Vacation Help Part II..what should we do???

We have narrowed it down to two choices..suggestions/advice welcome.

Option #1: Use our frequent flyer miles for a trip to Hawaii. Have already been to Wakiki so we wouldnt want to spend too much time there but we really enjoyed Hawaii. Would have to spend our own dough to get to either Maui or Kaui where we would need to stay in a hotel for about 6 nights. Not sure what the total damage would be but I imagine even a moderate hotel is going to run us $150/night plus meals, etc.. Cost? Maybe 2K for both of us?

Option #2: Go on Royal Carribbean Cruise (the newer ships with the rock climbing wall, etc..) to the Carribbean for 7 nights. We have been on cruises before and really enjoyed it. Total damage about $2K.

So what do you think?

PS: Either trip would be early April. Not sure of the weather in either locale.

I think you should go on a cruise.

Hawaii is expensive, and will most likely cost WAY more than the cruise is costing! Good luck deciding!

I dont mind flying - and either way both the cruise and Hawaii require a flight so that is not a factor.

We have been to both Hawaii AND the Carribean before - just not all the cities we will be visiting on either. I wouldnt mind going to either again.

Since the airfare is free to Hawaii but we wouldnt use our miles to fly to the cruise departure point - the price is going to be about the same on each trip so that isnt a big factor.

Stef-

Can't you use your miles to go somewhere you haven't been before?

What about a cruise to Alaska or maybe a trip to Ireland?

I've never been to Hawaii but I do hear its expensive. I'm sure its worth it though.

I've been on Royal Caribbean. You will love it. It's like being on a giant resort. I always like seeing a few places on an itnerary. Let us know what you decide.

I can use my miles to go pretty much anywhere in the US or South America (europe/asia requires more than I have now) provided Continental flies there.

Alaska is definitely something we want to do someday but we want to go in the next few months. Alaska in April = burrrr!! Same thing for Ireland plus Ireland is much too slow for us - we need more action/less scenary.

Hubby is equally ok with either destination. He suggested both, I did the research and now the final decision is left to me.

For those who went to Maui/Kaui..give me the lowdown. What hotels? Whats there to do? etc..

Sorry, didn't realize it was April you were going. I picked some pretty chilly destinations!

Well, that being said... good luck. Either choice I bet will be great. What are the stops on the Royal Carribbean cruises?

There are few ships we would consider. Probably pick the cheapest one of the three b/c each itinerary has the same pros/cons.

Ship 1: (already been to Jamaica)
Miami, Florida
Labadee, Haiti
Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Georgetown, Grand Cayman
Cozumel, Mexico

Ship2: (already been to Bahamas)
Miami, Florida
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
Nassau, Bahamas

Ship 3: (already been to Aruba)
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Oranjestad, Aruba
Willemstad, Curacao
Philipsburg, St. Maarten
St Thomas, USVI

I think the Adventurer of the Seas goes to Aruba. That is the one with the rock wall. And it is the biggest ship in the world.

Would you want to leave out of US or Puerto Rico?

I went to Maui and Kauai but on my honeymoon in Oct/Nov. It was beautiful. From what I hear there are some very reasonable hotels but since we went on our honeymoon the hotels we stayed in were about $400/night...wanted the 5 star hotels. Whether you go to Maui or Kauai, you will need to rent a car..so definitely factor that into your cost. (Our honeymoon package did include a standard car.)

What's there to do? In Maui, we went on a snorkel trip, drove the road to Hana (seeing some pretty nature sights and waterfalls - I thought this was a little overrated though), drove to the top of Mt Halekalea (sp?) and did some minimal hiking, and visited pretty beaches. You can take a bike tour down the mountain as well..if you are into that. In Kauai, we drove the whole island. Seeing all the natural lush beauty of the island making little stops along the way. We took a helicopter ride and toured the coast which is gorgeous and you can't get to by car. It was pretty amazing. (You can also take helicpoter rides in Maui.) We did a lot of driving on both islands and spent lots of time by the pool and beach relaxing in the sun.

Dining was pretty expensive but again it can be done cheaper. Most dinners were around $100 (with just a drink or two..mpre if we got a bottle of wine)...but again we were splurging. I am use to NYC prices so it didn't surprise me.

Both Kauai and Maui have very little nightlife...not sure if you are looking for that. DH and I like to go for drinks when we are on vacation but by like 9pm the bars would be dead. We were asleep by 11 and up really early (many activities start at 6-7am). There is a part of Maui that we went one night that had some bars and restaurants on a strip that seemd pretty good...it was a town with a K.

Not sure how much more info you need or want but ask away if you have questions!

Good luck.

hmmm...thats a tough one...

I'm not a fan of the Caribbean...but the length of the flight to HI drives DH crazy...therefore would drive me crazy

but Maui is such a sight...the volcano is fabulous...and the little towns are great as well...

I have never been to Kauai, but I hear it is the most lovely of all the 'touristy' islands...

Have you looked into Margarita Island? Its off the coast of Venezuela (frequent flier miles?) Supposedly, mostly Europeans and Americans go there...very relaxing...but all the water sports...and victoria falls is not too far...

hate to throw another location in...sorry

Hmmm...I would LOVE to have either option right now, so Stef, I consider you a lucky lady either way!

However, I guess it's going to depend on what you prefer, in terms of your 'schedule' when you're on vacation. Obviously on the cruise there will be certain days that you're scheduled to be in port, and you'll want to leave the ship to sightsee, etc. That doesn't really allow you too much flexibility...although there is tons to do on the ship even when you're at sea.

In Hawaii, I think you will just have more flexibility to make the trip what you and Luke want it to be. If you want to spend one day just being mellow, you can.

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the Caribbean, so I would choose Hawaii. But, like I said...it depends on the type of 'schedule' your envisioning for this vacation. Have fun!!! (I want to go!)

Ok... We went on our honeymoon to Hawaii. It is so beautiful!! Cruises are so much different than land vacations. It really depends what you are looking for in a vacation.