What is the best island in the caribbean?

[Kal]

For me of the timeshare islands that I've been to Guadeloupe gets my vote...

I've not been to Martinique, but it is the same I imagine without the Basse Terre scenery.

Second for me is St. Lucia. Again, great beaches and rain forest/scenery. (I do like to do more than sun/sea/sand.)

FAR down the list, as in never go to again, are the USVI. There's no Caribbean flavour to them at all. Might as well go to Florida.

AlanMJ

You raise some interesting views about Guadeloupe. I have not visited that island but it sounds like I need to put it on my list.

With regard to Martinique, I've been there twice and have no desire to return. The people really show their hatred to Americans so that's a huge negative.

St. Lucia is beautiful but I need things to do after the sun goes down. It gets pretty boring looking at scenery after dark and eating bananas.

USVI - Gawd I've been there maybe 7 times and hope I never have to go back there again. It's just another American outpost. Then with 12 cuise ships in port it's TERRIBLE. The beaches on St. John are very attractive, but 85% of the island is a national park. Other than a couple of private resorts, there's very little else there. Again, nothing to do beyond beach time.

 

[alanmj]

Martinique

You raise some interesting views about Guadeloupe. I have not visited that island but it sounds like I need to put it on my list.

With regard to Martinique, I've been there twice and have no desire to return. The people really show their hatred to Americans so that's a huge negative.

St. Lucia is beautiful but I need things to do after the sun goes down. It gets pretty boring looking at scenery after dark and eating bananas.

USVI - Gawd I've been there maybe 7 times and hope I never have to go back there again. It's just another American outpost. Then with 12 cuise ships in port it's TERRIBLE. The beaches on St. John are very attractive, but 85% of the island is a national park. Other than a couple of private resorts, there's very little else there. Again, nothing to do beyond beach time.

Hey Kal, obviously you never went to Rodney Bay in St. Lucia! Or the Friday night Jump Up in Gros Islet. All the nightlife you can want - and perhaps more.

As the world knows, we English (as in, from England) have historically a wonderfully friendly relationship with the French. Hatred is a very strong word that just isn't true. Indifference certainly, an attitude of superiority, and even at times dislike, but not hatred. Recent events have made US citizens not the most popular in the world (won't say another world lest I contravene the ban on political discussion), but applying a single perjorative moniker to 70 million people is bigotry at its worst. Yes, there are ignorant people in every culture. That's their loss, and you shouldn't make it yours.

AlanMJ

 

[Kal]

...applying a single perjorative moniker to 70 million people is bigotry at its worst.
AlanMJ

I didn't even realize there were 70 million people in Martinique! It didn't look that crowded.

With regard to St. Lucia, my next door neighbor was born in St. Lucia and returns every year. Even he says it's boring.

 

[ronandjoan]

Thanks everyone

Although I did not begin the questioning here, it was indeed, my question, too. so re ally appreciate your input!
JOAN

 

[jtridle]

Trade Winds cruise club

But the best holiday I've had so far has been sailing in the Grenadines. Not everyones cup of tea on a yacht, and trades of 2 cabins for the same week are impossible with TradeWinds Cruise Club (very strict 1 in 4 rule), but an absolutely fantastic experience.

AlanMJ[/QUOTE]

So did you try grabbing two cabins on the same cruise and same week and they wouldn't let you do it? I thought I read somewhere that the l in 4 rule does not apply in that situation or getting two weeks back to back would not violate the 1 in 4 rule.
Sandy, if you are out there, I know you own with Tradewinds. What do you have to say about that? Cause I thought that one day we would try to grab more than one cabin and make a family vacation out of it with the kids. Thanks.

Jackie

 

[alanmj]

So did you try grabbing two cabins on the same cruise and same week and they wouldn't let you do it? I thought I read somewhere that the l in 4 rule does not apply in that situation or getting two weeks back to back would not violate the 1 in 4 rule.
Sandy, if you are out there, I know you own with Tradewinds. What do you have to say about that? Cause I thought that one day we would try to grab more than one cabin and make a family vacation out of it with the kids. Thanks.

Jackie

Hi Jackie,

The 1 in 4 rule seems to be locally dependent on resort, as in some resorts will allow back-to-back bookings, some will allow multiple bookings for the same week, some neither of these.

I will be honest and say that I've never tested TWCC's rule in terms of trying to book more than one cabin as an RCI member. It does say that no multiple weeks are allowed "RCI EXCHANGER INFO:1 IN 4 YR RULE. GUESTS CANNOT GO BACK TO ANY TRADEWINDS PROPERTY MORE THAN ONCE EVERY 4 YEARS 5206, 5205, 6068, 6850) THIS DOESN'T APPLY TO OWNERS AT 5205, 5206, 6068, 6850. NO MULTIPLE WEEK EXCHANGES. POLICIES ALSO APPLY TO BONUS & RENTALS TOO." But if you're seriously interested, then I suggest you contact them at http://www.tradewindscruiseclub.com.

