What was your favorite Caribbean vacation and why (1 Viewer)

[JerseyToughGuys]

read the st john thread

good post

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

BUMP

So the grand canyon idea is definitely out?Where are you coming from? Is price an issue? What would you ideally like to do (just lay on a beach, snorkel, fish, etc.)?

Grand Canyon is out because of the weather in December when we want to go. So now I am thinking about the Caribbean or maybe Disney (she has always wanted to go around Christmas). I would like to keep it in the 2-3K range for 4 nights. I am not into laying on beach for more than one day. Love to fish, snorkel etc and would be willing to go out and explore. We are planning a Bora Bora trip and her one requirement is one of those huts out over the water. Anything like that in the Caribbean?

 

[BobbyLayne]

anyone been to cuba?

krista4 & oliver humanzee

 

[El Floppo]

BUMP

So the grand canyon idea is definitely out?Where are you coming from? Is price an issue? What would you ideally like to do (just lay on a beach, snorkel, fish, etc.)?

Grand Canyon is out because of the weather in December when we want to go. So now I am thinking about the Caribbean or maybe Disney (she has always wanted to go around Christmas). I would like to keep it in the 2-3K range for 4 nights. I am not into laying on beach for more than one day. Love to fish, snorkel etc and would be willing to go out and explore. We are planning a Bora Bora trip and her one requirement is one of those huts out over the water. Anything like that in the Caribbean?

To my knowledge, no- but f there is, I'd love to hear about it. We honeymooned in the Maldives and stayed in some of those things... ####### amazing- best trip I've ever done (beach/water/relaxing-wise).

 

[E-Z Glider]

BUMP

So the grand canyon idea is definitely out?Where are you coming from? Is price an issue? What would you ideally like to do (just lay on a beach, snorkel, fish, etc.)?

Grand Canyon is out because of the weather in December when we want to go. So now I am thinking about the Caribbean or maybe Disney (she has always wanted to go around Christmas). I would like to keep it in the 2-3K range for 4 nights. I am not into laying on beach for more than one day. Love to fish, snorkel etc and would be willing to go out and explore. We are planning a Bora Bora trip and her one requirement is one of those huts out over the water. Anything like that in the Caribbean?

Yep, but they're pretty expensive... Overwater bungalows in the CarribeanMight want to look at this instead... 16 Cheapest overwater bungalow resorts in the world

 

[hotdogcollars]

BUMP

So the grand canyon idea is definitely out?Where are you coming from? Is price an issue? What would you ideally like to do (just lay on a beach, snorkel, fish, etc.)?

Grand Canyon is out because of the weather in December when we want to go. So now I am thinking about the Caribbean or maybe Disney (she has always wanted to go around Christmas). I would like to keep it in the 2-3K range for 4 nights. I am not into laying on beach for more than one day. Love to fish, snorkel etc and would be willing to go out and explore. We are planning a Bora Bora trip and her one requirement is one of those huts out over the water. Anything like that in the Caribbean?

not to derail this topic, but...if you go to Disney at Xmas expect to pay unbelievable high prices for everything including airfare. AND you will be fighting monstrous crowds.

 

[El Floppo]

BUMP

So the grand canyon idea is definitely out?Where are you coming from? Is price an issue? What would you ideally like to do (just lay on a beach, snorkel, fish, etc.)?

Grand Canyon is out because of the weather in December when we want to go. So now I am thinking about the Caribbean or maybe Disney (she has always wanted to go around Christmas). I would like to keep it in the 2-3K range for 4 nights. I am not into laying on beach for more than one day. Love to fish, snorkel etc and would be willing to go out and explore. We are planning a Bora Bora trip and her one requirement is one of those huts out over the water. Anything like that in the Caribbean?

Yep, but they're pretty expensive... Overwater bungalows in the CarribeanMight want to look at this instead... 16 Cheapest overwater bungalow resorts in the world

awesome- thanks for that link.

 

[Gator Shawn]

We've only been to most of the ports of call on cruises, so the ports are all pretty much the same, but when we do go out on tours beyond the ports, we've loved Grand Turk the most of the places we've been. Beautiful island.

