Vacation Options
Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 09:06amThe geekboy and I are trying to plan a vacation (7 days or less). We want to simply be somewhere with warm sun, where we can just relax and maybe ride some bikes. I’m actually thinking about a 5-day cruise or something like that. I’ve never taken a cruise before, but I also don’t want to be stuck on a boat with a bunch of old people. Anyone have cruise suggestions, or suggestions for short getaways?
sandra on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 9:20 am
We’re currently waiting to see the prices drop after March Break and book a trip to Cuba for the first week of April (obviously not on your list of destinations!). We’ve never been on an all-inclusive-don’t-think-about-a-thing-just-lounge-and-eat-and-drink-until-you-bust vacation with a group of friends and are really looking forward to it. We have a resort in mind but right now it is still so super expensive. That being said if they don’t drop we’re flexible on destinations, but I want something really nice and clean and actually on the beach! Jay’s parents have gone on many cruises, but no one our age that we know has gone on one (except for my friend Mandy who worked on cruise liners for 8 years).
Lisa on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 9:30 am
My parents went to Bermuda last year and they loved it. How about Sedona, AZ? It’s beautiful there & the Grand Canyon is only a few hours away.
Charlotte on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 9:37 am
The best place I ever went for biking, and quiet was Block Island. It’s not too far, and not too expensive. Beautiful.
maddie on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 9:39 am
I love cruises. After cruising, I don’t want to travel any other way. There are many great short cruises for 3 or 4 days - if you don’t want to be around old people, stay away from Holland America. Carnival is a younger crowd, but you have a lot of kids and annoying families. Royal Caribbean or Norwegian cruiselines are very good. It’s not ALL old people. I would recommend western Caribbean - Mexico, places like that. It’s a little less commercialized than the Bahamas eastern Caribbean route.
freakgirl on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 9:44 am
I’ve never heard of Block Island! It looks beautiful.
Arizona has always been in the back of our minds, but we have friends in the area and we couldn’t be that close to NM and not visit there…it just adds more time to the trip, and I’m not sure how long we want to go.
Sandyjoy on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 9:45 am
I’ve been on three cruises and I love them! My parents (in their early 60s) just spent the last month on two different cruises. I was just talking to them about the age range yesterday. They went on an 11 day Celebrity cruise to Panama and they said they were some of the youngest people on the ship. In comparision, 3 weeks later they went on Royal Carribean and felt that they were on the “low upperside of the age spectrum.” The couples that shared their table were both in their 30s and there were a lot of families and spring breakers.
I think if you stick to Royal Carribean, Norgwegian, Carnival you will be fine in terms of meeting and seeing other couples your age. RC has so much stuff going on that you have to be a stick in the mud not to find something that suits you.
Susie on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 9:47 am
My mom is taking us (read: free vacation!) to Cancun on an all-inclusive (air fare, ground transportation, hotel, food, AND tip) trip in April. I’m so excited — I’ve never really stayed at a resort before. The place looks awesome — multiple swimming pools, on the beach, etc. I’ll email you details if you want.
By the way, this free vacation cost me $350 in rush passports.
freakgirl on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 9:50 am
Wow, Susie, lucky! Even with the $350.
And sure, email me the deets.
Soosan on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 10:02 am
Are there any “experience nature” types of cruises/walking/biking trips?
Sometimes conservation organizations or nature groups offer travel adventures… tho often not that cheap. Just a thought!
My grandiose vacation plans for this year will be a trip to NYC in May. Last time I went, we stayed in Hoboken, so cute! This time I have a friend who lives in the city. Best way to travel, find a friend and stay at their place! (that’s how I got to Scotland a few years back)
Megan on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 10:03 am
Chicago. To visit your ABANDONED ADOPTED DAUGHTER.
DA! DUH! DUUUUMMMM!
freakgirl on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 10:05 am
DAUGHTER? Man, I’m old but not that old.
Oh, I miss Chicago and I miss you, Megan. I wish the geekboy and I could rent an RV and travel around the country, visiting everybody.
Kimberly on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 10:34 am
FG, that sounds like a reality show waiting to happen. The Adventures of FG and GB. I’d watch.
Jason Buckley on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 10:36 am
Have you considered the lovely San Francisco Bay Area?
kyle on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 10:37 am
Malta too far? Some friends went and had a great time - and from the pictures, it looks amazing. I’ve always thought a Mediterranean cruise would be nice, too.
Maggie on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 11:05 am
Cruise! I say, hit a travel agency and get some info and advice about cruises for young people, and see if it’s what you’d like. I have wanted to go on a cruise since I saw Titanic. I know, that sounds a little creepy, but the set was so beautiful and I’ve never been on that kind of boat before (well, I can’t not be on a boat; what I’ve been is not on boats), and I want to hang on the deck and knit and then go eat dinner in a sparkly dress with Captain Stubing.
Maggie on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 11:06 am
And maybe fit in a little canasta.
Soosan on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 11:17 am
There was a stitchNBitch knitting cruise.. I wonder how that went (if it’s sailed yet that is)
Maggie on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 11:28 am
Yeah, I remember that. But I’d rather go on a regular cruise with friends and family and DRINK ALL I CAN DRINK. With Captain Stubing.
freakgirl on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 11:30 am
Maggie loves Captain Stubing.
Marjon on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 12:32 pm
Now the theme from Love Boat is stuck in my head.
US Virgin Islands? Jamaica? Hawaii? Vegas? Ehm…
sandra on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 12:44 pm
FG, you and marjon should do a house swap! she and ivon stay at your place, you and GB go to The Netherlands!
freakgirl on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 12:46 pm
I couldn’t inflict Meena on poor Marjon and Ivon.
