beaches resorts, ever been...

[minnie4me]

While I love Disney as much as the next person, DH and I want to try a Caribbean vacation maybe in 2009. We were just on 4nt land/ 4day sea to the Bahamas in late Oct for DS's 5th bday. We did not do an excursion in Nassau and had limited time at CC due to weather. We have been on 2 other cruises prior and always feel liek we cheat ourselves on the beautiful waters,beach time and usual weather of the Carribean. DS will be about 6&1/2 if we went early June 2009. We are considering the Beaches resorts either Jamaica or Turks&Cacos because they are all inclusive and there is the character theme for DS, even if not Disney characters.
Also wondering about other places, heard that Jamaica is supposed to really be added new resorts, etc...
Also, do you know anything about kids clubs at beaches? Can kids come and go as the parents please or is it an all day or 1/2 day type setup. Had a friend vacation in St Thomas and her kids did not go for the club because they had to stay 1/2 or full day. I like the clubs on DCL, we got to pick the individual activities DS went to and if he wanted some extra playtime no problem.
Any help is greatly appreciated. Really feel the need to start planning this trip already, usually book about 1 yr out, especially with Disney.
are there any good/reliable websites like this board to go to about the Caribbean or Beaches resorts?

 

[minnie4me]

bump...

 

[PrincessNoelle'sMom]

Hi! My family and I went to Beaches Negril for the first time November '06 (DS 5 and DD 2 ). I have been to Disney over 50 times and love it! But I must say, Beaches is a true vacation - very relaxing! The kids camp is open 12 hours a day and the kids can come and go as they want (very similar to DCL). There are no beepers/pagers, so you just need to tell the nannies where you will be if they need to find you. The camp is broken into age groups and all activities are scheduled for the kids during the day, so you can pick and choose what they want to do. They also have the opportunity for one on one time with the characters at the camps. It was just great. After the first day, the kids couldn't wait to go to camp and all of the nannies knew them by name while walking around the resort. The staff is WONDERFUL, the beach BEAUTIFUL and the food is pretty good too (IMHO). Hope this helps and if you decide to go - ENJOY!!!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

We've taken the kids to Beaches Turks and Caicos twice. If you want any specific info, feel free to PM me.

 

[hockeywidow]

We've been to Beaches in T&C (3x), Beaches Negril (2x) and Beaches Sandy Bay (2x). We love it there!

If you have any specific questions, just ask or PM!

 

[Goldilocks07]

Hi,
If you are interested in a cruise, I can totally help you. My mother is a Cruise Planner- she books all of our vacations. She knows everything about every ship and island there is out there!
Her website is www.cruisechick.com
She can tell you when the best times are to go, and when the best prices are.
Good luck to you!

 

[frankiemom]

hockeywidow,

Any ideas for making it more affordable? I took my son in 2002 (Turks) and it cost $1095 per adult and he was like $600 and that included airfare. I just priced Beaches Turks and for 4 of us it is $7000!!!!!!!!!!!! I am a member of their signature club. My husband and I have been to Sandals Jamaica, Antigua, St. Lucia and Bahamas.

 

[minnie4me]

wow!! was the $7G including airfare? I priced a 7 nite stay in mid June of 2009 for 2 adults and a child w/out air and it was as low as $4300, if you didn't need a fantastic view. When we stay in WDW I always pick garden view ( it is the cheapest) and is always nice. I figure air is going to be the killer, so am thinking of an air mileage CC if you could use it to either Jamaice or T&C. At least ought to get one or two tickets for "free".
I priced an Eastern Caribbean DCL for same time, Cat 6, and it was about $6200 w/out air.
Not cheap to have some fun and sun is it !!

 

[frankiemom]

minnie4me,

Yes that was including airfare---with fuel prices the way they are it is a killer!

 

[princessbride6205]

Haven't been to Sandals or Beaches, but I've heard great things! There are lots of fun Sesame Street activities for the younger kids, including character meet-and-greets and 20-30 minute stage shows. I can't wait to take our little one (after her first WDW trip, of course!)

 

[Schmeck]

Just be careful about walking on the beach at night - never know what you might come across

 

[hockeywidow]

Hi, unfortunately Beaches can get quite pricey but overall I think it's worth it because once you're at the resort most of everything is included!

To get better deals, here's a couple of things to try:
- the big one is to go off season (i've gotten some great deals in November & February)
- check the Beaches.com website, they usually have % of sales - again, the best deals are during off-seasons
- the airfare can be a killer. I usually break-up the airfare (I'm from Vancouver Canada on the west coast, so it costs a fortune to fly direct to anywhere in the Caribbean). I usually get air to Miami and then another airfare from Miami to Jamaica or Turks. Once I saved over $1500 for a trip for four of us.

Hopefully some of these tips help!