We just returned from a great weeklong trip to Paradise Island in the Bahamas. This was our 6th trip down, and still really enjoy it. We find it relatively easy to get to (getting home was another issue) and enjoy the beaches and people. This trip included myself, husband, 2 nephews 9 and 4, my parents, My sister/BIL and my girlfriend with her son and husband.

Flights: US Air cashed in mileage LGA-DCA-NAS uneventful on time and easy. NAS-DCA-LGA....a NIGHTMARE!!!!! Left NAS on-time arrived in DCA on-time only to find our flight had been cancelled along with the 3 and 4:00 flights to LGA also cancelled after waiting on a ridiculous line with 10's of people and only 1 agent at the deck we were rebooked on the 5pm flight...Ok we go with the flow, they board us on the 5pm and taxi from the gate at 5:15pm only to go to the end of the runway and park, and there we sat for 41/2hrs. I cannot begin to get into all of the horrors of sitting there with no food and no drinks, I will only say there were small children and babies on-board, so you could imagine. US Air did pull up to a gate at approx. 7pm and stated anyone who wants to get off can now, we stayed as this seemed the only way to get home, and I did not want to leave our luggage. We finally landed at LGA at 11:30pm, our original arrival time was 5pm. As a side note mysilf, my husband and 4yo nephew were the only ones in our group on this flight the rest of our party flew Jetblue and were home in there houses by 4pm, all of us leaving NAS at approx the same time. "You don't always pay for what you get, but you sure get what you pay for"

Accommadations: Sister and BIL stayed at the Wyndham Cystal Palace, very nice however the beach is more like a lagoon.

The rest of us stayed on Paradise Island at the RIU, for those not familiar with RIUs there AI hotels that can be found on many Islands. THis was our second time staying there and find it a great alternative to the Atlantis. THe rooms need some upgrading but the rest of hotel is very nice. The beach is amazing. food was average to good. There are the usual buffets with on-site cooking along with 3 specility resturants we only ate at the steak house which was better than expected.

Off-Site dining: We try to do AI's whenever available and will eat off the property for several dinners, this trip we went to Carmines in the Atlantis marina, it was wonderful, it is the same as those in the city. our bill for 4 people with 4 drinks was $198 grat included. Another night we went to NOBU in the atlantis, again great food, however quite a bit more money. 6 people 2 drinks $300. Our last off-site dinner was at the steakhouse in the Wyndham and I cannot for the life of me remember the name, it is located right upstairs from the casino, another very good meal, 4 people no drinks $175.

Gambling: we visited the casinos 3 times, loosing our shirts at the Atlantis and coming home with almost enough money to cover our trip from 2 night at the Crystal Palace.

Activities: we did not do any excursions this trip, we mostly stayed on the beach parasailing, Wave runners and the banana boat, my 9yo nephew was able to tandem parasail it was the highlight of his trip.

In summary; Once again the Bahamas proved to be a great place, the weather, the beach, the people and the price was right on. We will be back again....just not on US AIR I will pay whatever the price.