I live in San Francisco and have pretty much kept my warm-weather vacation destinations to Hawaii and Mexico. However, lately I have become convinced that I am missing a world of great vacationing in the carribean! So, if I'm going to go there, where should I go first? How long should I stay? Someone suggested a cruise for my first trip there but my husband is reluctant. I have to admit the big draw for me is turquoise waters--I've never actually seen anything like the pictures from bahamas and carribean islands.

A cruise is perfect, you get a flavor of the islands and can decide which one you want to go back to. We fell in love with Cozumel and went back for a week...So many islands and so little time...and cruising is one way to see most of them on one trip..

I would not suggest a cruise. They do not include all your drink,tips and shore excursions. Everytime you get off the boat(which may only be for four hours at a time) you will have to pay to go anywhere. You either have to pay for a cab or join the shore excursions that are provided by the ships. You also might have to wade threw a bunch of hawkers as you get off the ship. (I suggest picking an island and finding a resort all inclusive or otherwise. YOu will have much more bech time.

Cruise or Not? Depends on your personality. I agree with the previous poster that a cruise will allow you to sample several islands. But after vacationing on several Caribbean islands, and then cruising, I have decided cruises aren't for ME. But that's because I didn't like feeling "stuck" on a floating hotel. I prefer the adventure of exploring an exotic tropical island. The sand between my toes is better than the distant view aross the water to a secluded sandy beach. But what YOU choose really depends on YOUR wishes for a vacation. <BR> <BR>Cruises will offer many amenities and a steady supply of other passengers for companionship as well as ready entertainment. You will visit several islands, without having much time at any of them. You will be able to choose an activity at each port, but you will not have an opportunity to really explore any of them. And sunning by the pool on the boat is not the same as Caribbean beach time. <BR> <BR>If you do choose to "resort it", keep in mind that the turquoise water color is due to light reflected from the light colored sand below. If that's what you want to see, choose a coral island instead of a volcanic one. Volcanic islands have darker sand beaches and often deeper water close to shore, which makes the water a deeper blue color. Still beautiful, but not that uniquely Caribbean hue. Whatever you decide, enjoy the Caribbean!

Regarding your question as to how long to stay on a Caribbean island, I would say 5 nights is good, maybe 6 if you're REALLY a reading-on-the-beach type of person. For your first island, I would recommend either Nassau, Bahamas (Paradise Island), or Aruba. I just returned from Caye Caulker off the coast of Belize, which I found very relaxing, but you might find it too boring and/or primitive (i.e. not too many hotels with A/C, no fancy restaurants, not a large beach area, etc...) Good luck in your search.

I've lived on St. Thomas (US Virgin Islands) for 17 years and during that time have taken four cruises which I thoroughly recommend if you're a first-time traveller to the Caribbean. Some of the posted comments are correct in that one port a day doesn't give you a really in-depth experience of each island's special characteristics. However, the offered tours are well planned and executed and I've since returned to many of the islands I've visited for a longer period. I prefer the smaller, older cruise ships rather than the new megatonnage but this is all according to your preference. Taking a cruise with its all-inclusive amenities is MUCH cheaper than staying in a resort hotel. Sure you pay for your drinks and your tours but do a price comparison and you'll quickly see what I mean when I say it's much cheaper. You also have to pay for tours and drinks at a resort hotel! That's my recommendation anyway - enjoy yourself whatever you decide to do!

There are those who love to cruise and going from port to port exploring a stop for a day might be sufficient to determine if you would like to return. I found a cruise very confining and swimming in a puddle with all those beaches being passed up was very frustrating! And I have not done another ... just did not "fit" what I wanted/needed. Of course, if you want there is non-stop eating and all amenities at your finger tips but you do have to deal with crowds if you choose the larger ships (and some are bigger than cities now!). Maybe explore with a smaller "high end" ship that hits some of the more "remote" islands or take a Windjammer cruise so that you aren't caught up in the "atmosphere" of a cruise if that is what is stopping you! Or list your priorities to start eliminating some of the islands from the maybe list. Low rise luxury or high rise glitz and glamour? A luxury resort with all amenities, a moderate priced island, a villa or condo where you can self cater are all options!! The feel of the Caribb or the Americanization/commercialim of some places like Aruba or Cancun. Fine dining? Shopping? More European than American guests? Long lonely stretches of beach? Or chairs lined up military fashion elbow to elbow? If it will be winter, Caribb warm or maybe cool/cold in the Bahamas. Busier main islands or out islands that afford you more privacy and seclusion? An island that will give you an opportunity to explore others from it easily like Anguilla (St. Martin and St. Barths) or St. Thomas (St. John and the BVI's) so you may want to pick an "island group" but making one your base!! I cannot imagine being bored even after two weeks - I am never ready to come home - whether it is secluded and isolated PSV, wonderful sleepy Anguilla with the glorious beaches and good eats but little else to do or even St. Thomas which has busy parts for lots of activity plus a whole part of the island that the cruisers never get to see!! The Turks and Caicos, altho not really Caribb, offer some of the most breath taking waters and colors but they are flat, dry islands and cays not tropical and lush and are still mostly undeveloped other than Provo which is growing in popularity. And I just answered your question with about a million more!!

