Girls that have been to Caribbean...

FH and I are having sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much trouble deciding on a honeymoon, so... Does anyone recommend a resort they have been to (doesnt have to be fancy) but something on the water...
Here's the deal, we have a budget of $3500 for our honeymoon....

FH hates the idea of an all inclusive resort like sandals because he used to be a chef and is a food snob, sooo he wants to be able to go find restaurants that he's researched yadda yadda and would rather spend money on that...
(im not picky i'd prefer all inclusive but hes adiment about not doing it)

all i care about finidng is a decent place on turqoise water where i can sit in a pool, hottub lay on the beach, and maybe snorkel and find some nightlife nearby...
so i guess from what I've researched Aruba or Bahamas would be best?

and we dont want to go to Jamaica, Dominican Rep, or puerto rico..

Then go to Triniad and tobago.

I'm biased. I was born and lived there for 19 years. Do some research. The beaches are amazing, food is great and Carnival Season (Feb-march) is the bomb!!

We just got back from the Riviera Maya and it was FABULOUS!

It WAS an all-inclusive but it only cost us $3600 for the two of us (inc airfare) - it was only $2400 for the resort - Aventura Spa Palace!

---

Posted by Teamhurldon

FH and I are having sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much trouble deciding on a honeymoon, so... Does anyone recommend a resort they have been to (doesnt have to be fancy) but something on the water...
Here's the deal, we have a budget of $3500 for our honeymoon....

FH hates the idea of an all inclusive resort like sandals because he used to be a chef and is a food snob, sooo he wants to be able to go find restaurants that he's researched yadda yadda and would rather spend money on that...
(im not picky i'd prefer all inclusive but hes adiment about not doing it)

all i care about finidng is a decent place on turqoise water where i can sit in a pool, hottub lay on the beach, and maybe snorkel and find some nightlife nearby...
so i guess from what I've researched Aruba or Bahamas would be best?

and we dont want to go to Jamaica, Dominican Rep, or puerto rico..

---

The Atlantis in the Bahamas...the beaches there are soooo prettty!

---

Posted by MrsDtoBe

---

Posted by Teamhurldon

FH and I are having sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much trouble deciding on a honeymoon, so... Does anyone recommend a resort they have been to (doesnt have to be fancy) but something on the water...
Here's the deal, we have a budget of $3500 for our honeymoon....

FH hates the idea of an all inclusive resort like sandals because he used to be a chef and is a food snob, sooo he wants to be able to go find restaurants that he's researched yadda yadda and would rather spend money on that...
(im not picky i'd prefer all inclusive but hes adiment about not doing it)

all i care about finidng is a decent place on turqoise water where i can sit in a pool, hottub lay on the beach, and maybe snorkel and find some nightlife nearby...
so i guess from what I've researched Aruba or Bahamas would be best?

and we dont want to go to Jamaica, Dominican Rep, or puerto rico..

---

The Atlantis in the Bahamas...the beaches there are soooo prettty!

---

This place looked very fun to me, but when i tried to check rates they said there was none avialable for our dates so youve been? are all the attractions included with your stay there, or are the water rides and stuff extra?

---

Posted by Teamhurldon

---

Posted by MrsDtoBe

---

Posted by Teamhurldon

FH and I are having sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much trouble deciding on a honeymoon, so... Does anyone recommend a resort they have been to (doesnt have to be fancy) but something on the water...
Here's the deal, we have a budget of $3500 for our honeymoon....

FH hates the idea of an all inclusive resort like sandals because he used to be a chef and is a food snob, sooo he wants to be able to go find restaurants that he's researched yadda yadda and would rather spend money on that...
(im not picky i'd prefer all inclusive but hes adiment about not doing it)

all i care about finidng is a decent place on turqoise water where i can sit in a pool, hottub lay on the beach, and maybe snorkel and find some nightlife nearby...
so i guess from what I've researched Aruba or Bahamas would be best?

and we dont want to go to Jamaica, Dominican Rep, or puerto rico..

---

The Atlantis in the Bahamas...the beaches there are soooo prettty!

---

This place looked very fun to me, but when i tried to check rates they said there was none avialable for our dates so youve been? are all the attractions included with your stay there, or are the water rides and stuff extra?

---

I've never stayed there personally, went on a cruise and went to their resort and Paradise Island..which is the nicest beach there! My dad and a couple of friends stayed there and loved it!

I would recommend Bermuda for HM..but you have a low budget....

I think you can Swing DR but you said you didnt want DR.

yes

---

Posted by Teamhurldon

yes

---

i would try the place 'luvmyalfosonse' suggested ask her what she paid.

Other than that, all inclusives honestly wont have 5 star restaurant food, unless you stay at expensive hotels...its still good though

---

Posted by Mizzdimple

I would recommend Bermuda for HM..but you have a low budget....

I think you can Swing DR but you said you didnt want DR.

---

another food snob friend just came back from DR and gave the food thumbs down.... gettin so annoyed about the food stuff... ill eat hotdogs for pete sake

---

Posted by LuvMyAlfonse

We just got back from the Riviera Maya and it was FABULOUS!

It WAS an all-inclusive but it only cost us $3600 for the two of us (inc airfare) - it was only $2400 for the resort - Aventura Spa Palace!

