My fiance and I are going on our honeymoon in January of 2003. We want to go to the Caribbean via a timeshare opportunity we have been given. We have looked at the Harborside Resort at Atlantis on Paradise Island, but I would love information on a better island if there is one? We've looked at Grand Cayman as well, but wanting some more expert advice. I'm pretty inexperienced, and obviously want to make this the best trip for my fiance and I. I would appreciate any information. Thanks

From my point of view, Cayman is far superior to Paradise Island.<BR>GC has little in the way of poverty, while Nassau (visible from PI) is a very poor and run down place.<BR>Cayman has better beaches and snorkeling, and better food options.<BR>The only possible advantage PI has is that if you like to gamble, there is a casino at Atlantis, and the Atlantis resort offers water activities.<BR>I find the place tacky and unromantic, but that's just my opinion.<BR>If it were me, I'd get a condo on GC if given those 2 options.

Oh, by the way, Justin, Go Tigers!<BR>(I have several ties to MU).

The weather in the Bahamas is not always great sometimes cool and we had 5 days out of 6 with almost all day rain in January--Grand Cayman better choice. Also good is french St. Martin on Orient Beach with a rental car--excellent dining, long white sand beach with six beach bars. Anrigua has beautiful beaches--St. James Club or Jolly Beach if they are a choice.

If you go to Antigua join the party to see the sun set over the hills and the ocean on Sunday on top of the mountain at Shirley Heights--live steel band music, barbecue and bar--the view is to die for! Eric Clapton has a home on a cliff overlooking the ocean nearby. We've done this twice and wouldn't miss it. See the yachts at English Harbour--this island really has beautiful beaches.

Thanks everyone for their responses. Great information! Mike, glad to see a Tiger fan out there! Watch out for Kareem in the NBA. You mentioned ties to MU, any of those offer a job to an MU grad?

Tough time to enter the job market in many areas, Justin. My sympathies.<BR>I fear a long, slow economic recovery is ahead.<BR>Some areas still growing steadily, though. Like health care. If you have an MD and some postgraduate training I could plug you in pretty easily.<BR>Seriously, though, in what area(s) are you looking (professionally, geographically)?<BR><BR>Kareem will last at least a few years in the NBA, I suspect. Too bad about JaRon. I live a half mile from their high school.<BR>Quin's got an uphill battle ahead of him next year, and KU looks very strong (unfortunately).<BR><BR>

Mike,<BR><BR>No MD unfortunately, and I actually have one more year of undergrad. My fiance is getting her resume out for pharmaceutical sales. I have one more year in Columbia so that's where we're looking for her for at least a year, then we're up for anywhere really. She's got an interview with Bristol Myers in the next couple weeks, so that's a plus. We're going to keep our fingers crossed though! <BR><BR>KU does look pretty tough!

Justin - both Nassau (Paradise Island) and Grand Cayman are very built-up, but of the two, I'd say GC is definitely better. Paradise Island is tiny and Nassau very poor. G Cayman has its 7 mile beach which is great. However - if you're going in January, I'd also suggest you look further south to perhaps Grenada or St. Lucia. They are both tropical and will be warmer. Even G Cayman and the Bahamas are not that warm during the day in winter. YOu could also consider Aruba - it's a desert island - not tropical, but its far south enough to remain warm in winter and has good resorts. Best wishes on your marriage - alison