[Samper]

I'll be getting married in December and I know that some of you have been all over the world. I'm mainly considering Mexico due to the price of everything. My parents are paying but I wanna make it as nice as possible without hassle but also not hurt their bank account too much.
Right now I'm really looking at Playa Del Carmen and Cabo San Lucas. I'd like to do some diving but most of all just have a romantic honeymoon. Anyone have any suggestions of other places to check out? Can anyone tell me any specifics about these places aka places to stay things to do, questions to ask the resorts.....

We'll be there in late December anyone have a clue about weather/water temps?

[Poseidon]

I had an absolute ball in Cozumel Chuck. I went diving at a State park, I can't remember the name though. When I went it was part of a cruise, which I would HIGHLY recommend! All the food you can eat, and tons and tons of things to do on the boat!

By the way CONGRATULATIONS!

[Samper]

Thank you for the congrats Mike I appreciate it. We considered the cruise theme but have heard more than a few bad experiences. What cruise line did you take?

[Poseidon]

We went on Carnival. I think the ship was "Ecstasy" or something like that. The food was great, the shows were fun, and we had awesome service from the staff. I want to go on another cruise for a vacation soon, but this time I will make sure to go for 7 days, we were not sure if Stacey would like the boat so we booked a 4 day cruise for the honeymoon.

I have heard excellent reviews of the alaskan cruises, but no diving up there!

[mungus728]

The parks name you are looking for in Cozumel is chankanaab. I have stayed in cozumel a few times but the main focus of the trip was diving. It is a very fun place to stay.

Brian

[Ninong]

My nephew and his wife spent 7 days at Sandals in St. Lucia for their honeymoon in April 2005. They loved it. It's one of those all-inclusive resorts for couples only.

[Jasno999]

Yeah I was goiing to say someplace in the carribian would be nice. If pricing is an issue then you would have to do some research but I have heard great things about S. Lucia and I think you might find a deal. I have been to Anguilla and it is beautiful but expensive. There are plenty of islands so just go talk to a travel agent and see what some of the pricing looks like.

I can't comment on Mexico. Could be great. But I do knwo that at a lot fo the carribian islands you are treated like royalty and it is beautiful, friendly and jsut different than anyplace else in the world - not to mention it is typiucally more secluded.

[Samper]

Thanks guys for the advice so far I'll add St. Lucia to my list and do some checking on it. Is there a side of Mexico that offers better diving?

[Ninong]

Belize has the best diving and they speak English.

[almostdiva]

One of the guys in my office went to St. Bart's for his honeymoon. Stayed in a condo on the beach -- it had it's own little kitchenette, so they could make food and didn't HAVE to eat out every meal. They went snorkeling, diving, etc. You can fly to St. Maarten and take the ferry (no direct flights), or take a little puddle jumper plane from St. Maarten to St. Barts. Airfare was about $800 when they went in mid Feb. They liked it so much they have booked again for their first anniversary.

My friend and her husband (who is a big diver) go to Belize about every 18 months. He swears by it. I don't dive, but supposedly it is amazing...

Have a great time wherever you go!

Rebecca

[dibenni]

Samper,

My fiancee and I went to Mexico last year, specifically - Playa Paraíso, between Cancún and Playa del Carmen. We stayed at the Iberostar Lindo, which is a great all inclusive resort and I would recommend it to anyone. However, while we were there they were building a new resort right next door which was even nicer (they share the same pool and beach, but the rooms and restaurants are better at the newer hotel) called the Iberostar Maya. We were able to enjoy the restaurants at the Maya because it was new and not full, but I am not sure that guests of the Lindo can still eat at the Maya's restaurants.

The weather was great, the beach was beautiful and the pool (especially the swim up bar) was the nicest I ever been in. A lot of people are leary of all-inclusive resorts because the food isn't great and the liquor is the bottom of the line stuff - but this place was not that way. The food was great and they would give you whatever you wanted to drink. We will definitely go back (although we are going on a Caribean cruise for our honeymoon in September - Royal Carribean Freedom of the Seas).

I didn't go diving, but did go snorkeling and it was great so I could only imagine the diving would be great. It is a 30 minute boat ride to Cozumel which has great reefs - and you could take a ferry to Cozumel and go to the park mentioned above. I highly recommend that - I went there in college and swam with dolphins - it was one of the coolest things I've ever done.

Sorry for the long post - good luck. Here is a link to the Iberostar Maya: http://www.iberostar.com/iberostar.a...=3&codiconc=76

[Samper]

Well after a ton of research we're either staying at sandals in Negril or at the Atlantis in the Bahamas. I'm leaving it up to the parents. Which of the two would you guys rather hit?

[Poseidon]

Boy that is a tough choice! Though I have never been to either place, I have wanted to go to Atlantis since the first time I saw the commercial on TV! I know that commercials are NOT the best place to base your decision, but that place sure looks like fun. I have also seen bits and pieces on the travel channel about Atlantis, and it looks pretty hard to beat.

I believe that Gene has stayed at a Sandals resort or two.... I'll bet he will chime in to give them a thumbs up or down.

[zhenya]

Originally Posted by Poseidon

I believe that Gene has stayed at a Sandals resort or two.... I'll bet he will chime in to give them a thumbs up or down.

I haven't stayed at the Sandals in Jamaica but heard it was really nice. I did stay at the Atlantis and personally I did not like it. I mean it is fantastic resort if you have kids, they have great aquariums and you are basically surrounded by huge fish everywhere. However, if you are on a honeymoon, I would think that you'd prefer something "for couples only".
On the other hand, my wife loved Atlantis...so go figure.
Also, I did not like that everything was extremely expensive. Cup of coffe in a paper cup was at $2.50 and it was $2.50( I'm going back at least 5 years) if it was in a porcellain cup. The restaurants had not impressed me either, come to think of it. Bermuda's "Princess Hotel" and Nevis's restaurants at "Four Seasons" were the best at offering everything that you could possibly desire in food. Of course, I would recommend Ritz-Carlton resorts but they are extremely expensive. I was taken aback by the price tag of the rooms, although I had the most enjoyable experience while staying there.

[Samper]

Great info Gene! Unfortunately it's up to my parents and since I was being so picky they have made some sort of decision and won't tell me what it is until I walk out of the church. That's fine with me I guess. I'll let you guys know how it goes with plenty of pictures. Oh and if any of you mods are around Ar in December I'm sending an open invitation to you. Everything we registered for seems oddly geared towards my fiance so bring frags if you come HAH!

[Poseidon]

Originally Posted by Samper

Everything we registered for seems oddly geared towards my fiance so bring frags if you come HAH!

That sounds like a typical wedding to me!