where should i go for vacation

[Venetia]

I have a choice between 2 different vacations (w/ my bf) for my birthday.
(i always ask to GO somewhere instead of GET something.)
(my 27th b-day is on Oct. 22nd. we're buying tickets & planning shit early.)

Both options cost approx the same after all basic expenses (so don't worry about that), and either would span the same timeframe: 8 days/7 nights in late October.



Which would you prefer?

Option #1: Rest & Reminisce

A trip to Lake Tahoe to stay in a luxurious cabin overlooking the lake.
It would be on the California side of it (info: http://www.tahoe.com/ ).

For 1 or 2 days, we would go down to San Diego (my hometown). My bf has never been there, so I would show him where I grew up. We would probably go to the Wild Animal Park at some point, b/c it's my favorite zoo ever (I love zoos). I could introduce him to a few old friends of mine who I've kept in touch with over the years. The rest of the time would be spent hiking and doing general camping activities.

Would probably be very relaxing & romantic.





Option #2: Booze Cruise

A trip on the Norwegian Star cruise ship.
(info: http://www2.ncl.com/cruise-ship/star/overview )
(itinerary: http://www2.ncl.com/itinerary?N=0&N...=true&width=934&height=526&name=itinerary_map )

A local radio station show does this yearly cruise/party thing, and it happens to be happening on the day after my b-day.
Destinations are Roatan (Honduras), Belize, Costa Maya (Mexico), and Cozumel (Mexico). Since we'd be doing it as a part of the radio show crew, we'd be able to go to some special RSVP parties and excursions. From what I've heard from past years, it's a blast. And there'd be some celebrities there, probably comedians.
We haven't looked too much at excursions yet, but I'll likely try to work in some sort of eco tour and some ATVs somewhere. On the ship, it will be a lot of partying, getting drunk, and buffets.

Would probably be very exciting & debauched.





Comparison

PROS

OPTION 1: TAHOE	- PROS			OPTION 2: CRUISE - PROS

--------------------------------	--------------------------------



+ I haven't been back to Cali for	+ I've never been to Roatan, Belize,

  over 5 years. I miss it.		  or Costa Maya. 



+ Would be reconnecting with old	+ Would be meeting some B/C-level celebs

  friends and nostalgia.		  and a bunch of new people.



+ My favorite restaurants & great	+ 24-hour buffets. From what I've heard,

  food! Much better than here.		  Norwegian cruise lines have great food.



+ Relaxing. No stress.			+ Exciting. Lots to do.



+ Private hiking through mountains.	+ Guided hiking through jungles/caves.



+ Wild Animal Park, and maybe Six	+ Excursions & RSVP parties

  Flags Magic Mountain.



+ Beautiful, spacious cabin.		+ Scalding hot showers and internet access.



+ Free accomodations (friend's cabin).	+ Free food & non-alcholic drinks.



+ Quiet, untouched nature.		+ Exotic locales & nightlife.

CONS

OPTION 1: TAHOE	- CONS			OPTION 2: CRUISE - CONS

--------------------------------	--------------------------------



- Car rentals & a few long drives.	- Booze is expensive on cruises.



- May bump into people I know and	- New acquaintances may be shitty or

  reaaalllly don't like.		  annoying.



- No internet. Cabin is solar-powered 	- Small accomodations. Would probably

  with a gas-powered generator.		  get an interior (no view) room.



- May be pretty cold/snowy at night.	- October is a rainy month in the

  					  Carribean.



- Will have to pay for all food.	- Won't get any private meals in our room.



- I don't have any cold weather gear.	- My skin burns SUPER EASILY. And I

  Will have to buy all new stuff.	  REALLY hate the smell of sun lotion.



- I've been there before.		- I've been to Cozumel before.

Thoughts!

 

[Anski]

Cruise. They're a hell of a blast, and believe me, rain or shine, it's going to be party hard. Just make sure you have condoms on you. You will, like I did, reach the point of being so drunk that morality is a joke and it's time to fuck whatever walks. However, no matter how drunk you are, you seem to always remember you have condoms. I know you are the XX chromo but just in case you slip out of your boyfriends view for a while, best be prepared than walking off of that boat with a kiddo.

 

[Glitchfinder]

I'd totally go for nostalgia over a cruise. I've done the cruise thing before, it wasn't exactly what it was marketed as. Nostalgia never fails to bring back old memories, feelings, and, in many cases, can make a trip much more special than just going to new places and getting drunk.

Then again, I'm sorta biased. I hate alcohol, and have lived in and loved California for my whole life. I've been all over the state on trips, though, along with other places, so I do appreciate the natural beauty it holds. Just make sure that if you go to Tahoe, you make the hike down to that castle. It's always a fun place to stop by.

 

[Perihelion]

Imo you should pick the cruise, although wild parties aren't personally my idea of a good time. Traveling and experiencing new things is always good. You know what your hometown is like already.

 

[Gubid]

Personally I would say Cali. Cruises just arent my thing.

 

[Venetia]

@anski: Heh.
Well, I'm bringing the pork with me, so I won't need to scope for seconds. But if there's some available roast beef about, we may be able to wrangle a smorgasbord


@Glitch: Yeah, I love California too. And I've only passed through Tahoe before, never stayed there. Only problem is that it typically starts to snow in Tahoe in October and I don't own any cold weather gear, so I'll have to buy a bunch of stuff I wouldn't need anymore afterward. And we've never driven in snowy conditions so that's a little worrying! But it would definitely be fun. Plus, I totally forgot, my BF's best friend moved to Cali (the one that owns the cabin!) so I'd be able to meet his friend.


@Peri: Yeah that's what I'd most be excited about. Partying is fun, but I'm absolutely itching to travel to places I've never been. That's why this decision is so hard ;-;

 

[Perihelion]

You're homesick now, but if you passed up the chance to visit some new places, would you regret it more than not going to Cali in the longterm? Then again, there's something to be said for relaxation. I guess it also depends on how stressed you've been lately and whatnot.

 

[RavenTDA]

Flip a coin.

Personally cruises are something I'd never go on. I also really like to relax. Maybe you could just think of a different trip with the best of both worlds. Seeing new places sounds really fun but if you don't like it... you're kinda stuck on that boat for a while, unlike if you go on a road trip it's like you can do whatever you want.

 

[Ares]

You should actually flip a coin! Your subconsiousness already knows which trip you prefer, and if you flip a coin and pick the "wrong" one you will feel it. At least, that is how I take some decisions, and for me it works.

 

[united washcloth express]

Would you rather have a massive sex orgy in the woods, or on a boat?

That is the question you need to answer.

 

[coreball]

Tahoe!

I've only been there once, but I really want to go back. It was a week long backpacking trip in the Desolation Wilderness Area, and it was absolutely amazing. Tahoe has to be one of the most beautiful areas of the entire country. And it's not too far from Reno if you want some gambling and debauchery.

 

[Venetia]

I have results!

In case anyone still cares (nope), we decided on Tahoe/Cali.

:D