Depends what you liked about NCL. If you lkked the live music and shows, NCL is going to be your best bet (or maybe disney which has awesome live shows, but a different type).

But if you really like the beach and pool time, a resort is gojng to be your best bet, and it doesn’t need to be an AI—just one with convenient food on property, like the Wyndham Rio in Puerto Rico.

If you are looking for summer, you want to consider hurricane issues though. Aruba is out of the hurricane band. Cruises will typically divert to avoid the storms which is nice but can result in fewer port stops or shuffled ports. My friend once got stuck off the coast of Florida for days when the hurricane hit Florida and they couldn’t return.

If you are Costco members, they have a lot of options for cruises and resorts — if you book through them you usually get Costco cash back and sometimes little upgrades like free airport transfer.

Cruise out of FL or PR.

Anonymous wrote:I know exactly what you mean, op!

We haven’t done an AI but we’ve cruised a dozen times with our kids. Cruises are easy and fun!

Are you based on the West Coast? We tend to cruise out of FL, PR, or the Med.

Fwiw, I know families who did AIs in the Dominican Republic and none of them raved about it.

I know families who did Beaches in Turks and Caicos, and they had a blast but said it was very expensive.

I know families who go to Mexico AIs each year. Mixed bag: some love it, some comment that the food is bad and the beach isn’t good. It seems like more of a pool vacation.

I’ve heard good things about the St. James Club on Antigua, fwiw.

Personally, I’d suggest sticking with cruises. There’s no need to go with the crowd and book excursions through the ship. Venture off on your own and be back on the ship for dinner.

Thank you! We’re based in DC so willing to cruise out of east coast ports too.

I know exactly what you mean, op!

We haven’t done an AI but we’ve cruised a dozen times with our kids. Cruises are easy and fun!

Are you based on the West Coast? We tend to cruise out of FL, PR, or the Med.

Fwiw, I know families who did AIs in the Dominican Republic and none of them raved about it.

I know families who did Beaches in Turks and Caicos, and they had a blast but said it was very expensive.

I know families who go to Mexico AIs each year. Mixed bag: some love it, some comment that the food is bad and the beach isn’t good. It seems like more of a pool vacation.

I’ve heard good things about the St. James Club on Antigua, fwiw.

Personally, I’d suggest sticking with cruises. There’s no need to go with the crowd and book excursions through the ship. Venture off on your own and be back on the ship for dinner.

Bump

We just got off a Mexican Riveria cruise out of LA on Norwegian and had an absolute blast! I had NO idea how much mental stress was involved with our typical DE beach vacations until last week.

I’m tired and don’t want to figure out meals and dinner plans anymore.

I’d love to try out an all-inclusive in Mexico next. If we love Cabo, PV, and Mazatlan—will we dislike Cancun or Riveria Maya? We’re looking for a good kids club, kids pool, and palatable food. Any recommendations? OR if you have a walkable hotel recommendation in Mexico to coffee shops and good restaurants we’d consider that route too. Seems like meals put in the tourist areas are equal to or cheaper than meals out here.

We’re looking for a 5-8 day vacation with a budget of $4-$5K not including flights. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Similarly, if we liked NCL are there other cruise lines we should consider?