2024 Vacation. Help me decide please.

[DCLMP]

Why not Iceland? What about South America?

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Or Greece? Land tour, and cruise to Greek islands?

 

[barkley]

if you don't have a passport then i would pass on any international travel. national news tonight reported on the backlog-even expedited are taking close to 3 months

 

[jdb in AZ]

if you don't have a passport then i would pass on any international travel. national news tonight reported on the backlog-even expedited are taking close to 3 months

OP is looking at summer of 2024.

 

[sam_gordon]

A friend and spouse recently vacationed at Barcelo Riviera Maya (Cancun area, I think). She said it was the best vacation they ever had. Her pictures were wonderful. The resort has multiple hotels, restaurants, movie theatre, sports courts, beach, etc. I put it on my "gotta go" list.

We vacationed there with extended family in 2012. VERY nice. I don't remember the movie theater though.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

In 2024 I'll be hitting some very BIG milestones including graduating from law school and taking the bar exam. I want to do a really relaxing vacation to somewhere I've never been starting on August 1 or 2 for about a week (the bar exam is the last Tuesday and Wednesday of July). My starting budget is $5000 for two people but I may be able to go up to $10,000 depending on a few factors like funding for my final year of school. So far I've thought about Hawaii, Alaska cruise, or Kenya. Mostly, I want to not have to think very deeply for a week and eat delicious food while my daughter has a good time without needing too much from me. She'll be 18, a tricky age for travel.

I've already checked and DCL's Alaska cruise dates don't line up for me so it'll need to be another line. I have no idea who to cruise with if I go with that option or what perks come with different room levels.

For Hawaii I'd stay at the Hale Koa in Waikiki.

For Kenya I found a package tour that spends a few days in an animal reserve and a few days at the beach with food included.

I really like the idea of an all inclusive type vacation so that I can pay everything in advance and not worry about what or how much dinner will cost. While Hawaii wouldn't be exactly that I would be able to shop and eat on post for some meals which would lower costs.

Places that I've been to and loved but don't want to repeat for this trip: Germany, Turkey, Japan, France. I've been to Costa Rica but I'd be willing to go back if it were an all inclusive stay.

So, give your best vacation ideas and help me plan please.

I haven’t been on an Alaskan cruise so I can’t speak to that. I have been to Hawaii and Kenya and my thoughts are that the two aren’t even in the same league. Kenya is a life-changing experience and Hawaii is one big tourist trap. However, that doesn’t mean Kenya is automatically the better choice given the parameters you’ve outlined. Bear with me here because this got way longer than I intended.

If you’re really looking to just relax for a week, then Kenya is not the trip for you. It’s too far to go and not enough time to be there. The link you posted, though, is longer than a week and has an itinerary of 4 nights in the Mara and 6 nights on the coast, which is enough time for a short but decent trip. Personally, I would want that kind of trip to be for as long as I could swing it, and while the “start with safari, end with beach” is a popular combo, yours is a bit too heavy on the beach vs. safari for my preference. But, it might be fine for you if you’re happy to just get a taste of safari and then spend most of the time relaxing on a beach. You’d probably get 6-7 game drives with that itinerary which isn’t bad. You should find out more details about what type of vehicles the camp uses and how many other people will be on the game drives with you. There’s a big difference between 2-6 people in an open-sided Land Rover vs. 24 people in an enclosed van, both in terms of comfort and viewing ability/picture taking. Also be aware that your camp is not actually located in the Mara, but in a conservancy just outside it. That can actually be a plus in some ways because the wildlife is probably just as abundant and you might have more freedom to get out of the vehicle than you would abiding by the rules of the park, but you should verify where the camp will be doing their game drives, how often they’ll be entering the park (because you’re paying daily entry fees), will you be attempting to see river crossings, etc. August is a good time to go for the migration.

The safari portion of your trip will not be what I would describe as relaxing. We were waking up at sunrise, or earlier, for the first game drive of the day, which lasted a couple hours and was sometimes uncomfortably cold (in early September). We’d return to camp for lunch and a midday break, followed by the afternoon game drive. Finish with a sundowner, followed by dinner and some time in the evenings around the fire before bed. The days were long and we collapsed hard onto our pillows each night. That portion of your trip also won’t allow your 18 year old to go off on her own if that’s what you meant by “not needing too much from me.” You’ll be sharing a tent and together on game drives and will most likely be escorted by a camp employee anytime you need to move from one location to another within the camp. Because yes, the elephants and lions and buffalo are very real and very deadly and they do come walking through the camps. This is not Disney. The beach portion of the trip may be where you find the relaxation and freedom for your daughter to do her own thing, depending on what types of activities are involved there.

The food will be delicious and your only regret will be having to leave, but Kenya might be a trip you could do better given more time and a different itinerary depending on what your goals are. And while it’s not as complicated to plan and pack for as most people make it out to be, PPs are right that you will need to deal with a few extra pre-trip considerations like visas and vaccines and that might not be something you want to deal with while studying for the boards.

