I have not been to any of these Islands & would like to check one of them out. Which is best? Do you really get sandblasted by the sand on Aruba? Which Island has the most things to see & do? Which one is less touristy? I am not looking to have to elbow my way on the beach. Thanks!

I have not been to Aruba - but between Barbados and GC - GC wins hands down. We stayed at the Westin on 7 mile beach and it was beautiful. The snorkeling was fantastic (especially Sting Ray City) and there were alot of restaurants around. It is also a very safe island. In Barbados, the water was much rougher - and maybe we just had bad luck, but there was an oil slick that kept appearing on the weater at the hotel beach. There were good restaurants, but I just liked GC alot better.

<BR>Hi Amber! <BR>We haven't been to Aruba either, but to GC twice & Barbados twice. GC is very westernized, very safe & VERY CROWDED with tourists & expats. Lots of cruise ships. No, TONS of cruise ships. Barbados is very "old Caribbean", mostly safe (despite the poverty), & VERY CROWDED with Barbadians! LOL! Just a ship a day, usually. <BR> <BR>There are tourist traps to do on each. "Hell" on GC is a bad joke. The Wildlife Preserve on B'dos is basically a small zoo. <BR> <BR>On GC the stingrays are indeed fabulous, as is the snorkeling & diving. Food is mostly ho hum. A flat, dull landscape, but very clean. <BR> <BR>The nightlife on B'dos is fun at the Gap. Lots of gorgeous beaches to choose from on B'dos. The food is excellent. Landscape varies tremendously --- more undulating terrain. <BR> <BR>We like them both. <BR> <BR>

Hi Amber: We have been lucky enough to have travelled to 14 Caribbean Islands and the three you mentioned would be near the top of the list. Barbados is the largest of the three and diffently more to do there, good beaches, history and lush landscape (andromeda gardens, farley hill ect.) Good restaurants with lots of choice ect.. Grand Caymans is very expensive the Cayman dollar is worth more than the US dollar (takes 1.25 us to buy 1.00 cayman), had lunch at the outdoor patio at the Marriot for 45.00 Us and it was only a Caesar salad for myself and club house for my husband and a beer and bottle of water yikes!!! Seven Mile beach is lovely and the Stingray tour is great, also good scuba diving. Aruba has the most beautiful beaches the friendliest people, good shopping and great restaurants. Very very safe and comfortable. We love the Palm beach area were you can go from resort to resort stopping at different bars ect. Lots of watersports and great place to rent a car. Aruba has less cruise ships dock at it than Grand Cayman. I think Grand Cayman is the most touristy. Been to Aruba twice and never been sand blasted, although I was very gland there was a breeze it's blooming hot there! If you are going between Aug and September Aruba is probably a surer bet for the weather. Have a great time wherever you go. Sincerely, Karen

I have read or heard of 3 advantages Aruba has over the other islands you mention. 1) It is out of the hurricane belt, in case you are going during late summer or fall. 2) The quality of the air is legendary - refreshing, always soft & breezy & lovely. 3) Aruba is one of the only Caribbean islands with no history of slavery, and supposedly this shows as an advantage in the personality & disposition of the islanders. Interesting theory. Anyway, next year there will be nonstops from my city, and we are going!