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

BUMP

So the grand canyon idea is definitely out?Where are you coming from? Is price an issue? What would you ideally like to do (just lay on a beach, snorkel, fish, etc.)?

Grand Canyon is out because of the weather in December when we want to go. So now I am thinking about the Caribbean or maybe Disney (she has always wanted to go around Christmas). I would like to keep it in the 2-3K range for 4 nights. I am not into laying on beach for more than one day. Love to fish, snorkel etc and would be willing to go out and explore. We are planning a Bora Bora trip and her one requirement is one of those huts out over the water. Anything like that in the Caribbean?

not to derail this topic, but...if you go to Disney at Xmas expect to pay unbelievable high prices for everything including airfare. AND you will be fighting monstrous crowds.

We would be going the end of the first week of December. From what I read its the slowest and least packed time of year for Disney. No idea if thats right or not.

 

[Copeman]

The only place I've been to was Jamaica. Was not impressed. In fact, I don't think I'd go back again if the trip was free.

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

http://www.livingsoc...=9-philadelphia

escape kit

[*]A Four-Day, Three-Night Stay for Two in a One-Bedroom Garden-View Suite with One $20 Spa Credit Toward a 50-Minute Facial Per Guest from Now Until December 20, 2012 ($799)

http://www.smugglersresort.com/

Thoughts on this deal?

Or this one http://www.livingsocial.com/escapes/372828-all-inclusive-st-maarten-resort?msdc_id=9-philadelphia

http://www.sonesta.com/greatbay/

 

[hotdogcollars]

BUMP

So the grand canyon idea is definitely out?Where are you coming from? Is price an issue? What would you ideally like to do (just lay on a beach, snorkel, fish, etc.)?

Grand Canyon is out because of the weather in December when we want to go. So now I am thinking about the Caribbean or maybe Disney (she has always wanted to go around Christmas). I would like to keep it in the 2-3K range for 4 nights. I am not into laying on beach for more than one day. Love to fish, snorkel etc and would be willing to go out and explore. We are planning a Bora Bora trip and her one requirement is one of those huts out over the water. Anything like that in the Caribbean?

not to derail this topic, but...if you go to Disney at Xmas expect to pay unbelievable high prices for everything including airfare. AND you will be fighting monstrous crowds.

We would be going the end of the first week of December. From what I read its the slowest and least packed time of year for Disney. No idea if thats right or not.

ah, in that case, carry on. first 1-2 weeks of Dec are indeed a great time to be there

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

http://www.livingsoc...=9-philadelphia

escape kit

[*]A Four-Day, Three-Night Stay for Two in a One-Bedroom Garden-View Suite with One $20 Spa Credit Toward a 50-Minute Facial Per Guest from Now Until December 20, 2012 ($799)

http://www.smugglersresort.com/

Thoughts on this deal?

Or this one http://www.livingsoc...=9-philadelphia

http://www.sonesta.com/greatbay/

Morning crew have any thoughts on these deals?

 

[E-Z Glider]

http://www.livingsoc...=9-philadelphia

escape kit

[*]A Four-Day, Three-Night Stay for Two in a One-Bedroom Garden-View Suite with One $20 Spa Credit Toward a 50-Minute Facial Per Guest from Now Until December 20, 2012 ($799)

http://www.smugglersresort.com/

Thoughts on this deal?

Or this one http://www.livingsoc...=9-philadelphia

http://www.sonesta.com/greatbay/

Morning crew have any thoughts on these deals?

No comment on the deals, but loved St Lucia. It had a cool open-market downtown that we walked to almost every day. Make sure you're there for a Friday night and go to the world famous Gros Islet Jump-Up Street Party. Carnival atmosphere with great food and live reggae music. Within 10 minutes I had a conch-kabob in one hand and a Piton and a fresh rolled spleef in the other.

 

[jamny]

St. Lucia- Beautiful island, nice people, great weather, good food and beer. Worst- Aruba- Dirty, boring, and polluted.

