Anyplace like Castaway Cay?

[Marshmelo]

Hello! I went on the Wonder Cruise last month and got engaged on the ship, so now I'm planning my wedding for next October 2. I had always thought I would go to Hawaii for my Honeymoon, but I find myself comparing the pictures I see to Castaway Cay. I think I am spoiled now. I just loved it there. Is there anywhere that is comparable? I liked that there weren't many people on the adult beach, the water was so blue and clear and there were so many palm trees. It just had that totally tropical feel. When I look at pictures of Hawaii, it is beautiful, but doesn't seem as "tropical." Am I right about that? Are there any areas of Hawaii that are more tropical? Right now, I'm thinking Maui would be my best bet, but there are still so many areas within Maui to choose from. Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[nedleycan]

St. John in the USVI is very nice (beautiful beaches, shallow water), also, any of the smaller virgin islands. Also, check out the Grenadines. They are a small chain of islands between St. Vincent and Grenada. We are hoping to go there next year (without the kids)! It looks beautiful there and very uncommercial. I know what you mean about Hawaii. I generally don't like to go to places that are too commercial or too American. The Grenadines look very Carribean with tons of palm trees and very small islands. You can take a cruise in the Grenadines too. We are planning on staying at Young Island resort and sailing for 2 nights through the islands. Their site is www.youngisland.com.
Good luck and congrats!

 

[abitjaded]

Ignore

 

[abitjaded]

Dear Marshmelo,

Should you really want to go to Maui, do a little research on the net. My memory is a little rusty, it has been several years since I was there.

There are reasonable places on Maui that are heaven. We always stay at a place called the Mana Kai Maui. It is right on the beach, elevator down, walk across the grass and snorkel or play in the sand. There is a great reef right there and a soft sand beach too. The place has a good restaurant that faces the beach, it is one of the better known places in Maui. You can get privately rented units for less than the resort charges. It is in the city of Kihei, which is called a dump by some folks. Yes, it is pretty touristy but the Mana Kai is wonderful and away from that.

Now, if money is no object the beach side cabanas at Stouffer Wailea would be my choice. The resort is incredible.

Carla

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Is there anywhere that is comparable?

Marshmelo - Antigua or Gilligan's Island...

 

[lsmac]

Maui is beautiful and we really enjoyed our time there...but....(you knew there had to be a "but") it is very expensive to eat and do anything there. On the other hand, most of the time you only get to stay at CC for 7 hours...
If you do Maui, look at staying near the Wailea coast, it is very resorty...but close to everything, and incredibly beautiful beaches. You can sometimes get great discounts on hotels like Outriggers, or Aston if you fly United etc.
That said: at least at CC your food and entertainment is part of the deal.
HTH
Lisa

 

[justmestace]

Marshmelo,
Hi there, it's me, Stacey. Of course I'm partial to DCL and Castaway Cay....but, try picking up some of the bridal magazines. They have tons of wedding destinations listed, pictures, and web sites & phone numbers. I know there's nothing like hearing about a place first-hand, but at least it will give you some ideas.
PM me if you want, and we can arrange for me to send you a couple of the wedding pics so that you can see what it looked like at CC.
Stacey

Here's you pretty soon:

 

[AnnMorin]

Anguilla or St. John (trunk bay area) would be perfect!

 

[4nana]

If you like Castaway - you'll LOVE Hawaii!!

The scenery is unbelievably beautiful! Hubby and I renewed our wedding vows for one anniversary and visited several of the islands. We enjoyed Kauai the most. I would recommend doing
a search on 'Hawaiian Weddings', which will give you lots of options. An aquaintance of ours was just married there. The immediatley family attended, with a big reception party when they arrived back home. Best wishes!

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

Hi, Just a few suggestions:

First of all Hawaii is very tropical, but is is also very Americanized. Not very remote, though the most "remote" Island is probably Kauai. (Actually Molokai, but that is the extreme). Maui is very beautiful and full of beaches and rocky cliffs as well. Palm trees everywhere, but tourists everywhere as well. You'll be hard pressed to find a beach that will be totally yours.

You may want to check out Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Beautiful Beaches with the tallest most perfect palm trees I've seen anywhere. And Punta Cana is pretty remote. Yes there are quite a few resorts there, but each one is secluded and set back off of the beach so that you can feel like you are on your own little island. Please know, that Punta Cana is ONLY resorts. No real town to speak of. If you are looking for local activities, you must take a tour away from the resort area. (Which we did and it was such a cool experience!) Grand Cayman and Aruba can also offer beautiful beaches with many palms. But they are vastly different from Hawaii. No Lush green mountains here. They are both more Desert Islands, but to me that is where the most beautiful blue waters are.

You'll also have to make sure that you can legally get married in any of these places. (Of course Hawaii Yes, but the others you'll have to do some research).

If you are looking for that "remote tropical Island" thing, stay away from well known beaches like Trunk Bay in St. John. Yes, it is beautiful, but so do the hundreds of tourists that flock there every day. There are sooooo many beautiful secluded beaches on many different islands. Your best bet is to find a wedding service/coordinator that can point you in the direction of the beaches that you are looking for and let you know if they are available for you to use.

Congratulations on your engagement! Please let us know what you choose!

Mrsfuzzmo

 

[S. C.]

Originally posted by Buckaroo's Dad
Marshmelo - Antigua or Gilligan's Island...

Does anyone else who sees the words "Gilligans Island" start to sing the theme song without thinking about it? Guess I'm brainwashed.

 

[jlawall]

I've found paradise a few times in my life on a beach.....here's my suggestions.....

Maui at Black Rock
Trunk Bay at St. John
"The Baths" in BVI
Castaway Cay
Marco Island, FL (at sunset)

Those are my recommendations...best wishes to your future!

 

[justmestace]

Boy, did I make a mess of my countdown timer!
And yes, I can't help but sing the Gilligan song also!

 

[Rootee]

First of all Hawaii is very tropical, but is is also very Americanized.

I know! When you travel to Hawaii nowadays, it's almost like not leaving the country!

Sorry, couldn't resist!

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

When you travel to Hawaii nowadays, it's almost like not leaving the country!

lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[melissaga]

Hawaii is very tropical. I just recommend staying away from the more travelled areas, such as Oahu, and maybe even staying away from the areas where there are many hotels.

My all time favorite place would have to be Kona Village on the island of Hawaii. You stay in your own hut (hale), priced by size and location (many are directly on the water). There are sea turtles that come right up on the beach, along with the peacocks that walk the grounds. It can be as isolated a vacation as you choose. As a small resort, you will not see crowds anywhere unless you choose to leave the resort. You even have a coconut that you put outside your hut when you do not want to be disturbed. There were many times when we had a beach to ourselves. I also remember doing one excursion while we were there... we went out on a catamaran to do some snorkeling and dolphin watching. We spent part of our honeymoon here and if I had to do it again, I would have spent the whole time there. Take a look at these pics.
http://www.reservationtoday.com/hotelinfo/Kailua_Kona/HI/USA/43716/

There's a place with a similar, very private, very tropical feel in the caribbean called Petite St. Vincent (also in the Grenadines). It's a tiny island that is also a resort. There are less than 25 cottages on the property. You have a flag pole at your cottage.. you put up a red flag if you do not want to be disturbed and a yellow one anytime you have a message to give the staff (like ordering a box lunch, cocktails, whatever). http://www.psvresort.com

You are making me want to go on vacation again!