We’ve never been. 4 kids age range 13-20, so need access to some physical activities (snorkel, hike, water sport etc) Not opposed to all-inclusive. What’s the best spot you’ve been?
OT: Caribbean Vacation
- Thread starter Scarlet Bri
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We’ve been to many islands and love the Somerset on Grace Bay at Turks and Caicos. It’s low key, but that’s what we like. First went when kids were teens and they loved it too. We took out a sailboat, went on a private daylong snorkeling cruise, enjoyed beach and pool.
Hotel in Turks and Caicos Providenciales | The Somerset On Grace Bay
A memorable, unforgettable and unparalleled vacation awaits you at The Somerset. Enjoy an incomparable experience in a unique setting unlike any other luxury hotel in Turks and Caicos.
www.thesomerset.com
Beaches Turks & Caicos should meet your needs. Gorgeous beach.
Atlantis would be fun for your kids as well. A little pricy and some aspects are dated, but worth a look.
Agree, have been to both of these. Probably on higher end of your budget with 6 people and possibly 2 rooms. Plenty to do for your age range.
Could also consider club med in Dominican, all inclusive and lots of activities for kids.
A little lower on the scale would be hilton rose hall jamaica. Small water park and other activities for kids and not going to break the bank.
Another vote for Beaches and they have by far and away the best pizza in the Caribbean to the point that I would say it is better than 80% of the shops in NJ.
I have also been to Hilton Rose Hall Jamaica and while they have amazing Jerk Chicken, Beaches is better in almost every category especially snorkeling. If you end up in Turks make sure to take the walk down the beach and snorkel Coral Gardens, it is some of the best beach snorkeling you can find in the Caribbean that isn't Bonaire.
I have no love for Atlantis and wouldn't go back. When cruise ships dock it literally changes the resort from a moderately congested space to Great Adventure on a summer weekend. That said they have the best lazy river (not sure if they call it that) that I have been on.
Turks and Caicos , grace bay . Here right now on spring break with the kids , highly recommend - dm me if you want some details
I vote for Grace Bay. Besides what other posters have said you can alos go horseback riding on the beach and in the water up to just below the saddle. Great fun. Took my kids there when they were in their late teens.
Aruba is great. We mostly stay in the Palm Beach area and run into Rutgers fans. Hyatt on Palm Beach or a bunch of other hotels in that area (Hilton next door, 3 Marriotts further down). Good pools (Hyatt has a water slide) and beach, very calm ocean, and water activities/excursions (wave runners, paddle boards, submarine to explore a sunken ship, sailing, snorkeling, etc.) accessible right on the beach there. Some hiking and off-road vehicle excursions too. You can do as much or as little as you want. Tons of restaurants in walking distance in Palm Beach, or take a short cab ride if you'd like more options. Don't stay downtown in Oranjestad, as Palm Beach is much nicer and more to do, and don't stay at an all-inclusive, as there are so many good food options/restaurants to try, even for picky kids.
Bermuda and Turks also good.
Bermuda and Turks also good.
You go to the Cayman Islands. 7 mile beach is gorgeous, the island is the safest in the Caribbean and the richest. All the items you requested you can do them in multiple spots there. I have been there 3 times in 2 years and we loved the place so much we are buying an ocean front new construction condo down there. Their currency is about 20% more expensive than ours but its an incredible island. DM me if you want to talk more about it.
OT: Caribbean with young kids - suggestions?
Expedited Passport thread reminded me. Looking to take the kids to the Caribbean during Spring Break (April 2023). 7 year old son Daughter will turn 6 during the vacation Any family friendly island or resort suggestions? Wife and I have gone to Antigua a couple times just us. Would prefer a...
rutgers.forums.rivals.com
OT: Caribbean Islands recommendations
Any recommendations? I have never been there. I am looking for a walkable town, a little nightlife, and some inshore fishing. I am not fishing for Marlin or anything off shore. I am just brining a light spinning rod. I will be happy fishing an ocean pier or jetty for whatever. By...
rutgers.forums.rivals.com
OT: Caribbean Islands recommendations
Any recommendations? I have never been there. I am looking for a walkable town, a little nightlife, and some inshore fishing. I am not fishing for Marlin or anything off shore. I am just brining a light spinning rod. I will be happy fishing an ocean pier or jetty for whatever. By...
rutgers.forums.rivals.com
OT: Caribbean vacation spot where they leave you alone
Looking to book my next vacation and needed some help. I went to Cancun last month and although the resort was nice and weather was good I hated the people, I was hounded the second I got off the plane until the minute I left by locals trying to sell you something. It really ruined the trip...
rutgers.forums.rivals.com
any good suggestions for a cheap Caribbean family vacation?
sorry for the OT to those offended. Looking for a reasonably priced Carribean vacation with 3 kids under 10. probably 3 nights sometime between April 16 and April 26. Any recommendations?
rutgers.forums.rivals.com
My sister and her family just stayed at Seven Stars on Grace Bay Turks and Caicos and said it was very nice. She is a traveler and always stays at nice places.
