Iy you couldn't do the DCL, what other vacations are fantastic?

[momtofour]

Am stilll debating whether or not I can spend $8000 to $9000 on a seven day cruise for my family of six. What other fantastic vacations have your families taken that are right up there in terms of quality and fun? I am looking for non-cruise options that may be cheaper than the DCL but will be really wonderful! Thanks!!

 

[232271]

have you looked into the prices of all inclusive vacations
in Jamacia or Mexico somewhere?



we have done one in Jamacia and it was great. It is like a
land cruise, all the food/drinks included, just w/o the boat trip.

goodluck!!

 

[RellingTwin]

I was looking at a house for rent in Cozumel. The owner has a cool site www.cozumelmycozumel.com
The house is really beautiful and the price for off season is very good (I think 1,500 for a week).
When we traveled to Cozumel I was really torn because there were SO many things we wanted to do there. I could EASLIY spend a week there.
Good luck, whatever you decide.

 

[KyCruisinSusan]

How about a 7-14 day Disney Resort stay. You get the ultimate park hopper passes included with you stay for all members of your party and that gives you at least 2 days (with the 14 day stay) at each theme park.

This is what we have on the block for our 2006 vacation. We already have a cruise booked for Dec 05, but are leaning toward staying on land in 06.

But who knows what we'll end up doing. Our 7 day cruise in Nov. has turned into a 2 week vacation since we added on a 4 night stay at the All Star Sports Resort.

 

[jel0511]

Our favorite vacation, believe it not including DCL is going to St. John. We usually rent a 4 bedroom house in the off season for around $2500 for the week. Airfare can get expensive, up to $600 per ticket, but it can be found cheaper, usually $400 if you pay attention. After that, you're in your own home, so to speak. We rent a car and drive around the island to all the different beaches. The house we rent, always has a pool and usually a hot tub as well. We usually eat breakfast and lunch in because it's so much easier. Either a packed lunch to the beach, or a quick lunch by our own pool. Dinner we always eat out, because, hey I'm on vacation too. St. John is such a beautiful island, with beautiful beaches and is just so relaxing. I'm looking forward to going back next year!!!

 

[travellady]

Hawaii. You can rent a condo for far cheaper than staying at a resort. And, with a kitchen, you can save money as you won't have to eat out all the time. Not sure what airfare is from where you live but other than Xmas, you can usually find a deal on one of the airlines.

 

[ericamanda01]

I have to agree with KyCruisinSusan, go to WDW. You could really have a great time for less than the cruise and still get the Disney magic.

 

[invaderzim]

jel0511 Where did you rent the house from? Can you provide a website or email address? Thanks. When we took our island tour of St. John's on our 2002 cruise, we thought it was a magnificent looking island. Would love to stay there for a few days!

 

[chasbos]

travellady - We are thinking of Hawaii for next winters vacation. This year it is the 4 night Wonder - to see how we like cruising. But I am always planning a year ahead - that way everything is paid for well in advance. Where do you get all your info on Hawaii and renting these condos? We are a family of 6 and resorts just mean we have to book two rooms and that is not always the nicest if they are not connecting.

 

[jel0511]

Originally posted by invaderzim
jel0511 Where did you rent the house from? Can you provide a website or email address? Thanks. When we took our island tour of St. John's on our 2002 cruise, we thought it was a magnificent looking island. Would love to stay there for a few days!

I sent you a PM with all the information. I did neglect to say that most if not all houses rent with a minimum of a one week rental. Good Luck, and I hope you enjoy a St. John vacation VERY soon!!!

 

[wide awake]

I think it depends on what your idea of a "wonderful" vacation is. I love Hawaii, but on my vacation I want to be waited on. No condo or rooms with hot plates for me...same goes for renting a house any place else. As for WDW...one of my best friends spent 10 days there in July...her whole family hated it and would never go again. We're all going to have a different idea of what makes a "wonderful" vacation. You just need to ask your family and analyze what you want out of a vacation.

 

[luvsTink]

One of my favorite spots is New Orleans. Even with a younger child (she was 7 at the time) we loved it. Of course, it depends on your taste and tempermant, but I found it to be an astounding city.

