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I'm getting married this coming May and the fiance wants to have the honeymoon in Hawaii. I, on the other hand, would prefer the Key West or somewhere in the Caribbean. We both agree that we want to relax for a week but I always prefer the cheaper trip and from reading past posts about Hawaii, most people were saying it is more expensive than you think. We would be flying out of Minneapolis and so the shorter flight to the Keys/Caribbean would also be a plus.

I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions from prior trips of which destination would be the better choice.

Almost every person that I talk to, including myself, says to skip Hawaii. Not to be racist or anything but it is full of Asian people which makes for some headaches when you are a minority. It is beautiful for the most part but I really don't think its worth the money (and I was there on the company dime).

Key West in May is pretty dang hot but otherwise awesome.

PS: Congrats!

TLW and I considered Hawaii and the South Pacific for our honeymoon. We weret alking about it and asked ourselves what we would be doing different in the Pacific from what we would be doing in the Carribean. Sitting on the beach getting tanned. We could not think of a single thing. So we decided on the Carribean. Then we started lookign at islands. Lots of little neat resorts in out of the way places. The Firefly on Mustique, Young Island Beach Resort on Young Island, Anse Cahstenet on St. Lucia and the list goes on and on.

spendingmoney wrote:I'm getting married this coming May and the fiance wants to have the honeymoon in Hawaii. I, on the other hand, would prefer the Key West or somewhere in the Caribbean. We both agree that we want to relax for a week but I always prefer the cheaper trip and from reading past posts about Hawaii, most people were saying it is more expensive than you think. We would be flying out of Minneapolis and so the shorter flight to the Keys/Caribbean would also be a plus.

I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions from prior trips of which destination would be the better choice.

the longer flight on NWA could mean joining "the Mile-High Club" tho..

I have been to both.

I like both! Hawaii has wonderful culture and music and lucious outdoor landscape....as does the Caribbean....

Dont misunderstand... I loved Hawaii.... but the jet lag and the expensive transportation costs weigh heavily. If I had to choose I take the Caribbean for several reasons.... most importantly its less that a 1.5 flight to most everywhere in the upper Caribbean from Tampa.... and I enjoy going to a country unlike my own and experiencing its pleasures.

Oh I did forget to mention..... I would go back to HI on a dime!!! It has the added bonus of No humidity.... if you are traveling in June to October might be a consideration.....

It all depends on what you want to do. Hubby and I just wanted to veg and do nothing on our honeymoon to get away from our hectic lives, so we went all-inclusive in Mexico. We had absolutely no expectations of what we were going to do and just let our whims guide us, and had a fabulous time. We woke up when we wanted, ate when we wanted, drank alllll the time . We weren't much for seeing sights or going on excursions, so this worked well for us, and we didn't have to spend time worrying about where we were gonna eat, etc.

The only thing we actually planned that we wanted to do was go snorkeling, so we took a half day trip with a group.

RinglingRingling wrote:

spendingmoney wrote:I'm getting married this coming May and the fiance wants to have the honeymoon in Hawaii. I, on the other hand, would prefer the Key West or somewhere in the Caribbean. We both agree that we want to relax for a week but I always prefer the cheaper trip and from reading past posts about Hawaii, most people were saying it is more expensive than you think. We would be flying out of Minneapolis and so the shorter flight to the Keys/Caribbean would also be a plus.

I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions from prior trips of which destination would be the better choice.

the longer flight on NWA could mean joining "the Mile-High Club" tho..

Hawaii it is!!

buffettbride wrote:It all depends on what you want to do. Hubby and I just wanted to veg and do nothing on our honeymoon to get away from our hectic lives, so we went all-inclusive in Mexico. We had absolutely no expectations of what we were going to do and just let our whims guide us, and had a fabulous time. We woke up when we wanted, ate when we wanted, drank alllll the time . We weren't much for seeing sights or going on excursions, so this worked well for us, and we didn't have to spend time worrying about where we were gonna eat, etc.

The only thing we actually planned that we wanted to do was go snorkeling, so we took a half day trip with a group.

I want the all-inclusive and with Hawaii you can't get that...I definitely want to drink all the time too and sit by some water getting some sun on my white minnesota body (sorry for the disturbing image )

spendingmoney wrote:

buffettbride wrote:It all depends on what you want to do. Hubby and I just wanted to veg and do nothing on our honeymoon to get away from our hectic lives, so we went all-inclusive in Mexico. We had absolutely no expectations of what we were going to do and just let our whims guide us, and had a fabulous time. We woke up when we wanted, ate when we wanted, drank alllll the time . We weren't much for seeing sights or going on excursions, so this worked well for us, and we didn't have to spend time worrying about where we were gonna eat, etc.

The only thing we actually planned that we wanted to do was go snorkeling, so we took a half day trip with a group.

