Your preferred vaction type

[diverg]

Most of all my vacations are scuba related, and have been mostly to Cozumel. I have never stayed at an all inclusive hotel. I am not a big drinker, like to eat at the local establishments, not a beach person etc. Also most of the really nice AI are way down south and cost a fortunate to get to twon by taxi. I am not saying I would not stay at an all inclusive, but prefer not to at leat in Cozumel.

So I have two questions.

1. Scuba divers- do you prefer to do an all inclusive resort on dive trips? Does it depend on the location as to whether you go AI

2. For All others- do you prefer the AI so you can just relax once you get there and never leave the grounds?

[SMLCHNG]

2. For All others- do you prefer the AI so you can just relax once you get there and never leave the grounds?

That's mine. Although I've only done it once, this past February. And we DID leave the grounds a couple of times, and that's ok too!

[diverg]

2. For All others- do you prefer the AI so you can just relax once you get there and never leave the grounds?

That's mine. Although I've only done it once, this past February. And we DID leave the grounds a couple of times, and that's ok too!

In the group I was with I was the youngest person at 42. My friend is 48 and everyone else was in their 50's/60's. A few of them did not have fun with the bag drags. One quote, was "maybe when I was 20/30 it would've been ok. Now I am an old **** and just want to relax." LOL!!

[srkmrd]

We are with you on the dive vacations..........we rarely do AI just because we are there to dive. The place we stay in Honduras is AI but it is very dive oriented and the food is just ok, we still go eat locally some.

I would like to try a nice AI sometime to relax but for Don is it definatley DIVE DIVE DIVE

[VanillaGrl]

AI is okay once in awhile for us, but not my preference. The recent trip to the Mayan Riviera was a paid week that we've had for a few years and worked nicely as a back up plan for the cancelled Ireland vacation. We absolutely love eating at the little hole-in-the-wall, local places when we travel, they work best for us and I'm pretty adventurous when it comes to trying new stuff... at least once. Your trip sounded awesome!!! I'm sorry for the little 'hiccups' along the way, but I'm so glad you got to go. Happy Birthday to you!

[diverg]

KK, we need to get to Cozumel at the same time one year. I found out on this trip that my favorite dm likes Jimmy Buffett. Heck I wish I could swing a trip there in February for Carnival and take a group of BN's with me. Maybe I'll find a way.....

[bravedave]

I don't dive but I would not enjoy an AI-type vacation. Even a cruise ship is out of the question. I like to rent a house, shop locally, prepare my own meals, and hang out in the neighborhood. Outer Banks, Caribbean, Fla coast - same recipe for me. (But I do like beaches)

[C-Dawg]

I've done both. I've done live aboards out of the Bahamas that were all inclusive where we did 5 dives a day ( 2 morning, 2 afternoon, 1 night dive), with snacks and meals ready for us when we got out of the water....really awesome.
I've also led dive trips where we did our own thing.....one to the Keys, a few to Maine and the New England Coast, another to Venice, FLA shark tooth diving, where I booked rooms and we all did our own thing for meals. I've also done trips organized by others that were not AI.
To be honest, for a dive vacation, I prefer the AI, as it allows you to concentrate and enjoy the diving more, knowing everything else is being taken care of. Besides, when you're doing 4-5 dives a day, you're too tired to go out on the town for dinner, so having the meal ready for you is really a blessing......and allows you to spend time uploading and going over your dive pictures from the days dives and then head for bed
Most of the time doing the AI's, I either show up a day or two early, or leave a few days later, just so I can "do my own thing" and check out the local flavors.

[diverg]

Chris, I have done one live aboard, and would like to do more. Thing is I am scared my ears will not hold up to that much diving.

I have done a AI in Roatan at CocoView Resort and that was really nice. I am not against AI per say, but if I am going to Cozumel I rather do it the way I have been doing it. Other locations I may be more agreeable to the AI option.

[Snowparrot]

I have tried various options for Caribbean vacations.

I am now going mainly to dive, and for that I've stayed in apartments in Bonaire, my son's spare apartment in Jamaica and the very posh AI where he works (also in Jamaica). Next time might also be at the AI where they'll be working in the DR... it's on special in September (wonder why )... since they will live on the premises there.

Son & wife always have a vehicle and know their way around (and they are our dive connection). We eat out a lot, which is my idea of a holiday.

Previous to diving, we stayed at a tiny resort in Tobago. I stayed at an old AI in Jamaica one time (the Royal Decameron that once was the Jack Tar) and it was fine. We did day trips and also strolled to M'ville a couple of times. And it was cheap, but met our expectations.
We also stayed at ordinary hotels in Mexico (Play del Carmen) and liked the vibe there--but it was a few years ago, before the building boom. Once we stayed in a tiny posada and then a nicer hotel near the beach in the DR. Would do that again, except that we now go diving with son from his hotel dive shop, so that requires transportation.
I've tried cruising a little, but it hasn't suited me yet, and really annoys No Parrot. I'd like to go on a Buffett-themed cruise, I think.

[Elrod]

I used to dive Cozumel a couple of times a year and loved it!

I stayed in hotels in town and some AI resorts, loved 'em all. I watched the specials and let the $$$ help me decide. Sometimes I found a great deal on an AI and it was cheaper than what I would have spent for a room plus meals elsewhere.

I stayed at the Reef Club (now Wyndham) a couple of times back when the cab ride to town was only $12. The owners of the dive shop offered to have the boat pick me up on the way to the reef. It worked out great.

C-Dawg makes a good point about not having to chase after meals (and drinks) when you're tired.

