land or sea

[christy23]

This question is for those of you who have gone on both land resort vaca's and cruises. We are trying to decide between land in either jamaica or mexico or a cruise. There are pros and cons to both and truthfully Mexico scares me because (and maybe this is a misconception) so many people get sick in Mexico.

 

Being that I have never done either, and truthfully never been on a vaca in my adult life, I was wondering what your opinions were.

 

Any advice would be great, my mind is just swimming with all the options. My husband said we can go anywhere I want and at first I thought that was the coolest thing in the world until I realized there were more options than I could float through on my own. I am so honored at his generocity but now I need help sorting things out.

 

Thanks for any help at all!

[paul929207]

We have been to Sandals in Jamaica twice and on nearly 20 cruises. Obviously, we prefer cruises. The food, service and entertainment is better on a cruise. We like going to different places.

[lvtotrvl1]

Being that this is a cruise forum, you will see most opinions geared towards cruises...I have done many of both, and personally I prefer land. It really is an individual choice. It depends on what you want to do on vacation,how much you want to spend etc. If you do look at land vacations, be sure to choose a 4 plus or 5 star, so you won't be disappointed. I have been to Mexico many times and have never gotten sick...the water is double purified so the old rumors of bad water really isn't a problem. You may want to look at www.tripadvisor.com also, which is geared towards land vacations. Good Luck and I hope you have a great time with whicever you choose!

[cb at sea]

Neither Mexico or Jamaica thrill me, so I'd opt for a cruise. The only thing is you'll get a better room at an AI than you will on a ship--unless you book a suite of some sort. Ship cabins are pretty tight, but well arranged for maximum storage.

Try the cruise--you'll be hooked, I bet!

[tropicqueen]

:cool: My husband and I have been to several different all inclusive

resorts in the caribbean. We stayed 7 days and enjoyed exploring

the different Islands in depth !

Try taking a cruise that goes to a different Island every day.

Then you can deside which place you would like to go back to and stay

longer.

You will find certain ones will appeal to you more. That way you

won't be stuck in one place and not like it all that much.

Start with a cruise !

Have Fun & be nice to that Sweet Guy you have !

 

TropicQueen

[exoticpetlover]

Since we have done both, AI in Mexico and Jamaica, I prefer the cruise. Much more activity (if you want to partake), better entertainment and much better food! If you find a place that you really want to spend more time in, plan an AI vacation for that one place! Why go somewhere that may have not much for you to enjoy. Either way, enjoy your vacation/cruise!

[kitty9]

Jamaica scares the heck out of me more than Mexico. When we were at a very expensive resort in Jamaica, I was laying in the sun on the beach and a local walked over to my chair and put his hand on my thigh. Not a comfortable experience. Then there were the drug sellers out on the beach in the evening. Unless it's a land vacation at a very special place like in Asia or Australia, I stick with cruises.

[mamasue]

I spent 2 weeks at an all-inclusive resort in Cancun a few years ago.

If you get bored just laying on the same beach, I'd go for the cruise.

We went on 4 day trips from Cancun....it was nice to get out of the resort.

Another group of people spent every day by the pool... drinking themselves silly.... they boasted they'd tried every cocktail on the menu before 11am.

Also.... on a land vacation, if the weather turns bad, there's often nothing to do!!

I like seeing different places on one vacation!! JMHO !!

[phoenix1181]

What are you looking for out of your vacation? Sightseeing? Beach bum? Going all the time or slow and easy? There's a world of difference between a cruise and a land vacation.

 

For me, a land vacation is sun, sand & water. I veg on the beach all day, then dinner, a little casino or a couple of drinks, then to bed and start over again in the morning. If you're a beach bum, the pool(s) on the ship are a poor substitute. You can't swim, you just get wet. The loungers are packed so close together you have a tough time moving, and although there are some beautiful beaches to visit when you're in port, it's not like walking out the door of your room and being on the beach.

 

When we cruise, I'm on the go all the time. There's always someplace to go, something to do, and too many things I don't have time for. Plus there's all that food to eat, drinks to try and games to play.

 

I enjoy my land and sea vacations but, for me, they're completely different. I won't say one is better than another............. they're just different

[Teetype]

This question is for those of you who have gone on both land resort vaca's and cruises. We are trying to decide between land in either jamaica or mexico or a cruise. There are pros and cons to both and truthfully Mexico scares me because (and maybe this is a misconception) so many people get sick in Mexico.

 

Being that I have never done either, and truthfully never been on a vaca in my adult life, I was wondering what your opinions were.

 

Any advice would be great, my mind is just swimming with all the options. My husband said we can go anywhere I want and at first I thought that was the coolest thing in the world until I realized there were more options than I could float through on my own. I am so honored at his generocity but now I need help sorting things out.

