Anbody been anywhere in the Carribean?

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imported_series1

New member
Hey guys



My parents have recently been talking about going on vacation in Florida but thats where we always go so I suggested why dont we do something different like the Carribean. They said that it was a great idea and told me to look into it so I figure I would just ask here to get your opinion. So my question is if you have been to the carribean, where did you go and how was it. My family and I are looking for somewhere relaxing and somewhere that has a great view with water that you can actually see into.



So far it looks like Aruba is pretty amazing cause the scenery and everything looks beautifal from a couple hotel resorts that I looked into.
 
Have you had a chance to look at USVI? That's become our favorite Caribbean vacation. We've been there 6 times now.
 
Every year my folks go to the island of Anguilla. It is a tiny 179 acre scrub island that is a short boat ride from St. Maarten. They stay in a Moorish-style beachfront villa with their friends. It is a very quiet place, white sand, clear/blue water, etc...



They just got back and here are a couple photos.



Also staying there were Senator Frank Lautenberg, Kevin Bacon and his wife, Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson and a couple other famous people



This mega yacht that anchored off the beach in front of their villa can be rented for $525,000 for the week! Apparently there was a Russian billionaire on board at the time. My father said a couple are enormous and the pictures don't' do them justice.



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Here is where they stayed on the water



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Here is a view from the open windowed living room



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Tom- Just checked out the virgin islands. Looks like some nice places as well. I guess you cant really go wrong anywhere you want to go in the caribbean. Have you been to all three islands?



Spilchy- Nice pictures. That would be an amazing place to stay. I showed my mom the pics and she asked where did they go for food? Do you take the boat ride back to St. Maarten or is there a restuarant(s) on the island.
 
I have been to:



US Virgin Islands - St John was gorgeous but not many hotels (expensive). Fly into St Thomas - take boat over



Aruba - not much except great beaches and a little shopping. just a nice get away place



Jamaica - great beaches, party atmosphere, lots of places to stay, lots of begging



Grand Caymans - nice beaches, most developed (upscale hilton head island)



St Lucia - green and mountains. not many beaches



Puerto Rico - San Juan was crowded and lots of poor - elsewhere probably better.
 
series1 said:
Tom- Just checked out the virgin islands. Looks like some nice places as well. I guess you cant really go wrong anywhere you want to go in the caribbean. Have you been to all three islands?
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We stayed on St Thomas once, it was our 1st visit to USVI. We went to St John for the day and realized what a mistake we made. All subsequent visits were to St John. I haven't been to St Croix and don't have any specific desire.



Yeah, you end up renting a house + pool. It's quite nice: Beach in the AM, poolside in the PM so you can get out of the sun. It has gotten expensive over the past 10 years. Most of the houses are large enough that they could easily be shared with another family to keep costs reasonable.



We've been there enough times that we thought we should try some new destinations. We did Mexico (north of P Vallarta) two years ago and Nevis this past year. I suspect the next trip will be back to St John...we like it that much and always compare the new destinations to it. It's become the vacation to beat.



There's plenty to do in St John/St. Thomas should you want it including massive duty-free shopping (think wife ;) ) and it can be absolute tranquility - - should you desire it.



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Leaving tomorrow 14th Jan 08 for Isla Mujeres for a week of scuba, snorkling and fun in the sun. Last trip was to Play de Carmen.. Great winter getaway/:2thumbs:
 
I went on a nice Royal Carribean cruise back in 01 to the Carrib. We stopped in San Juan, St Thomas, Labidee, Haiti, etc. Great time, but mainly cause of the ship! :)
 
Antigua

Monserrat

St. Kitts

St. Maarten

Aruba

Paradise Island

Puerto Rico

Dominican Republic

Jamiaca

Nassau

Freeport



I like Dominical Republic now, I just started going there 2 years ago. Its really cheap as dirt and they really cater to you at the all inclusives. dont get turned off when you first get off of the plane. I had to get the pit boss approval to play a $300 hand of black jack, you got to love feeling liek a big shot.



Freeport is a financial steal also. Gamble



Aruba and the St's. - all enjoyable and on the higher end of Carribean/BVI luxury.



Puerto Rico is nice if you like NY. I used to go 2-3 times per year. El San Jaun and Cerromar Dorado Beach.



Jamaica is a sight to see, similar disparity to DR. I didnt like it at all.



St. Kitts - S L O W and snotty Not for me.



Antigua / Monserat - I used to go to summer camp in Antigua. I couldnt imagine going on a vacation to either.
 
I've been to Aruba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico (I lived there for 4 years when I was a kid-- my dad was in the navy). Out of all of them I would definitely suggest the Dominican Republic. The beaches were great, the water was clear, and the resort my family and I stayed at was awesome. My highlight was we got to go to a "zoo" where we able to swim with dolphins. Pretty cool.
 
The other challenge is getting to the smaller islands. It can take 3 hops. If you fly AA, you have to go to Miami and then possible San Juan to get to smaller islands plus fly a turbo prop on American Eagle. Aruba used to be great since you could clear customs in Aruba - pre-9/11 days.
 
Thanks for the reply guys! Sorry I havent had a chance to reply with school starting back up I'm more busy then usual. Anyway.. I see a lot of places that have been repeated which helps me narrow it down to research and show my folks so thank you. Anybody else thats been there feel free to chime in still. It will be awhile before we set the date on when we go.
 
Hard to beat Turks and Caicos. Wonderful island, excellent diving and not very crowded. I liked it better than the Bahamas--even over Atlantis...
 
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