I will second St Lucia. We loved it and it was great. We stayed at Sandals and The Ladera which only has 3 walls. The room is open to the pitons and has no fourth wall closing the room in. I loved Aruba though. I didnt find it boring, dirty or polluted. Was one of our best vacations

I'll also recommend St. Lucia, but I actually liked Aruba more. Sounds like someone had a bad experience there. I stayed in the "low rise" area which was a lot more quiet. We ventured to the "high rise" area a couple of nights and it was a little crowded, but some people might like that. It is not dirty or polluted. There is as much to do there than any other islands that I know of, so I don't get the boring comment either. My favorite caribbean spot is St. Kitts and Nevis. We stayed at the Four Seasons in Nevis and it was by far the best vacation I ever had. It is the samoa to St. Lucia's thin mint.

Just booked the Nevis FS for next spring.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Aruba, Bucuti and Tara Adults Only - Trust me on this one

 

[El Floppo]

Heading back to Anguilla again for Thanksgiving/Anniversary.

I hope I'll figure out how to pay for the last trip before we go.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

St. Martin's, French and Dutch, including Marigot, Orient Bay, and St. Bart's and Anguilla as part of that. Fantastic.

 

[Dentist]

Turks and Caicos - 7 Stars Resort - Rent a car and drive to Taylor Bay

Fantastic experience.

2nd place was Barbados... fantastic island - just don't goto the capital city... and make sure you rent a car and drive to the north point.

The only ##### about barbados is it take forever to get there.

 

[Reaper]

Heading back to Anguilla again for Thanksgiving/Anniversary.

I hope I'll figure out how to pay for the last trip before we go.

Heading back to Beaches Turks and Caicos in FEB

 

[Rick James]

I've only been to the Caribbean once, and it was during a cruise. We did the Florida Keys & Bahamas trip. Keys were beautiful, but Nassau was kindof a dump.

 

[Reaper]

I've only been to the Caribbean once, and it was during a cruise. We did the Florida Keys & Bahamas trip. Keys were beautiful, but Nassau was kindof a dump.

yeah, Cruises drop you off at the dumps....

Between this that and the other thing, I'll never go on a cruise again.

 

[Northern Voice]

anyone been to cuba?

I LOVE Cuba. Cayo Coco or Cayo Santa Maria. Preferred both to Jamaica. Have also done a couple cruises and seen St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Cozumel, Belize, Roatan and Costa Maya, which I would rank in roughly that order.

 

[El Floppo]

Heading back to Anguilla again for Thanksgiving/Anniversary.

I hope I'll figure out how to pay for the last trip before we go.

Heading back to Beaches Turks and Caicos in FEB

hey, gb!

I still need to get to that resort... someday. maybe. there was a luxury hotel on Anguilla that had a small kids' club with pirate ship water slide... you could buy a day pass for the family, sit next to the pool. but the resort went under, so there's literally nowhere for the kids- aside, from the sea and sand of course.

 

[El Floppo]

I've only been to the Caribbean once, and it was during a cruise. We did the Florida Keys & Bahamas trip. Keys were beautiful, but Nassau was kindof a dump.

yeah, Cruises drop you off at the dumps....

Between this that and the other thing, I'll never go on a cruise again.

other thing being a life-threatening virus, right?

 

[Dentist]

Heading back to Anguilla again for Thanksgiving/Anniversary.

I hope I'll figure out how to pay for the last trip before we go.

Heading back to Beaches Turks and Caicos in FEB

There's a dental convention at that hotel the first week in Feb.. i was considering going but my disdain for all inclusives may steer me away... plus despite the tax advantages I really hate edu-vacations... I'd rather travel or get an education... but not both

 

[massraider]

Sosua, DR.

Cheap hotels, and inexpensive women.

 

[Dentist]

I've only been to the Caribbean once, and it was during a cruise. We did the Florida Keys & Bahamas trip. Keys were beautiful, but Nassau was kindof a dump.

yeah, Cruises drop you off at the dumps....

Between this that and the other thing, I'll never go on a cruise again.

People that like cruises seem to really like them.

I don't get it.

It seems like a vacation for people who are incapable of choosing a good location to go on vacation and who aren't willing to put in the work to plan in on their own.

But I guess there is something for everyone and everyone likes something different on vacation.. I don't really get all-inclusives either... but people seem to really like going on vacation to do nothing more than spend their time engorged on food and drunk. I like to eat and drink too but who wants to feels bloated on the beach and be drunk for 4 straight days?

