Travel planners $2000 Go!!!

[MKCP5]

So I had posted a couple of weeks ago about Hilton Head in April, and that's not going to happen, but that's okay.

We are instead looking for a trip this summer. Soooooooo, I wanted to see what amazing trips some of you might come up with, as we are totally open to going ANYWHERE. The budget is $2000.(+-500) We would fly from Boston or Providence and it would be our 25th anniversary trip.

I have looked into the possibility of a Boston to Bermuda cruise, we have never gone on a cruise and I would love to see the pink sand beaches. I can do that for $2000.

Any other budding travel agents who can come up with great ideas for me? TIA!

 

[clambert1273]

Cruises trump everything for me LOL I am a cruisaholic

 

[stsomewhere]

I second a cruise! We love cruising. Make sure that you factor in tips and drinks in your budget. Look at Caribbean cruises,too. You can get some pretty good deals.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I love cruises too. But this also might be a great time to visit Canada, as the Canadian dollar is quite low compared to the US dollar so your money will definitely go further. Lots of gorgeous places to see along the east coast, if you want beaches, or you could try Niagara Falls area or Toronto?

 

[HeatherC]

An All Inclusive? Rates would be low in the summer.

Or...Napa and San Francisco
London?
Sedona?
Do you like sailing? Bareboating in the Virgin Islands?
Montreal?
Costa Rica?

Could still do Hilton Head with Charleston and Savannah?

Vancouver and British Columbia?
Oregon Coast?

So many places...so little time...and$$$ in my case.

 

[FINFAN]

Well, Happy 25th Anniversary (early)! I love Colorado...and Moab, tho Moab might a bit warm for you in summer, I like to bake in the sun so it is a dream destination for me. Are you looking for a more relaxing/pamper us type trip or active? Sounds like maybe the beach is your initial choice. Sanibel Island is awesome in FL, or the Keys (but beaches are not very smooth)It does sound like a cruise would be pretty easy to put together esp since you can take advantage of a port reasonably close. The Cruise Boards forum would be a wealth of info. Have fun planning, it is half the fun and excitement!

 

[MKCP5]

Thanks for all your thoughts We would't do Canada, although it is stunning in the summer, because we have family both in the maritimes and Toronto so we have been there multiple times.

I am thinking a spectacular pool for me with some beach time, all inclusive sounds awesome, (are there any good ones in the US?) I am surprised at how high the rates are even in summer. Maybe they will come down Hubby would like the same but with some activities he could do or cool history to explore. Pool/Beach is highest on the list. We are desperate for relaxation!!

We could go out of the country if we could find the right deal.

 

[shruley]

We are doing a trip next fall to Mexico. We are able to do 5 nights at an Adults Only all-inclusive for $2000 in the Riveria Maya area. That includes air from Minnesota and all fees and things. We are looking at the Excellence Riviera Cancun as it comes right in at the $2000 and was rated basically a 4.5* resort. The Valentin Imperial Maya is a little under $2000 and you can find some, like Catalonia Royal Tulum which are cheaper still (nice beach but not the 24 hr room services, all suite rooms, etc.) This was for fall, I haven't looked at summer prices. Or I believe the non-adults only resorts are also cheaper but adults only was a requirement for us! We picked it because I wanted to do nothing but lay on a beach (or by a pool) and most resorts had great reviews on the service and I liked that the price seemed truly all inclusive. Tips included (unless you wanted to tip more, but it doesn't seem to be expected or required to get good service), all alcohol included (except some wines), mini bar and 24 hr room service included, evening entertainment at the resort, etc. There are lots of possible excursions in the Riviera Maya area (ruins, cenotes, snorkeling) if you wanted. I didn't have much interest, I would rather spend extra $$$ at the spa, but I was surprised at how resonable the excursions were. We've done one cruise (Disney) and while I liked it, I felt like there were a lot of extra costs, so make sure to add-in alcohol, tips(!), and excursions always seemed expensive for what you got! But it sounds like you wouldn't have to pay for airfare then, so that might balance things out for you!

 

[lovin'fl]

Gonna say cruise. You can even cruise out of NY or NJ (more of a Bahamas itinerary with a bunch of sea days)...not sure if that would be a doable drive for you guys. Or fly to a port in FL and take a really port intensive cruise in the Caribbean. That would be my choice (and that's what we're doing in 2016 for our 20th Anniversary). And just reread your post...Boston to Bermuda sounds great...I'd love to do a Bermuda cruise someday.

 

[MKCP5]

We are doing a trip next fall to Mexico. We are able to do 5 nights at an Adults Only all-inclusive for $2000 in the Riveria Maya area. That includes air from Minnesota and all fees and things. We are looking at the Excellence Riviera Cancun as it comes right in at the $2000 and was rated basically a 4.5* resort. The Valentin Imperial Maya is a little under $2000 and you can find some, like Catalonia Royal Tulum which are cheaper still (nice beach but not the 24 hr room services, all suite rooms, etc.) This was for fall, I haven't looked at summer prices. Or I believe the non-adults only resorts are also cheaper but adults only was a requirement for us! We picked it because I wanted to do nothing but lay on a beach (or by a pool) and most resorts had great reviews on the service and I liked that the price seemed truly all inclusive. Tips included (unless you wanted to tip more, but it doesn't seem to be expected or required to get good service), all alcohol included (except some wines), mini bar and 24 hr room service included, evening entertainment at the resort, etc. There are lots of possible excursions in the Riviera Maya area (ruins, cenotes, snorkeling) if you wanted. I didn't have much interest, I would rather spend extra $$$ at the spa, but I was surprised at how resonable the excursions were. We've done one cruise (Disney) and while I liked it, I felt like there were a lot of extra costs, so make sure to add-in alcohol, tips(!), and excursions always seemed expensive for what you got! But it sounds like you wouldn't have to pay for airfare then, so that might balance things out for you!

Are you using a particular travel agency? I have heard good things about the excellence hotels but am having trouble locating packages for them

 

[HeatherC]

For all inclusive pricing try allinclusiveoutlet.com. I have heard good things about them and believe a number of dis'ers have used them.

For a cruise...highly recommend a Royal Caribbean one out of NJ. Ships are nicer than what Norwegian has out of Boston. But they do have new ships out of NY.

Also..since you mentioned pool and beach, check out the Kiawah Resort in Charleston, Sc. You can relax at a top rated resort and there is tons of historical and fun stuff to do in Charleston.

Hope this helps!