In the last 6 months she has been to New Zealand, Belize, Panama and multiple countries in Asia.
In the last 6 months she has been to New Zealand, Belize, Panama and multiple countries in Asia.
Reviews for Atlantis are mostly awful. A massive, crowded tourist trap.
Seven stars and the ritz is where I have stayed multiple times , fantastic options
Atlantis is a bit run down but depending on your kids age, it’s basically you can let them loose , set and forget. That alone sets it above some other Caribbean options
Baha mar in the Bahamas is a classier and more upscale version of Atlantis and highly recommend that one
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Another vote for St. John. Getting a house up in the moutains by Coral Bay is like no other. If you want hiking, snorkeling, beautiful beaches, and a laid back vibe, then St. John is your place.
If you need an all-inclusive place and want to be around a lot of people then don't go there.
More than half of Saint John is national park. It’s beautiful with spectacularly beautiful beaches.
+1 on Grand Cayman, went there on my honeymoon (2019) we loved it. Felt safe, good food. Beautiful beaches etc. We flew nonstop from Chicago which is also nice. Smaller islands you often need to connect.
Another stamp of approval for St. John, gorgeous beaches, best water quality for snorkeling, lots of sea turtles around, an underwater exhibit where you snorkel from station to station, great hiking. You can also take a day trip cruise to BVI.
Thanks for all the feedback. On St John, given the seclusion, what is the food / restaurant situation? My wife sees a condo with a kitchen and runs screaming as she has no desire to cook on vacation.
If you stay closer to Cruz Bay, there are numerous places to eat. We've had great dinners at 1864 and La Tapa. Those two are more fancy places and there's a ton of laid back casual places to eat at Cruz Bay as well. Longboard is another great place for food and drinks in Cruz Bay.
On the Coral Bay side Skinny Legs is a popular spot for good burgers. Your kids will love Lime Out -- just google it and show the family. All three of my kids had a blast at Lime Out. There was once a great pizza joint in Coral Bay ran by a family from East Brunswick but unfortunately it closed last year. There are a good amount of places to eat at Coral Bay but far more options to eat at Cruz Bay.
A quick disclaimer, driving in St. John is adventurous to say the least. They drive on the left side, roads are narrow and winding, and you'll find donkeys at times on the roads. Locals too drive like they're prepping for Le Mans. If you don't mind this sort of thing, then you're good. You will need a car or Jeep rental when on St. John.
With three kids, we tend to do a simple breakfast and lunches in our Airbnb then go out for dinners. This works for us but I know every family is different. If you end up going, look for the block R stickers at Cruz Bay and Trunk Bay as I was the maniac that did this. St. John is a really special place.
I often wonder if you are just a bot- anyone can google, the guy was asking for experiences. If you have experience to share about the subject, share it.OT: Caribbean with young kids - suggestions?
Expedited Passport thread reminded me. Looking to take the kids to the Caribbean during Spring Break (April 2023). 7 year old son Daughter will turn 6 during the vacation Any family friendly island or resort suggestions? Wife and I have gone to Antigua a couple times just us. Would prefer a...rutgers.forums.rivals.com
OT: Caribbean Islands recommendations
Any recommendations? I have never been there. I am looking for a walkable town, a little nightlife, and some inshore fishing. I am not fishing for Marlin or anything off shore. I am just brining a light spinning rod. I will be happy fishing an ocean pier or jetty for whatever. By...rutgers.forums.rivals.com
OT: Caribbean vacation spot where they leave you alone
Looking to book my next vacation and needed some help. I went to Cancun last month and although the resort was nice and weather was good I hated the people, I was hounded the second I got off the plane until the minute I left by locals trying to sell you something. It really ruined the trip...rutgers.forums.rivals.com
any good suggestions for a cheap Caribbean family vacation?
sorry for the OT to those offended. Looking for a reasonably priced Carribean vacation with 3 kids under 10. probably 3 nights sometime between April 16 and April 26. Any recommendations?rutgers.forums.rivals.com
Me and a buddy dove the Cayman Islands in 1976. At that time the only things to do, besides the fantastic diving, was
drinking at our hotel and visiting the turtle farm. Not a lot of nightlife for two twenty five year old guys.