 

[siffoin]

When I got married in 1996, my wife and I first honeymooned at the Four Seasons on Nevis. That was pretty great.

But then we had 10 days on a private island off of Antigua at a resort called Jumby Bay. That was spectacular.

At the time Jumby Bay was somewhat in transition. There were a number of private homes on the Island as well as the resort. Some of the cool things were:

1) Very few people were at the resort.

2) The week we happened to be there they had brought in 7 of the "best" chefs in the world. Each night one of the chefs prepared the meal.

3) They had these beach bikes all over - so whenever you wanted to go anywhere on the island, you just grabbed a bike and rode it there. When you wanted to ride back just grab any bike at hand.

4) My wife and I would go to this completely private side of the Island each day where we'd hang, snorkel and stuff like that. Once the resort figured out that's where we were they began to fully stock a "comfort station" every day. It was an all inclusive resort so cooler full of beer, juice, soda - a fully stocked liquor bar etc. They'd have servers come a couple of times during the day too.

5) We had heard that there was some cool reggae thing that happened on Sunday evenings on the Island of Antigua and we asked if they would take us there. We went on this private boat from Jumby Bay (Long Island over). It was just my wife and I and employees on the boat - no other resort guests. Once aboard, someone asked if we minded if they "smoked". So they began to smoke some kind of ditch weed, and asked if I wanted some. Now before we had left the states- I had taken a small film canister and carried a nice green bud of Nor Cal weed. I pulled out mine and said - "how about we all share this." The evening from there turned out to be semi-religious. They drove us to the top of a mountain where calypso/reggae bands played and the sun set in a blaze of blended vibrant colors set upon a perfect ocean horizon. If there was a heaven on earth - that would be mine.

 

[Rick James]

I've only been to the Caribbean once, and it was during a cruise. We did the Florida Keys & Bahamas trip. Keys were beautiful, but Nassau was kindof a dump.

yeah, Cruises drop you off at the dumps....

Between this that and the other thing, I'll never go on a cruise again.

People that like cruises seem to really like them.

I don't get it.

It seems like a vacation for people who are incapable of choosing a good location to go on vacation and who aren't willing to put in the work to plan in on their own.

But I guess there is something for everyone and everyone likes something different on vacation.. I don't really get all-inclusives either... but people seem to really like going on vacation to do nothing more than spend their time engorged on food and drunk. I like to eat and drink too but who wants to feels bloated on the beach and be drunk for 4 straight days?

Well the cruise certainly has a nice appeal to it. I've only been on the one, and my wife and I both said it would probably be our last. But I get why people are into it. You get to see other parts of the world without getting too immersed, travel on a pretty sweet ship, kick back and watch the sea. I get it.

But I definitely prefer picking out the hotel, planning adventures, and staying a while. We did that for Spain and it was unbelievable.

 

[jamny]

When I got married in 1996, my wife and I first honeymooned at the Four Seasons on Nevis. That was pretty great.

But then we had 10 days on a private island off of Antigua at a resort called Jumby Bay. That was spectacular.

At the time Jumby Bay was somewhat in transition. There were a number of private homes on the Island as well as the resort. Some of the cool things were:

Nice.

I've heard a lot of good things about Jumby Bay. Will def. look into it.

 

[El Floppo]

When I got married in 1996, my wife and I first honeymooned at the Four Seasons on Nevis. That was pretty great.

But then we had 10 days on a private island off of Antigua at a resort called Jumby Bay. That was spectacular.

At the time Jumby Bay was somewhat in transition. There were a number of private homes on the Island as well as the resort. Some of the cool things were:

Nice.

I've heard a lot of good things about Jumby Bay. Will def. look into it.

When the wife (gf at teh time) and I started travelling, Jumby Bay was at the top of our list of spots we really wanted to see... never got there. Kept going back to Anguilla and St Barths.

 

[msommer]

Two weeks in Cuba in '98. The only other contestant is a week in Curacao in '03

 

[Northern Voice]

I've only been to the Caribbean once, and it was during a cruise. We did the Florida Keys & Bahamas trip. Keys were beautiful, but Nassau was kindof a dump.

yeah, Cruises drop you off at the dumps....

