I haven't been on a real vacation in YEARS and am thinking about going somewhere over my Christmas break. What are the best deals, and where should I go? The only requisites are a comfortable place to sleep, warm sunshine, and beach. Keep in mind I've never been to the Caribbean and I'm on a budget. Thanks!

9/23/2011 10:26:31 AM

Never been, but if you're on a budget maybe consider going during the non-holiday season. We looked at doing a cruise last Christmas, and promptly gave up after looking at the prices.

9/23/2011 10:30:28 AM

yeah.

realize christmas and the week after is the biggest travel/holiday part of the year.

you can expect lodgings to double or more.

pick a different time.

9/23/2011 10:40:52 AM

The off season in Aruba supposedly lasts until mid-December.

9/23/2011 10:40:56 AM

Unfortunately, it's the only paid time I have off. My plant shuts down for that week.

9/23/2011 10:44:27 AM

then picks up after christmas.

i spent last christmas till like jan 7th or so in aruba.

those mother fuckers go apeshit for new years with the fireworks though.

just shipping containers straight out of china set up on the side of every road, buying firecrackers the size of my arm.

just realize that every store will be closed for nye and a day or two after, so plan your beer buying accordingly.

^there's a reason it's the most expenisve time to travel. it's the only time anyone can really plan vacations together. it's unfortunate, but it's the reality.

[Edited on September 23, 2011 at 10:46 AM. Reason : e]

9/23/2011 10:45:29 AM

Where did you stay? What do you recommend?

9/23/2011 11:46:20 AM

Its not the Caribbean but Vision Airlines has $99 one way fares to Grand Bahama Island.

http://www.visionairlines.com/specials.html

9/23/2011 11:57:10 AM

spirit airlines, look into st. thomas or st. john and book WAY ahead.

St. thomas will be much cheaper but not as nice.

9/23/2011 1:42:54 PM

over christmas at a ballin' out of control 8 bedroom condo on eagle beach.
last april stayed at the westin on palm beach (thnx iheartkisses)

if you go, it's worth getting a car for a day and checking out the scenery at arikok park and the tranquility of baby beach (just try and put the huge valero oil refinery out of mind that's around the corner)

9/23/2011 1:57:48 PM

We're doing St. John the week before Christmas. It's supposed to be a great time to go. Yeah, you probably won't get the most amazing discount, but you can find some good deals if you look hard enough. Jetsetter.com and ideeli offer some pretty cool accommodations at a nice price.

Now, if you need to travel on a budget, then maybe consider Mexico instead. Cancun and Cozumel have some great deals right now since tourism in Mexico is suffering a bit due to gang/drug issues. If you stay at your resort, then you're fine.

If you're willing to wait a little bit to book your travel and you're interested in a cruise, then consider the Vacations to Go 90-Day Ticker Discounts. 90 days prior to the departure date, great discounts become available for cruises. And usually the discounts increase in the days closer to your travel date. There are some great deals on cruises right now ... the travel industry is suffering in general. http://www.vacationstogo.com/emailtick.cfm

9/23/2011 2:06:13 PM

You can get very cheap direct flights to Jamaica out of charlotte (I think USAir). Probably your best bet for the money (or bahamas).

9/23/2011 2:08:11 PM

I'm thinking the package is the way to go. I do a lot of hotel rooms through Priceline, and I've been checking out a lot of their packages. Shame I can't bid on them like I do hotel rooms.

But the big deal is, I don't know where to go. Obviously the warmer the better.

9/23/2011 4:03:39 PM

Do you want a high-energy vacation with lots of activities? Or are you looking for a serene, tropical paradise? Romance? Or fun?

9/23/2011 4:24:31 PM

I don't care one whit about high energy. I wanna go to relax, sit in the sun, and consume copious quantities of alcohol.

9/23/2011 4:26:15 PM

St. Thomas/St. John then.

its a cheap flight and you can get a hotel there for cheap too. I recommend either The Inn at Tamarind Court(cheap but nice) or the St. John Inn if you stay on the island.

if you are on st. thomas, then go with blackbeards
http://www.innattamarindcourt.com/

9/23/2011 4:41:24 PM

Do you have a budget range in mind?

9/23/2011 4:47:40 PM

Cheap! Not looking to blow it out.

9/23/2011 4:52:43 PM

Cheap means different things to different people though. Do you have a max?

[Edited on September 23, 2011 at 4:56 PM. Reason : k]

9/23/2011 4:56:17 PM

I don't need tons of glitz. As long as I have a king size bed and it's clean, and there's a bar, I'm pretty damn happy.

Preferably under 2k for two of us. IF that's doable.

[Edited on September 23, 2011 at 4:58 PM. Reason : budget]

9/23/2011 4:57:39 PM

Dude, I barely spent more than $2k for 2 weeks in Peru, including round-trip airfare, 3 domestic flights while I was there, guided hike of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and nice restaurants/large bar tabs the entire time. The exchange rate was about 3:1.

9/23/2011 5:48:10 PM

I went to freeport and nassau bahamas last christmas and it was actually a little chilly. then again, it was when we had all the snow here in NC.. we left on a cruise from charleston, SC and it was actually snowing in charleston when we set sail on the cruise..

so just do your research

Here is the same cruise leaving from charleston on december 30
http://www.carnival.com/BookingEngine/ProductView/?embkCode=CHS&itinCode=BA9&durDays=5&shipCode=FA&subRegionCode=BH&sailDate=12/30/2011&sailingID=57262&numGuests=2&showDbl=False&isOver55=N&isPastGuest=N&stateCode=

price is pretty reasonable

9/23/2011 9:32:17 PM

BTTT for more info. I really need a vacation this year.

9/27/2011 9:46:06 AM

If you want tropical weather and lower prices, stick with the Bahamas or Jamaica. The Bahamas is typically safer and slightly more affordable.

You may just want to visit any major discount site and look for package deals. All-inclusive may be the best bang for your buck so you can pay everything up front and not worry about cost once you get there.

Travelocity, orbitz, priceline, etc... all offer good deals.

[Edited on September 27, 2011 at 10:17 AM. Reason : .]

9/27/2011 10:16:36 AM

http://www.travelzoo.com/

9/27/2011 10:22:54 AM

IMO, a cruise is the simplest way to visit the Caribbean if you just want to get away and relax for a while wihtout wondering where to go and what to do. The travel agents that specialize in cruises can usually get you better deals and upgrades as well. We've done them with and without agents through Royal Caribbean, and the last one we did with Crucon we got onboard credits, prepaid gratuities, and a restaurant voucher. They also offer lots of special deals if you book during a holiday weekend (not necessarily for a cruise during a holiday, but that's when they run their big promo's). You can probably get a 5-day deal for like 300 bucks plus airfare, and even if you do nothing but eat the food you get your money's worth out of it.

9/27/2011 4:40:10 PM

I would look into Trinidad.

I’ve only had a multihour layover there, but it was pretty awesome. The cabby was super friendly, the people were super friendly, and the touristy areas seemed clean and safe.

9/27/2011 11:23:26 PM