USVI-On-Line

If you're looking at all-inclusives, look at the Dominican Republic. Friends with teenagers have gone during school vacations and had a great time. I know there are good deals from the east coast, not sure about the mid-west.

What about a cruise?

Marcia -
My 2 cents? I've been to Grand Bahama twice (stayed at the uber large Lucaya complex), and I wouldn't go back. It looks inexpensive on the surface, but the drinks and food are outrageously expensive ($6 for a cup of coffee, $9 for a mixed drink, $15+ for a meal each time), and frankly the dining options are bad. I'm not a picky eater... and the food there is TERRIBLE. I think you get more for your money in South FL or the Panhandle, and the beaches are pretty much the same as Grand Bahama. Frankly, the kids would have more fun at Atlantis, but that's pricey too.

If I had to choose between Mexico and Grand Bahama, I'd choose Mexico every time. Yes, yes, it IS home of the mega-resorts, but being honest... those places are pretty darn nice, especially when you have kids. The large resorts give them a ton of choices, the snorkeling is good in Mexico, and there are Mayan ruins, etc to explore if you want to get away from the resort bustle.

jayseadee wrote:
What about a cruise?

I actually did look at that option yesterday, just to kind of comparison shop. Aside from the fact that I know I'd spend the entire week in the room puking and dizzy, it could be fun. I have a rough time on the ferry from Red Hook to Cruz Bay (I kid you not). So, a cruise is definitely OUT. Unless these guys want to take a vacation without me. Hummmmm...not a bad idea. Let's just throw the kids on a big boat and set them free. COOL!!

The hunt continues. I have to tell you, some websites are certainly faster and more friendly than others.

You should look into Cape May New Jersey -- great beaches,State park,plenty of restaurants,short ride to Wildwood Boardwalk for a kids evening , plenty of teens in the summer, wide and varying accommodations -- plenty with pools and kitchens,a walking - - - bike riding town. Very clean and quaint town center. Lots of nearby activities -- Zoo- Golf- Horseback riding - shopping - bike trails - lighthouse - nature centers etc.

one more place--Bald Head Island in NC. No cars, just golf carts. Not all inclusive, but you would rent a house and could have food there.

The best thing is the island is very safe, peaceful, beaches are not crowded at all. I would be quite comfortable letting them have run of the island (on bikes). Most houses have bikes.

We were there this summer and it is lovely, our third time there. really one of the few places we would spend our $ other than St. John.

You could check out the house we rented-oceanfront, really nice, it was called Block Party, cant remember the company, but you could easily google it.

Should you decide not to leave the mainland, I think your teens would love Destin or Panama City because there is lots to do on and off of the beaches. That's where alot of the high school kids love to go from here (mainly Destin).

Like Vicki mentioned, if you wanted to be less crowded, stuff of of Old Hwy. 30-A is less crowded, but I figure the kids would probably the more stuff to do (water parks, go carts, small amusement parks, the Gulfarium, etc.).

Personally, Destin is way too crowded for me now. The last time I was down there was this summer and it was because we were evacuated and someone offered us the use of their cottage in the beach side community of Rosemary Beach. I thought that was too crowded too. I tell ya, St. John has spoiled all beach places for me.

Jan&MikeVa wrote:Hey Marcia! I don't think you're crazy at all for going all-inclusive, especially with the kids! Plus you get the extra bonus of not worrying about meal planning and cooking!

Here's a link to a place some friends go every year. They have 2 teenagers and they go with another couple who has the same. They LOVE it. They never worry about the kids and they like being able to have a couple of late night dinners without the kids.

http://www.puntaturquesaresort.com/

HAPPY PLANNING!!

Whoa, that place looks fantastic. The website doesn't really allow you to see the room set ups or pricing but, it looks lovely. Thanks for the link.

I'm pretty sure I've got it narrowed down to Cozumel and this place:

http://www.elcozumeleno.com/

It doesn't look like much but, my sister went with her husband and two of their kids (ages 25 and 19) last year and enjoyed it.