I want the all-inclusive and with Hawaii you can't get that...I definitely want to drink all the time too and sit by some water getting some sun on my white minnesota body (sorry for the disturbing image )

no problem, dude. i'm about as white as white girl gets. i did a year in winona, MN, i feel your pain.

i'll PM you the info about where we went on our honeymoon. we're going back in october (different resort, same general location) for a family vacation.

spendingmoney wrote:I want the all-inclusive and with Hawaii you can't get that...I definitely want to drink all the time too and sit by some water getting some sun on my white minnesota body (sorry for the disturbing image )

Most of the resorts in the Carribean have all inclusive packages. Well, let me rephrase, all but one of the resorts we looked at in the Carribean had all inclusive packages. We looked at everything from the Sandals resorts on down to a 4 room B&B on the island of Mustique. If you want info that we got together PM me and I will pull together what we found.

spendingmoney wrote: I want the all-inclusive and with Hawaii you can't get that...I definitely want to drink all the time too and sit by some water getting some sun on my white minnesota body (sorry for the disturbing image )

Couples Ocho Rios... Jamaica... you wont regret it! We have been 5 times... including the Wedding-Moon...... (got married there)

While I would opt for the St. Kitts and Nevis or points south, I do have to correct the statement that there aren't any all inclusives in Hawaii. The Kona Village is an all inclusive in the sense of meals, transportation, non motorized ocean activities, etc. being included. I don't know if they include liquor or not. Truthfully this is about the only place I would consider staying at in Hawaii anymore.

just got back from key west last saturday it was GREAT!.......the weather was great......much cooler the it has been at home ...(indiana)......not very beachy but a great time.....every bar has a great happy hour this time of year.....great food everywhere.....and you can walk or rent a bike/moped to get around......

I would follow BB's suggestion and go for the Rivera Maya area in Mexico, especially if you've never been there. I've been there as well as the USVI, weather is the same, Mexico has more stuff to do, and is WAAAAAAAY cheaper, and the AI package thing is great. I'd suggest the El Dorado Royale resort, it's a great honeymoon spot and almost exactly halfway between Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

Hawaii is beautiful and a great time with beautiful resorts and lots to either do or not do, yes it is pricey, but so are some places in Carribbean and Mexico. However when you land in Hawaii, you are still in America as you drive by the Home Depot and McDonalds. That is why we prefer the Carribbean. It is much more laid back and more like getting away.
The accomidations will be better in Hawaii if you worry about fancy hotels and such, but there is just something about the scent of a Carribbean hotel room that can not be described. You will know it.
Also I agree with all inclusive if money is tight. And do a slight upgrade of room category, will be worth it.
Ive been to several sandals and quite a few other islands to non inclusive resorts, feel free to PM me if I can help.

Indiana Jolly Mon wrote:Hawaii is beautiful and a great time with beautiful resorts and lots to either do or not do, yes it is pricey, but so are some places in Carribbean and Mexico. However when you land in Hawaii, you are still in America as you drive by the Home Depot and McDonalds. That is why we prefer the Carribbean. It is much more laid back and more like getting away.
The accomidations will be better in Hawaii if you worry about fancy hotels and such, but there is just something about the scent of a Carribbean hotel room that can not be described. You will know it.
Also I agree with all inclusive if money is tight. And do a slight upgrade of room category, will be worth it.
Ive been to several sandals and quite a few other islands to non inclusive resorts, feel free to PM me if I can help.

well said. Nothing like the Caribbean waters.

If I had the money to spend on a trip to Hawaii, I'd fly right past it to Bora Bora.... But that's just me...

We have been to Hawaii (Big Island, Kauai, Oahu and Maui) twice and the Caribbean dozens of times.

I would have to say that I like the Caribbean best. It is cheaper, easier to get to and we have always found the beaches to be prettier, calmer and the water warmer. We love to snorkle and the water was pretty rough both times we were in Hawaii. I have to admit, that we never hit the all inclusives if we can help it. We go for small intimate Inns. Mega resorts just don't appeal. But if that is your thing, there are tons of them all over the islands.

Congratulations and Safe Travels!

Caribbean - definitely!

Turks and Caicos?? Not overdeveloped yet.

Skip the all-inclusives. If you're going to a Caribbean island, wouldn't it be better to travel around, see the country and meet the local folks at the local restaurants and shops?? With an all-inclusive, it's "Time to go back for lunch/dinner. After all, we've already paid for it!" You don't need that kind of structure.

Enjoy!

Been to both... and I would prefer the Caribbean.
I sat that because, even tho' both were fantastic and beautiful, I was more impressed by the "foreign" aspect of the Caribbean.
French and Spanish history were everywhere to be explored, and the diving was incredible!
Hawaii seemed to have a little more in common with my homestate California, and that was cool,
but I like to experience new and different things, and the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico offered plenty!