I was not overly impressed with Hawaii but if you’re looking to eat well and relax on a beach for a week while giving your daughter freedom to go off and do her own thing, it might be a better choice for this trip. I’m not sure where you’re located — I noticed your Kenya trip originated in Atlanta. Hawaii is expensive, crowded, and can involve a lot of travel time, especially if you’re coming from the east coast. You said you’re open to returning to Costa Rica and I agree that’s a good option, especially if you’ve already been once to see different parts of the country and would therefore be content to stay in one place for an AI experience this time. Personally, I think Belize would be a good pick for you.

 

[barkley]

OP is looking at summer of 2024.

order that passport NOW!!!!

 

[darnheather]

Is there a reason you'd only look at CR? There's a TON of AIs in the Caribbean and Mexico.

I think Mexico is too risky at this time, I've been to several islands in the Caribbean. Additionally, I have family in CR that I haven't seen in many years. It'd be nice to spend a few days with them in San Jose.

 

[darnheather]

order that passport NOW!!!!

I have one. I don't travel without it, haven't in over 20 years. As I said in OP I've traveled to many countries.

 

[darnheather]

Thanks for all the additional suggestions and keep them coming. I have a friend with a house in Mexico so that is also an option, but I don't know how safe it is right now.

 

[starry_solo]

Congratulations on your upcoming achievement and good luck on the bar exam!
if you want something all inclusive that’s safe, a cruise is pretty much the way to go.
if you want to go to a foreign country, there are cruises there too. Lots of land/sea tours as well.

for my family, when we were younger, vacations were go go go. Now that we are older, we just mainly like to relax. Our vacations are usually getting errands done, lol

 

[fly girl]

Alaska cruise on Celebrity, preferably in a suite (Sky suite is cheapest option and will comfortably fit 3.) With suite you will get premium drink package, wifi, tips, and on board credit. You will also get access to the Retreat and Luminae restaurant.

Alaska is definitely a family destination now and your daughter will likely find other young adults her age to interact with. The cruise critic boards will give insights on how young adults meet up. (I have a 15 year old so my circumstances for meeting same aged kids is different.)

I know you want easy and to just have it all at the ready. You can definitely go with X’s excursions, but I found doing them yourself was easy and saves you a lot of money.

There are some wonderful restaurants on Celebrity ships. We finally ate at La Petite Chef on our last cruise. My family of 3 all said this was a Disney experience on a Celebrity ship! And my dd and I still rave about the ravioli.

As you can probably tell, I’m a big fan of Celebrity Cruise Line. No doubt, they can be higher priced, but if you go suite you are getting a premium product.

 

[darnheather]

My continuing thanks, lots to think about still. But it is such a good distraction from schoolwork when I have a few minutes.

Interestingly, we can get connecting rooms on Royal for a 7 night Alaskan for just under $2600. I could then easily get the airfare and hotels for under $5000 and throw money at some excursions. Celebrity would be about $200 more total. Thoughts on those two cruise lines? I'd rather spend the extra money on adjoining rooms than a verandah or suite. Also, I don't drink much and she won't be old enough to drink so the "all-in packages" don't appeal. Do either of them have just a non-alcoholic drink package? I know we'll want hot chocolate and juice.

NCL is about the same for one room and drinks package, however they don't have an option to even check on two rooms at once on the website that I can figure out. I find their online experience frustrating.

 

[darnheather]

Why not Iceland? What about South America?

I'd love to travel to Iceland. I've been looking at it. Do you know of a company that offers packages besides Icelandic Air?

 

[jdb in AZ]

My continuing thanks, lots to think about still. But it is such a good distraction from schoolwork when I have a few minutes.

Interestingly, we can get connecting rooms on Royal for a 7 night Alaskan for just under $2600. I could then easily get the airfare and hotels for under $5000 and throw money at some excursions. Celebrity would be about $200 more total. Thoughts on those two cruise lines? I'd rather spend the extra money on adjoining rooms than a verandah or suite. Also, I don't drink much and she won't be old enough to drink so the "all-in packages" don't appeal. Do either of them have just a non-alcoholic drink package? I know we'll want hot chocolate and juice.

NCL is about the same for one room and drinks package, however they don't have an option to even check on two rooms at once on the website that I can figure out. I find their online experience frustrating.

Royal and Celebrity are sister cruise lines. Celebrity is a bit more upscale. Assuming the buffet is available post-Covid, Celebrity has one brunch/buffet per cruise that's similar to Disney's Palo, tho everyone on the ship is invited -- you don't have to make reservations for it.

i don't believe either Celebrity or Royal goes to Glacier Bay, which is a pristine national park in a very eco-sensitive area, and very difficult for cruise ships to get a reservation. (Disney hasn't been able to procure a reservation in all the years they've been cruising Alaska.) Princess and Holland have the most reservations for Glacier Bay, because they've been sailing Alaska the longest.

 

[antmaril]

As I suggested in a previous post, you might want to look at a Princess cruise. As a pp mentioned, Princess has been cruising to Alaska for a very long time and has the permits required to enter Glacier Bay.

