Anyone Here Ever Vacation in the Caribbean?

[KAMALARAMBO: BOOMSHAKALAKA!!!]

I’ve been looking into this for my girlfriend’s spring break in March. I’ll probably have the whole week off too since work started this new policy where they won’t pay you for vacation time if you work overtime the same week (is that even legal?). Since I work overtime every week I’ll have a ton of vacation time banked by then.

I digress though. We’d like to go but of course it’s not the cheapest place to vacation. I’ve seen cruise packages for 5 days from Boston or New York to Bermuda for under $600. Of course I’m always hunting for the bigger better deals so figured I’d ask around

[Toilet Paper Roll]

Cruises will be cheaper and you get to see more.

I’ve been to the Caribbean a half dozen times. Various spots in Bahamas, Bermuda, Jamaica. I found the Paradise Island part of Bahamas to be the most interesting.

If you can pull it Aruba is awesome, best place I ever went to although it’s technically the West Indies was St Lucia.

[KAMALARAMBO: BOOMSHAKALAKA!!!]

Dec 15, 2018 9:05:54 GMT -5 Toilet Paper Roll said:

Cruises will be cheaper and you get to see more.

I’ve been to the Caribbean a half dozen times. Various spots in Bahamas, Bermuda, Jamaica. I found the Paradise Island part of Bahamas to be the most interesting.

If you can pull it Aruba is awesome, best place I ever went to although it’s technically the West Indies was St Lucia.

Also, I was curious since I would think the cruises just go to the port's do you need a Visa to enter or is it okay to go on the port without one? I'm a US citizen so I have visa free travel to a lot of places. However, my girlfriend is Burmese. She has Visa free travel to a few countries in the Caribbean. She is all set for Haiti, Dominica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, but those are the only ones. I think the Bahamas and Bermuda are places where affordable cruises go to most often from our area (Boston or New York), but if she's restricted we'll have to either go to one of those other countries, have her apply for another Visa, or go some place else.

[Deleted]

Went to Aruba about 7 years ago it was awesome but it wasn’t cheap.Definately the most relaxed I’ve ever been in my life.

[Lupin the Third]

[adamclark52]

Yeah, I’ve been to a few resorts. They’re all nice but the food can be crap.

[The Unconquered Sun]

I’m not sure about your girlfriend, but for you if the cruise leaves and returns to the same home port, you will need some kind proof of citizenship. Here’s the actual rule.

All documents must be the original or a notarized copy. Additionally, if you are using an identification (e.g., driver's license) and a citizenship document ( e.g., birth certificate), then BOTH documents must match the name on your reservation. Otherwise, it may result in delay or possible denial of boarding.

If you do a cruise, the web site will tell you what documents you will need. Also, on the day you arrive when you register to get on the boat, if you DON’T have the right documents, they won’t let you on.

If you do decide on a cruise I’ve got a good travel agent that is very helpful and patient.
Good luck.

[dirtyoldman]

I was on a royal caribean cruise in 2016, which left fort Lauderdale, then went to Haiti (had a great day on the beach and on the dragon tail coaster as well as a BBQ put on by the ship) then next day was Falmouth in Jamaica (lovely port but the town outside the gates a bit dodgy.) Last port was Mexico and we did a day tour to tollum and saw the myna ruins.

Highly recommend it.

[4real]

I can't recommend Costa Rica enough quite honestly it's one of the nicest and beautiful places I've ever been and all the people there I've met are super nice and friendly. It's an absolute gem. Apart from San Jose (the capital) which is pretty dull.

[KAMALARAMBO: BOOMSHAKALAKA!!!]

It looks like we might take a flight rather than a cruise to Bermuda and spend about a week there

I found this website too about Visa issues:
www.bermuda-attractions.com/bermuda2_00005d.htm#an3

My girlfriend thinks she'll be okay since Bermuda allows access if you have a multiple entry US visa. Still, we'd like to be safe. Anyone have any experience with this either going when not a US citizen or knowing someone who has went?

Also, since Bermuda is getting to be our top choice, any recommendations there?

[Push R Truth]

Dec 15, 2018 16:58:09 GMT -5 4real said:

I can't recommend Costa Rica enough quite honestly it's one of the nicest and beautiful places I've ever been and all the people there I've met are super nice and friendly. It's an absolute gem. Apart from San Jose (the capital) which is pretty dull.

You can wander around Costa Rica and be more safe than most places in the states.

I highly recommend flying into Liberia. It's on the Pacific Coast where the mountains hit the waves with the famous black sand beaches. And you are a short day trip from Mt Aerinal (spelling is wrong) with all the hot springs and high bridges and rain forest.

[Scott]

I went to Bermuda in August, about 90 minutes from Logan. The cruise ships dock at the naval yard which I thought was the worst part of the island. Just very touristy. I stayed at a resort at a far end of the island and the problem was the taxis anywhere were about $50 each way. Hamilton is nice with plenty to do, so if you stay there, you probably don't have to move around much. The beaches and weather were some of the most beautiful I've experienced.

[Matt]

Cruised to the Bahamas last year on Carnival from Port Canaveral and it was so fun I’m going again this year. It really isn’t too expensive through Carnival Cruise line.

[A Platypus Rave]

Dec 15, 2018 9:05:54 GMT -5 Toilet Paper Roll said:

Cruises will be cheaper and you get to see more.

I’ve been to the Caribbean a half dozen times. Various spots in Bahamas, Bermuda, Jamaica. I found the Paradise Island part of Bahamas to be the most interesting.

If you can pull it Aruba is awesome, best place I ever went to although it’s technically the West Indies was St Lucia.

Cruises let you see more islands but you only really can do like one thing per island on most cruises... but it gives you at least a little look at the local areas.

I second Aruba being awesome if you can swing there do it.