Nice Carribean problem to have.......Holiday decision for wife's 50th..

[FairweatherDave]

Struggling to decide on a special family holiday around Easter next year. My wife has always wanted to go to the Carribean. For me that could be BVI charter or flotilla (we are already going on one this summer to Greece). But we could leave boats behind for a change and try a resort based holiday such as in the Dominican Republic. Or something else Carribean. Help? !! Twins will be 13 and older teenager (who has some special needs but fits in well with whatever we choose). Its not my holiday but I need a bit more than dossing by a pool all week eating and drinking and being badgered by "average holiday entertainment". Windsurfing/dinghy sailing great for me, (and possibly the twins), but all the family like good snorkelling and sea swimming. Does anything spring to mind that is land based or does a BVI charter simply win hands down. The rest of the family would appreciate a break from "Sailing" but whatever, for my wife it has to be something in the Carribean. Its a surprise present so my replies might be determined by when she is out!! Any land based recommendations really appreciated, I'm sure the sailing ones will come. The budget is the same as a flotilla for a week.
Cheers for any replies. Dave

 

[jonic]

http://www.cunard.co.uk/destinations/regions/caribbean-cruises/

 

[FairweatherDave]

Thanks but I don't think that's within budget! Max is £1500 a head and its near Easter...

 

[Deleted member 478]

Sandals, in St Lucia. Has the beach, hobie cats, jet skis, kayaks, parasailing, diving, snorkelling etc etc and a great street party on a Friday night (Gros Islet - Google it). You can also charter a boat out of Rodney Bay marina on a daily basis.

 

[FairweatherDave]

Sandals, in St Lucia. Has the beach, hobie cats, jet skis, kayaks, parasailing, diving, snorkelling etc etc and a great street party on a Friday night (Gros Islet - Google it). You can also charter a boat out of Rodney Bay marina on a daily basis.

Sounds right up my street but I don't think they want our kids...

 

[derekgillard]

Has the same problem few years ago, some of the resorts in the Dominican Republic on the Carribean side are fantastic value.

The tip I had was to only go to the 5 star resorts and look at the reviews from the USA they take no prisoners so their reviews are a good indication.

Enjoy...
Delbuoy

 

[CoVianna]

I loved the Dominaican Republic.

If you go then two trips are well worthwhile.

Monster Truck Safari.
http://www.monstertrucksafari.com/index.html

And Saona Island
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saona_Island

It's a true tropical island, a nature reserve. Where they filmed the Bounty adverts.

 

[FairweatherDave]

Many thanks both. She's back home now so I'll be back tomorrow!

 

[Bobc]

Sandals, in St Lucia. Has the beach, hobie cats, jet skis, kayaks, parasailing, diving, snorkelling etc etc and a great street party on a Friday night (Gros Islet - Google it). You can also charter a boat out of Rodney Bay marina on a daily basis.

The hotel next door to Sandals in St. Lucia also has all this. This one http://www.morganbayresort.com/. We took the family there and it was great. There's also the hotels on Dickenson Bay, Antigua, and take a look at the Harlequin resorts (there's one in St. Vincent, Barbados, etc.) Could be the ticket.

 

[rwoofer]

I really enjoyed Cabarete in the Dominican Republic about 15 years ago. Dinghy sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, mountain biking, plus DR is big enough to have some real exploration opportunities inland as well.

 

[KellysEye]

>a resort based holiday such as in the Dominican Republic.

I know a number of people who have had a holiday in the DR and they all got food poisoning.

As mentioned Sandals is a good place but it is it noteworthy they don't have a safety boat to keep and eye on the folks sailing. We were anchored off Sandals had to rescue a windsurfer who couldn't get back on his board and was drifting out to sea, next stop the USA, and an elderely couple sailing a dinghy who were exhausted, at the time it was strong wind. I pointed it out to Sandals and they did nothing. Don't necessaqrily let that put you off, just take care and be aware it's an offshore wind.

 

[RMC]

We had a great time in the Dominican Republic, stayed at an ‘Iberostar Hotel. Free use of the Hobie cats, Wind surfing & Kayaks. Food was really good.

 

[FairweatherDave]

Thanks all. Which Iberostar RMC?
I think Cabarete would have suited my 50th rather well but family might complain if I have too much (windsurfing) fun.
I have looked at all the links and looking forward to booking something. ...
Gotta go

 

[RMC]

The Iberostar Hotel was called Costa dorada, great holiday.

 

[FairweatherDave]

Thanks all. Decision made. Forum input really helpful as a rational counterbalance to the trip advisor reviews and marketing hype. It is all a compromise, but we are off to the DR., Hope I can get a taxi one day round to Cabarete for the windsurfing T shirt..... we will be nearby. Still think you can't beat a good day on our Centaur in Chichester but my wife and kids think otherwise......

 

[CoVianna]

Just wait until you see the state of some of the DR's roads!

 

[FairweatherDave]

Point taken.... I have low expectations of getting to Cabarete. If we can make it to the resort in Samana without the kids being travel sick apparently that is an acheivement.

 

[FistralG]

BVI charter wins hands down for me.

Contact Latesail and tell them what sort of boat you want, when you want to go and how much your budget is (don't forget to keep some back for extras like mooring fees, provisions, meals ashore etc.) that you don't hav eto worry about if staying at an all inclusive resort.