 

Thanks for any help at all!

 

One note on "all-inclusive." I drink VERY sparingly, as does my husband. I truly feel those who gain the most from the all inclusive idea are those who imbibe a good deal, as at most AIs liquors are included. In our case, it's like paying for others to drink.

 

Tee

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

We have done both -- did a land vacation in Jamaica years ago -- don't like that place.

[78232]

Hawaii is the most beautiful place I've ever seen. A land vacation at an upscale hotel in Hawaii is wonderful but very expensive, so..we like to cruise as a great second choice. Most meals and entertainment are paid for with the original price so its easier to buget. Also the idea of unpacking once and seeing lots of places and the great service is pretty attactive. Do your research and determine which cruise line is the best fit for you before booking. Have a great trip where ever you go.

[cruiseapril]

Agree that a cruise is a good way to visit many ports and find a place you really like for a land vacation.

 

When we cruise, we try to do an island excursion in the morning to see as much as we can in 3 or 4 hrs. Then, in the afternoon we explore the ports or go to a beach to relax. We've been to a few ports twice and know we would like to spend a week there.

 

We've enjoyed quite a few land vacations in the Caribbean (Aruba, Bonaire, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico) but find our cruises more interesting because of the change of scenery in one vacation.:)

[sunsurf]

This question is for those of you who have gone on both land resort vaca's and cruises. We are trying to decide between land in either jamaica or mexico or a cruise. There are pros and cons to both and truthfully Mexico scares me because (and maybe this is a misconception) so many people get sick in Mexico.

 

Being that I have never done either, and truthfully never been on a vaca in my adult life, I was wondering what your opinions were.

 

Any advice would be great, my mind is just swimming with all the options. My husband said we can go anywhere I want and at first I thought that was the coolest thing in the world until I realized there were more options than I could float through on my own. I am so honored at his generocity but now I need help sorting things out.

 

Thanks for any help at all!

 

 

My suggestion would be to look around and really do some research on some islands..work with a TA. They are a wealth of knowledge! We do a land based vacation every year and have just started taking cruises last year. Although we love cruising...nothing quite compares to our land vacations. Its all a matter of personal choice and really comes down to what you're looking for (relaxtion & beaches, nightlife, adventure, big hotel vs small boutique style hotels, all inclusive vs non, and what kind of budget you have.

 

I think Mexico and Jamaica are great choices for a first timer and have a bit of everything. If you're thinking Mexico... Playa Del Carmen is a gem and for Jamaica..I'd say Negril. Great beaches, great food and great people. It rocks! Be warned though...you'll get mixed reviews on this destination and this may become another " I hate Jamaica thread" Just remember the people on these boards are just a small percentage of travellers. Check out Trip advisor. www.tripadvisor.com Great website with reviews and forums for every destination.

 

Good luck with your decison making! There are some really stunning places out there!!

[Wylie Coyote]

I started to write an essay on the 2 choices... but heck.... first vacation, I would go Mexico on an All Inclusive resort (noted here on this thread as AI) land vacation (Cabo San Lucas = Great City and Beach Fun & Cancun = Great Beaches and Ocean Swimming) . You can relax, eat, drink and do other things if you choose outside of the resort. BUT, the price of food at all resort restaurants, drinks, (booze too), hotel and a great beach are all generally included in the price.

 

However, if you choose a cruise, I am sure you will not be disappointed. I love to cruise too.

 

BTW: Avoid Jamaica. IT SUX

 

Have a good trip.

[househunter]

We spend up to a month each year in Mexico, ususally Cabo but have been to other places as well as we have never been sick?:confused: However we have both been sick with the Noro Virus on a cruise and that was not fun. Not sure why you think you would get sick in Mexico? I would be more scared to go to Jamaica than almost anywhere unless you just planned on staying at your resort the whole time.

 

As you can see from my signature, we have been on quite a few cruises but we love our land vacations more. We like to get out and explore the countries that we visit and you just can't do that on a cruise. A cruise is a great way of getting a taste of places so you know where to go back to later. The food is not that great at an AI, about the same as on a cruise but not fresh made to order food that you can get in a local restaurant, we especially love all the fresh seafood in Mexico. You just can't get that on a cruise or at an AI- you will be getting frozen mass prepared meals at both.

 

We would never do an all-inclusive on a land vacation though. Then you are just stuck at your resort and don't get a chance to experience the local cuisine which is one of our favorite parts of vacationing. I would much rather do a cruise than an all-inclusive on land.

 

Cruises are fun! Beautiful scenery and a way to see a few ports that you may not get to visit otherwise. But if you really want to get to know a place, a land vacation is the only way to go.

 

Good luck in your decision!

[Solara]

I would pick the cruise vacation. You get to visit lots of different places and you still only need to unpack once.