Alan

 

[grest]

For what it's worth (not much, really!), we only visited St. Maarten/St. Martin one day while on a cruise, but just didn't like it...probably have to try it again someday.
Connie

 

[Kal]

One day for St. Maarten???? That's a blink of the eye in time. How long ago was that trip? Go HERE to see what the island really looks like when you have time to explore.

 

[Eric in McLean]

Of the islands I've visited (and stayed on for at least 5 days) - St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. Lucia, Barbados, Aruba and Guadeloupe - Guadeloupe is my favorite. I stayed at St. Francois, within walking distance of a public course (in condition and cheap too). We had a rental car and hiked a volcano, water-falls, botanical gardens, scuba-dived, and there's even a casino (although I didn't go). The only draw-back is that it's French although you can get by with just speaking English. The food is quite good as well, I actually found a fairly authentic dim sum restaurant in Basse Terre.

Barbados comes in second. It's flat but very civilized.

 

[reddiablosv]

Best experience is hard to differentiate from best island. In Antigua, the people are very friendly, the water aqua blue and the sand pearly white. While there, my wife and I met an Antiguan couple and made friends. The husband was an officer in the Antiguan Coast Guard/Navy. Toward the end of our vacation, we received an invitation for my daughter and I to accompany a party of antiguan biologists on their survey of the lobster nursery of the neighboring island of Barbuda. We would get there on a Coast Guard high speed patrol boat. Half way there, the engine died. I asked the question of who would rescue us? But, the answer was, "We were the rescuers" and nobody would come to rescue us. Fortunately, the engineer had a pretty good idea of what the problem was and fixed it in short order. The real excitement came a little while later, when we received a message that we were being diverted to intercept some poachers from Guadelupe encroaching on Antiguan fishing grounds. Out came the M-16 rifles and battle gear! The captain of the vessel told me that this was serious business and the Guadalopean fisherman regularily fired upon the Antiguan coast guard! As luck would have it, we were very close to Barbuda and the decision was made to drop us off with the biologists. On the return trip, I had a great time talking about Antiguan politics, economics with the US educated Antiguan biologists. All this and other things made for my best trip yet to the Carribean. Ben

 

[lovearuba]

Aruba for me. I've tried Curacao, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Bermuda, Nassau, Cozumel and Grand Cayman. Palm beach is beautiful. We stay at the Marriott Ocean club every summer. Weather is around 85 with a constant breeze. Lots too do, wonderful restaurants and yes almost every hotel has a casino. You can keep as busy as you want or just hang out. We stayed in July and I can't wait to go back. Whatever you decide to do, remember you're on a carribbean island - you can't help but have fun.

 

[SPARTANINPR]

Fave islands

They are all good,especially in February!My personal fave is Jost Van Dyke in the BVI.No timeshares there but St.John and St.Thomas are right across the Drake Passage.I literally swam in barefoot in swimming tunks from my boat to go thru Customs!Foxy's Bar is an unbelievable experience and the Soggy Dollar on White Bay is the perfect place to lay in a hammock overlooking the beach with a paperback and a Painkiller.

 

[gretel]

I've stayed on Aruba, Nassau, Freeport, Curacao, Barbados, and Bermuda.

My favorite resort: Atlantis, Nassau, Bahamas (nice beach, water park/aquarium for kids, casinos, excellent restaurants)

My favorite destination in January: Aruba (perfect weather, beautiful beaches and casinos)

I disliked Curacao as I felt unwelcome many times by the native people (and was told how there is a movement by many to disuade Americans from making their island into another "Aruba"). I would not return.

The poverty in Barbados carried over into the tourist areas (begging children). I would not return.

Bermuda is lush and very much reminds me of the Hawaiian Islands (it is also a volcanic island). However, I enjoy renting a car on vacation and going to different beaches. Can only rent mopeds there. Nightlife is limited as well.

I have yet to try St. Thomas or St. John. My next new place will be Cancun.

 

[Gary Harmon]

As you can see, everone likes different places. My wife and I have been to about 9 places in the Caribbean. We hated St. Martin and would never return. We go to Grand Cayman every year and it is our favorite. Also, we liked Aruba and Bonaire. Even though Cancun is maybe not considered Caribbean, we also went there several times.

