all inclusive vs. cruise ??

[steph_texas]

ok "mates" - my mom is turning 60 in November... she wants to do something MEMORABLE.... but she cant take vacation til Thanksgiving week.... we are considering the "mates" trip... but that may be out of bounds budget wise....

Who has any info to share on all-inclusive resorts ? I will have a 14 yr old who doesnt like to participate in "teen" activities... so have to make sure something for him also... need your words of wisdom maties !!

Thanks as always,
Steph

[PapaBill]

You might want to look at cruises that are more local to your area. May I presume from your login in name that Texas is your home? There are now ships sailing from ports in Texas and elsewhere in the south and anything prior to Dec 15th or so should be fairly cheap.
I have also gone to a number of all inclusives and would suggest that if you are shopping price, look into all inclusives in the Dominican Republic.
There are several nice (and not expensive) all inclusive options in Aruba. A safe island with very much to do for ALL ages from casinos, to shopping to great beaches and water sports to island exploring . Weather is virtuallly a lock in Aruba as it is out of track for tropical storms and almost never rains.
That's my 2 cents worth .
Hope your trip works out.

[Dorothy]

My 13 didn't really participate in the teen activities (much) on board, but he STILL had a good time. I find there is plenty for teens to do, even if it's just hang out together, volleyball, ping pong, swim, putting contests, attend the activities, etc.

And I'll bet your Mom would *love* a cruise.

dorothy

[steph_texas]

shes not too sure, considering how sick I got last time... we would love to be part of the Mates group... would make it even more special... but airfare from nowhere to Miami is a killer alone !

[LisaK]

steph, post a request for a cruise out of Texas in the Bargain Finder's section of this board. You will be contacted by reputable TA's with great prices, avoiding airfare maybe.
As for the teens, most of them end up just hanging out with eachother, somehow,someway they always manage to find one another, must be some sort of teen radar. Our teens didn't do the teen activites, they did take advantage of the computer games in the teen center, the took part in the sports and games, hung out at the pools and hot tubs.