NFT: Wifey, turning 50, vacay?

but is it a vacay for you and your wife? Or are the kids coming?

Stop using vacay, maybe even wifey. Haha.

But, seriously, Hawaii would be very expensive. 2 weeks seems like a long time to be stuck in one place. Maybe a cruise slash stationary spot? Mix it up? Most places like this I heard it is better to do a house rental. I think the website used was air bnb? That could save you a lot of money compared to a hotel for your wife and kids. That way you can spend on other luxuries. I heard bad stuff with certain parts of Mexico, I think. My co-workers husband had a business trip to Mexico and before he went they said he had to get ransom insurance. I swear that is a real thing. Obviously if you are at nice places I doubt there is an issue but something to consider. I personally like a trip to Europe more than some carribean place so I am not sure how much help I'd be.

look on VRBO for as much house as you can afford in Rivera Maya/Cancun/Playa del Carmen in Mexico.

We're getting a house right on the beach in June that has a cook, housekeeping, etc. It should be fun, but a little spendy.

The risk and danger is overblown. It's like saying you won't go to LA because of all the gang violence. Most of the places are very secure and they know that if tourists stop coming, they are all screwed.

If you're looking for sunny and beachy, why go all the way to Hawaii and at great expense? You can go to the U.S. Virgin Islands and you don't even need a passport, and it would be a lot cheaper to travel and stay in the Caribbean than Hawaii.

You can enjoy the beach all day, explore the islands, and you don't have to be anywhere (like back on a boat by a certain time).

I'm a big fan of going to a place and enjoying everything I can about it. With cruises, I have to be too many places at too many specific times, and I'm waiting in too many lines, and only limited time at the beach. Just go to the islands.

I went with my wife to Saint Maarten for a week when she turned 40, and it was awesome.

Dominican Republic.

Panty dropper for sure.

I agree, hate cruises, I'm on island time baby. The best part of just being somewhere is having nowhere I have to go lol. Cruises are too set for me, I deal with that enough during the week.

In comment 14350268 dank41 said:

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Dominican Republic. Panty dropper for sure.

We're thinking of going there in September

In comment 14350271 rnargi said:

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In comment 14350268 dank41 said: Quote: Dominican Republic. Panty dropper for sure. We're thinking of going there in September

Get travel insurance. September is peak hurricane season.

kids when I turned 50. It was a wonderful vacation for all of us. BUT, we were able stay in a relative's unused condo on a Kaanapali resort for $30 a night that the resort charges them when someone is staying there, and the vacation was still pretty expensive. That said, it was a once in a lifetime experience.

I would love to hear of comparable vacation sites in the Caribbean, as Hawaii was a long trip (which we did split up by stopping in LA for a day and going to Universal, which the kids liked a lot).

Recommendation will depend on what you want out of the vacation. If kids are coming, do you want them in-tow the entire time? Do you want to active/engaged with sports/activities? Or are you just wanting to be pampered, soaking up the sun, pickling your liver, and gorging on dining?

Beaches resort in Turks and Caicos is a great all-inclusive. They have a kid's zone so the parents can be by themselves while the kid's are entertained with activities by staff. Great dining, beautiful beaches, with activities if you want.

If that is too catered or too laid-back and you want some more adventure, then look into Dominica. The entire island is a rainforest with cascading waterfalls and fantastic hiking.

I myself am partial to St. Croix. The island is large enough that you can explore different sections over different days. From a rainforest on the North end to arid landscape on the East end. I lived in Christiansted back in the 90's.

Flew into LA. Did Universal and movie star tour.
Up Pacific Coast highway - Hearst castle - Monteray Aquarium etc
Bay Area- Alcatraz, San Fran stuff
Flew SF to Hawaii big Island. There is a cool hilton with trams and a manmade lagoon you swim with turtles. Large telescope/observatory to visit there. Rainforest, lava and other cool beaches.
Flew Big Island to Wakaki beach for a few days of chilling and RnR
Flew direct home Newark.
One of the best trips we ever did. Something for everyone and wasn't a bank breaker.

Beautiful beaches, but the people were decidedly less friendly than other tropical destinations like Riviera Maya. Also, many of the people in the tourist hotels doesn’t speak English, so we had difficulty with that at times. Not angry at them for not speaking English, but it presents problems communicating at times. Much prefer Mexico, near Playa Del Carmen for same quality beaches and better service from more accommodating staff and locals.

You can leave out of LA or similar, cruise a few days, then hit all the islands one after another. The ship becomes your hotel at that point. You just wake up at a different Island each day.

where she wants to go and then come back on here and ask for advice on the place she says she wants to go? Seemed like Hawaii and a cruise were your suggestions.

Right now too many options for too many people who don't know your wife and what she likes and doesn't like.

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and thank me later.

Not beachy, may not be sunny, but just find a spot and propose to her again

Stayed at the Lodge at Pebble and played every course there(including Cypress Pt.). Of course, if wifey(or yourself) does not play golf that might not be such a great idea.

And yes, it was a bank-breaker.

Then go wherever you want.

In comment 14350292 pjcas18 said:

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where she wants to go and then come back on here and ask for advice on the place she says she wants to go? Seemed like Hawaii and a cruise were your suggestions. Right now too many options for too many people who don't know your wife and what she likes and doesn't like.

This

Especially Kauai. Don't miss Kauai if you do a Hawaii trip.

what she wants. Then ice that bad boy.

I’d do one week cruise with Norwegian out of Honolulu, which takes you to different islands, and then spend a week in Oahu. From what I remember it’s actually not that easy traveling between thr islands. This way you get to see it all. Two weeks straight on a beach would be too much.

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Save the tropical for the 2d week.

1st week go somewhere exciting for the whole family. Macchu Picchu. Explore Japan. Visit Barcelona. Just some ideas. I'd make the 1st week really fun, immersive and busy and relax the 2nd week.

was able to post 4 straight times within a minute?