Princess offers two non-alcoholic beverage packages. I copied from their website.

Zero Alcohol Package​

Enjoy premium and specialty coffees and teas along with sodas, fresh juices and healthy smoothies (juice bar), hot chocolate, "zero-proof" mocktails, bottled water, San Pellegrino, Evian and Red Bull Energy Drinks througout your entire cruise with this zero-alcohol beverage package.

The Zero-Alcohol Drink Package is $29.99 USD* per person, per day.

and

Classic Soda Package​

This package includes all sodas, fruit juices, mocktails and smoothies.

The Classic Soda Package is $14.99 USD* per person, per day

 

[fly girl]

My continuing thanks, lots to think about still. But it is such a good distraction from schoolwork when I have a few minutes.

Interestingly, we can get connecting rooms on Royal for a 7 night Alaskan for just under $2600. I could then easily get the airfare and hotels for under $5000 and throw money at some excursions. Celebrity would be about $200 more total. Thoughts on those two cruise lines? I'd rather spend the extra money on adjoining rooms than a verandah or suite. Also, I don't drink much and she won't be old enough to drink so the "all-in packages" don't appeal. Do either of them have just a non-alcoholic drink package? I know we'll want hot chocolate and juice.

NCL is about the same for one room and drinks package, however they don't have an option to even check on two rooms at once on the website that I can figure out. I find their online experience frustrating.

Alaska … imho you want a balcony. You can whale watch from your stateroom. When going through the inside passage you can see it from your room! Is it 100% mandatory? No. But it would be a top priority for me. You don’t have to fight for a view from your personal balcony.

As PP said Royal and X are sister cruise lines. I really enjoy Royal’s Oasis class ships, but X is definitely more upscale and it shows with food and naturalists onboard. The naturalists on X are excellent at learning all about Alaska and its history.

Sadly, all cruise lines had to cut back (Covid has hit them hard) that is why I highly suggest the suite on X. Definitely a splurge, but you are absolutely catered too. You don’t feel as nickled and dimed as a traditional stateroom. Your food in Luminae is elevated, and as for the drink package I understand if you don’t drink, but you can get specialty coffees and premium water with it. (And seeing my dd is underage too, she get zero proof drinks like virgin mojitos and daiquiris.)

It’s all personal preference. What I love some may dislike and vice versa. I’d suggest looking on YouTube and watching videos about the cruise lines to see what you think you and your family would like. I like Tips for Travellers and Life Well Cruised.

 

[barkley]

Alaska cruise on Celebrity, preferably in a suite (Sky suite is cheapest option and will comfortably fit 3.) With suite you will get premium drink package, wifi, tips, and on board credit. You will also get access to the Retreat and Luminae restaurant.

Alaska is definitely a family destination now and your daughter will likely find other young adults her age to interact with. The cruise critic boards will give insights on how young adults meet up. (I have a 15 year old so my circumstances for meeting same aged kids is different.)

I know you want easy and to just have it all at the ready. You can definitely go with X’s excursions, but I found doing them yourself was easy and saves you a lot of money.

There are some wonderful restaurants on Celebrity ships. We finally ate at La Petite Chef on our last cruise. My family of 3 all said this was a Disney experience on a Celebrity ship! And my dd and I still rave about the ravioli.

As you can probably tell, I’m a big fan of Celebrity Cruise Line. No doubt, they can be higher priced, but if you go suite you are getting a premium product.

one of the best memories i have on celebrity is riding their tender into and back from ports. it was cold and drizzling so as we boarded to go into port every passenger was offered a loaner umbrella (any other line would have had them available for purchase with a kiosk at the ready) and then when we boarded to return later in the day we were offered warmed lap blankets and individual thermoses of hot chocolate. my impression of celebrity was that they pay attention to the little details that can really make for a special cruising experience.

 

[CynBeth]

My continuing thanks, lots to think about still. But it is such a good distraction from schoolwork when I have a few minutes.

Interestingly, we can get connecting rooms on Royal for a 7 night Alaskan for just under $2600. I could then easily get the airfare and hotels for under $5000 and throw money at some excursions. Celebrity would be about $200 more total. Thoughts on those two cruise lines? I'd rather spend the extra money on adjoining rooms than a verandah or suite. Also, I don't drink much and she won't be old enough to drink so the "all-in packages" don't appeal. Do either of them have just a non-alcoholic drink package? I know we'll want hot chocolate and juice.

NCL is about the same for one room and drinks package, however they don't have an option to even check on two rooms at once on the website that I can figure out. I find their online experience frustrating.

We don’t drink. Royal has the refreshment package and depending on the ship can get soda, water, fresh squeezed OJ and other juices, coffee, hot chocolate, tea, non alcoholic mixed drinks, and milkshakes. For the most part have been on 3 cruises with RCL will hopefully be going another this summer and have been very happy with them. The only time we went with someone else was NCL for Hawaii.

 

[kymom99]

I second the balcony. Game changer.