Caribbean vacation

[irishmike]

So the misses and I have been checking out honeymoon locations, I wanted to pick the tribe's collective brain. I have never been anywhere in the Caribbean, we are looking at St. Lucia, Antigua, Bahamas or Jamaica. I have only just begun my research, but I am seriously considering one of the all inclusive packages Sandals resorts offer. As a couple, we would prefer low-key relaxation over a lively night life, and I really hate tourist trap type places. All ideas and experiences welcome. What say you gents?

[MacDuff]

Grand Cayman is pricey but my wife and I love it.

MacDuff

[bdoc]

I highly recommend St. John USVI. Relaxing and just a boat ride from St. Thomas.

I am heading to the Turks and Caicos this Saturday for first time - will let you know.

[BESEPUL]

The W Resort in Vieques, PR.

"It''s not because I'm a lawyer, it's because I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany..."

[bigjimmyk3]

The Wife and I stayed at Sandals Whitehouse back in 2007. We thoroughly enjoyed it; very secluded, and the staff were nothing but friendly. I can provide details at your convenience if it's on your short list. We would go back again if the opportunity arose.

[michael]

Aruba is beautiful, I've been there 3 or 4 times, twice for stays of 7 days. Great place, beautiful beaches and weather, great restaurants and friendly folks.

St. Lucia is really pretty, but I prefer Aruba. Panhandlers were fairly common when I was in St. Lucia, which you will find in many locales, though not Aruba.

St. John is beautiful, but pricey to stay. If money is not an object and you are mainly looking for a quiet beach and scenery, it is excellent.

Jamaica is crime-ridden, and they can keep it. Bahamas is okay for a day trip, but not for a long-term stay, IMO.

I have heard Antigua is nice, but have not been there.

[RatDrall]

I met my wife on a cruise in the Carribean :tongue:

I've been all over the Carribean and enjoy the Western Carribean cruises the most, because you get to go to a few nice islands and see what they have. I especially enjoy St Thomas, though I'm not sure why. I think it's the balance of nice beaches and things being a bit less expensive than the others.

[Nick Randall]

My cruise ship landed in St. Lucia for a day. What a dung hole that place appeared to be. Maybe the rest of the island was better but all we got to see was the city where the ship docked.

[BeardedPelican]

I lived on Antigua for a year and it was a very beautiful place, however the island is only 12 x 12 miles so you might want to plan to visit some other places along with it. I also spent 10 years in PR growing up and it was awesome, love that island.

[Fulanito]

San Andres Islands , Colombia. Check out Decameron.com their properties are cool. Cheap and relaxing. You can partake in activities at all 5-6 locations.... just sleep in your room each night. Its Colombia, but everyone speaks english and its not the mainland. Safe as can be..........


http://www.decameron.co/promosite/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3294&Itemid=1518&lang=en
(http://www.decameron.co/promosite/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3294&Itemid=1518&lang=en)


And only a short cheap hop to Costa Rica, which is also nice. Do both for not a whole lot of cash.

[Fulanito]

Wife and I just took a cruise, stop stops in the Bahamas, Jamaica, st George, and Roatan. I'd highly recommend it if you don't know where you want to go, it lets you see a lot of places for half the price of a resort, and the food is spectacular. I was really happy I didn't commit to a week in Jamaica like I was going to, sorta a crappy place. I'd spend a week in Roatan anytime, (of off Honduras).

I worked on Roatan. I cant agree more...great place to REALLY relax, but still enough to see and do if primary goal is to be with the mate. If English is important toy, this might be the place. Just try to stay our of nearby La Ceiba and San Perdro Sula...crime and aids capitals. If in Roatan, don't miss the opportunity to see Guanaja and Utila. Smaller Waayyyyyyy cool islands also belonging to Honduras. Just a ferry ride away.

[AlwaysVigilant]

Either way, I think you should take extra security, and I am volunteering. :tongue:

[ss58]

Aruba is real mellow and not as pricey as others. There's a nice Westin there.

[michael]

My cruise ship landed in St. Lucia for a day. What a dung hole that place appeared to be. Maybe the rest of the island was better but all we got to see was the city where the ship docked.

The city is crap, but the countryside is much better and very pretty. We rented a van with two other couples and saw the entire island. Panhandlers were present at all tourist stops, but they were shooed away pretty easily.

[Jon Payne]

Grand Cayman is pricey but my wife and I love it.

MacDuff

Grand Cayman is our early summer haunt. Normally we stay on Rum Point.

[7 Mary 3]

My cruise ship landed in St. Lucia for a day. What a dung hole that place appeared to be. Maybe the rest of the island was better but all we got to see was the city where the ship docked.

