Drippy, I am so so sorry for your experience in St. Martin. Thank you for the heads up, please tell us more about the police response.

And for those turning this thread into a social one, I think it is not appropriate here, and belittles drippy's post.

Hi Christie: I will do a full TR upon return. It will be in the cruise forum. Cheers, Larry

After the US ends its silly embargo of Cuba and the Cuban government liberalises sometime in the next decade or so, Cuba will become a Caribbean vacation hot spot. Places like the Virgin Islands will have an even harder time of it as business goes to Cuba.

As far as turning this thread into a "social" one, I feel that the majority of the posters here have a true love of the islands and may be interested in the goings-on in everyday life here.
I live here in a US territory island for 6 months every year. There is a lot of corruption, the police do not want to make out police reports, and it goes on...
This not to be-little drippys ordeal, just as he headlined. Beware. Most of these islands have a pie in the sky outlook and we we should know it going in and just be careful...

Sorry if my previous post included some personal or "social" comments. I thought the majority of it expressed views regarding the prevalence of crime and justice system issues in the Caribbean. Drippy: I hope you took no offense and see that discussion of these issues as taking your experience very seriously. Hope you are on the mend, and please keep us posted. IMO Fodors Caribbean forum posters are generally congenial people who don't mind some friendly banter. Hope my thoughts have not served to "belittle" the seriousness of Drippy's post or experience. Everyone have a great weekend and a nice cocktail or two! (Oops, my bad... shouldn't have said something so social...)

Tux,

Hopefully you can get down there before too long. We have no plans set in stone as of yet, maybe somewhere around June.Take care!

Christie