Between this that and the other thing, I'll never go on a cruise again.

People that like cruises seem to really like them.

I don't get it.

It seems like a vacation for people who are incapable of choosing a good location to go on vacation and who aren't willing to put in the work to plan in on their own.

But I guess there is something for everyone and everyone likes something different on vacation.. I don't really get all-inclusives either... but people seem to really like going on vacation to do nothing more than spend their time engorged on food and drunk. I like to eat and drink too but who wants to feels bloated on the beach and be drunk for 4 straight days?

Well the cruise certainly has a nice appeal to it. I've only been on the one, and my wife and I both said it would probably be our last. But I get why people are into it. You get to see other parts of the world without getting too immersed, travel on a pretty sweet ship, kick back and watch the sea. I get it.

But I definitely prefer picking out the hotel, planning adventures, and staying a while. We did that for Spain and it was unbelievable.

I love cruises and I love staying in the same spot. Some of the excursions you can do from the cruise ship are phenomenal. There's something to be said for cave tubing in Belize one day and getting hammered in Cozumel the next.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Aruba, anyone?

 

[Dentist]

Aruba, anyone?

too windy... who wants to get sandblasted?

 

[Random]

 

[Reaper]

I've only been to the Caribbean once, and it was during a cruise. We did the Florida Keys & Bahamas trip. Keys were beautiful, but Nassau was kindof a dump.

yeah, Cruises drop you off at the dumps....

Between this that and the other thing, I'll never go on a cruise again.

other thing being a life-threatening virus, right?

yeah.. Any disease... Backup up toilets and #### everywhere etc...

Plus last 2 times I went on cruises we were lucky enough to hit major storms - Ppl randomly Vomiting!!!

Then I felt "off" for a good 10 days or so after - between motion issues and/or whatever the hell Anyone on that boat might have been carrying... NO THANKYOU!!! I survived the one's I did, I'm done.

 

[Reaper]

Heading back to Anguilla again for Thanksgiving/Anniversary.

I hope I'll figure out how to pay for the last trip before we go.

Heading back to Beaches Turks and Caicos in FEB

hey, gb!

I still need to get to that resort... someday. maybe. there was a luxury hotel on Anguilla that had a small kids' club with pirate ship water slide... you could buy a day pass for the family, sit next to the pool. but the resort went under, so there's literally nowhere for the kids- aside, from the sea and sand of course.

It's probably not for you.... and honestly the prices have shot up a ton since I first went...

At some Price point it makes sense to just go to a first class resort without the crowds.

We'll see how I feel about this trip - Going with a big Crew of families though so, we'd probably have a good time regardless.

I really want to get to Anguilla - Been to St Marten a ton!!!

 

[Reaper]

Heading back to Anguilla again for Thanksgiving/Anniversary.

I hope I'll figure out how to pay for the last trip before we go.

Heading back to Beaches Turks and Caicos in FEB

There's a dental convention at that hotel the first week in Feb.. i was considering going but my disdain for all inclusives may steer me away... plus despite the tax advantages I really hate edu-vacations... I'd rather travel or get an education... but not both

It's a place for KIDS!!!!!

I think there's an adult section - My parents have gone to Sandals for many years - It's really not your average "all Inclusive" - I used to feel the same way but, everyone im my group was blown away the 1st time we went....

 

[RUSF18]

Saw one person mention Curacao here...JetBlue just announced they're beginning nonstop service between JFK and CUR starting in the winter. Flights in/out on Tuesdays and Saturdays and they're real cheap during this opening promotion...a Tuesday-Tuesday trip was $324 a person so I had to jump on it for me and my wife. I'm using Hilton points on the hotel, which looks good but nothing amazing; however, free is free. Between that and a JB flight credit we had, that makes it $14 out of pocket for 7 nights in beautiful Curacao.

So the research begins...anyone with tips?

 

[msommer]

Saw one person mention Curacao here...JetBlue just announced they're beginning nonstop service between JFK and CUR starting in the winter. Flights in/out on Tuesdays and Saturdays and they're real cheap during this opening promotion...a Tuesday-Tuesday trip was $324 a person so I had to jump on it for me and my wife. I'm using Hilton points on the hotel, which looks good but nothing amazing; however, free is free. Between that and a JB flight credit we had, that makes it $14 out of pocket for 7 nights in beautiful Curacao.