If anyone has any other first hand resort experience in Cozumel, feel free to throw that may way.

Oh, Kathyzhere, Butkus is doing great! He's a cutie for sure and he's finally getting the whole poop and pee OUTSIDE not inside concept. It's about time. He's 6 months old!

Been to Cozumel so many times. Love it. Haven't been since the last hurricane. El Coz. is okay. I went on a fam and toured almost all of the resorts and they were very friendly. Plaza Las Glorias (suites) is good for snorkling and diving as they have their own dive shop. The island is actually pretty worldly...you'll hear all sorts of languages, not just Spanish. Not a beachy sort of island...but good snorkling and diving. I felt safe with letting our teens wonder a bit.

Check out Akumal Mexico. Great beaches! We've been a couple of times. Great condos, most owned by US or Canadian folks. Wonderful snorkeling, and small community feeling with good restaurants. It's just south of Cancun by 1.5 hours. Check with TeddySalad as they were going there or may have been already.

Another favorite was the Embassy Suites on Maui. The Embassy breakfast left everyone full for two meals. We rented a vehicle and ventured out to a different snorkling spot each day. Dinner was either pizza in the suite or a local fish restaurant. The snorkling is rather good with a wide variety of fish. There was local bus service for the teens into the local fishing village for shopping, etc. We felt it fulfilled everyone's needs. Definitely spend one night on Oahu and do Pearl Harbor. Our teens really remember that one.

I may get slammed for this, but my kids loved Atlantis on Paradise Island. We stayed at their Harborside Condos...full kitchens and fully furnished. Lots of activities for teens. We can't afford St John this year, so my wife and I are going back to Harborside. Airfare from San Antonio was 300 pp on AA. I would not take teens to Cancun. There is way too much temptation to do adult activities...if you know what I mean.

Marcia, my teen and tween love Atlantis in the Bahamas. I'm betting that you can get some fantastic deals now. Summer is low season so if you can avoid a total all inclusive deal and sneak a cab ride into town you'll have an old Bahama town experience. There are some wonderful restaurants there ... much.better than in the complex but you can find fine meals on the island as well. The under water aquarium is really something to see and the beach is lovely. The Mayan Temple water slide is quite something and the slide through the shark tank is a real hoot for the kids. It really is worth trying, IMO.

The food at the Atlantis restaurants is overpriced and not very good. They have a meal plan, but I've never used it and it's expensive. I believe it was about $65 a day per person. There are quite a few alternatives around the resort. Again, we stay at the Harborside part of Atlantis and "play like" we're going to St John. We pack meat in our polar bear cooler, just buy essentials at the grocery store, and cook our own meals. Our food bill on island is less that $150 for the week. We spend most of our money on the penny slots.

The new part of the water park is open and the aquarium is fantastic. Stuart Coves has a good snorkeling tour. There is a nice long beach, lots of pools, and there is an artificial snorkeling lagoon...which is good for learning.

I don't like Cancun for teens from my own experience. We stayed at an all inclusive and both my boys (16 and 12 at the time) were given adult wrist bands. Meaning, they would be served alcohol if they asked for it. To me, Cancun is more of a young adult destination...lots of nightclubs, booze cruises and assorted other debauchery

We stayed south of Playa del Carmen this past summer in Puerto Aventuras, but there is not a lot of activities for teens. Playa is trying to turn itself into another Cancun. Fifth Ave turns into a big party when the sun goes down (where's KC?). Again, not a good place for teens to be unless they are very supervised.

posting to save this--there are a lot of great tips here!!

Gina

I'm reading this for the first time since it was referenced in another thread. It has been awhile, but we've had a couple great vacations in the Outer Banks. Beaches, pools, golf and tennis, many many options for rental houses, restaurants, etc. Plus the drive-through liquor store intrigued me!

I recall the beaches being not very crowded, but like I said it's been awhile. Maybe someone can comment on that?