From a Cruise to Vegas???

EDK2010 · November 2009

We were planning on going on a 7 day cruise to the Southern Caribbean for our HM. Unfortunately FI was injured last week and has to have reconstructive knee surgery in mid- Dec. We have decided that since he will still be in rehab etc. in March and not 100% that we should post-pone the cruise.

We are considering doing a 4-5 day trip to Vegas instead as our HM and do a Mediterranean Cruise next year when we can fully enjoy excursions etc. My Uncle manages a nightclub in Vegas and can get us a free hotel room at the Palms, free meals and tickets to shows. So that is the main reason we are considering going there.

Has anyone done a Vegas HM? Any thoughts/suggestions?

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · November 2009

I just got back from Vegas yesterday. I don't know that I'd like to spend more than 2-3 days there, but some people do.

I find that I always do a lot of walking in Vegas. A LOT. Even just in one hotel and casino it's impossible to get to a restaurant or find the front door without walking through the entire casino floor. So if you FI will still be in a knee brace, keep that in mind. I'm not sure how it would be better for a guy who's going to PT than a cruise. On a cruise, you get to do a lot of relaxing. Have you been to Vegas? The Palms is very far off the strip, so you would likely need to rent a car to drive places, or take a cab to any other hotels and casinos you want to go to.

I will say there are lots of romatic and fun places in Vegas. Taking in a show would be nice. Going to dinner at a high-end restaurant is always nice. (Vegas is weird - expensive restaurants are quite good, all the other restaurants are really bad, especially at the hotels.)

What are you looking for in a honeymoon? To relax? To have good food and entertainment? A fun, party atmosphere?

EDK2010 · November 2009

We are looking to just relax and get away ( I plan on bein poolside). We did a cruise last year so we know what to expect, we are both really active so FI said he doesn't want to miss out on excursions etc. We were also worried about being away that long from physio/rehab. Our wedding is in NH (so for us it's destination) and then with a cruise we are looking at 2.5 weeks away. If we did Vegas then we could come back to Edmonton for a few days then take a long weekend. Not my first choice by any means, but with my uncle's connections it would be a very inexpensive trip for us!

I haven't been to Vegas myself so any input is helpful! Where did you stay?

kaesha · November 2009

Sounds like it's time to hit the spa somewhere!

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · November 2009

I stayed at Paris Las Vegas this last time (I've been about half a dozen times). Highly recommended! I really like their casino, and their shop and restaurant area is very pretty. The rooms are comfortable. It's also pretty centrally located on the strip, across from the Bellagio, and if you go up in the Eiffel Tower you can see the Bellagio water show. Very nice.

I've also stayed at Luxor (best room I've had so far, though the casino is just okay), Stratosphere, and several downtown hotels. We got wine at a cool restaurant in Mandalay Bay called Aureole - they have girls on harnesses who fly up and down this 3 story wine room to get your bottle.

I'd recommend hanging out poolside, then, for you guys, and maybe seeing you can get some spa passes. The Hard Rock is pretty far from Palms, but they have sort of a club out by their pool, which I hear is really nice. They have one of the best pools in Vegas.

The only thing I'd be concerned about for you guys is that if you want to see all the different hotels and casinos, it would involve a good amount of walking.

You might also consider doing a day trip or two around Vegas where you'd get to sit most of the time. My dad took a trip to the Hoover Dam. He said it was great. It took about half a day.

SuMmErKuTiE · November 2009

I agree with pp.. Vegas is A LOT of walking! My feet were kililng me because I insisted on wearing heels when we would go out at night. FI had to carry me down the hallway going back to our room one night haha. The casinos are so massive that just going down the hallway to get to an elevator is a lot of walking then once you get downstairs you have to do a lot of walking just to get out of the casino.. go to a restaurant.. go to the pool.. etc. We stayed at MGM Grand for 4 nights about 6 months ago and we were so exhausted and definitely ready to go home after only 4 nights. We just got back from a Southern Caribbean cruise 2 days ago and I was literally almost in tears because I didn't want it to end and go home. We relaxed a lot more on the cruise then in Vegas. Some excursions do require walking, but if you do a lot of water related excursions or days at the beach that should be fine for your FI's knee. Especially snorkeling and stuff, I'm not a doctor by any means, but isn't water type activities good for someone in PT?

If you guys are ok with doing Vegas keep in mind all the walking and that The Palms is not on the strip or even in walking distance. Hanging out at the pool will be awesome, but going to any shows or other restaurants would require getting a cab and then walking through the casinos to get there. There are lots of romantic things to do in Vegas, but Vegas is much more of a party city. GL and HTH!

EDK2010 · November 2009

Thanks everyone! I mentioned the walking part to FI and he said he thinks he will be okay with walking by then; But we may also rent a car to take a day trip I also don't mind spending the money for a cab, plus my uncle will be around if we need a ride!

I appreciate all of the great suggestions, it is definitely not my first choice for a HM but we are trying to work with what options we have gievn the circumstance. My opinion is at least we get to go somewhere together!

LAURA.CYR · November 2009

I lived in Vegas for 3 years and my FI really really wants to go for our HM. We have a wonderful time everywhere we go so it's fine with me to play tour guide on this trip. Next year we're going on a cruise. I will say what others have said and that's the Palms is not centrally located so if you want to enjoy some of the free shows that many of the major hotels casinos offer, there will be some travel needed. And there are many many things to occupy you once you tire of the lights and noise. Hoover Dam is a good day trip. As is Red Rock Canyon and Death Valley. You could also arrange for a mini cruise around Lake Mead. Plus there are hellicopter tours if you want to splurge on something since you have those awesome connections in-town! I say no matter where you go, you will always remember it fondly! Have fun!!

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