need vacation advice - caribbean
 

last year i got great vacation advice from fellwo oso'ers and will be searching back again.
We ended up at Couples, Ocho rios , all inclusive. never drank so much rum in my life!!!!!

I'm hooked on all inclusive. only thing we didn't enjoy about Jamaica was that you didn't want to venture out too much.

our best vacation was in Hawaii where we saw a LOT of sights and enjoyed that along with hanging at the resort.

so.........

any suggestions on all inclusives on islands that are both safe to travel around and have great scenery and things to see?

like Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados.... etc.

Island differences, etc. who has casino, nighlife, seclusion, etc
thanks


Ramb

Just got back from the El Dorado Royale in Mexico, approx 30 mi south of Cancun. Great palce, very clean, food and driink were second to none. Shoot me an e-mail and I will give the details.

Slamin

Tell me about Hawaii..... Worth a flight from Ohio to there for 5 days of there, during the summer?

bvi, virgin gorda, tortola etc.

Re: need vacation advice - caribbean
 

While the all-inclusives have their benefits, your complaint is VERY typical of anyone who goes this route on a vacation. After paying what sometimes can be rather large fees per person to have everything at your disposal right at the resort, you don't want to venture out to spend money elsewhere. That and running around Jamaica can prove to be an unsafe thing to do in some areas. We went a different route many years ago, and have found it to be much more satisfying for vacations, and in most instances, less expensive!:cool:

We went to St. Lucia back in '96, and rented a most unique home built by an American couple who still live there very close by to make sure that everything stays perfect during your stay (without bugging you, of course)
Although they used to have their own website, the closest thing I can find now is......
http://www.caribbeantrip.com/nhotels...cription.shtml

You will not be disappointed, believe me!
PM me if you want some more info- I'll see what I can dig up.
Jim

Ram,

Go to www.partyboating.com and look up member zippity. He has an offshore boat charter in St Barts and St. Martin or check out his web site at http://www.offshoresunsations.com/ he might be able to help you out.

Aruba Rocks
 

Rambunctious

Give Aruba a shot... Warm sun great beach's Casino's it Rocks.

This is a great high rise http://www.arubagrand.com/ ... If you want 5 star.

The other option is to go with a low rise hotel, not as nice but very affordable. http://www.bucuti.com/


You can rent a jeep and run around the island, tons of fun I have been all over the Caribbean and Aruba is my favorite.


Good luck have fun, the other option is to not waste money on the islands and go to Europe WAY BETTER and it cost the same.

Have fun!

If you want romance and seclusion, these are THE finest resorts in the Caribbean.

Lots to see on Virgin Gorda such as "The Baths"
http://www.beyc.com/

This is a private lsland. At night only the guests and one staff member are on the island. No cars. Visit Tortola and Virgin Gorda by Speedy's Ferry Service. Great diving and private beaches.
http://www.peterisland.com/

This is where the Hollywood set goes. The only four star in the Caribbean, including a golf course on the side of a volcano. I've been to the other two, this one is still on my list of places to go.
http://www.fourseasons.com/nevis/index.html

Antigua.............
 

Antigua has 365 beaches, one for each day of the year. It is a beautiful island and has the absolute BEST rum and beer!!!!!!!!! Outside the resort, every street corner has a bar which is nothing but a plywood roof for shade, 2 stools, a cooler, and a hand painted sign saying "Cold Beer". The locals are very friendly and seem to have 0 worries.

We went to Pineapple Beach Resort. http://www.allegroantigua.com/

Had a great time. After our reservations were booked, we e-mailed the general manger of the resort and requested a cab pick us up at the airport with a couple of local cold beers. (A cab driver's car is their personal car down there) This easy pre-planning sure did beat the usual bus ride to the resort. Oscar, our cab driver, was at the airport waiting when we arrived and in his car was 4 Wadadlis (awesome local brew) on ice. During our ride with Oscar we asked if he was interested in driving us around the island for a day while we were there. He agreed. We paid him $100 for the day and bought him lunch. It was money well spent, he took us to see the sites and major cities and was much better than a booked tour.
PM or e-mail me and I'll tell you more about the place if you like. Good luck.

Joey

I'm with Fightclub!!! You want paradise? One word!!! ARUBA!!!!!!

I, too, have been all over the Caribbean and we keep going back to Aruba! Have been there 6 times.


Make sure you go in town and eat at Jakarta!!! OH MAN, I'm drooling just thinking bout it!!!

I'll regret this if word gets around........but.

www.windstarcruises.com

It gets my highest endorsement.

T2x

Costa Rica. More thing to do than you'll have time for. I go for 2 weeks every year. If you want to know more you can call me 954-614-2591

WTF!!! No one here does bareboat charters in the Carib? Snailboat or powerboat. I have not done it either, but it sure looks like the best vacation bet.

I think we are going back to st. john in nov. but we will be renting a house, nice an quiet. I know it`s not for everybody but it`s beautiful. I also like barbados.:D

I wouldn't know however all you need for a great vacation is a warm beach and plenty of...

