Beaches Turks and Caicos or Atlantis

[msminniemouse]

For anyone who has been to both, which would you prefer if were going again? I am contemplating a vacation for this summer(with 2 teen boys, ages 12 and 14, and wasn't sure which one to choose.
Actually I meant to post this on Community board, and accidentally posted on Budget Board, but am not sure how to move it.

 

[Aliceacc]

I've never been to either, but my sister adores Turks and Caicos. In fact, she's currently planning to return there-- Beaches I think-- next summer. They raved about it the last time they went.

(She gave her daughter the choice of any (reasonable) vacation destination in leiu of a big Sweet 16 party, and my niece chose Turks and Caicos.)

 

[lucigo]

For anyone who has been to both, which would you prefer if were going again? I am contemplating a vacation for this summer(with 2 teen boys, ages 12 and 14, and wasn't sure which one to choose.
Actually I meant to post this on Community board, and accidentally posted on Budget Board, but am not sure how to move it.

Easy answer....take a cruise that goes to Nassau and Grand Turk! We have been on two that went to Nassau, Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay. Awesome ports

 

[msminniemouse]

Easy answer....take a cruise that goes to Nassau and Grand Turk! We have been on two that went to Nassau, Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay. Awesome ports

Which cruises were these?

 

[An_Island_Girl]

Our Family loves All-Inclusive resorts, and Beaches Turks and Caicos is fabulous! The last time we went we stayed in the Italian Village in an oceanfront Family Suite. It was the perfect location!
With two teenagers, I would like that they could go off on their own and that the entire complex is contained at Beaches. They could eat whenever they wanted, participate in plenty of included activities, and they got to meet some wonderful new friends to hang out with for the week.
Atlantis is a wonderful resort as well, but given the choice, I would definitely choose Beaches.

 

[lucigo]

Which cruises were these?

Carnival Fantasy went out of Port Canaveral, 5 nights, to Nassau, Grand Turk and Half Moon in 2006. Carnival Elation did the same cruise in 2007. In 2009 we took Holland America's Eurodam to San Juan, Grand Turk, Half Moon and St. Thomas.

Currently, there are cruises on the Carnival Destiny out of Miami that go to Grand Turk, Half Moon and Nassau.

 

[lucigo]

If you want a beach vacation, in my unbiased opinion you can go MUCH cheaper by staying in the U.S. and finding a nice resort along the gulf coast. Panama City, Navarre, Pensacola Beach, Orange Beach, AL, etc. You can't beat that sugar-white sand.

 

[TinkPirateMom]

We LOVE Beaches Turks and Caicos. I think the all-inclusive aspect is great for teens. They can eat whatever they want whenever they want, no worries about money. There are some activities just for teens as well. The beach is beautiful (albeit narrow). Beautiful snorkeling there as well.

 

[lucigo]

Wanted to add, another great beaches cruise you might consider is out of New Orleans, to Belize, Roatan and Cozumel. We went on the Triumph but I believe the Conquest is taking over. Belize has an excursion that takes you right from the boat to a little island where you can snorkel/hang out. Roatan has ski lift chairs or you can walk right to the beach free of charge. There are many beach options in Cozumel, the one we did most recently was Nachi Cocum, an all inclusive beach with pool, lunch, drinks etc.

If you can't tell when I'm not addicted to Disney I'm addicted to cruising LOL

 

[kathy87]

just wanted to put my 2 cents in... we went to Atlantis 2 years ago with our 2 boys. They were 12 and 13 at the time. After 2 days they were bored All of the pools close at 7pm including the watermark. It seems like although they advertise this as a family vacation they want everyone to be in the casino, which of course the kids are not allowed in. Also it is very expensive for food. For example, $18 for a case of water. $38 for a pizza. Have fun whatever you decide

 

[TinkPirateMom]

just wanted to put my 2 cents in... we went to Atlantis 2 years ago with our 2 boys. They were 12 and 13 at the time. After 2 days they were bored All of the pools close at 7pm including the watermark. It seems like although they advertise this as a family vacation they want everyone to be in the casino, which of course the kids are not allowed in. Also it is very expensive for food. For example, $18 for a case of water. $38 for a pizza. Have fun whatever you decide

This reminds me, Beaches T&C allows you to swim at night and 1 or 2 nights a week they play a movie next to the pool, Dive In Movie Night. The Night Club, Liquid is open just for teens until 10 or 11 pm each night. Then they switch it over and start serving alcohol and adults are in there from 11pm-2 or 3am.The mini-waterpark only has 2 slides that bigger kids would enjoy, but they also have a lazy river and surf simulator. The surf-simulator only operates for short periods of time throughout the day so when you see it go for it instead of saying you'll be back later. The waterpark area does close early even though the big pools stay open later.

 

[PatriciaH]

Been to both. I would go to Beaches Turks!

 

[PatriciaH]

If you want a beach vacation, in my unbiased opinion you can go MUCH cheaper by staying in the U.S. and finding a nice resort along the gulf coast. Panama City, Navarre, Pensacola Beach, Orange Beach, AL, etc. You can't beat that sugar-white sand.

But the Gulf is still so full of Corexit. I would not let kids swim in it. Of course the whole ocean is probably full of radiation runoff from Japan by now.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

I went to both places as a teenager with my family and the only one I will be returning to with my own kids someday is Beaches Turks and Caicos. It's on one of the nicest beaches I've been to in the Caribbean. I had a great time at Atlantis, but I remember my parents complaining about having to pay extra for EVERYTHING, how the pools got really crowded after 9 AM, and how our room was not in the main tower so we had to walk really far to everything. Beaches T and C just felt more like a vacation.

 

[msminniemouse]

It sounds like Beaches is the better choice.

 

[cvjw]

If you want a beach vacation, in my unbiased opinion you can go MUCH cheaper by staying in the U.S. and finding a nice resort along the gulf coast. Panama City, Navarre, Pensacola Beach, Orange Beach, AL, etc. You can't beat that sugar-white sand.

I love the gulf-coast beaches as much as everyone else (grew up not far from them), but there is NO comparison between a gulf coast beach and Beaches, Turks and Caicos. It was hands down the best all-inclusive resort we have ever been to, and we have been to quite a few. Our extended family of 14 spent a week there last April, and none of the kids (or grown-ups) wanted to leave. We are all begging for another week there. It was heavenly. The food was great, the pools and amenities are top notch, and the staff was attentive and oh so friendly (which you don't get on other Carribean islands).

I personally haven't been to Atlantis, and I don't want to either. All I have ever heard about Atlantis is how expensive everything is, and how crowded it is. My BIL and SIL went a few years ago, and came back complaining about how Atlantis sells day passes to all of the people visiting the island from the cruise ships. You have to compete with them for lounge chairs, pool space and all of the other amenities that you paid top dollar for. It doesn't sound like a place I'd like to visit. I like relaxing, uncrowded resorts.

 

[Telcogirl]

Easy answer....take a cruise that goes to Nassau and Grand Turk! We have been on two that went to Nassau, Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay. Awesome ports

Were you on the Carnival Destiny?

 

[Aliceacc]

I don't suppose anyone is aware of any discounts for Beaches (T&C) that I could pass on to my sister???

 

[WheelCEO]

t&c hands down

 

[sookie]

I don't suppose anyone is aware of any discounts for Beaches (T&C) that I could pass on to my sister???

NO, and for what you will spend and what you can get elsewhere - you will be well aware that you are overpaying. Sorry...