So the research begins...anyone with tips?

Dive

Rent a car one day or more to get around the island

Dive, or maybe snorkel

...

 

[El Floppo]

Heading back to Anguilla again for Thanksgiving/Anniversary.

I hope I'll figure out how to pay for the last trip before we go.

Heading back to Beaches Turks and Caicos in FEB

hey, gb!

I still need to get to that resort... someday. maybe. there was a luxury hotel on Anguilla that had a small kids' club with pirate ship water slide... you could buy a day pass for the family, sit next to the pool. but the resort went under, so there's literally nowhere for the kids- aside, from the sea and sand of course.

It's probably not for you.... and honestly the prices have shot up a ton since I first went...

At some Price point it makes sense to just go to a first class resort without the crowds.

We'll see how I feel about this trip - Going with a big Crew of families though so, we'd probably have a good time regardless.

I really want to get to Anguilla - Been to St Marten a ton!!!

just saw an ad for that specific Beaches on tv.

looks like my nightmare- but also looks like the kids would go ape-#### there, which turns my frown upside down.

 

[RUSF18]

Saw one person mention Curacao here...JetBlue just announced they're beginning nonstop service between JFK and CUR starting in the winter. Flights in/out on Tuesdays and Saturdays and they're real cheap during this opening promotion...a Tuesday-Tuesday trip was $324 a person so I had to jump on it for me and my wife. I'm using Hilton points on the hotel, which looks good but nothing amazing; however, free is free. Between that and a JB flight credit we had, that makes it $14 out of pocket for 7 nights in beautiful Curacao.

So the research begins...anyone with tips?

Dive

Rent a car one day or more to get around the island

Dive, or maybe snorkel

...

Leaving for this trip tomorrow. Anyone have restaurant suggestions? Done some research on TripAdvisor etc but always good to hear from the fine folks of the FFA.

 

[Mr. Ected]

A vote for Bermuda. Been twice, went as a teenager and on a cruise as a pre-child married couple.

Island isn't too big, good food, wonderful beaches, etc. Highest percentage of golf course area in the world. Played Port Royal on first trip. WOW - 16th Hole, picture doesn't do it justice.

Beautiful weather in the summertime, not sure if it is a 'winter-getaway.'

 

[cubsmac]

Leaving for this trip tomorrow. Anyone have restaurant suggestions? Done some research on TripAdvisor etc but always good to hear from the fine folks of the FFA.

Boathouse Food and Marina on Spanish Bay... amazing view, especially at sunset.... food was good, reasonably priced

Wine Cellar - very pricy, but also very, very good. Best scallops I've ever had.

Jaanchie's - Try the Iguana soup

 

[Brony]

Looking at first time trip to Dominican Republic next spring break.

 

[RUSF18]

Leaving for this trip tomorrow. Anyone have restaurant suggestions? Done some research on TripAdvisor etc but always good to hear from the fine folks of the FFA.

Boathouse Food and Marina on Spanish Bay... amazing view, especially at sunset.... food was good, reasonably priced

Wine Cellar - very pricy, but also very, very good. Best scallops I've ever had.

Jaanchie's - Try the Iguana soup

Thanks. Your first two were also recommended by someone I know with a time share there, so those will be at the top of the list.

 

[steelerfan1]

really liked the caymens. the water was so clear. I am not a world traveler by any means but it was so above the handful of places I have gone such as aruba and mexico. we went on the stingray/snorkel excursion and the pictures we have people thought we were in a pool, when we are in the middle of the ocean.

If you like to do nothing and relax it is a great place. if you need the nightlife and shopping, probably not so much.

 

[Random]

Wife and I are planning a August trip for next summer. We (tentatively) have it narrowed down to Key West, Grand Cayman, and St John. Looking to do some snorkeling, kayaking, drinking, sight seeing, and relaxing. Would prefer to be somewhat easy to get to (from Ohio) as we will only have 6 days 5 nights. This will be a points stay so here are the links to the resorts/hotels we are looking at. Any input is appreciated.

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/resorts/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1095

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1098

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=760