---

quoting myself. dork.

anyway, I like to eat, I'm not a food snob but I do know what tastes good and I can tell you that 4 of the 5 restaurants we ate at were VERY good.

FM me if you want more info.

---

Posted by LuvMyAlfonse

---

Posted by LuvMyAlfonse

We just got back from the Riviera Maya and it was FABULOUS!

It WAS an all-inclusive but it only cost us $3600 for the two of us (inc airfare) - it was only $2400 for the resort - Aventura Spa Palace!

---

quoting myself. dork.

anyway, I like to eat, I'm not a food snob but I do know what tastes good and I can tell you that 4 of the 5 restaurants we ate at were VERY good.

FM me if you want more info.

---

thanks i would def like info.... will later when work over

I've been to Atlantis - IT IS THE BEST!!! I love it there. THe beach is absolutely gorgeous, the water is crystal clear. There are great restaurants (though I'm not a chef). ANd, on your budget, I think I can make a great suggestion. Atlantis is gorgeous and very expensive. What a lot of people do is stay at the Comfort Suites Paradise Island. It's a regular comfort suites hotel BUT you get FULL ACCESS to Atlantis without paying the Atlantis price. You just get a bracelet every day and you can use the Atlantis pools, restaurants, towels, beach, charge things to your comfort suites room, etc. etc. My FH and I were given a vacation as a gift from my parents when I graduated college. They told me to cap it at $4,000. For that much we got round trip airfare from JFK on Delta and 7 nights and 8 days at Comfort Suites - PLUS we were also able to buy passes to go swimming with dolphins (I remember that was about $330) and take a booze cruise. The Comfort Suites is directly across the street from Atlantis, a quick walk away! I'd highly recommend it! Here's the link:

http://www.choicehotels.com/ires/en-US/html/HotelInfo?hotel=BS003

I have been to Cancun, Ocho Rios Jamaica, and Aruba. All of the places I have stayed at were all inclusive. Honestly, I am so boring when it comes to food....I cant handle spicy food and I hate all seafood (I wish I didnt though) so we always stayed at All Inclusive places. I know you said you didnt want Jamaica and that is fine. In aruba we stayed at the Divi which I believe is only All Inclusive but it was awesome. The food was good and so was the hotel. In Cancun we stayed at Dreams Cancun Resort and Spa. It was also all inclusive and the food was pretty good. I think it was about $3000 for the two of us (we found a really good deal) with airfare included but it was only for 5 nights/6 days. I wouldnt suggest Dominican Republic or Bahamas. I know 3 or 4 people who went to the Bahamas and all of them had bad things to say about it. I have only heard good reviews about the bahamas from people who have stayed at the Atlantis. DR is really poor from what i understand so I really can't imagine them having very high class restaurants but I can be wrong. Good luck and I hope this helps!!!

definitely check out tripadvisor.com

we went to riviera maya a few years back and spent like $2000 for an all inclusive. It was very nice. It seems to be reasonably priced in riviera maya

---

Posted by Jess125483

I've been to Atlantis - IT IS THE BEST!!! I love it there. THe beach is absolutely gorgeous, the water is crystal clear. There are great restaurants (though I'm not a chef). ANd, on your budget, I think I can make a great suggestion. Atlantis is gorgeous and very expensive. What a lot of people do is stay at the Comfort Suites Paradise Island. It's a regular comfort suites hotel BUT you get FULL ACCESS to Atlantis without paying the Atlantis price. You just get a bracelet every day and you can use the Atlantis pools, restaurants, towels, beach, charge things to your comfort suites room, etc. etc. My FH and I were given a vacation as a gift from my parents when I graduated college. They told me to cap it at $4,000. For that much we got round trip airfare from JFK on Delta and 7 nights and 8 days at Comfort Suites - PLUS we were also able to buy passes to go swimming with dolphins (I remember that was about $330) and take a booze cruise. The Comfort Suites is directly across the street from Atlantis, a quick walk away! I'd highly recommend it! Here's the link:

http://www.choicehotels.com/ires/en-US/html/HotelInfo?hotel=BS003

---

Just so you know, I just checked my old e-mails and the hotel + airfare were $2700. This was August 2005.

I second Bermuda!!!! Absolutely AMAZING!!!! Everyone talks about Hawaii...never been...but this HAS to be close second! You could easily take a cruise out of NY to Bermuda. We took Zenith Celebrity last June for $3600 for the both of us. It was a 7 day cruise. ...and we stayed on each side of the island for 2 days each...plenty of places eat. A compromise for both of you. All inclusive cruise and 4 days on an island to choose different resturaunts. I definately recommend!

Good Luck!

---

Posted by katleigh3

I second Bermuda!!!! Absolutely AMAZING!!!! Everyone talks about Hawaii...never been...but this HAS to be close second! You could easily take a cruise out of NY to Bermuda. We took Zenith Celebrity last June for $3600 for the both of us. It was a 7 day cruise. ...and we stayed on each side of the island for 2 days each...plenty of places eat. A compromise for both of you. All inclusive cruise and 4 days on an island to choose different resturaunts. I definately recommend!

Good Luck!

---

I recommend Bermuda also because its pretty much safe as compared to Jamaica where you can't really leave the resort.

Atlantis is really nice but VERY $$$$$