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jmd42 TUG Member Posts: 40 From: Dayton,oh usa. Owner's-2 weeks Sheraton's Vistana Orlando fla.- 1 week at Paniolo Greens Big Island Hawaii Registered: Jan 2002	posted 05-16-2005 14:33 My wife wants me to plan a trip to the caribbean!!!help!!!.I have no idea on where to start.We are planning to go first two weeks in december,I dont even know if it is possible to trade this close to date.I've looked at the bahama's reviews,they seem to be the easiest on flights and such but i thought hey ! If i'm going to go why not go all the way.That,s where the trouble comes into play.I have never been to any of the caribbean island's, i,ve promised her for several years now and I alway's seem to talk her out of it because I know nothing about it.since we have never been I would like it to be easy traveling.She has made it verrrrrry clear that we are going this time.We like smaller resorts cozy and comfy! Thank's for any help and I'm open for any suggestion or island. Tall order huh!!! ------------------ jmd42 IP: Logged
Judy TUG Member Posts: 1938 From: Melbourne Beach, FL & Steamboat Springs CO. owner: Celebrity Resort World of Orlando; The Ridge Tahoe; Hatteras High; Worldmark. member:II,RCI,DAE,SFX Registered: Dec 2000	posted 05-16-2005 14:57 You should start by knowing that the Bahamas are not in the Caribbean. They're in the Atlantic Not only that, but it probably won't be very warm in the Bahamas in December. Next, I would have asked you what you'd like to do on your vacation. There are many differences in the islands. But since it's already May and you want to go for two weeks in December, a more practical approach might be to ask where CAN you go? You'll want to get a confirmation soon so that you can start looking for flights. Do a search online and see what choices are available right now. Look at the exchange company's rentals. The islands I see most often are the Dominican Republic, Margarita Island, and St. Maarten. It seems that the Dominican Republic is always available as an exchange and/or rental. [This message has been edited by Judy (edited 05-17-2005).] IP: Logged
jmd42 TUG Member Posts: 40 From: Dayton,oh usa. Owner's-2 weeks Sheraton's Vistana Orlando fla.- 1 week at Paniolo Greens Big Island Hawaii Registered: Jan 2002	posted 05-16-2005 15:30 Thank you,That would have been a big mistake right off the bat.No sense in going on vacation to the south and it being cold,I would have been in big trouble.As it sounds she loves laying on the beach or by the pool taking in rays.We love to sight see and take long walks to take pictures.Planned tours with buses or jeep's would be more up my alley. P.S. will it be hard to trade at this juncture.I think we have good trade power with paniolo greens. ------------------ jmd42 IP: Logged
somerville TUG Member Posts: 1430 From: Vienna, VA, USA: 7 Mile Beach Resort, Grand Cayman, WK 51; Beach Quarters, VA Beach, WK 26; Equivest Points; Barony Beach, HHI; Hanalei Bay Resort Registered: Feb 2001	posted 05-16-2005 18:05 The first two weeks of December should be easier than later on. It is the start of high season, but that really doesn't kick off until Christmas. Most of the Dominican resorts are all inclusive. You may want to consider Aruba, St. Maarten, St. Thomas or Grand Cayman. I agree with the other poster that the weather in the Bahamas could be cool. Dominican Republic and Margarita Island would not be my first choice. There are many timeshares on Aruba and St. Maarten, which increases your chances of finding something. St. Thomas and Puerto Rico are US territories. IP: Logged
Janis TUG Member Posts: 1193 From: Frederick, MD Wk 15 Royal Sands, Cancun Wk 51 Pelican, St. Maarten, Week 25 Lawrence Welk Villas , Escondido, CA Registered: Dec 2000	posted 05-16-2005 18:35 St Maarten would probably be a good choice for you. There are lots of gorgeous beaches, and wonderful photo opportunities. Plus, it's the gourmet capital of the Caribbean. The smaller, cozy resorts are La Vista & Belair. The Royal Palm and Royal Islander are not tiny - but they're not overwhelming like resorts in Cancun would be. Early December should not be too tough of a trade. ------------------ Janis IP: Logged
Lin TUG Member Posts: 436 From: Indian River, MI, USA Registered: Dec 2000	posted 05-16-2005 18:42 I'm seeing availability for St. Maarten, Dominican Republic, Guadelope and Tobago. I agree that St. Maarten would be the best bet out of those, especially if you are beach lovers. I would definitely suggest renting a car if you go there. IP: Logged
Heron TUG Member Posts: 1530 From: Ont, Canada Registered: Mar 2003	posted 05-17-2005 04:36 Aruba would likely provide less culture shock since it's the most Americanized. Cayman likely won't have sufficient inventory but would have been a good bet. Some folks can't handle the differences they experience on SXM, particularly on the French side - it doesn't bother us in the least but others we've talked to have had a rough go of it. IP: Logged
lawren2 TUG Member Posts: 1324 From: New City, NY USA Desert Breezes Resort; Havasu Dunes; Cape Winds 35 Registered: Oct 2002	posted 05-17-2005 05:51 Which week do you have deposited and how far in advance did you deposit it? Are you looking for an active night life or a quiet laze on the beach and snorkel vacation? Does your wife expect lush greenery or desert? Can you be flexible with your dates or wait for something up until the last minute? How small a unit are you willing to take? Some islands can be very expensive ( even through a NYer's eyes ) some are more moderate. You might want to consider Cancun as well. I can see a studio at one of the Royals at that time using a very moderate trader. This is pretty late to look on RCI unless you want DR or Jamaica which I personally wouldn't suggest for a first time caribbean visit. I also suspect that Paniolo doesn't have a lot of trade power but this is all JMHO. ------------------ Lawren There are many wonderful places in the world, but one of my favourite places is on the back of my horse. - Rolf Kopfle [This message has been edited by lawren2 (edited 05-17-2005).] IP: Logged