For a family of 6 that includes kids old enough to be hungry all the time- most likely, an all inclusive would be the way to go.
In my experience- the DR is the most budget friendly but many of the resorts and their vacationers reflect that as well. But, they are still a lot of fun, plenty of food etc. Just be selective.
Turks and Caicos is great and may fit in just at your top budget but hits all the marks.
Jamaica- seems they have figured out all inclusive very well and most of their are very well set up. But again- family of 6- all of these will come in at the high end of the budget.
The non All Inclusive- the fix costs may seem to make sense until the food and drink comes into play...Again, you come in at top end but kids will have to always ask if they can grab something to eat before doing so...I always preferred if my teenager was hungry on vacation or wanted another soda, virgin frozen drink- just grab it and enjoy and you don't have to ask me.
Atlantis- been there twice with kids but when a budget did not matter to me. Needed 2 rooms and they were pretty much about the same cost for the same number of people at an All Inclusive, except you had to pay for your food and drink. Also- as fun as it was- it is the only place I have ever been where families sent Dad out before 7am to grab chairs on the beach or pool and sit there while the rest of the family eats breakfast and then Mom and kids come out to take over and Dad goes in for his breakfast and a couple of drinks to start his day. lol Would see it come to almost fist fights to get anything you can sit on at the resort.
I did do a House rental with other families in Virgin Goya- 6 bedrooms was about $12k for a week. Had food and drinks stocked up for about an extra $2k and the house had its own pool, hottub, private beach and none motor water equipment. I think it was much more fun for the adults than it was for teenagers who ended up spending half of each day on their phones playing games.
In my experience- the DR is the most budget friendly but many of the resorts and their vacationers reflect that as well. But, they are still a lot of fun, plenty of food etc. Just be selective.
Turks and Caicos is great and may fit in just at your top budget but hits all the marks.
Jamaica- seems they have figured out all inclusive very well and most of their are very well set up. But again- family of 6- all of these will come in at the high end of the budget.
The non All Inclusive- the fix costs may seem to make sense until the food and drink comes into play...Again, you come in at top end but kids will have to always ask if they can grab something to eat before doing so...I always preferred if my teenager was hungry on vacation or wanted another soda, virgin frozen drink- just grab it and enjoy and you don't have to ask me.
Atlantis- been there twice with kids but when a budget did not matter to me. Needed 2 rooms and they were pretty much about the same cost for the same number of people at an All Inclusive, except you had to pay for your food and drink. Also- as fun as it was- it is the only place I have ever been where families sent Dad out before 7am to grab chairs on the beach or pool and sit there while the rest of the family eats breakfast and then Mom and kids come out to take over and Dad goes in for his breakfast and a couple of drinks to start his day. lol Would see it come to almost fist fights to get anything you can sit on at the resort.
I did do a House rental with other families in Virgin Goya- 6 bedrooms was about $12k for a week. Had food and drinks stocked up for about an extra $2k and the house had its own pool, hottub, private beach and none motor water equipment. I think it was much more fun for the adults than it was for teenagers who ended up spending half of each day on their phones playing games.
One last post about St. John. I can't imagine anyone who's actually been there not putting it near the top of their list. I went there on a day trip from St. Thomas once and then returned years later for a full trip because it was so beautiful and night-and-day from what you'd get on other islands, like St. Thomas. And it's U.S. I'll be back again soon.
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Tortola is an island in the US Virgin Islands that is also beautiful- the only issue at some of these islands are the lack of enough resorts.
That's right. The main US Virgin Islands are Saint John, Saint Thomas, and Saint Croix. Saint John is the gem, though I haven't been to Saint Croix.
I think it’s the All Inclusive aspect which makes it easy for people to vacation. You go to the resort, and you don’t have to think about anything, except having fun. Haven’t been to Saint John, but it’s on my list. Been to Saint Thomas and Saint Croix which were nice. Tortola as well.
Do Hawaii. For $20K you can do Hawaii and it be...3-4x what a carribean vacation is
Have to agree with this. The Carribean is great with amazing beaches, but the scope and grandeur of Hawaii is breathtaking. Was in Oahu for the first time last year and we are going back next year. It was remarkable.
Been to St. John 7 times pre-COVID. While the island is the best in the Carribean, it was devastated by the hurricanes in 2017 and still hasn't fully recovered (i.e., no Caneel Bay Resort replacement). The local gov'ment also let Maho Bay be wrecked by commercialism and greed. Still amazing and we will return, but the "old days" may be gone forever.
