Family Caribbean vacations

By Emily Kruckemyer

updated 2:42 p.m. ET July 6, 2005

There's never been a better time to take a family vacation in the Caribbean. Activity-packed resorts and cruise ships know how to entertain kids of all ages, villas are outfitted with families in mind, sailboats are bristling with toys, and eco-adventures like scuba diving await. Here are 21 tips for trips that — dare we say it? — are fun for the entire family.

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld joked that “there’s no such thing as ‘fun for the whole family.’” It sounds like the Seinfelds never chartered a catamaran in the Grenadines, lived it up at an activity-packed resort on Curaçao or a beachfront villa on St. Thomas, sailed together on a Windjammer cruise or snorkeled en famille on a coral reef. While the Caribbean may be better known for its romantic retreats, the following slew of suggestions proves that there’s no need to leave the kids at home — the region is an ideal place for whole-family fun. Seriously.

THE RIGHT RESORT
When you’re traveling as a family, it’s hard to beat the simplicity of a resort vacation. Caribbean hoteliers have perfected a colorful menu of accommodations, amenities and activities to make everyone happy — including Mom and Dad, who can even grab some alone time thanks to kids’ programs.

But before packing up the resort wear, consider your particular needs. If you have very young children, a beachfront room can be worth the extra cost so that laid-back beach days don’t turn into pack-mule expeditions. With older kids, a less expensive pool-view room might suit everyone fine, and you can spend the balance on snorkeling trips or windsurfing lessons. Unless you’re going to an all-inclusive, investigate the property’s menus — meals can mount up — and the proximity of lower-cost off-site restaurants. And by all means schedule at least a couple of day trips away from the resort to introduce the kids to some local color and culture.

Beaches Resorts
A division of the Sandals empire, Beaches operates four family-oriented all-inclusive resorts — three on Jamaica and one in the Turks and Caicos. Sesame Streeters can take nature walks with Grover and bake cookies with a certain cookie-loving monster. Console commandos will enjoy hanging out in the Xbox Oasis Game. And Pirates Island at Beaches Negril and Beaches Turks and Caicos is a kids-only water park, complete with swim-up soda bar and a game room.
Contact: 888-BEACHES.

SuperClubs’ Breezes Curaçao Resort Spa & Casino
The all-inclusive chain Breezes caters to families at the Curaçao Resort Spa & Casino. Camp Breezes (ages 2 to 17) gives kids the opportunity to learn trapeze flying, visit the Seaquarium and perform at a talent night. The older crowd has options like toga parties, rock climbing and ice-skating. Contact: 877-467-8737.

Wyndham Rose Hall Resort & Country Club, Jamaica
Built on an 18th-century sugar plantation, the Wyndham Rose Hall recently expanded to include a water park with three pools, a 280-foot slide and a “lazy river” that winds through a jungle garden. The Kid’s Klub (ages 4 to 12) offers complimentary events and outings: glass-bottom boat tours, lizard nature hikes and pirates’ treasure hunts. Contact: 800-WYNDHAM.

Coral by Hilton
Family travel is made budget-friendly at the four Coral by Hilton all-inclusive properties in the Dominican Republic. Under the Very Important Children program, children under 5 stay free; there’s a $30 supplement per day for kids 5 to 12. Coralin Kidz Paradise provides sports clinics, mini-golf and eco-friendly programs that teach awareness of the local rhinoceros iguana. And get this: The resort throws in a one-day four-hour baby-sitting service gratis.
Contact: 877-GO-HILTON.

Viva Resorts
This group of eight hotels in the Bahamas, Dominican Republic and Mexican Caribbean caters to active families. Each hotel has a Kids Club (ages 4 to 12) with windsurfing, archery, kayaking, pool games and beach time. Each property also has a kiddie pool, play area and mini-disco.
Contact: 800-898-9968.

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