Kinda OT- What would you pick?

[drag n' fly]

We are presently trying to decide what to do for our next big family holiday. We have to take it during spring break..third week of March 2008. That is a slow time for dh and he is well aware he is going to pay dearly for that!
Here is what I need to know. We have it narrowed down to 2 things.


1. One week at either Beaches Negril or Beaches Turks and Caicos
or
2. 7 day Disney Cruise Eastern or Western

I wanted to do the Land/Sea one but I am having trouble convincing dh of that because we are going to WDW for 10 days in February.
Being that this is a Disney Board I expect to hear mostly DCL but am also interested In hearing from anyone who has travelled to these Beaches Resorts. Are they comparable in quality to a Disney vacation? Dh likes the idea of paying and then going to relax for a week. I am concerned we are going to get bored doing a AI?

 

[Scratch42]

7 day Disney Cruise!

No chance of getting bored unless you want to be!

j

 

[jtdl]

I did a lot of research on the Beaches resorts a year or so ago - dreaming that we may be able to go some day. I may be the odd one out here on the Dis boards - but if that were my choice, I'd definitely go with Beaches. I don't think there is any chance of getting bored at either of those resorts either. Check out Deb's Caribbean Resort Reviews and read the reviews of people who have been to either of those resorts.

But since this is a family vacation I would research both options, get all the activities and whatnot gathered up and present both options to my family. Then decide as a family where to go. Depending on the ages of your children, that is!

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

I'd do the cruise - only b/c I KNOW that all 3 of my guys - dh included in that one - are not beach people and they would be bored in one place for a week.

 

[Madsofa]

I have cruised before (Royal Caribbean & Carnival) and have stayed AI (Antigua & Mexico). Both are of course very different vacations. The cruises were nice because if we wanted to be busy we could and if we were just looking to relax by a pool or on a beach that was easy to do as well. On our cruises alcohol beverages were not included (not a big deal as we are not excessive drinkers, but we do like wine with dinner and nice frozen drinks while out in the sun), tipping was not included either and the excursions offered on the cruise are expensive - add these costs to that of the cruise. I liked the idea of waking up on a different island every day and had many options to choose from.
AI - very nice and very relaxing. Of course the hotels we stayed at had a variety of activities offered and there were "island explore" excursions available, as well as evening entertainment. Here there were no added extra costs unless you choose to tip above and for specialty liquers. The stay on the island was very peaceful and if we didn't feel like "exploring" that day then we didn't think we were missing out on anything.

I loved all my vacations and booked on what I was looking for at the time. I know not a lot of help provided but just my insights. Our trip to WDW in March is our first vacation taking the kids so that adds another element to the vacation. With kids I'd probably choose to cruise! Whatever you decide have fun!

 

[drag n' fly]

Their seems to be huge inconsistencies in the kids programs with the AI. Club Med Punta Cana is going to cost us almost 12,000.00CAD for a week. At Beaches we are looking at approx 8500.00US. You can only play in sand and water for so long! If it was just dh and I bring it on we would do an AI. With three kids that seems kind of iffy. I promised dh I would look into both sides of the argument.


The reason we always like taking Disney Vacations, is for us personally it is the only place we ever feel like we are getting our money's worth. Did it cost us a bundle? You bet but we come back thinking that was worth every darn penny it cost us. With a Disney Cruise I feel like even though it is going to cost a bundle it will be a vacation for all of us...not just the kids and not just the parents...everyone is happy. You are not stuck in one place and get to visit 2-3 other places! We are not big drinkers so free booze is not even a perk for us but again as Madsofa said we like a nice glass of wine with dinner and a frozen margarita here and there but we are not boozing it up all day all night. We went to a AI in Mexico and so many people were so drunk all day and all night for the entire week it was insane!

Call me old fashioned but Disney gives me the good clean family fun feeling!


Now I just have to convince DH!

 

[twinz]

What about looking into other Cruise Lines? There are quite a few that have awesome kids programs (Royal Carribean/Norweigan Cruise Lines). They may offer similar itineraries at a lower price (esp NCL, as it tends to be a less expensive alternative). Check out what islands you want to see and decide from there, as the Eastern/Western and Southern all offer something different!. You have any questions about cruising just ask (I work for a major cruise wholesaler in canada).

 

[Mortlives]

I've been on the Western Magic, and my brother goes to Beaches Negril every year. I can tell you that either of those will be wonderful, and full of things for you and the rest of the family to do, both together and apart. I suspect the Beaches vacation might be more restful, but the DCL vacation is a great de-stresser.

 

[Rhonda]

Definitely pick the cruise!!

 

[drag n' fly]

Definitely pick the cruise!!

Great IDEA I will contact my wonderful TA and let her know!

 

[kidzant]

Turks and Caicos is stunning and beautiful. If you are going to Disney in Feb, go to Turks. You will not be disappointed. Enjoy what ever you do.

If I could go back to Turks every year I would not look back. The water is crystal clear, snorkeling is incredible.