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Xelindrya
Mommy's little YouTube Star!
Member since 8/05 14470 total posts
Name:
Veronica
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Help me decide: Where to vacation LOL
I plan out WAY in advance for all my trips. So I'm planning NEXT year's trip and the year after.
So just for fun, what would you choose?
Disney – Obvious with a 4yr old, right? But also it will be our 10yr anniversary of our Civil Court wedding. We spent our 2004 honeymoon in Disney and always said we’d make it back for our 10yr. This would be a year early. Could I bring my small niece with us? She’ll be 2. Disney is just so familiar and easy. For me I find it affordable and easy in and out with flights, etc. Its like visiting an old friend. One you have a LOT of fun with.
Mackinac Island, MI (tiny little island WAAAAAAAY up north)– We had originally planned to go here in June of 2009. Instead I moved to Texas. I cancelled our trip including a rental near a beach. We had planned to do the tour of The Grand Hotel and enjoy the relaxation while seeing the Butterfly exhibit and maybe catch a parade. The island has a NO VEHICLE policy. So everything is horse drawn. You fly into a nearby city and ferry across. My family (Dad, etc) could come with us as it’s two day drive from their home. They had originally planned on going with us. We could either fly in or make it a half and half trip. Half at my parents, one day on the road with a stop at the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, OH and then the next 3days on the island.
St. Thomas. Well we do NOT have nor will we GET passports. But I believe we can go to St. Thomas. Not 100% sure. I’ve never been on a cruise. It looks pretty.
So if you had to choose for next year, where would you go?
Always traveling with my 4yr old (at that time).
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Posted 6/11/12 12:41 PM  |
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BunnyWife
Insert Witty Comment Here
Member since 5/07 8274 total posts
Name:
BunnyWife
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Re: Help me decide: Where to vacation LOL
I'm not a Disney person so I'd say nay to the first choice.
I've been to MI and it's very nice.
I've only been to the BVI's and they are gorgeous. Have heard very good things about the USVI as well. Would probably choose this option.
Just a curious nosy question: Why are you not open to getting a passport? You'd have many more options for vacations if you had one.
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| Posted 6/11/12 12:51 PM |
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Lisa
I'm a PANK!!!
Member since 5/05 22334 total posts
Name:
Professional Aunts No Kids
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Re: Help me decide: Where to vacation LOL
forget going on a cruise...you will need a passport for all cruises because its some sort of maritime law that the ship needs to stop at a foreign port some time in the cruise. The ship can not make a round trip in the states without stopping in a foreign port.
When we went to Hawaii....we left from LA...cruised to Hawaii but on the way home we stopped in Ensaeda Mexico for a 4 hours stop.
I say Mackinac Island, MI! That place looks great!
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| Posted 6/11/12 12:54 PM |
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ny55angel
car seat tech & geek :-)
Member since 2/06 4346 total posts
Name:
P
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Re: Help me decide: Where to vacation LOL
I'd say MI. It's different, simple, quaint, and you can see more of your family that way.
Disney will always be there, and while AJ will enjoy it, she will enjoy it no matter when you go.
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| Posted 6/11/12 1:17 PM |
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Blazesyth
*yawn*
Member since 5/05 8129 total posts
Name:
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Re: Help me decide: Where to vacation LOL
Posted by Lisa
forget going on a cruise...you will need a passport for all cruises because its some sort of maritime law that the ship needs to stop at a foreign port some time in the cruise. The ship can not make a round trip in the states without stopping in a foreign port.
It depends where that foreign port is. Bahamas does not require a passport, just photo ID.
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| Posted 6/11/12 1:36 PM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Help me decide: Where to vacation LOL
I LOVE Disney World and can obviously help with that.
But here's another thought, kind of combining a fe of your ideas - How about a Disney Cruise out of Galveston, TX? I think you're in TX. Ig'm not sure how far that is from you or if you'd need a flight, but you'd get the Disney experience AND get to see the islands. It's TOTALLY relaxing, and the kids' clubs and adult restaurants would give you some alone time with DH
ETA: I just saw the no passports thing. Hmmm... I don't know. I would think about getting one. You can SOMETIMES cruise with an enhanced DL.
Message edited 6/11/2012 1:39:56 PM.
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| Posted 6/11/12 1:37 PM |
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kahlua716
3 Girls for Me!
Member since 8/07 12475 total posts
Name:
Keri
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Re: Help me decide: Where to vacation LOL
Posted by JenniferEver
I LOVE Disney World and can obviously help with that.
But here's another thought, kind of combining a fe of your ideas - How about a Disney Cruise out of Galveston, TX? I think you're in TX. Ig'm not sure how far that is from you or if you'd need a flight, but you'd get the Disney experience AND get to see the islands. It's TOTALLY relaxing, and the kids' clubs and adult restaurants would give you some alone time with DH
ETA: I just saw the no passports thing. Hmmm... I don't know. I would think about getting one. You can SOMETIMES cruise with an enhanced DL.
I agree- look into a Disney cruise!
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| Posted 6/11/12 1:49 PM |
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Xelindrya
Mommy's little YouTube Star!
