[sygazelle]

rebekahb, Did you go on this trip? Where? How did you like it?

[rebekahb]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

rebekahb, Did you go on this trip? Where? How did you like it?

We ended up going to Cancun. We were able to get RT non-stop flights for $169/pp. Our friend also works for Marriott so she got us a great deal on the JW in Cancun. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed Cancun. We had never been before. The restaurants we went to around town were great along with service. The hotel did a great job at keeping the seaweed at bay. We went downtown to have lunch at a local spot and then stumbled across a tequila tasting.

We took the ferry to Isla Mujures one day. We rented a golf cart for the day and rode around. While it was a cute island, I wouldn't be interested in staying there for more than a night or two.

We also drove down to Tulum for the day. It has a very cool vibe but the seaweed was awful. They were doing the best they could to keep it out of the water but you had to cross a big pile of it to get in the water. I liked the jungle feel where you can also have the beach option.

We would definitely go back if we can get flights that affordable. It's a quick 1.20 hour flight and we had a great time.

[e90335e36m3]

Originally Posted by rebekahb

We ended up going to Cancun. We were able to get RT non-stop flights for $169/pp. Our friend also works for Marriott so she got us a great deal on the JW in Cancun. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed Cancun. We had never been before. The restaurants we went to around town were great along with service. The hotel did a great job at keeping the seaweed at bay. We went downtown to have lunch at a local spot and then stumbled across a tequila tasting.

We took the ferry to Isla Mujures one day. We rented a golf cart for the day and rode around. While it was a cute island, I wouldn't be interested in staying there for more than a night or two.

We also drove down to Tulum for the day. It has a very cool vibe but the seaweed was awful. They were doing the best they could to keep it out of the water but you had to cross a big pile of it to get in the water. I liked the jungle feel where you can also have the beach option.

We would definitely go back if we can get flights that affordable. It's a quick 1.20 hour flight and we had a great time.

Cancun is awesome. I stay at the Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach, it's right next door to where the ferry leaves to Isla Mujeres.

[///MPhatic]

Has someone mentioned the Maldives and I didn't catch it? It has been my dream for many years. Maybe it's the price?

[wtwo3]

We're actually considering planning a trip to Punta Cana in late January/early February. Would be our first time in the Caribbean.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

Has someone mentioned the Maldives and I didn't catch it? It has been my dream for many years. Maybe it's the price?

We have some friends who just got back from the Maldives. It's definitely pricey... I think their total trip cost was ~$20k for about a week.

[rebekahb]

Originally Posted by e90335e36m3

Cancun is awesome. I stay at the Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach, it's right next door to where the ferry leaves to Isla Mujeres.

I really wasn't sure what to expect because it was never a place I was dying to go. Living in NOLA we can get to so many islands in the Caribbean quickly. Because of the cheap easy flight I would definitely keep Cancun as an option for a Thur-Sun trip if the cost was right.

I do want to go back to Turks and Caicos soon but we've got enough trips planned this year. I've also wanted to go to the Maldives but the time it takes to get there has been holding me back. So many other places I want to go for that travel time.

Now, to figure out what we are going to do between Christmas and New Years.

[e90335e36m3]

Originally Posted by rebekahb

I really wasn't sure what to expect because it was never a place I was dying to go. Living in NOLA we can get to so many islands in the Caribbean quickly. Because of the cheap easy flight I would definitely keep Cancun as an option for a Thur-Sun trip if the cost was right.

I do want to go back to Turks and Caicos soon but we've got enough trips planned this year. I've also wanted to go to the Maldives but the time it takes to get there has been holding me back. So many other places I want to go for that travel time.

Now, to figure out what we are going to do between Christmas and New Years.

I've been 16 times, to Fiesta Americana. It's one of my vacation weeks, used strictly to decompress. No sight seeing or anything.
Say goes something like this…wake up, eat a giant breakfast with copious alcohol, go to beach, fall asleep, go to pool, go take a nap, order room service, go to beach, go to spa, watch TV, sleep repeat. The only place I come back from where I'm truly relaxed. Why experiment? It's close, inexpensive. The other vacation weeks are used to sightsee and travel.

Can't wait to go this year.

I'm Platinum Elite with Marriott, but have never stayed at the Ritz or JW at Marriott in Cancun, my big issue is the beach and lack of privacy and sun protection. At Fiesta, if I go out early enough I can situate myself under a palm tree plus the beach is secluded by rocks on both sides so no traffic.

Thoughts on JW beach?

[rebekahb]

Originally Posted by e90335e36m3

Thoughts on JW beach?

That looks like a really nice place!

JW beach was nice but definitely narrower. You are between the Hard Rock and the other Marriott property. I'm not much of an all inclusive person so that's why we chose the JW. The entire staff was friendly and on top of it. A lot have been there for many years. We ate at a few of the restaurants and all were great for hotel food.

I really need to do what you do as far as take a week to just relax. We typically move around and check things out. I need to start taking one vacay to really chill.

If you ever leave the hotel to eat you need to check out Thai in La Isla shopping center. The vibe is kick ass and incredible Thai and Indian food.

[e90335e36m3]

Originally Posted by rebekahb

That looks like a really nice place!

JW beach was nice but definitely narrower. You are between the Hard Rock and the other Marriott property. I'm not much of an all inclusive person so that's why we chose the JW. The entire staff was friendly and on top of it. A lot have been there for many years. We ate at a few of the restaurants and all were great for hotel food.

I really need to do what you do as far as take a week to just relax. We typically move around and check things out. I need to start taking one vacay to really chill.

If you ever leave the hotel to eat you need to check out Thai in La Isla shopping center. The vibe is kick ass and incredible Thai and Indian food.

Funny you say that, FA was never all inclusive until a year or two ago, I don't like that either. The average age and maturity of the guests tends to go down and although Im in my 30s I don't mind being around the older folks, it's definitely a more chill vibe.
It's tradition for me to stay at FA so I think I'll have to risk all inclusive this year. If not to the Marriott I go.

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

We have some friends who just got back from the Maldives. It's definitely pricey... I think their total trip cost was ~$20k for about a week.

Yeah, it's up there.

I guess most people look for something in the $10K a week (5 days) range? Is that about the going rate for these places now? Like Aruba?

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

Yeah, it's up there.

I guess most people look for something in the $10K a week (5 days) range? Is that about the going rate for these places now? Like Aruba?

You can easily do Maldives for $10k for a week. They ended up spending $20k partly because they got one of the fancy huts and partly because of timing. Had they gone a couple weeks earlier than they did I believe their total cost would have been under $15k.

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by rebekahb

Now, to figure out what we are going to do between Christmas and New Years.

We leave Christmas Eve from San Diego on a 7-day Mexican cruise with NCL. Nearly the wife's whole fam damily will be on floor 11 that week.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

We leave Christmas Eve from San Diego on a 7-day Mexican cruise with NCL. Nearly the wife's whole fam damily will be on floor 11 that week.

Hopefully, you will be on Deck 14 in one of the $$$$$ Garden Villa Suites for the entire week.....

[floridaorange]

Punta Cana is amazing, been twice

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

Hopefully, you will be on Deck 14 in one of the $$$$$ Garden Villa Suites for the entire week.....

Depends on the cards, or scratchers, in my future