I can't believe that the most stressful part of my wedding has become the planning of what is supposed to be the most relaxing time! Here's the deal...I am an absolute CHICKEN when it comes to flying...I just can't do it...so FH and I were going to drive down to the Florida Keys for our HM. Well, numerous people we spoke to said it may not be the best spot for our HM and to be honest, I really did want to go some place more 'caribbean-like'. I mean, it's my HM! It should be something special. So someone mentioned to me that it is possible to take a boat from Florida over to the Bahamas...but only Grand Bahama Island, not Paradise Island. Has anyone ever been there? Where did you stay? Are there a lot of things to do? (we are interested in snorkling, swimming with the dolphins, glass bottom boats, jetskiing, shopping ) ANY info would be SOOOOOOOO appreciated! I am seriously about to pull all of my hair out. Oh, and just an aside...Am I the only nut who can't fly??? Thank you ladies...it felt good to vent for a moment.
CrisiDrue
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Re: I feel like I'm in Honeymoon HELL!!!
I went on a day-cruise from West Palm Beach to Nassau Bahamas. If I were you I would look at boats out of West Palm, Ft Lauderdale & Miami. I'm sure you will find something.
portjeffbride
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Re: I feel like I'm in Honeymoon HELL!!!
why not take a cruise out of NY harbor to bermuda?
I can't imagine driving all the way to florida... I'd go nuts....
Alternatively, how about driving to montreal? It's only about 7 hours away by car...
NY55angel
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Re: I feel like I'm in Honeymoon HELL!!!
What about a week long cruise to Bermuda. It's BEAUTIFUL there and you can do all the things that you mentioned (I think you can swim w/ dolphins in King's Wharf but I am not 100% positive)
Why don't you take a cruise? There's plenty of cruises that leave from NYC, or from Miami. Solves the whole issue. Either get on here, or drive to Florida, do the Miami thing, then get on the boat. No flying at all.
FlowerBride
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Re: I feel like I'm in Honeymoon HELL!!!
there are probably some cruises from FL to Paradise Island - but not nearly as many as you will find to Grand Bahama. paradise island is wayyy more south - its hundreds of miles away from florida. grand bahama is much closer. i have been to both and i think i like grand bahama better. its gorgeous - theres a big pier that has shopping and good food right across from the sheraton/westin resort which is huge and gorgeous. it was really relaxing and i think it would be a great spot for a destination wedding or HM. my only tip is dont go to grand bahama in the winter months if you want HOT weather. we went in january and it was chilly enough that we didnt want to go swimming all that much - maybe like low 70's most of the week although it was gorgeous and sunny the whole time. paradise island is much more south so its warmer all year around, whereas grand bahama's weather is closer to that of mid-florida where it can get chilly during the winter months. hth!
mrsh2b
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Re: I feel like I'm in Honeymoon HELL!!!
I think the Norwegian Dawn sails out of New York to the Caribean.
Renee615
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Re: I feel like I'm in Honeymoon HELL!!!
Posted by FlowerBride
there are probably some cruises from FL to Paradise Island - but not nearly as many as you will find to Grand Bahama. paradise island is wayyy more south - its hundreds of miles away from florida. grand bahama is much closer. i have been to both and i think i like grand bahama better. its gorgeous - theres a big pier that has shopping and good food right across from the sheraton/westin resort which is huge and gorgeous. it was really relaxing and i think it would be a great spot for a destination wedding or HM. my only tip is dont go to grand bahama in the winter months if you want HOT weather. we went in january and it was chilly enough that we didnt want to go swimming all that much - maybe like low 70's most of the week although it was gorgeous and sunny the whole time. paradise island is much more south so its warmer all year around, whereas grand bahama's weather is closer to that of mid-florida where it can get chilly during the winter months. hth!
I really didn't want to take a cruise...just wanted to go to an island and relax. Can I ask where you stayed on Grand Bahama Island?
Bride4Mike07
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Re: I feel like I'm in Honeymoon HELL!!!
