OT: Vacation destinations

Dave VG

Dave VG

New member
My wife and I are trying to plan my family's vacation for around the middle of June. My oldest daughter just graduated collage and my youngest will be starting collage next year so we decided on a one last hoooraa vacation just the four of us. My wife likes the beach of course and my daughters and I want to do some snorkeling on a reef. It seems like I've seen allot of people on here traveling to islands so heres the question. We have narowed it down to these 4

Bermuda
Bahamas
Florida keys
Cruse out of NY destination Bahamas

Pros and cons?
 
You should make this a poll.

I vote bahamas. I think a cruise is too structured. I feel like its hard to relax because everything is timed.

The keys arent nearly as good for snorkeling as the bahamas.

I havent been to bermuda and dont know anyone who has been so I cant give an opinion on that.
 
I have read that Bermuda reefs do not have allot of stony corals mostly softies and alge and do not have some of the nicer fish being so far north in cooler waters.
 
I'd go to the Bahama's.. You'll be able to see the reefs when you guys fly in. Paradise Island is really nice. They have alot of nice shops too. If you go make sure to go down to the water front and get some fresh conch salad..stuff is awesome...
 
We went to Atlantis. That was real fun. Spent day with the trainer. Lots of behind the scene stuff. They are running alot of deals on the rooms. I know this is not on the list, but worth checking out the website.
 
Paul are you talking about the motel called Atlantis with the huge aquarium in the Bahamas? That one is in the running and on our list of possibilities if we decide to go there. I would post the link but I’m not sure if its ok here on RC
 
Dave, Yes that is the one. We have been there two times. My daughters are the same age as yours. They had a great time. From the water park that runs through the complex to the marine displays its unreal. Would go back there in a second. Amazing place. Read about all the behind the scene things you can do. The deals they are running are very tempting. SO SO SO cool.
 
I can comment on Key West, not much there, but you can always drive up through the keys. Bahia Honda is supposed to be decent, but I'd head to the Bahamas from what I've heard. I could also comment on St. Thomas, St. John's and Maui, which doesn't help, so yes, I'm just talking about myself....

BUT, this might be worth looking into. I'd heard that there is an adjacent hotel/motel to Atlantis in the Bahamas, where the lodging is significantly cheaper. However, you still have access to all of Atlantis and it's services. You're just not ON the beach, merely near the beach. Again, just something to think about, maybe cash in on some savings that might allow you all to squeeze more out of you trip.

I'm jealous! Take pictures!
 
Capt_Cully said:
I can comment on Key West, not much there, but you can always drive up through the keys. Bahia Honda is supposed to be decent, but I'd head to the Bahamas from what I've heard. I could also comment on St. Thomas, St. John's and Maui, which doesn't help, so yes, I'm just talking about myself....

BUT, this might be worth looking into. I'd heard that there is an adjacent hotel/motel to Atlantis in the Bahamas, where the lodging is significantly cheaper. However, you still have access to all of Atlantis and it's services. You're just not ON the beach, merely near the beach. Again, just something to think about, maybe cash in on some savings that might allow you all to squeeze more out of you trip.

I'm jealous! Take pictures!
Click to expand...

I agree I have heard much more of the Bahamas over the Keys. I am going to say that we were just at Bahia Honda state park a few months and it was awesome. They have snokling excursions twice a day, we did some snorkling on the Beach and saw a bunch of Atlantic Blue tangs and damsels. Very few hard corals though. Here are some pics
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Me and the g/f went to Cozumel Mexico last year. It was absolutely amazing. About 6 months before I got certified to scuba. The g.f isn't so I only went out once. We did do alot of snorkeling and it was incredible! I know it isn't on your list but it should be. The price was much cheaper compared to a few other trips that I have taken also.
 
Chris very nice and we have given it quite a bit of thought especially sense you don't need passports at $150 a pop to go there phew! It all adds up very quickly. The reason I want to go the Bahamas is to see a reef with stony corals that is why it is 1st on my list. That said the cruse is fist on my wife's list why"¦.. well because it's a cruse lol. But slowly persuading her to the dark side after showing her pictures of the Atlantis hotel there which Paul (tent boy) has gratefully offered some tips and advice about. And both kids think an island vacation would be cool at the Atlantis hotel and both want to snorkel to bonus points lol. I'm thinking at least a couple of days of snorkeling depending on the weather and I'm sure there is alot more to do as well other than sitting on the beach (my wife's idea by the way).


Pimp we thought about going to Mexico and had it on the short list until we heard some horror stories from some people who have gone recently. I can see why prices are so cheap to go there.
 
I have been on 15 cruises all over the Caribbean. Don't leave from NY. Too many sea days and weather is not great. Leave from Ft. Lauderdale or San Juan. Ft. Lauderdale is cheaper but San Juan has better ports and less sea days. Bahamas are just "eh". ST. Thomas, St. Lucia, Aruba, Bonaire (good snorkeling), Tortola, Grenada are pretty good. Princess, Disney, Royal are your best bets.
 
Ok so after talking with Paul (tent boy) and thanks again for the tips and advice Paul we have tentatively booked at Atlantis in the Bahamas. I say tentatively because my daughter has thrown the marriage word out there"¦ phew :crazy1:. Anyway we booked our flight out of Syracuse and the last time we flew anywhere was in 1996 before all the new security so here's a question for those who have flown lately or do it regularly"¦ I know it's a ways out yet but after hearing all the horror stories about the time it takes to get through security how soon should we get there? My wife is a fanatic at planning and she is trying to set up our itinerary to the second lol.
 
If you are flying out of Binghamton do not arrive too early (an hour and half tops). The airport is small and the lines are short. Scranton is about the same. The weather and road construction were issues for me when I flew from Scranton. You can stuck in traffic on 81 and there isn't a ton of back road options.....If you are flying out of bigger airports, then the waits are longer and you need to be prepared to take some time....

Don't carry big bottles of shampoo, etc because they will make you toss it and the process will slow you down. All you will need is swim trunks and a camera....

Dave

How is the tank doing? I'll be home in about a week if you need any frags....
 
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