Member since 8/05 14470 total posts
Name:
Veronica
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Re: Help me decide: Where to vacation LOL
I totally love the person who voted no due to Zombies! LOL
I can get a passport and so can my daughter. My husband can not.
Hong Kong went back to China but his mother came here with him under her passport then after he was an adult she became a US Citizen and etc, etc. He needs to get citizenship since he can't keep his British Citizen ship without this father's signature on documents and his Father is seriously MIA
So for long story short. No passport for him.
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| Posted 6/11/12 2:20 PM |
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sasha96
lovin' my 2 little ladies!
Member since 5/05 7401 total posts
Name:
Julianne
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Re: Help me decide: Where to vacation LOL
Posted by Lisa
forget going on a cruise...you will need a passport for all cruises because its some sort of maritime law that the ship needs to stop at a foreign port some time in the cruise. The ship can not make a round trip in the states without stopping in a foreign port.
When we went to Hawaii....we left from LA...cruised to Hawaii but on the way home we stopped in Ensaeda Mexico for a 4 hours stop.
I say Mackinac Island, MI! That place looks great!
you could cruise with just passports. it would be closed loop cruise. we just got back from a Disney Cruise (excellent)...left out of NY, went to the Bahamas, Port Canaveral, then back to NY. We didn't need passports for anyone. I think looking into a Disney cruise of some sort would be a great option! They even have some that just go to their island, Castaway Cay.
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| Posted 6/11/12 2:21 PM |
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Xelindrya
Mommy's little YouTube Star!
Member since 8/05 14470 total posts
Name:
Veronica
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Re: Help me decide: Where to vacation LOL
Got back from Maui two years ago so Hawaii is off the list for another 2 years. I try not to cycle back for 4 years. Hawaii was WAY too expensive to put back on the list this fast.
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| Posted 6/11/12 2:23 PM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Help me decide: Where to vacation LOL
You can do a closed-loop cruise, usually with birth certificates and photo ID. The Disney EASTERN Caribbean stops at Castaway Cay and St. Thomas, where you would not need a PP., but you'd just enjoy the ship at St. Maarten. This cruise is from Pt. Canaveral though, not galveston. The Galveston cruises go to Mexico.
I think the Bahamas or Eastern Caribbean out of Pt. Canaveral would work, and if you can go during the school year, the rates are MUCH lower.
DH and I did a Disney Cruise on a whim in March and it was one of the best, most relaxing vacations we've ever taken. We're 100% hooked on it now!
And there is SOOOOO much for the kids to do. DD won't want to leave the kids' club. She's the perfect age because she can swim in the pools AND do the kids club activities. We also loved that the characters are EVERYWHERE on a Disney Cruise.
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| Posted 6/11/12 2:43 PM |
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tourist
Member since 5/05 10425 total posts
Name:
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Re: Help me decide: Where to vacation LOL
Posted by Xelindrya
I totally love the person who voted no due to Zombies! LOL
I can get a passport and so can my daughter. My husband can not.
Hong Kong went back to China but his mother came here with him under her passport then after he was an adult she became a US Citizen and etc, etc. He needs to get citizenship since he can't keep his British Citizen ship without this father's signature on documents and his Father is seriously MIA
So for long story short. No passport for him.
So, he is a citizen of nowhere? Aww...
US citizens don't need a passport to travel to territories, but if your DH is not one, I don't know if this applies to him. I guess it depends on his legal status. Also, how they know you ar ento a citizen, if you don't have to have a a pssport is beyong me.
I would go to the USVI. St. Thomas wasn't my favorite Carribbearn Island, but since your options are limited it is a good choice. You will definiely feel like you got "away" but withouth the passport issue.
There is an Aquarium type place (Coral World) that is good for kids, and I did enjoy the beach we went to. The water is so warm & calm, it would be fine for your daughter (with your supervision of course), even if she isn't a great swimmer yet. We also took a ferry to St. John from there for a nature hike & then a beach, and that was definitely worth it.
What about Puerto Rico? You don't need a passport to go there.
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| Posted 6/11/12 5:14 PM |
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MrsPJB2007
MBA at your service!
Member since 7/06 12020 total posts
Name:
MJ
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Re: Help me decide: Where to vacation LOL
Posted by tourist
So, he is a citizen of nowhere? Aww...
US citizens don't need a passport to travel to territories, but if your DH is not one, I don't know if this applies to him. I guess it depends on his legal status. Also, how they know you ar ento a citizen, if you don't have to have a a pssport is beyong me.
I would go to the USVI. St. Thomas wasn't my favorite Carribbearn Island, but since your options are limited it is a good choice. You will definiely feel like you got "away" but withouth the passport issue.
What about Puerto Rico? You don't need a passport to go there.
The issue with passports isn't about getting into another country, it's about getting back into the US. Based on the OP's description I would guess her DH is likely an overstay out of status/illegal. Anywhere that you go outside the continental US runs the risk of getting caught when trying to re-enter the states. Even a place like PR or the USVI you can encounter a customs agent or CIS rep who can ask you to verify your citizenship or status. When my parents returned from PR a customs agent asked my father for his passport. My dad Is from Peru and Definitely looks Peruvian im guessing they Wanted to make sure he didnt travel to PR and was trying to enter illegally who knows but thankfully he is a naturalized citizen and always brings it on vacation.
