Group family spring break trip - need advice

[republion]

Seeking recommendations for 5 families doing a senior high school spring break for our boys. Looking for tropical location. I've been tasked with finding an option that is different from the current options which are all-inclusive resorts in either Cancun, Punta Cana, or Jamaica. There are no plans to leave the resort, so to me, the current options aren't much different from each other. For each family, all in (flights, all-inclusive, etc), the cost will range from about $5K to $8K per family, depending on what room option each family chooses and how many family members each family brings.

What I'd like to know is if anyone could recommend a different option where we pool our money together and get a much better experience for the same price- $30-40K. Everyone likes the idea of "all-inclusive" and having access to a casino. That being said, last time I checked, a casino will take anyones money, not just those people staying on resort.

MUST HAVES:
- tropical beach location
- access to casino
- 18 and over drinking age
- somewhat easy travel access via flights (Costa Rica could be too long of a travel day)

Another thing that would be nice is to have other tourists of like mind as these high school senior boys, as the trip is designed around them. SO going completely remote from the world probably isn't something they want.

If anyone knows of a great experience, let me know. Maybe our current options are the best options, but just didn't want to book any of those while missing out on something we hadn't even thought of. Thanks.

(And please don't tell me how spoiled these little brats are- trust me, I know. The one and only spring break I went on- high school or college- was when I was at Penn State and we went to FL..... on a bus).

 

[AWS1022]

Seeking recommendations for 5 families doing a senior high school spring break for our boys. Looking for tropical location. I've been tasked with finding an option that is different from the current options which are all-inclusive resorts in either Cancun, Punta Cana, or Jamaica. There are no plans to leave the resort, so to me, the current options aren't much different from each other. For each family, all in (flights, all-inclusive, etc), the cost will range from about $5K to $8K per family, depending on what room option each family chooses and how many family members each family brings.

What I'd like to know is if anyone could recommend a different option where we pool our money together and get a much better experience for the same price- $30-40K. Everyone likes the idea of "all-inclusive" and having access to a casino. That being said, last time I checked, a casino will take anyones money, not just those people staying on resort.

MUST HAVES:
- tropical beach location
- access to casino
- 18 and over drinking age
- somewhat easy travel access via flights (Costa Rica could be too long of a travel day)

Another thing that would be nice to have is other tourists of like mind as these high school senior boys, as the trip is designed around them.
If anyone knows of a great experience, let me know. Maybe our current options are the best options, but just didn't want to book any of those while missing out on something we hadn't even thought of. Thanks.

(And please don't tell me how spoiled these little brats are- trust me, I know. The one and only spring break I went on- high school or college- was when I was at Penn State and we went to FL..... on a bus).

My recommendation is to leave the families behind and go by yourself.

 

[LandoComando]

Seeking recommendations for 5 families doing a senior high school spring break for our boys. Looking for tropical location. I've been tasked with finding an option that is different from the current options which are all-inclusive resorts in either Cancun, Punta Cana, or Jamaica. There are no plans to leave the resort, so to me, the current options aren't much different from each other. For each family, all in (flights, all-inclusive, etc), the cost will range from about $5K to $8K per family, depending on what room option each family chooses and how many family members each family brings.

What I'd like to know is if anyone could recommend a different option where we pool our money together and get a much better experience for the same price- $30-40K. Everyone likes the idea of "all-inclusive" and having access to a casino. That being said, last time I checked, a casino will take anyones money, not just those people staying on resort.

MUST HAVES:
- tropical beach location
- access to casino
- 18 and over drinking age
- somewhat easy travel access via flights (Costa Rica could be too long of a travel day)

Another thing that would be nice is to have other tourists of like mind as these high school senior boys, as the trip is designed around them. SO going completely remote from the world probably isn't something they want.

If anyone knows of a great experience, let me know. Maybe our current options are the best options, but just didn't want to book any of those while missing out on something we hadn't even thought of. Thanks.

(And please don't tell me how spoiled these little brats are- trust me, I know. The one and only spring break I went on- high school or college- was when I was at Penn State and we went to FL..... on a bus).

