Isha

Think have finally planned (atleast location wise) a perfect honeymoon in Feb - wqould love some reassurance. <BR> <BR>7 days in the BVI - to relax, recharge - nice beaches, small hotel/ private villa type accomodation <BR>7 days on a cruise <BR>5-7 days in St. Bart/ Antigua - want some pampering and nice restaurants. <BR> <BR>Any suggestions on itenary? Good places to stay for relaxation, great service and not too many people??

Sunny

Are you trying to choose between these trips or are you planning on doing them all together? <BR> <BR>It's your honeymoon, but three weeks is an awful long time to be gone at once. If I had that much time, I would be tempted to go to the South Pacific, NZ and Australia or maybe a grand tour of Europe. You can always go to the Caribbean, whenever you have a free week. <BR> <BR>Just a thought from another traveller (one who drove to her honeymoon!)

anon

When I think of cruises, I think of lots of people. But I've never taken one. Are there uncrowded cruises?

Penney

We did a cruise last year but on a smaller ship - Celebrity and wold do it again on this cruise line only because it was just enough people - any more and it would have been too much. It is a great way to see the islands (which you like, tours, etc...), food is wonderful, great entertainment and you would never get bored. On the negative, the rooms are about the sixe of a shoe box (shower is not big enough to turn around in - would get a room with a balcony), drinks are very expensive (a coke is $4.00 - sneak stuff on board!), you eat with other people for dinner, it is a mad house to get off the ship at ports and you are up really early so you don't miss any thing or just hit the local beach like us but totally miss the pampering items like lounge chairs, bars for drinks, clean towels, showers!

anon

Thanks for being honest, I appreciate someone who doesn't sugarcoat everything, I learn a lot more from that. <BR> <BR>To me madhouse = crowded, not the way I'd want to spend a honeymoon. What you describe sounds nightmarish to me.

Karen

Just for clairifaction, you are going to do all three? <BR>I would look at Peter Island, Biras Creek, Guana Island in the BVI - check www.scubamom.com <BR>I would check with the Sea Cloud Cruises (only 34 cibins) <BR>Big difference betweeen St. Bart's and Antigua. Might be easier to combo St. Bart's and Anguilla but two islands in five days is a bit quick with one day for changing islands.

Isha

Was thinking of doing a cruise for a week and then maybe a week in a nice small hotel. You're totally right - want to be as far away as possible from the crowds. <BR> <BR>Thanks for the honest opionion on the cruises, always thought it would be cool. Not so sure anymore... Will chech out Seacloud - sounds great. has anyone heard anything about windjammer?? <BR>Also would you reccommend renting a private villa for a first time caribbeaner??

Gail

I agree with the South Pacific cruise idea. They use smaller ships and the locations are soooooo romantic.

Kathy

Sounds like a lovely honeymoon to me. I agree with Karen-check out Biras and Guana Island in the BVI. I've been to both and they are perfect for a honeymoon. Both small and very intimate with lovely beaches,rooms and great food. <BR>You might want to check out the Windstar line of cruise ships. They are small( the largest one-Windsurf-holds 300 people). You do not have to dress formally for dinner and everything is relaxed and casual. They are also sailing ships. We never felt crowded and they go to the smaller islands for ports of call. Not much night life-but you are on your honeymoon... Have fun

BillK

For a romantic cruise that pampers try The Star Clipper (which is how we found St Barth when we renewed our vows in 93. Get a deck cabin - comes with a jacuzzi - great ports of call and no rules. St Barth is where I 'd go after - we've been spending a month there every year since 93 - you can either stay at some place like Le Toiny very secluded private cottages with your own pool or Guanahani if you want quite with a beach. We've been doing villas for the last 6 years and love the privacy. Congrats and good luck

Isha

Thanks a lot guys - am coming close to narrowing down on the right cruise. If I were to visit onloy one island in the Caribbean, which would it be? Want nice beaches, not touristy at all and small hotels with private balconies/ plunge pools, etc.

Penney

We did our first cruise last April and while we have previusly visited ost islands, we really loved to see St. Kitts for the first time. It is a very mountainous island, very lush and green with very strict laws on protecting the land so it is left very natural and unbuilt on. Beaches are beautiful, adorable little town without all the mobs of people, landscape is breath-taking, and there are many wonderful smaller places to stay on both St. Kitts and its sister island, Nevis.

Desi

We were supposed to go to St Bart for our honeymoon, but it got hit by a hurricane, so we went to Mustique instead. I have since been to St Barts, and it's a beautiful island, but very, very busy! I was so glad we went to Mustique for our Honeymoon. It was so much less crowded, and more relaxing. We rented a Villa. St Barts has beautiful beaches, great food, and we stayed at the Carl Gustaf, where you have a private plunge pool on the patio of your room, which is nice,and they serve you a continental breakfast in your room everymorning.But it is a very busy, hustle and bustle island.

Leslie

Isha - for cruise advice specifically, you might want to post a question on the Cruise board of fodors instead of here. <BR> <BR>Note: Celebrity ships have about 1900 passengers (not exactly intimate as one poster implied)...Windstar is very nice but pricey. For a less expensive and very casual experience you might consider a Windjammer Cruise. <BR> <BR>Also, you should think through the departure point for a Carribean cruise so you can, hopefully, make the cruise debarkation/embarkation island one of your islands for the land portion of your trip. Otherwise, you'll have the added hassle and cost of getting to that island also.

Cheri

For the island part of your honeymoon I would suggest Anguilla and St. Barth. While SB does have the hustle/bustle, it is absolutely beautiful (it's mountainous) and romantic and it has wonderful restaurants and beaches. <BR> <BR>Anguilla has ABSOLUTELY gorgeous beaches and it also has fantastic restaurants. The island itself is flat though and is not nearly as scenic as St. Barth. In my opinion for a honeymoon, you could not go wrong with either.