That's why the state department still strongly suggests every person travel with a passport even if you are going to a US territory by boat.
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| Posted 6/11/12 7:02 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
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Re: Help me decide: Where to vacation LOL
I say VI since you have been to Disney. Mackinac is nice, we used to go a lot growing up, as we lived a few hours away, but not worth a trip for someone as far away as you IMO.
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| Posted 6/11/12 7:08 PM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Help me decide: Where to vacation LOL
Another issue is safety.Let's say you're on a cruise and there's an emergency and you HAVE to get off the ship in a foreign country or you need to fly home from a foreign country, you're going to have big problems.
I'm sure there's a way for DH to resolve this. Good Luck!
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| Posted 6/11/12 7:34 PM |
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NAK729
LIF Infant
Member since 9/11 113 total posts
Name:
Nancy
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Re: Help me decide: Where to vacation LOL
FYI......
We're going on a cruise in December through Hawaii. We do NOT need a passport. We're taking NCL Pride of America and it starts and ends in Hawaii. Since we're not leaving the USA, we DO NOT need a passport...only a valid photo ID.
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| Posted 6/11/12 8:49 PM |
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Xelindrya
Mommy's little YouTube Star!
Member since 8/05 14470 total posts
Name:
Veronica
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Re: Help me decide: Where to vacation LOL
He's a legal US Permanent Resident
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| Posted 6/12/12 8:45 AM |
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Xelindrya
Mommy's little YouTube Star!
Member since 8/05 14470 total posts
Name:
Veronica
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Re: Help me decide: Where to vacation LOL
Ironically I have been to PR after the passport law change. No issues for HIM but issues for ME! They asked me 3 times to make sure I was who I said I was. On the 4th time I finally got scared enough to ask why (after I pointed to my hubby and said "Im with HIM" and yes my hubby first looked like "who? what?" I nearly died). They said they were concerned about cubans and mexicans using PR as a crossing point. 
So I guess they didn't care about the Chinese National as much 
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| Posted 6/12/12 8:47 AM |
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MrsPJB2007
MBA at your service!
Member since 7/06 12020 total posts
Name:
MJ
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Re: Help me decide: Where to vacation LOL
Posted by Xelindrya
He's a legal US Permanent Resident
If he's been one for 5 years of more he can apply for U.S. Citizenship on his own without his mom. Just an FYI
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| Posted 6/12/12 9:23 AM |
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Xelindrya
Mommy's little YouTube Star!
Member since 8/05 14470 total posts
Name:
Veronica
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Re: Help me decide: Where to vacation LOL
Posted by MrsPJB2007
Posted by Xelindrya
He's a legal US Permanent Resident
If he's been one for 5 years of more he can apply for U.S. Citizenship on his own without his mom. Just an FYI
Yeah I'm aware and so is he. Its just expensive. And frankly its a conversation we've had SEVERAL times!  The 'conversations' started when we got married in 2003 so you get the idea. LOL
Still waiting. Heck we even have a blank check from my FIL to pay for any attorney or fees to get it done. So why is it men are so lazy?
Message edited 6/12/2012 2:50:29 PM.
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| Posted 6/12/12 2:50 PM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Help me decide: Where to vacation LOL
Posted by Xelindrya
Posted by MrsPJB2007
Posted by Xelindrya
He's a legal US Permanent Resident
If he's been one for 5 years of more he can apply for U.S. Citizenship on his own without his mom. Just an FYI
Yeah I'm aware and so is he. Its just expensive. And frankly its a conversation we've had SEVERAL times! The 'conversations' started when we got married in 2003 so you get the idea. LOL
Still waiting. Heck we even have a blank check from my FIL to pay for any attorney or fees to get it done. So why is it men are so lazy?
Pick out a beautiful vacation and tempt him with it! Maybe that will light a fire!
I can relate, my DH can be a huge procrastinator, too
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| Posted 6/12/12 3:54 PM |
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MrsPJB2007
MBA at your service!
Member since 7/06 12020 total posts
Name:
MJ
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Re: Help me decide: Where to vacation LOL
Posted by Xelindrya
Yeah I'm aware and so is he. Its just expensive. And frankly its a conversation we've had SEVERAL times! The 'conversations' started when we got married in 2003 so you get the idea. LOL
Still waiting. Heck we even have a blank check from my FIL to pay for any attorney or fees to get it done. So why is it men are so lazy?
That would definitely anger me if I were you because it's limiting you in choices. To be honest you probably could do it yourself if you don't want to spend money on an attorney. Getting the paperwork to become an LPR is hard but becoming a citizen is not that bad. You can find out all the info on the USCIS website and just do it yourself. Make him sign the application and do the work yourself and send the documents.
If you need assistance feel free to FM me because this is something I do in my office.
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| Posted 6/12/12 9:00 PM |
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