I enjoyed the local restaurants and went with the boat captain and divemaster to a couple of places off the beaten path that the locals preferred.

Ok, I'm suddenly ready for another vacation.

[C-Dawg]

Chris, I have done one live aboard, and would like to do more. Thing is I am scared my ears will not hold up to that much diving.

I have done a AI in Roatan at CocoView Resort and that was really nice. I am not against AI per say, but if I am going to Cozumel I rather do it the way I have been doing it. Other locations I may be more agreeable to the AI option.

Greg, if you're having ear trouble, one question......are you "exercising" your inner ears leading up to your dive, or just when you get in the water?
You can and should equalize your ears repeatedly leading up to your dives, as it will allow you to equalize easier once in the water. Not necessarily over and over, but once every minute or so, over the hours leading up to the dive. I was told by my dive instructor that your inner ear has muscles and they need to be exercised just like any other that are about to get a workout, which diving will do to the ears.
When I'm helping with classes, where I'm going to be in and out of the water all day, I'll even start "exercising" my ears the day before, and take Sudafed in the morning before I get in the water. Same goes when heading on a dive trip.
If you haven't been doing that, give it a try and see if it helps. Hope it does

[Snowparrot]

Thanks for the ear-tip Chris. I'll try to remember to practise that often. I usually have some problems on the first dive of a session, but manage fine after that. My son the divemaster has wonky ears, too... maybe they're genetic.

We are planning a week on a live-aboard on the Great Barrier Reef in October. I want to get in some practice before that: wither here in the chilly water (which I've not done yet) or a quick trip to the tropics....

[C-Dawg]

Thanks for the ear-tip Chris. I'll try to remember to practise that often. I usually have some problems on the first dive of a session, but manage fine after that. My son the divemaster has wonky ears, too... maybe they're genetic.

We are planning a week on a live-aboard on the Great Barrier Reef in October. I want to get in some practice before that: wither here in the chilly water (which I've not done yet) or a quick trip to the tropics....

OK, I'm jealous....I'm doing the Keys for a couple of days before MoTM in November though

[Dutch Harbor PH]

Hmmm.....In australia, many years ago, Wifeypo and I spnet 5 days on a Live-aboard on the GBR.......It was pretty damn cool. It was a very low key operation....a couple different locations everyday and at least 1 night dive per day......it was a lot of divin'.....most excellent....

[nutmeg]

All of the above

I've been to some AI since they were often the only game in town. When we went to Roatan, we stayed at Coco View one time and Anthony's Key another. On Guanaja we stayed at the Bayman Bay Club which was also AI. On Andros we stayed at Small Hope Bay. We don't dive, and all of those places were considered dive destinations. We do enjoy snorkeling . The divers always amaze me with their singleminded dedication to time spent underwater. I prefer more variety in my activities. We like to visit historical sites, ruins, waterfalls, rock formations, rainforests, etc. etc.

I prefer not to eat all my meals at the hotel. I want to see where and how people live...not necessarily how the tourists live. My one beef about our timeshare is that the menu at the restaurants on site are something we could easily find at home...(it's run by Marriott) They were a little more adventurous last time we were there, and had some local flair to the fare, but it was still mostly imported from home. Instead of local jams and jellies....Smuckers in little tubs.

We took a couple of Windjammer cruises and loved them. We took one regular cruise and decided that one was enough. I don't enjoy taking a huge crowd with me wherever I go. (However, there are some beading and Buffett cruises that have tempted me)

We went to Cozumel 3 times. The first time was 22 years ago and I loved it there. It was quaint and quiet. A lovely town square where everything happened. The last time we went was prolly the last time. Cruise ships and time share salesmen abounded. If I hadn't seen it before, it prolly wouldn't have bothered me, but Yikes what a change.

My favorite vacation is at a small resort on a beach with a local bar attached where the residents gather...and a nice reef out front to snorkel on. Or a B&B with interesting hosts who tell you all the best places to go.

Come to think of it, we have been to more AIs than I originally thought. Our honeymoon was at two AIs in the Virgin Islands. And one of my favorite places is an AI on St Vincent.

OK I'm with E. I suddenly want to go on vacation.

[Tequila Revenge]

This is going to sound soooo anti-Buffett

My favorite vacations are in the Sierra's or Rockies in October; fall colors, warm days, cool nights and great fishing.

[nutmeg]

This is going to sound soooo anti-Buffett

My favorite vacations are in the Sierra's or Rockies in October; fall colors, warm days, cool nights and great fishing.

Ohhhh! If we're talking non tropical vacations, camping or lodges in Michigan's upper peninsula can't be beat. Anywhere around Lake Superior. We spend at least a week up there every year. No resorts, no hotels involved. And your'e right the fall color time is the best! (after the frost has killed the bugs is especially nice)

[Snowparrot]

Yes, there are many kinds of non-tropical vacations.
There's the cottage, especially now the bugs have (mostly) gone...
There's skiing or biking, or there's eating and drinking your way across Europe.....
There's Prince Edward Island to visit relatives and hang out on farms and beaches....
There are always the Great Lakes, my childhood summer home, with sandy beaches, big waves and fantastic sunsets....
And there are Buffett weekends and phlockings with BN PHriends....

[C-Dawg]

Our non-tropical vacations are of 3 varieties....Buffett shows, taking our 29' sailboat out and living aboard for a few days, or going to our "hunting camp" up in the north woods. It's miles away from everything with gas lights, water jugs, an outhouse and a beautiful big night sky. We don't get up there as much as we'd like, but I love going up to do some brook fishing, bird, rabbit and deer hunting or just to leave civilization behind for a couple of days.