The city is fine IMHO. Some old architecture and a classic market. You have to get out of the places where the ships land to see the good stuff. We took a killer day tour there 3 years ago. 3 vans of us with a "happy bar" van that followed us around at each stop with free drinks. Stopped at a local house for a buffet. Took a small boat and swam between the Pitons yada yada yada. By far the most beautiful places I've ever been and I have the pictures to prove it. LOL Some are hanging on my wall 8x10 in mated frames.

If you have never been to any of the islands Id recommend a cruise to get a taste. We just came home from a cruise and the wife remarked how she would be bored after a couple days in a single island. Completely pain free and auto pilot. Got 15 under my belt by now I think and been to almost all the major islands.

On of my favorite islands is St. Maarten. Half Dutch half French. Easy to get around and direct flights from many US airports. Orient beach for nudey watchin, Marigot for French dining, Dutch side for shopping and sunset beach by the airport to watch the jumbo jets land right over you head. Get bored hop a ferry to St Barts and have a "cheeseburger in paradise".

The only place I don't care for is Jamaica. The whole place smells like an NBA locker room and is sketchy in many places.

[Allen]

BVI by far over the USVI. Much quieter, much less violence than the USVI. Go for the all inclusive. If your into sailing there are more than a few great places that have their own fleets for your use, alternatively if your into boating at all consider taking a bare boat class and renting a larger sail or power boat for a week. You'll see a ton of the islands that you wouldn't normally.
Allen

[Claybob]

I would suggest learning to scuba dive before hand if you can, the Caribbean has some of the best diving around, and their are plentiful places to join in on a boat especially in the Bahamas.

[imb]

Come to Barbados....I've visited most of the Caribbean but am happy living here.

[irishmike]

I would suggest learning to scuba dive before hand if you can, the Caribbean has some of the best diving around, and their are plentiful places to join in on a boat especially in the Bahamas.

Thats a fantastic idea, thanks!

[HUMPHREY]

Umm, looks nice... but upside down? :dunno:

[michael]

Come to Barbados....I've visited most of the Caribbean but am happy living here.

I have a friend who lives there named Patrick Tannis. Do you know him by chance?

[Youngman]

Since it is your first time I too reccomend a cruise.....many many cruise lines...from the 4,000 people "coney island" cruise....to a Silver Seas "front row seat" cruise....but you can see up to 15 different locals.....the bigger the ship ...the fewer the ports they can dock and usually they are the larger Islands with larger problems.....less beauty.....

[TrojanSkyCop1]

Memories are vague, as I was a mere toddler at the time (late 1970s), but Grenada and Trinidad & Tobago are quite beautiful.

[imb]

Michael - Not well, he's a Worship Leader?

[imb]

C - we have a small but decent IPSC community here.

That's probably Trindad we're a couple hundred more to the NE.

[BESEPUL]

C - we have a small but decent IPSC community here.

That's probably Trindad were a couple hundred more to the NE.



I met some IPSC guys from Barbados when they came to PR to shoot the Level III back in December 2012. Outstanding guys!! They can hold their drink also!!! ;)

"It''s not because I'm a lawyer, it's because I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany..."

[imb]

Besepul - cool, I know the crowd. We're hosting the Columbus Cup this year, would make a great vacation:
http://www.ipscmatches.org/columbuscup2013

[BESEPUL]

I'll keep that in mind. Right now I'm working on relocating back to CONUS. Weighing my options as an out of state attorney in a couple of jurisdictions, mainly TX, AZ or FL. I think we have a squad going over there though.

"It''s not because I'm a lawyer, it's because I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany..."

[michael]

Michael - Not well, he's a Worship Leader?

Yes, but a banker by trade and is running for a political office.

[imb]

Michael - ah yes, so he is, we have elections on the 21st. How do you know him?

[Jack Rumbaugh]

Come to Barbados....I've visited most of the Caribbean but am happy living here.

If you believe the legend, one of my ancestors, John Theophilous Thompson, is the progenitor of all the Thompsons on the island. He was a merchant captain sailing between England, Norfolk, and Barbados in the 1700s. He was killed by pirates in 1757 off Barbados on one of his runs.

And I also met my wife on a cruise, except I was working and she was a passenger.

Sent from my AT100 using Tapatalk 2

[michael]

Michael - ah yes, so he is, we have elections on the 21st. How do you know him?

He has visited my city on numerous occasions, and the Pastor at my old church is one of his mentor's. I've only actually met him once, but we communicate on a fairly regular basis. Great man of God, and he loves Barbados. I have been there, but did not know Patrick at the time. I hope to visit again sometime soon.

[imb]

Jack - then you're related to some prominant members of our society including the last Prime Minister.

Michael - hope you make it back soon!