Hi Jen, <BR>I would agree with the posters recommending a cruise. You could certainly pick and island and then pick a resort. But that's the only island/resort you're going to see. As this web site confirms, each of us has different ideas about vacationing, as well as likes and dislikes. I'm an island person, and have been lucky enough to travel extensively in the Caribbean, West Indies and South Pacific. I have my favorites, but someone else might have a totally different set of requirements for the "perfect" island/resort, and not care for my choices. <BR> Do your homework. Check out mags like "Islands" and "Travel", and web sites like this one. Find a cruise that gets you to the most islands you are interested in and check them out. No, you won't get the immersion in the island culture you would if spending a week, rather than a few hours, but you can decide which island(s) you might want to visit for a longer stay. <BR>After hearing great things about the US Virgin Islands I visited St. Thomas and St. John earlier this month. They are nice places to visit and have some spectacular views and water colors that will astound you. But they didn't impress me enough to give up the Tahitian and Fijian island chains as my personal favorites. <BR>Taking a cruise will give you the flexibility to explore future choices. <BR>Cheers <BR>Billy <BR>

<BR>I don't think that the cruise ship dock/harbor of most islands is the best representation of the flavor of most islands. They are often the worst, either because of commercialism, crowds or in some cases, industry. It would be sad to judge Barbados by Bridgetown or Jamaiaca by Mo Bay. <BR> <BR>Like you, we love the water. You'll see plenty on ship, but not necessarily turquoise. Most ships will keep you at sea as much as possible to keep the casinos open. I hated being rushed at each port. <BR> <BR>For water color & clarity I would suggest starting your research with the any of the Bahamas except Grand Bahama, Turks & Caicos, Anguilla or Cayman. Cancun & Playa del Carment also have that special color I THINK you're looking for, but have the Mexican atmosphere you've already experienced. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Do 6 to 10 days in the bahamas ,and you can do three islands.And see water like you have never seen before. On a cruise you will see a boat. Paradise Island is nice, but crowded.Try cable beach.Breezes is nice,Sandals Royal Bahamian is even nicer. 3day in nassau 3days on an out island .You will never forget it. Enjoy.

Hi Jen: In Oct of 1993 my husband and I took our first trip (only a honeymoon to the Poconos precided it). We went on the eastern Caribbean itinerary to St. Thomas and St. Martin and San Juan from Miami (which is where I saw my first palm tree!). We loved it, we fell in love with the Caribbean and new we would be back. The next year we opted for a week in Aruba at LaCabana it was very nice and Aruba has a special place in our hearts. After that we went back to cruising for 3 trips. We got a chance to see islands that we would never be able to afford to stay on for a weeks vacation or that would not hold our interest for a whole week. Vacations are what you make them not what someone else tells you! We are going this year for a week in Jamaica and I already know we will have a great holiday! Happy vacation whatever you choose. Karen

Don't Cruise!!! The beauty of the Carribean is the island itself!! You don't learn about the culture, see and enjoy the beautiful palm trees & lush flowers. Have the soft sand and beautiful turquoise water at your feet whenever you want. On a cruise at best you get a few hours each day! An excellent excursion from Paradise Island in the Bahamas is a power boat trip that takes you out to the Exuma's - I have never seen anything so beautiful in my life!!! They will pick you up at all the resorts. Anyway, have a good time no matter what! Good Luck!

This is my recommendation, oft repeated every chance I get: Charela Inn, Negril Jamaica. The beach is post-card perfect. Or if you want a bit of variety, do three/four nights at Charela on the beach and three nights at Rockhouse, or Tensing Pen on the cliffs. There you climb down a ladder into a snorkeling heaven. (Of course you can also take a boat trip out to the reef from any location in Negril.

It all depends on what you like. I don't like cruises because I hate being "stuck". I love to explore & you really don't get to do that on a cruise. <BR>A cruise will let you see several different islands so next time, you know what is nicest. However, on a cruise, if you do not go on an island excursion, you don't really "see" the real island. For instance, if you went to St. Martin on a cruise & never left Philipsburg, you would have no idea that the island is really a dump! <BR>A cruise is a good idea for a 1st timer otherwise I would choose either the Caymans, British Virgin Islands, St. John, or Turks & Caicos.