I visited three Bahamian islands: Nassau, Paradise and Grand Bahama Island...Freeport is the Capital. I LOVED it! I had a great time! I must admit, although it is bigger, and you have many options of cities to stay at, and many more beaches, or prettier beaches than the other Bahamian islands...it's not as 'pretty' or as 'touristy' as the others, but I guarantee you'll have fun. At Grand Bahama, you can stay at Freeport Resorts or drive to Port Lucaya, where there are plenty of restaurants and small shops. There's Eight mile beach, Xanadu beach is just breath taking! There's the International market and many other water and boat activities like snorkling, scuba, parasailing, jet skiing, boating, glass bottom boats, swim w/ dolphins etc.....best thing about it, it's only 6 hours on the Discovery cruises that leave from Ft. Lauderdale. Hope this was helpful...FM me if you need more info....Good luck to you.
diva7531
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Re: I feel like I'm in Honeymoon HELL!!!
YEah, aren't there cruises from FLA to the carribean? Also, my mom is a chicken, she just takes Xanax because she loves to travel! I suggest looking into both. BTW you just call your Doc, tell him your afraid to fly and he'll give you a prescription. Good Luck and hope you find something that works for you!
lb9977
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Re: I feel like I'm in Honeymoon HELL!!!
Stay at the Westin or Sheraton at our Lucaya. in Grand Bahama Island My friend went the in March and had a great time. The two hotels are connected - I think the Westin is the better one...
MrsQ-in2007
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Re: I feel like I'm in Honeymoon HELL!!!
I also felt like deciding on our honeymoon was one of the most difficult parts - we just didn't know what we wanted (or could afford) to do. I would highly recommend that you contact my TA, Tom Varghese - he can surely help you with what your options are. He doesn't charge a fee, so don't worry about that. His email is [email protected]. You can do a search on LIW - he's gotten a ton of great reviews from happy brides. Good luck!!!
AeroJenn
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Re: I feel like I'm in Honeymoon HELL!!!
Posted by Pencils
Why don't you take a cruise? There's plenty of cruises that leave from NYC, or from Miami. Solves the whole issue. Either get on here, or drive to Florida, do the Miami thing, then get on the boat. No flying at all.
Yep I was going to suggest the same thing. You can go to several carribbean islands but you can depart from Florida or NY...so no flying
drpepper318
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Re: I feel like I'm in Honeymoon HELL!!!
I don't know anything about honeymoons and have no idea where we're going either.. and I don't like to fly either. So I understand what you're talking about.
E and B123
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Re: I feel like I'm in Honeymoon HELL!!!
I am an on and off scared flyer as well...when I would go through my bouts of 'I am not flying'...I cruised Bermuda from NY...it is very nice, you do not have to fly, and Bermuda is a very beautiful place to see...Celebrity cruise lines has a brand new ship (a smaller more intimate ship) that is starting to go there..i think the ship is called the celebrity journey..maybe its worth a check out...good luck with whatever you decide
leena07
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Re: I feel like I'm in Honeymoon HELL!!!
Posted by MrsQ-in2007
I also felt like deciding on our honeymoon was one of the most difficult parts - we just didn't know what we wanted (or could afford) to do. I would highly recommend that you contact my TA, Tom Varghese - he can surely help you with what your options are. He doesn't charge a fee, so don't worry about that. His email is [email protected]. You can do a search on LIW - he's gotten a ton of great reviews from happy brides. Good luck!!!
def give him a call.. he helped us out sooo much!
Renee615
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Re: I feel like I'm in Honeymoon HELL!!!
I have actually been speaking to Tom about all of this. He is fantastic! He was the one who suggested the boat to the bahamas. I think that is what we are going to do. I'm just worried about getting seasick (I've never been on a boat before-that's why I didn't want to take a cruise.) Does anyone have any suggestions about how to avoid it? Any medications that you found work really well?
Bride4Mike07
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Re: I feel like I'm in Honeymoon HELL!!!
You can take dramamine, there are over the counter patches you place behind your ear, and/or just sleep it off! That's what I did my first time on the 6 hr cruise to Bahamas.
MrsQ-in2007
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Re: I feel like I'm in Honeymoon HELL!!!
I don't know about any over the counter ear patches, but there are prescription ear patches that 100% work! I get VERY motion sick very easily (in cars, boats, anything that moves basically). And I've been on two week long cruises without getting sick at all because I've worn the transderm scop patches. Just ask your dr. for a prescription and you wear each patch for 3 days then take it off and put another one on the opposite ear. It's the BEST thing!!!
And I'm happy Tom was able to help! I think he's the best!
