Anyone trade to Aruba?

[Mdtigger99]

We are considering trading to Aruba for spring break. Has anyone stayed at any of these resorts? Looking for some recommendations.

 

[Dean]

Aruba for that week would be a very tough trade and you should have been looking at least a year out. Also, air fare can be very high. If you're set on going, I'd suggest getting a hotel type confirmation, air fare and then a request for II through DVC. That way, if the II trade comes through, you can cancel the hotel reservation and if it doesn't not sweat. I'd also check into package deals as you can frequently get the room essentially free at places like Aruba and Cancun (usually with all inclusive).

Top choices on the DVC list would be Marriott, La Cabana BRC and Playa Linda. I'd avoid the La Cabana Villas because they don't have a beach view and are in bankruptcy at present. I don't know much about the other one listed on the DVC list. Marriott is extremely unlikely. LC BRC and PL might be the best values as the studios have a full kitchen (I know LCB does and think PL does). You can ask for studios and just as likely (or even more likely) to get a full 1 BR. In regards to La Cabana Villas, if you got there and they couldn't give you a unit, II would have no liability.

There are currently no units in II or RCI that show up for exchanges, even looking at lesser resorts.

 

[Mdtigger99]

Thanks Dean

I had a trade request into DVC for Grand Cayman for about a year now. That never came through ( it rarely does) so we are looking for an alternative. I really wish DVC would come up with more GC destinations.

What makes this more difficult this time is we are moving to Indiana and since I still don't know what school my kid will be at, I don't know when spring break will be So we have to find that out before we can make any reservations.

I wanted to come up with several alternatives now so that when we do know, we can try to make some quick reservations. I know it will be tough due to the lack of planning time. The only thing that may be in our favor is the temporary reduction in travel.

Thanks for your info about the Aruba destinations, that will very helpfull.

 

[Dean]

There may be more options than you have given yourself. I'd have been surprised if you couldn't get something even for spring break if you tried all of the alternatives. I'd also look at direct exchange possibilities and the alternate exchange company, SFX. Also, if you're looking for a 2 BR, you can likely forget it.

I know I've had contacts about trading Morritt's for something I have, don't remember if it was for OKW or Marriott's Grande Ocean. I've also done an exchange where the other party traded for what I needed (through RCI) and then I gave up DVC points. Given enough lead time (say 18 months) I'd expect I could pretty much find anything. SFX tends to get what once was Ciboney and is now a Sandals resort. It's an adult only all inclussive on Jamaica. You may also want to look at 2 months out, there may be availability at the time.

 

[HDawnH]

We take our kids OUT of school for vacation. They are both good students and miss very little if any besides the family vacation. We both work in the golf industry and cannot take "summer vacations" - the schools work with us on this and either have the kids do a report on the vacation or give them plenty of time to catch up when we get home..

Spring Break is a lousy time to vacation isn't it? Unless you're 19.