25-year marriage honeymoon,where to go? Jamaica, Barbados, Curacao, how to cruise or not to cruise?!!
 

We are married 25 years in january and want to do something special. We would love a cruise (but what ship?) but I also would love to go to Barbados or Curacao or Jamaica.What to do? Is there a combination possible? We would like to start perhaps in Florida? What other starting points are there? <BR>Lots of questions, thank you for your answers already. Any other romantic ideas are welcome!!!

If money is no object look into Seabourne or Crystal Cruise lines, if you want middle of the road look into Royal Caribbean. If you want to have a ball, look into Windjammer! (Our favorite!) <BR> <BR> There are as many starting points for cruises as there are cruises! We have started in Miami, St. Maarten, Tortola, Puerto Rico and Grenada. I know there are many more places to start from. You can always stay a few days before and/or after the cruise at the place you sail from. <BR> <BR>Of the three islands you specifically mentioned, I think Barbados is the nicest of the three. <BR> <BR>For our 25th we went to Aruba. It was nice. My biggest regret is we were there for 10 days and didn't rent a vehicle and explore on our own. We took an island tour but you still don't know much about an island until you get out and gad around yourself.

I would suggest a Holland America Cruise. This cruise line is our favorite by far. We have tried Royal Carribbean and Norwegian, but they don't match the service and quality of Holland America. We have sailed with Holland America out of Ft. Lauderdale, which is great. It's an easy airport to find your way around, and the ride to the pier is about 5 minutes. Can't beat it! Our favorite is to cruise the eastern carribean islands, St. Thomas,( be sure and take a cab to the top of the island (the view is spectacular), Puerto Rico, St. John, St, Marten, etc. but the most beautiful private island is Half Moon Cay, the Holland America private island. You won't find a more beautiful beach with a cruise line. My husband and I will also be married 25 years soon and we are planning to book a Holland America cruise. It's just like they say, "It's like coming home." Try it! <BR>

barbara, <BR> <BR>I agree w/Cheri re: Barbados and her mention of many different starting points for cruises. We have been to Jamaica and Curacao. Think there are much prettier islands, but fine as a port if on a cruise. Suggest you contact a good cruise specialist. Is it imperative you start your vacation in Florida? We have cruised on Royal Caribbean [suite w/verandah]. This can be very romantic, but think something more 'grand' for a 25th anniversary. Windstar sails from Barbados. This may be a cruiseline you may want to explore. <BR>Are you thinking of cruising Jan, 2000? If so, you may find some good values or perhaps you may need to wait a bit longer, as many of the ships are full. <BR>There is a good website cruisemates.com You can 'visit' many of the cruiselines, read reviews, etc. <BR>Happy Anniversary! <BR>

I would also suggest renting a villa. We did so last summer in Jamaica and if you want to be pampered and feel like royalty that is the way to go. The villa we rented had a swimming pool and a full staff who catered to our every need without being intrusive. We booked the villa through Villas Caribe and have already booked a villa for our return to Jamaica next summer.

I definetly think that you can't beat a good cruise to the eastern Caribbean from San Juan or Miami. Go there a couple of days earlier and enjoy the sights of Puerto Rico, then cruise to the U.S. Virgins, Barbados, and what other island combination the cruise offers. The most important factor is the ship and crew. I'm not terribly fond of the western Caribbean unless Cuba and its resorts where open to Americans. Jamaica has too many racial issues for me to recommend. You'd have to be at a gated all inclusive resort for me to recommend it. Happy 25th. You'll have a great time in the Caribbean.

<BR> my choice barbados.ships are great but u dont get the feel u get from the people and culture of an island. barbados is very special,safe,great nitelife,and terribly romantic.last there dec. 99. best bet, southern palms beach club in st. lawrence walking distance to assortment of restaurants and nightclubs also the crane beach hotel and beach front make for a magical time for you and your partner.

Check the Crane because when we were in Barbados last May that was where the Royal Caribbean passengers went for their cup of rum punch and glimpse of the ocean.

I've been to Curacao, Barbados and Jamaica and there is no comparison...BARBADOS is where you want to be. Jamaica and Curacao, while nice..don't have the beauty, refinement or cuisine of Barbados. <BR> <BR>The West Coast (St. James) is the calmer side of the island and has the best restaurants. The food is incredible, like no other place I've been. Have dinner at the Cliff, Carambola or La Maison! Stay at either Glitter Bay, Royal Pavilion...or if you can splurge...Sandy Lane. I haven't been since they renovated, but I hear it's AMAZING! It already was when I went, so I can't imagine it any better! After you go here, you'll never need to go anywhere else in the Caribbean! And, if you're traveling in the fall, Barbados is perfect because it's outside of the hurricane ring. Good luck and congratulations!

PS. While a cruise is nice and enables you to visit numerous islands, staying in one place will allow you to truly experience the island, while a cruise allows you to experience "the cruise". Also, ports aren't typically as nice as other areas on the island. For example, the port in Barbados is Bridgetown, but that doesn't fairly represent the island of Barbados.

Hi Barbara: All holidays are a good time if you have the right attitude, so I'm sure you will have a great 25th Anniversary were ever you go. One suggestion that you have not had yet would be a Southern Caribbean Cruise departing from Aruba. We did this a couple of years ago. We went to Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, Margarita Island and to Curacao. This would allow you to see two of the islands that you specified. This itinerary is great, a real mix of beautiful beaches(Aruba, and Grenada and Barbados) lushness (St. Lucia, Grenada). There is good shopping in Barbados and Curacao, gambling in Curacao and Aruba. I found the islands of Eastern Caribbean cruise itineraries to be more alike but this cruise is much more diverse. If you just want a one stop island holiday chose Barbados over Curacao, one week in Curacao would be about 5 days to many.But it is a very good cruise port stop, just arriving into the port is an adventure in itself. Have a great holiday.Karen