!!!!! Its sooooooo pretty there- relaxing and peaceful- i know heather went there for her hm not sure if she did a all inclusive- ive been there though multiple cruises and im in love with that island!!!

good luck and def do a search on bermuda!

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Posted by Pencils

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Posted by PeteysBride Malaria in Punta Cana? Really? Did you look into that well? I mean we didn't have any issues but granted I wasn't preggers and it is a risk if its true but I would research it better because it is a GORGEOUS place.

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From what I understand, it's not common, they get a couple of cases a year, and they may actually have come from Haiti. However, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) does say that pregnant women shouldn't travel to areas with possible malaria. The link's on my first post. It's very unlikely that it would happen, but the thing is, now that I know about it, I'm going to worry, and I'm going to want to coat myself in bug repellent, which isn't good either when you're pregnant. The point of this vacation is to relax and not to worry about things--that's why I like all-inclusives, you don't have to worry about money or where you're going to eat dinner or anything. I'm a bit of a worrier anyway, and I'm worse now that I'm pregnant. At least my husband is humoring me. If I had to go to Punta Cana for some reason, like for work, for for a wedding, I'd go. But since there's an entire Caribbean out there, there's no reason to go there when I can go someplace else just as nice and not have to worry. I didn't see an single mosquito on St. Lucia, for example.

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St Lucia is gorgeous-we looked at that as a honeymoon BUT because we have been to some if the best all inclusives, we are picky with quality of the resort and food. What we found and travel agents confirmed, was that Saint Lucia is EXPENSIVE because of the distance and many of their resorts are fallign apart and in need of repairs because they are far less travelled than some othr placxes in the Caribbean.

Honestly, if you are afraid of Malaria or any of those diseases I would skip many areas of the caribbean because bugs and mosquitos abound. I know you guys wnat an all inclusive but if I were pregnant and concerned about it, I woudl probably be hesitant to even leave the coluntry and look for great vacation retreats here in the US. Or Hwaii-I know there are no all inclusives though.

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Bermuda!!!!! Its sooooooo pretty there- relaxing and peaceful-

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Bermuda does look really nice--and I love the whole British thing. But it's expensive! We don't want to pay too much on this vacation, what with the baby coming and we're hoping to buy a house this year.

Right now, it looks like we're going to Jamaica, either one of the Couples resorts, or one of the Sandals. Sandals is having a great last-minute deal with a free night on top of their cheap rates if you stay more than three days, which is not a problem. The dates are limited, but we're open, it doesn't matter when we go. And Couples is running a really good promotion in March and April, but there's nothing listed about May. I'm waiting to hear back if they're doing it in May. If they are, we're probably going to take that one. What happens is you book a room level, and they don't tell you which of their three resorts (Ocho Rios is closed for renovation starting April 1st) you get until a week before you get there. Doesn't matter to me, they all look amazing, and you fly into the same airport. We'll see.

What about Excellence in Mexico ?
They've got new resorts there and I have seen nothing but raves about the resorts from girls who went there on their honeymoon.

Very cute..

What about Riveria Maya in Mexico. Direct flight from JFK only 3-1/2 hours. You gain 1hr and it is farily resonable.

I am going in May w/the DH for by kinda big birthday .

We chose The Tides

but another great place w/great rates b/c of their soft opening is

The Mandarin Oriental

DH and I went to Punta Cana for our 1st anniversary trip. We didn't have any trouble with malaria but then again sounds like you have a weak stomach so I would play it safe if I were you.
Why don't you just go someplace like one of the Florida Keys? It's a little safer in terms of drinking water and illnesses