I just got an email from Travelocity with a one-day sale on cruises. Fate saying yes? However, the site is down. Fate saying no?
Janet on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 1:42 pm
See if you can look into “freestyle” cruising. I would not cruise again with a regimen. I hated having every minute of my vacation day planned around “Dinner is at 7″. Because you will be told to stop riding your bike on the island at 4PM so you can be back on the ship in time for dinner.
Plus, I didn’t particularly care for some of the people we ate with every night. And you have no choice. The first night of awkward conversation is bad enough; try night 3. I would have been much happier being free to meet different people.
el gato on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 1:45 pm
We went on a 9 day Caribbean cruise about 8 or 9 years ago. Did a little snorkeling in St. Thomas and a little biking (mostly downhill) in Dominica. Mostly, though we were stuck with bus tours though on the other islands. Mrs. Gato got seasick and has sworn off cruises, but the rest of our little group had a great time. So next time we visit the Caribbean we’ll fly. The grand climax was the total solar eclipse near Aruba.
freakgirl on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Seasick? oh god, I didn’t think about that.
Marjon on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 2:10 pm
The Netherlands is not nice and warm.
And if they ever come to The Netherlands, it would be fun to show them around and all that. And make Dutch cupcakes.
Joanne on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 3:10 pm
I went on a cruise to Bermuda several years ago and it was great. It’s really great when you’re in the NYC area because you can just go from there and not have to fly to where you’re going to cruise from. The one I went on was a week, though, and it was Celebrity, but it was pretty inexpensive considering all that you get and the gym and spa was fantastic. A friend of mine just told me that you can get spa treatments at half off while the ship is docked, I don’t know if that’s true for all cruise lines or just the one he went on but it is totally worth looking into, anyway.
Michael on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 3:22 pm
Oooh, this just showed up on the Travel Zoo Deals of the Week. Airfare, 5 nights hotel, and train transportation between Rome/Venice/Italy (you pick two)! And the deal is good for New York departures. I would do that one in a heartbeat.
http://tinyurl.com/2urkre
Michael on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 3:24 pm
That should read Rome/Venice/FLORENCE.
I guess that’s not exactly relaxing and bike riding. But warm! And gorgeous. And romantic. And delicious. And I promise I’d let you two have plenty of alone time.
freakgirl on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 3:33 pm
ooooooooooh.
Bluebunny on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 3:39 pm
Remember though if you go to Venice, you must get my mom’s book on the restaurants of Venice.
Greater Czarina on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 3:46 pm
We’ve done a couple of cruises, and probably won’t again. Carnival has too many drunken young’ins. We also didn’t like being on the cruise’s schedule and not our own: YOU WILL TOUR NOW, YOU WILL EAT NOW! Funk dat. Plus, you know, norovirus and seasickness - not funny, not fun. YMMV, of course.
All inclusives that are good: Sandals. Adults only, everything (including drinks and tips) covered in advance so you don’t need to touch money while you’re there at all, and beautiful locations, such as Jamaica’s Negril resort. Tons to do, or nothing to do…totally your choice.
Other beautiful places: Bermuda, Grand Bahama, Hawaii (can be done cheaply, believe it or not). Be careful in the Virgin Islands…several areas are surprisingly dangerous and many folks don’t care for Americans. Same goes for Mexico, but that really depends on where you go there…not a place to go wandering alone. Of course, right here in the States, there’s Cape May, Cape Cod, Hilton Head, Martha’s Vineyard, Sanibel Island, etc.
Go have fun, ya crazy kids!
el gato on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Seasick? oh god, I didn’t think about that.
freakgirl | 14 Mar 07 at 1:53 pm
———————-
Well I tol’ her. Take the dramamine BEFORE we sail. But nooooo…
charlie on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 4:23 pm
Sea Island is gorgeous and The Cloisters hotel is unbelievable. Charleston (my ancestral home) in May is awesome and the Spoleto Festival is happening. Finally, Austin is hip and cool and good for bike riding (hello, Lance Armstrong).
Jane on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 4:37 pm
I’m late to the game, I know, but my sis is going on a cruise to the Greek Islands in September with some friends. She is paying something ridiculous like $150.00 for a 7 night cruise (TOTAL, not per day). It’s a totally stripped down deal - meals are not included, and if you want maid service, laundry, etc. you pay extra for them once on the boat. They dock by noon each day so you have most of the day to visit the island. Her friend went on one to the French Riviera and loved it - enough to do it again, anyway.
http://www.easycruise.com/
Jen Rodis on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 4:58 pm
You should DEFINITELY come to Vegas. We have lovely mountains to bike on, naked people to stare at, and world-class hotels and restaurants. Plus, I live here, and I would totally meet you for lunch.
freakgirl on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 5:02 pm
That Easy Cruise stuff is crazy cheap! But you have to get your ass to Europe first, right?
Jen, we’re starting to think about doing Vegas and Sedona, actually.
Marjon on Thursday, March 15, 2007 at 12:48 am
Yeah, well, and if you get your ass to Europe, you could also visit The Netherlands. It won’t be nice and warm, but good for riding a bike, since everyone does it here. And we will be here ;-)
jen on Thursday, March 15, 2007 at 9:13 am
If you end up going to Sedona, definitely book a bike tour with Bike & Bean. www.bike-bean.com We did the Bell Rock scenic tour and had a great time. I only biked into a chasm once!
freakgirl on Thursday, March 15, 2007 at 9:22 am
When I said, “Ride my bike,” I was thinking more along the lines of biking around an island to the market and stuff like that…I’m not sure I could mountain bike in 94F heat. Those tours look really fun, though.
And if you “only biked into a chasm once,” I’d probably end up a lot worse off.