"Goldeneye" in Jamaica

Limited to a few dozen guest at a time, the property used to belong to Ian Fleming, and some of the James bond novels were written there.
Private chefs for anything you want to eat, and gracious white glove service for everything else...

By far the best vacation I've ever had. The week my wife and daughter and I were the only guests on the property...it was over the top in every way imaginable...


www.islandoutpost.com

We had the main house, which was very pricey, but worth it...
Island Outpost does have tons of other beautiful properties in the caribean....you can't go wrong

Funny so many people like Aruba, I thought it was barren, brown and windy. An island that is very pretty is Grenada and the natives are friendly. Did the sandals thing 2x both times in Jamaica, Montego Bay and Negril, we left only a few times but were with an arranged group. At this point I would not go to another Jamaica resort but would definitely return to Sandals. For us it is perfect, a camp for adults; we took advantage of everything from scuba, watersking, windsurfing, sunfish sail boats, and of course rum and the swim up bars. Since we went by ourselves we also enjoyed the camaraderie of the other guests. Exclusive is definitely more expensive so unless you take advantage of all the stuff I think you could have plenty to drink at non exclusive resort and not spend as much. If you like Sandals, try one on another island, they treat their returning guests extra special.

I have cruised twice in the VI and we really like to hit as many ports as possible. It is such an awesome area to ck out. My wife loved St Thomas(shopping) ouch..
We are leaving again the first week of Feb and can not wait to get out of the cold. We are flying to Puerto Rico and are hitting St. Thomas, Barbados, Dominica and Aruba. 13 days and counting......Dwight

I just got back today from a three night cruise out of Miami to Nassau via Carnival Fascination.

Man, cruises suck! We felt like cattle being herded though the throngs! If you are independent, DO NOT take a cruise.

On the flip side ...the Bahamas were awesome. The water was magnificent. Didn't see a single fu(kin' speed boat though.

Keep this thread going. I'm going on a honeymoon in April and I want to do it in the Caribbean.:D

The Bahamas are the place for me,been to a few isles a coupla times,and love,next time go on a ride on the thriller ,its a 50 ft cat that goes 70,with 25 people and takes you on a nice 1.5 hr cruise for 35 pp. Yeah,no speedboats like were used to !! Tripps

We really enjoyed the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana. Going again in March. This is also an all-inclusive package.

tripps

Yeah, I saw that Thriller Cat. I was on the beach at Blue Lagoon and saw it out on the Atlantic. It was shooting out this huge roostertail, but not going to fast. I saw it back at the docks. Next time I'll try it. Didn't have time.

Also, next time I'll rent a scooter and explore the big island.

Love Machine,

I could not disagree with you more. I have been on 14 cruises East, West, and Southeran Caribbean. Not a better value or ability to worry about nothing. You don't need to figure out where to go for dinner or if it will be safe.
I go to Maui each year and that is the only island I like as much as a cruise. To each their own but my wife and I would take a cruise any day.

I agree, Donna! I have been to Sandals in Antigua and would go back. So many islands to choose from. My Mom is one of those "extra special" guests...she has been to several on Jamaica and last year went to St. Lucia.

Patti

Yellowbird,
We ventured out of the resort to what they called the "el centro" to shop and walk around. The vendors are very aggressive but realized when "no means no".
We sat at an outside corner bar and had a few beers with some locals with no problem at all. My wife brought things to give to the children. It was interesting to watch all the people.

You are correct in being careful where common sense and street smarts are your best friend. I have learned that a low profile in situations like that is best. Hopefully your friend has learned that as well.

Paul
Thanks for the links.

St.Barths or Bequia

I am honing in on Aruba, Dominican Republic, and Riviera Maya

Aruba: the Renaissance looks awesome, anyone been there. closer to town (walk to tons of restaurants, shops, etc) , is there an advantage begin out on the hotel strip?? or just simply walk there. How about Allegro.. any specific day trips or boat excursions recommended??
what is the culture. African influence/ rum distilleries/ carribean music, or Spanish/ South American. I enjoy the carribean type music.......just wondering..


Riviera Maya: many say the best place. many repeaters
most are All inclusive. anyone else been to any of the all inclusives??
Slamin , can you send me an email. I do not have an OSO membership....

DominicanRepublic:
best deals in Carribean. Many brand new all inclusives at great prices. Casinos , which we enjoy, My previous Next door neighbor was a professional pitcher and spent a year on the island in minors. didn't like it. but probably surrounded by the poor economy instead of sheltered like us tourists......
what to do on this island???...


too old, what do you love about barbados. relaxing, or things to do


thanks for the help


ramb

Exactly, to each his own. If you want to be brain dead and follow the herd, then take a cruise. If you want adventure and independence, then don't take a cruise.

i spent my honeymoon at the allegro, first class all the way . great food and if you can book a jr suite it is killer .

my opinion , nassau bahamas sucks ,look at the water

now look at arubas water , dont get me wrong there isnt alot to do in aruba , but the allegro has a casino in it !!!!