Help me pick a vacation spot!

_lyndseybrooke_
_lyndseybrooke_ Posts: 2,561 Member
My husband and I will be taking last vacation before kids enter the picture (if all goes as planned) in mid-October. Here are our three options...

OPTION ONE
Location: Orlando, FL
Things to do: We're skipping Disney and opting for SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Discovery Cove (swimming with dolphins), and Aquatica. We'd be staying at the Hilton in a suite.
Significance: This is where we went on our honeymoon two years ago.
Pros: We know we'll have a great time and sort of already know our way around from when we were there the first time. We can do 5 days for well under $2000 without really worrying about our spending.
Cons: We've already been there, and we're not sure if we should stick to what we know or try something new.

OPTION TWO
Location: Cabo San Lucas
Things to do: We'd be staying at an all-inclusive resort on the beach.
Significance: We've never been out of the country on vacation and it seems like a pretty popular vacation spot.
Pros: It's a new experience for both of us, a nice resort, food and flight included in the price. It would be about $2200 for the package. Unlike Orlando, it's a place we probably won't go with kids.
Cons: We'd have to be really careful what we spend while we're there, because $2000 was our original budget. We're worried we won't like the food at the resort, but we'd be stuck with it. We're concerned about other costs that we may not be considering. I'm also worried about being bored - I'm not a "go on vacation to relax" type of person. I want to go do fun stuff!

OPTION THREE
Location: Cruise
Things to do: We'd probably get an interior room, meals included in the price. And, of course, we'd get off the ship at the ports.
Significance: We've never been on a cruise before.
Pros: It would be a new experience and the price is right. It would be about $1500, including food.
Cons: Again, I'm worried I'll get bored or become annoyed with the crowd. I think it would be cool to be out in the middle of the ocean for about an hour, and then I'd want to find something to do other than look at a bunch of water or lay out at a crowded pool. The reviews for the cruises we can afford (Carnival mostly) are pretty mixed. And again, I'm worried we won't like the food. We're big on food, and that's half of our vacation right there.

So, taking all of this into consideration, what should we do for our vacation? We just can't decide and we'd like to book everything around the end of next month. We're open to other locations, but our budget is between $2000-2500 and we live in South Carolina, so keep that in mind!
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Replies

  • Sinisterly
    Sinisterly Posts: 10,913 Member
    If you decide with Florida, make sure it's not dolphins' mating season >.>
    That's all. :flowerforyou:
  • spirit095
    spirit095 Posts: 1,017 Member
    You can get some awesome deals with cruises and depending on where you go, there are a lot of fun activities for you to do. You can explore the cities, take tours, go swimming, etc.
  • luvmydawgs
    luvmydawgs Posts: 182 Member
    I would go on a cruise. You will never get bored. There is so much to do. Just make sure you take hand sanitizer and use it! I have been on two cruises and never once got bored or sick! I would see if you can get a deal on at least a room with a view. It makes a HUGE difference. I done both with and without.
  • xxghost
    xxghost Posts: 4,697 Member
    You will not get bored on a cruise! There are so many things to do every single minute of every day. Swimming, movies, sports, shopping, eating, drinking, dancing, sunbathing, napping, trivia, bingo, shows, all going on at the same time. You can do just about anything you want.

    Honestly, even if you didn't get off at the ports (though I recommend you do, because they're worth seeing), you'd still have fun.
  • lookin4gains
    lookin4gains Posts: 1,761 Member
    Seychelles Islands. Not very well known, but a hidden paradise. That's where I'm headed in the next few years.
  • salembambi
    salembambi Posts: 5,585 Member
    option two

    who the hell would go to sea world
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    I don't have anything significant to say since I haven't been to any of those places (or gone on a cruise), but if you do plan to go to Cabo, start the process for a passport now if you don't already have one!

    My favorite spot is the Destin/Pensacola, Florida area. I lived in Hawaii for 4 years, and even those beaches didn't live up to this Florida coastline.
  • _lyndseybrooke_
    _lyndseybrooke_ Posts: 2,561 Member
    option two

    who the hell would go to sea world

    Me, that's who. We've been to the one in Orlando and the one in San Diego and both were awesome.

    Then again, you could be speaking from an animal rights/save the fish perspective. In that case, let's just say it's not a huge concern of mine.
  • koosorlose
    koosorlose Posts: 186
    Screw all that!!! MIAMIIIIIIIIIII
  • vladamisa
    vladamisa Posts: 72 Member
    Go cruise
  • _lyndseybrooke_
    _lyndseybrooke_ Posts: 2,561 Member
    Seychelles Islands. Not very well known, but a hidden paradise. That's where I'm headed in the next few years.

    A tad bit out of our price range.
  • _lyndseybrooke_
    _lyndseybrooke_ Posts: 2,561 Member
    Screw all that!!! MIAMIIIIIIIIIII

    We're not partiers.
  • HerbertNenenger
    HerbertNenenger Posts: 453 Member
    go to Cabo. Sea World has angry captive killer whales and the captive dolphins at your other resort are being held prisoner against their will.
    Might as well go to Canada and club some baby seals for your vacation.
  • KeepGoingKylene
    KeepGoingKylene Posts: 432 Member
    I vote for cruise, lots to do you won't get bored! Only thing to keep in mind is if you like to drink that bill will rack up quickly on the ship!
  • _lyndseybrooke_
    _lyndseybrooke_ Posts: 2,561 Member
    go to Cabo. Sea World has angry captive killer whales and the captive dolphins at your other resort are being held prisoner against their will.
    Might as well go to Canada and club some baby seals for your vacation.

    Oy...
  • BurntCoffee
    BurntCoffee Posts: 234 Member
    Skip it all. Especially Sea World.