 

[grest]

Kal, that trip was about 10 years ago, and we toured the island for about 6 or 7 hours, certainly not long enough to see and experience it all, that's for sure...just didn't do anything for me. On the other hand, other islands we visited this way felt very warm and inviting, like Grand Cayman, St. John, some of the British Virgin Islands...but I'm willing to try it again at some point.
Connie

 

[Kal]

Ten years ago is a lifetime for St. Maarten. There have been remarkable changes even in the last 12 months much less the last 10 years. My guess is you would not even recognize it upon your return.

Based upon Carribean Travel Association polls, St. Maarten is the number one destination far and away more than any other island.

 

[IngridN]

Aruba has my vote for all the reasons mentined above. We go every year staying at one of the Marriott properties. May 2006 was booked the day after our return!

 

[Harvey and Lin]

With regard to Martinique, I've been there twice and have no desire to return. The people really show their hatred to Americans so that's a huge negative.

I've only been to Martinique once but my reading was that it was more of arrogance on the part of the french and not so much hatred. It is sort of like the arrogance of parisians, once you understand it you overlook it. JMHO Harvey

 

[Larry]

We have been to Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Punta Cana, Cancun and own in St. Marteen and Aruba. Although we have enjoyed all of our trips my vote is clearly for Aruba. Maybe not the prettiest Island but you can't beat the weather which is always 80-84 with a refreshing breeze. Very little rain, great people, good food, very safe, good nightlife, great beaches, super clean and no hurricanes.

St. Marteen is prettier but not as safe and traffic was terrible when we were there. Spent way too much time sitting in traffic to get to and from beaches and restaurants. Jamaica and Punta Cana where a lot of fun but you need to stay in an all inclusive since we didn't feel safe exploring on our own.

 

[winedown]

Grand Cayman is our favorite

I see that not many have voted for Grand Cayman, and it clearly doesn't get the level of tourism that St. Maartin does (thankfully).

We have been to most of the carribbean islands, but if you like to snorkel or dive, Grand Cayman is incomparible. The water is crystal clear, with sandy white beaches.

The people are truly hospitable, and you get a real feel for the Carribean culture, especially if you travel away from Georgetown. The per capita income for the islanders is relatively high, so crime is practically nonexistent. Their primary industry is not toursim, but banking.

Only drawback of Grand Cayman is the cost for food, liquor, etc. I would say it's comparable to some of the higher priced Hawaiian islands.

 

[Michaelnomore]

Aruba

For me it's Aruba. As a owner you can get the best discounts there if you become a member of the Owners Club. I haven't found a Owners Club on the other caribbean islands? If you become a member you also can put your timeshare on the promotion board for free. If you're interested check http://www.discountclub-aruba.com

greetz,

Michael

 

[Eric in McLean]

Mexico, Bermuda and the Bahamas are not in the Caribbean. Aruba has no Caribbean feel. It's packed full of fat tourists who do nothing but sit on the beach and drink. The Natural Bridge collapsed and I heard the golf course went to hell. Not that I had any inclination to go back before.

 

[gresmi]

Alan,
I enjoyed your description of Guadeloupe. It sounds like somewhere I'd love to go. But, I'm a little surprised at your description of the USVI'S. Have you ever been to St. John? It's a lot different than St. Thomas, which to me was even hard to believe, only being a 10-15 min. ferry ride away.

...FAR down the list, as in never go to again, are the USVI. There's no Caribbean flavour to them at all. Might as well go to Florida.

But the best holiday I've had so far has been sailing in the Grenadines. Not everyones cup of tea on a yacht, and trades of 2 cabins for the same week are impossible with TradeWinds Cruise Club (very strict 1 in 4 rule), but an absolutely fantastic experience.

AlanMJ[/QUOTE]

 

[chrisnwillie]

Mexico, Bermuda and the Bahamas are not in the Caribbean. Aruba has no Caribbean feel. It's packed full of fat tourists who do nothing but sit on the beach and drink. The Natural Bridge collapsed and I heard the golf course went to hell. Not that I had any inclination to go back before.

WOW. That's hard. Aruba does have a caribbean feel, IMHO. It is not packed with fat tourists. It's packed with a combo of tourists from all over the world. The Natural Bridge is still something to see, collapsed or not, and there are 7 more "natural bridges" on the island to see. IMHO, you can't beat the people of Aruba. They are by far, the warmest, nicest people in the carribean.

 

[gresmi]

chrisnwillie,
Couldn't have put it better. That's one of the main reasons I like Aruba so much, too.

WOW. That's hard. Aruba does have a caribbean feel, IMHO. It is not packed with fat tourists. It's packed with a combo of tourists from all over the world. The Natural Bridge is still something to see, collapsed or not, and there are 7 more "natural bridges" on the island to see. IMHO, you can't beat the people of Aruba. They are by far, the warmest, nicest people in the carribean.