all inclusive to aruba VS royal caribben voyager class

[HMB1950]

I am giving my family 2 options for summer vacation....an all inclusive week at a resort in aruba or a 7 day cruise on a voyager class ship.

 

my teenage daughter insists on the cruise because shes only ever been on cruises and she absolutely loves the voyagers. my husband and i want to go to an all inclusive because we've been to pretty much every port except aruba. my daughter is afraid she wont meet any teens like she does on cruises. can somone please give us some advice? thanks!

[cujosmom]

Do the cruise with your teen-aged daughter. My two sons are now 31 and 29. They just loved to cruise, also, when they were kids and we went on many family cruise vacations. You have just a few more years until your daughter leaves home, then you and your husband can go wherever you want as a couple.

 

Another thought....is it at all possible that your budget would allow both vacations this year? The family cruise (maybe going with a less expensive cabin) and then you and your husband take a 3-5 or 7 night trip to Aruba just the two of you (this winter)?

[cmjaffe]

Depends on what your daughter likes to do and which AI you choose in Aruba. There are SO many restaurants on that island that you may want to look into an AI that lets you "dine around" a bit.. thus having your beverages handled during the day plus giving you some variety from what's offered at your actual resort. Would your daughter like or try windsurfing? that's big on Aruba .... but be careful on where you stay... it might not be that great for her socially at an AI for meeting her peers...

Good luck... Aruba's VERY relaxing...

Carolyn

[dobie]

My vote is for the cruise. We've only been to Aruba once, and that was on a cruise, and it was so windy that it was uncomfortable!! You had to tie your hair up, it still came down, you couldn't go windsurfing, if you sat on the beach you had to take your contacts out because the sand blew EVERYWHERE!!! We asked the locals about it and they said that it is always windy (I guess that's why a lot of the trees are sideways). We would not want to be there for a week, that's for sure, and I'm sure your daughter will meet a lot of friends on a ship.

[Mac'sMom]

Tough decision! We first visited Aruba on a cruise - loved the island and people so much that we returned for a week's vacation - and have been back several times - also cruised several times.

 

Aruba does have wonderful restaurants - most people recommend NOT doing the all inclusive because of the great restaurants, however, they neglect to mention that they are very expensive. We have always done an all inclusive and been very happy. Yes, the island is windy - hence all the wind surfing. You get used to it and just don't worry about the hair do.

 

There always seems to be a mixed bunch of people there - I don't think your kids would have any difficulty making friends - a big plus is the island is very "safe" compared to many others. The people are wonderful - our son was with us (college aged) on one trip and had a great time. He also enjoyed a cruise stop in Aruba. Our experience is that Aruba has a lot of return visitors, which speaks for itself. Check our some of the Aruba boards - you might get some more information that would help with your decision.

[D4]

As a parent of 2 kids (16 & 19), I say go on the cruise. As someone else said, soon she'll be off on her own and you'll be able to go where you want. My DH and I would have loved to cruise to Alaska again this summer, but the kids said we've been to Alaska 3 times and they'd go anywhere as long as it was warm. So that's what we did. In a few years, DH and I can cruise to Alaska again.

[iamlisad]

We did an AI vacation first and the kids loved it. But they basically hung out with each other and the recreation staff participating in lots of sporting activities. The other teens at the resort that week didn't speak english. Then we took our first cruise and we've taken three since then and I'd be very hard pressed to get them to consider an AI. There is way more socialization on the cruise ship. Aruba is great -- but many many couples and honeymooners was our experience. It may be a better trip for you and hubby to take alone than with the family.

My opinion since you asked! :-)

Lisa D

[abridalmaven]

To each his/her own, but having been to Aruba once on a cruise, I would not like to stay there for an entire week. There are other islands less windy and sandy if you are the kind that just wants to lie around the beach all day and then eat/ gamble at night. To me I would be bored in one day, but I live on LI with plenty of easy beach access in the summer, so a day here and there are more than enough.

[Cruisechik]

Given the age of your children, I'd go for the cruise. I spent a week in Aruba and I thought a week was too long. Maybe you could island hop and include a visit to Bonaire or Curacao.

[BLUEICE]

Why not take a cruise that will take you to Aruba. If I am correct, most cruise ships stay overnight in Aruba.

 

To me that might sound like the best of both worlds.

 

I would have to go with the majority. Cruise, cruise cruise.

 

Your daughter will met lots of other kids her age. There is so much for them to do and see.

[imsulin]

Aruba is a Dutch territory, and is very, very expensive. Most of the high-rise (as opposed to the low-rise) properties have casinos, and there are public casinos as well. It is only 17 miles off the coast of Venezuela, and the constant trade winds make you feel comfortable, but you can also get a heck of a sunburn! (I sure did!). It is very dry there, and you will see cacti (cactuses?) everywhere. The divi trees are twisted and bent from the constant windy conditions, and they say they always point towards the water. Aruba has something like a 98% literacy rate, and schools are conducted in Dutch, although everyone speaks English and 'papiamento" as well. (Bon Bini!). The nice thing about flying out of Aruba is that you can go through US Customs & Immigration at the Queen Beatrix Airport, so you don't have to do it when you arrive back in the States. Aruba has some of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen, but I'll say again that it is very expensive!! The first time I stayed there (Radisson), I ordered a Bud Lite. It was $6.50, because it was imported. The Heineken and Amstel were only $1.50, because they were local (and Dutch). A lunch of cheeseburger, fries, and Coke was about $15.00. Loved Aruba, but it's sure cheaper to go there on a cruise!

[HMB1950]

thanks for all the input!

 

wow i would of thought an AI to aruba would of been cheaper than a cruise

from your opinions i think we will opt for the cruise thanks again!

[dobie]

Congrats, you will have a great time!!

[catharina]

Why not take a cruise that LEAVES from Aruba! Yes, they exist!

Then you could do a few days pre or post cruise in an AI!!!

 

I (being Dutch) carefully read this post, and it is true: it is dutch territory. But for a few days it can be nice.

 

Carina