    Go to The Grand Canyon. Zion National Park. Lake Powell Houseboating. Sedona, Arizona. All of those are very romantic and fun vacations. :)
  • lookin4gains
    lookin4gains Posts: 1,761 Member
    Seychelles Islands. Not very well known, but a hidden paradise. That's where I'm headed in the next few years.

    A tad bit out of our price range.

    Mine too. That's why I said a few years. Lol
  • Noogynoogs
    Noogynoogs Posts: 1,028 Member
    Cruise - skip Sea World it's cruel to Dolphins
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    What's with all the Sea World hate? I've been wanting to go since I was like eight years old!
  • lookin4gains
    lookin4gains Posts: 1,761 Member
    Cabo for sure.
  • _lyndseybrooke_
    _lyndseybrooke_ Posts: 2,561 Member
    What's with all the Sea World hate? I've been wanting to go since I was like eight years old!

    We may just be big kids, but Sea World is a blast. It's all the PETA folk that have a problem with it.

    All of the "romantic" vacation ideas bore the hell out of me. If we wanted to lay around and have sex all day, we'd do that at home. We don't have children, so we go on vacation to do stuff, not do each other.
  • EddieHaskell97
    EddieHaskell97 Posts: 2,227 Member
    You're much more likely to be bored at an all-inclusive resort in Cabo than you are on the cruise, seriously.

    Take the cruise, and scrap that "interior room" nonsense! Exterior room with a balcony, it's totally worth it!

    (Save the tourist trap that is Orlando for when you do have kids)
  • sportyredhead01
    sportyredhead01 Posts: 482 Member
    I say Cabo while you have the chance!:happy:
    After you have kids, things get a little more...complicated.

    If I ever have the chance to vacation again I'd like to go to
    Charleston, South Carolina
    or Key West, Florida
    or go back to Sorrento, Italy...for the food. :love:
  • BurntCoffee
    BurntCoffee Posts: 234 Member
    What's with all the Sea World hate? I've been wanting to go since I was like eight years old!

    The whales. Many people watched Blackfish and decided Sea World was not something they wanted to support. I don't like Sea World for a variety of reasons, one of which is that here in San Antonio teenage lifeguards often complain that they are not given breaks or water adequately. It is referred to as Slave World. But that's for another website and discussion...

    If you really want to see whales it is best to see them in their natural habitat, which is entirely possible. :)
  • _lyndseybrooke_
    _lyndseybrooke_ Posts: 2,561 Member
    You're much more likely to be bored at an all-inclusive resort in Cabo than you are on the cruise, seriously.

    Take the cruise, and scrap that "interior room" nonsense! Exterior room with a balcony, it's totally worth it!

    (Save the tourist trap that is Orlando for when you do have kids)

    I'm sure it is worth it, but there's the issue of affording it.
  • _lyndseybrooke_
    _lyndseybrooke_ Posts: 2,561 Member
    I say Cabo while you have the chance!:happy:
    After you have kids, things get a little more...complicated.

    If I ever have the chance to vacation again I'd like to go to
    Charleston, South Carolina
    or Key West, Florida
    or go back to Sorrento, Italy...for the food. :love:

    Well, living in South Carolina, I've been to Charleston about a zillion times. It's nice maybe once or twice, especially if you're into beaches, shopping, and historical tours, but it gets mighty old after awhile. The aquarium there sucks, so be forewarned.
  • lmarshel
    lmarshel Posts: 674 Member
    I vote for the cruise. You get to see several different places in a short time, so you won't be bored.

    Regarding the food issue, I've cruised on Carnival several times and enjoyed the food very much. There are lots of different options. When you eat in the dining room, you can always send it back if you don't like it and order something different. Alcohol can be expensive, but they will let you bring a bottle of wine on when you board. So if you just want a glass of wine before dinner you're all set. :)

    If you're cruising out of a FL port, you should be able to get a balcony stateroom on a 5 or 6 day Caribbean cruise for $800 or less per person. That might leave a little room in your budget for some excursions. THAT's where the fun is! Enjoy!!!
  • ker95texas
    ker95texas Posts: 229 Member
    I got bored out of my mind on the only cruise i took, and it was a nice one. I prefer the freedom of being able to go where i want, when I want. the best part of the cruise for me was when we stopped at various islands (on a schedule, though).

    If you're not looking for a romantic vacation, I'd go to Orlando, rent a car and not worry about a spur-of-the-moment idea throwing you off budget

    just a minority opinion thrown in....
  • Iorns78
    Iorns78 Posts: 118 Member
    I would go with option 2!

    My husband and I went to Mexico for our honeymoon years ago, it was awesome! We did an all-inclusive as well. The food was not bad. They actually made more American entrees over Mexican entrees.

    They had lots of activities going on and then you could also sign up for additional activities. We did pay for some additional activities, but it isn’t a must. I would check your hotel to see what activities are included in your package.

    I would also like to say, from a mother of two, go now…you can go back to Florida when you have kids but a trip to Mexico might be a bit tougher. Whatever you decide, have fun and enjoy your vacation!!
  • _lyndseybrooke_
    _lyndseybrooke_ Posts: 2,561 Member
    I got bored out of my mind on the only cruise i took, and it was a nice one. I prefer the freedom of being able to go where i want, when I want. the best part of the cruise for me was when we stopped at various islands (on a schedule, though).

    If you're not looking for a romantic vacation, I'd go to Orlando, rent a car and not worry about a spur-of-the-moment idea throwing you off budget

    just a minority opinion thrown in....

    That's what I'm thinking. I like being able to get in the car and drive around or go eat at a restaurant of our choice. No need to rent a car, though. We'd be making the 8 hour drive there and back. Saves a bunch on air fare.