Another option is to seek out some of the natural beauty in our county. I am very found of Colorado and the Pike's Peak area (Garden of the God's, Royal Gorge, etc)

What do you like most about cruising? That might help us pinpoint your "travel profile"

Anne

 

[invaderzim]

Grand Canyon and Monument Valley by far! We did a loop trip four years ago and still haven't gotten over it. Flew into Phoenix, visited Flagstaff, Painted Desert (saw wolves), Petrified Forest, Moon Crater, saw tons of prairie dogs, Indian Ruins and villages, stayed at Monument Valley in Utah, visited Lake Powell and Grand Canyon. Nothing surpasses being given a tour of Monument Valley at sundown by a Navajo guide! And did it all in 10 days (we had an extraordinary itinerary which allowed us to see everything and not be exhausted). The beauty and splendor of what we saw and experienced was breathtaking!

 

[din]

Like the previous poster, we did something similar.

We took a train from Chicago to Denver and had one of the sleeper cabin. Kids loved the train and spending time on the observation car.

We then drive from Denver and did the Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, Grand Teton etc... and then headed to Northern California. Saw many things, including the infamous... Wall's drug store in South Dakota...

beautiful sights, mountains, wild buffalos, native americans, etc....

Some day we will do what the previous poster did and do the Grand Canyon...etc...

 

[cmdobrien]

If your family is really active, you might want to try Club Med. We have gone to two of them, Ixtapa and Punta Cana. They prepare all meals for you, and there is plenty of activities all day long for adults and kids. Prices very good. Staff members exceptionally friendly. Accomodations downscale.

We have also been to Beaches Turks & Caicos. The beach there is very lovely. The accomodations ok, not as "clean" as Disney. Food included. However, my only beef was the staff consisted of local folks, and they didn't seem all that thrilled to be there. I had a few spa visits for facials, massages, prices about the same as home, but again, staff very indifferent to providing the services.

Neither place had any town within walking distance. Both offered a variety of excursions.

Good luck w/your choice!

 

[hydster]

Our family of 5 absolutely LOVES Cancun at an All Inclusive!!! It's kind of like a cruise where everything (including tips) is included even alcohol, soda, food, and there is a TON of stuff to do every day! Most of them have water sports you can do like catamarans and such, lay by the pool, go into town, go snorkel, take a tour to the Mayan ruins. We have been able to get packages for our family of 5 including airfare from funjet (not the greatest air experiences but we got there in 1 piece) and transportation to/from the airport and the all inclusive in 2 connecting rooms was about $2200 for the whole week. Most of the AI's let kids under 12 stay free so we only had to buy airfare and 1 kids AI package. We of course went in July/August but it was fun for the kids, no missing of school and it is absolutely beautiful down there! White sand beaches, blue Caribbean water, warm, and best of all cheap.

Heidi

 

[travellady]

chasbos - the one time I did a condo in hawaii I did it through Aston Resorts and Condos. You can search for properties in Hawaii at http://www.resortquest.com/. The place we had, at the Aston Monarch in Waikiki was good in terms of size of condo, walking distance to beach. It wasn't real fancy but fit our budget at the time - there were 6 (sons and girlfriends) of us. We now just usually travel with 3 so tend to stay at resorts but we had just as much fun back then.

 

[TheWog]

I'm with 232271 - try an all-inclusive. Jamaica is great for that. Beaches are kid friendly. everything included including most watersports.

 

[Aisling]

Saw many things, including the infamous... Wall's drug store in South Dakota...

Wow, we went to Wall's, too! What a great experience that was, to see Mount Rushmore, the beauty of our country in the Badlands, it was just awesome. We drove from NYC to South Dakota and back over a period of two weeks. din, did you stop at the Corn Palace?
I opt to see America if not going to WDW!

 

[mbw12]

This past summer, we went to Rocking Horse Ranch in the Catskill mountains in NY. (myself, DH, DS6, DD4) It is an all-inclusive with a dude ranch theme (you are not out on a range rustling up cattle, like on City Slickers!!!) they had horse back riding, water skiing, catamarans, paddle boats, mini golf, tennis, rock climbing, three pools (two outdoor, 1 indoor), games, shuffleboard, night club, activites, cokctail parties. campfire, Kids Club. Everything is included. We had a blast (and I am not the outdoorsy type)

I think any type of all inclusive is the way to go, IMHO. Just not having to worry about every single dime while on vacation is a treat to me!

But than again......of course WDW is my fave trip of all!!!!!! Just cannot beat a family trip to the World!

Bobbi