I think you really have all the options because you need/want the security of a resort. Have fun...that trips sounds like my nightmare. I'd rather just send the boys and have all the families chip in for them.

 

[republion]

My recommendation is to leave the families behind and go by yourself.

Or stay behind and send the family. Either way, great advice!

 

[LandoComando]

Or stay behind and send the family. Either way, great advice!

Staycations can be the best lol

 

[republion]

I think you really have all the options because you need/want the security of a resort. Have fun...that trips sounds like my nightmare. I'd rather just send the boys and have all the families chip in for them.

Yes, security of the resort is a MAJOR consideration. That being said, it doesn't have to be Cancun, DR, or Jamaica.

 

[crazyivan77]

Aruba.
Rent a timeshare week on redweek. Marriott Surf club is great, suites with full kitchens can sleep 6-8. Great beaches, casinos, restaurants. Direct flights from most east coast airports.

 

[91Joe95]

Have you ruled out a cruise with lots of stops and outdoor activities at each stop?

 

[republion]

Have you ruled out a cruise with lots of stops and outdoor activities at each stop?

Yes, we have ruled out a cruise. It's been discussed, but several of the families aren't into cruises, so it got shot down.

 

[Ralphie_]

I second Aruba. Very safe.

 

[91Joe95]

Have you tried calling a travel agent? They still exist and this seems right up their alley as far as group size, getting an all inclusive package, and at a reasonable price because of size and their connections.

 

[republion]

Have you tried calling a travel agent? They still exist and this seems right up their alley as far as group size, getting an all inclusive package, and at a reasonable price because of size and their connections.

Yes. We have someone in the group calling them Monday. Thanks.

 

[voltz99]

Seeking recommendations for 5 families doing a senior high school spring break for our boys. Looking for tropical location. I've been tasked with finding an option that is different from the current options which are all-inclusive resorts in either Cancun, Punta Cana, or Jamaica. There are no plans to leave the resort, so to me, the current options aren't much different from each other. For each family, all in (flights, all-inclusive, etc), the cost will range from about $5K to $8K per family, depending on what room option each family chooses and how many family members each family brings.

What I'd like to know is if anyone could recommend a different option where we pool our money together and get a much better experience for the same price- $30-40K. Everyone likes the idea of "all-inclusive" and having access to a casino. That being said, last time I checked, a casino will take anyones money, not just those people staying on resort.

MUST HAVES:
- tropical beach location
- access to casino
- 18 and over drinking age
- somewhat easy travel access via flights (Costa Rica could be too long of a travel day)

Another thing that would be nice is to have other tourists of like mind as these high school senior boys, as the trip is designed around them. SO going completely remote from the world probably isn't something they want.

If anyone knows of a great experience, let me know. Maybe our current options are the best options, but just didn't want to book any of those while missing out on something we hadn't even thought of. Thanks.

(And please don't tell me how spoiled these little brats are- trust me, I know. The one and only spring break I went on- high school or college- was when I was at Penn State and we went to FL..... on a bus).

5 families all agreeing on travel plans? Good luck with that You have enough trouble dealing with one wife. Now you will have to deal with 5.

 

[Nittany1997]

Maldives.


End thread here.

 

[republion]

Maldives.


End thread here.

Doesn't exactly check the "easy travel" box, but heard.

 

[fbh1]

Doesn't exactly check the "easy travel" box, but heard.

My wife is a travel agent and she agrees that Aruba might be a really good option. Good luck getting consensus from 5 different families.

 

[republion]

My wife is a travel agent and she agrees that Aruba might be a really good option. Good luck getting consensus from 5 different families.

All the families have traveled together before and are very agreeable. I’m probably the least agreeable out of the bunch lol and I’ll roll with whatever people want. I don’t think any of the options will suck and we are all wanting to be within the same price range.

 

[fbh1]

All the families have traveled together before and are very agreeable. I’m probably the least agreeable out of the bunch lol and I’ll roll with whatever people want. I don’t think any of the options will suck and we are all wanting to be within the same price range.

We've been to Aruba and it has everything you were looking for... Have a great time where ever you go...