TTom Moderator TUG Volunteer Posts: 1333 From: Brooklyn, NY Registered: Dec 2000	posted 05-17-2005 15:50 FWIW, I'm pretty sure the first two weeks of December are included in the "low" season for La Vista. We are definitely fans of SXM, but it depends on what you want from your vacation. Restaurants are fabulous; butterfly farm is a neat experience; many nice beaches. You can drive around the entire island in a couple of hours. Just did a quick search on RCI with one of our DIK (SA) weeks for the first couple of weeks in December. Lots of Dominican Republic, and one resort in Puerto Rico, Guadalupe, and Bequia. Tom IP: Logged
Kal TUG Member Posts: 2161 From: Seattle, WA Registered: Dec 2000	posted 05-17-2005 16:48 quote: Originally posted by jmd42: My wife wants me to plan a trip to the caribbean!!!help!!!.I have no idea on where to start. The decision is pretty easy. I suggest you look at St. Maarten. Here's why! IP: Logged
jmd42 TUG Member Posts: 40 From: Dayton,oh usa. Owner's-2 weeks Sheraton's Vistana Orlando fla.- 1 week at Paniolo Greens Big Island Hawaii Registered: Jan 2002	posted 05-18-2005 17:32 I'M very thankful for all the input! as far as the inputs so far sxm sounds the best.My wife and I have been to many resorts in hawaii and it seemed she liked poipu beach the best (very hot and sunny every day).As stated before this is a trip just for her.I've had several friends just recently back from cruises east and west caribbean.Jamacia was horrible except for the all-inclusive resorts,puerto rico was bad all together,cayman's was destroyed by hurricanes!My inlaws are visiting sxm this next week,hope to get input.they are visiting dutch side.Would like to know the differences on the two sides.as far as lush or desert,as long as sun shines for my wife i'm happy.also any info on abaco island,coworker went several years ago and she said it was very nice. thanx again everybody.All info welcome no matter how small. ------------------ jmd42 IP: Logged
Kal TUG Member Posts: 2161 From: Seattle, WA Registered: Dec 2000	posted 05-18-2005 23:44 Here are pictures that will give you a good feel for St. Maarten including both the French and Dutch sides. IP: Logged
Heron TUG Member Posts: 1530 From: Ont, Canada Registered: Mar 2003	posted 05-19-2005 04:27 Abaco is part of the Bahamian islands which you decided was too cold. quote: Originally posted by jmd42: also any info on abaco island,coworker went several years ago and she said it was very nice. IP: Logged
debraxh TUG Member Posts: 1388 From: San Jose, CA Registered: Sep 2001	posted 05-19-2005 16:56 Maybe you should put in a request for Aruba or SXM and see what comes up? Seems to me like they always have the most availability (along with Cancun which also has nice beaches). IP: Logged
Janis TUG Member Posts: 1193 From: Frederick, MD Wk 15 Royal Sands, Cancun Wk 51 Pelican, St. Maarten, Week 25 Lawrence Welk Villas , Escondido, CA Registered: Dec 2000	posted 05-19-2005 19:38 All sides of SXM are lush and tropical. You can't go wrong there. Aruba is kind of tropical on one side - it has white sand and plam trees. But, I would hesitate to call it lush. The other side of the island is pure desert. Interesting for a one-day visit if only to see the waves crashing into the rocks. But for eye-candy? SXM all the way ------------------ Janis IP: Logged
Lin TUG Member Posts: 436 From: Indian River, MI, USA Registered: Dec 2000	posted 05-20-2005 13:20 We went to SXM in March and didn't see any place that was lush and tropical. It was too brown for us. The beaches are beautiful, though. We liked the ease of getting around on Aruba and the people were friendlier there. Not as much traffic and not as much time sitting in the car trying to go somewhere. But each person likes a specific island for a reason and luckily everyone's tastes are not the same. It may be a case of where you are able to go, rather than where you'd like to go. IP: Logged
Kal TUG Member Posts: 2161 From: Seattle, WA Registered: Dec 2000	posted 05-20-2005 14:57 I hadn't rained in St. Maarten for over 12 weeks. Then on April 23-24th it rained like crazy. The island immediately turned a beautiful green! IP: Logged
jmd42 TUG Member Posts: 40 From: Dayton,oh usa. Owner's-2 weeks Sheraton's Vistana Orlando fla.- 1 week at Paniolo Greens Big Island Hawaii Registered: Jan 2002	posted 05-22-2005 07:45 I just looked up air fare WOW!!!!1,250 ea. to sxm. looking up aruba tonite.Any suggestions on resorts in aruba. ------------------ jmd42 IP: Logged
TTom Moderator TUG Volunteer Posts: 1333 From: Brooklyn, NY Registered: Dec 2000	posted 05-22-2005 09:45 You should hop on over to Jeff Berger's SXM site www.jmbcommunications.com/sxm.html . As a member, you can get access to their sources for airline flights. They monitor fares from all around the country, and they will send an email notification (to members) when something really good comes along. Seems to me that discount fares for the end of the year to SXM have not started coming up yet, but I would expect that to happen in the near future. (I think, right now, the farthest discount fares are for travel through November?) If SXM is your choice, Jeff's site is a gold mine of information. Tom IP: Logged

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