I have a theory...what are your thoughts?
 

I have a theory based on my own experience and those of my friends and family. Did the first place in the Caribbean you visited influence the type of island you prefer to vacation on?

For example, my first trip to the Caribbean was to St. Lucia, and since then I've discovered that I prefer the lusher, more mountainous islands with a beautiful interior--Jamaica, Nevis, and Grenada are at the tops of my list. I like the other kinds of islands, but for the most part they've not been the ones that have most captured my heart and imagination.

What have your experiences been?

In a way, yes. I have only been to St. John so far and in planning future trips to the Caribbean, the gorgeous beaches and great from-shore snorkeling in St. John are steering me.

"Did the first place in the Caribbean you visited influence the type of island you prefer to vacation on?"

Absolutely. Our first experience was our honeymoon to Cozumel. It was amazing beyond belief. I was hooked. We went to Playa del Carmen for our first wedding anniversary and then Cancun for our 2nd wedding anniversary. Then we branched out to the Carribean. We love the clear warm water and the overall vibe. We fell in love with the concept of AI resorts, so after visting several Caribbean Islands and Hawaii, we still love Mexico the most. I agree though of all the palces we've been, St. Lucia is the most beautiful.

Not for us although the first island (Virgin Gorda) we ever visited is high on our list of favorites. We like the fact that all islands are different. We've been to lush volcanic islands that we've loved (Nevis, Grenada, St. Vincent) and others we don't have to visit again (St. Lucia and the Dominican Republic). The same holds true for flat arid islands, we loved Anguilla, a couple of the Bahamas Out Islands, and Anegada but didn't like Provo, Cat Island or Aruba. As for the hilly but not necessarilly lush islands, we liked St. Barth's, St. John, Tortola but not St. Martin or St. Thomas. Unlike KVR we disliked Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Cozemel.

Not so for me. One of the last islands we visited was Aruba, hardly your prototypical lush tropical isle. However I sort of liked the landscape just as it was. I also liked the dry or west side of the BI as well. However your ? is a good one. It makes sense, sort of in the vein of how a good 1st impression is lasting.

Our first trip to the Caribbean was in 1998 to Jamaica. I don't know that Jamaica so much influenced me at the time as I knew very little about the Caribbean. We didn't travel to the Caribbean again until 2003 and that was St Lucia. St Lucia definitely had an impact on what kind of islands I now choose. We definitely prefer lush or hilly islands. St John seems to be a perfect fit for us. Hilly and beautiful with great beaches to boot. Not to mention good opportunities for island hopping. Maybe I will get out of my STJ "rut" someday, but not yet. Trip number four scheduled for November.

so far i have been to st. thomas (1st) with mini visits in the bvi's, provo and mexico. i like them all best.
actually it's all about the snorkeling for me and each place was a good experience.
my ideal would be someplace with the culture and history of mexico and the snorkeling of grand cayman and the restaurants of provo.
what a fun question ej!

Good question ej!

My first trip to any tropical island was in 2002.My husband and I went to Kaua'i Hawaii.It did capture my heart!:) But I have since enjoyed other destinations..St John also captured my heart for the snorkeling and natural beauty like Kaua'i.Grand Cayman is also a favorite for the food,snorkeling and it is pretty in Grand Cayman..just not mountainous and lush like the previous two.GC makes a great vacation spot if you have kids with you..it's easy to navigate and plenty to see and do with the kids.Vieques PR is also naturally beautiful..though the snorkeling was nothing to brag about.The locals were very friendly and beaches nice.Aruba just did nothing for me..snorkeling was bad,people were friendly and food was good but everything else was not for me..too busy.Might would have been fun for the kids with all of the activities.

For me it is the nature,snorkeling,food,stories from the locals that make or break a destination for me.

If it's a vacation without the kids..I prefer a more quiet island with nature trails and great snorkeling...now that is true tranquility for me!:)

Christie

I'd have to say yes. I first visited 4 of the Hawaiian islands (Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii) when I was a kid in 1973. They were all so beautiful to me.

As far as Caribbean islands I have only visited Grand Cayman, and just recently St. Thomas, St. John, and Virgin Gorda.

While I love the Caribbean islands I have visited, I still love the Hawaiian islands the best... so maybe it is because that is where I visited first, ej!

Carole

Carole,
I've kind of been waiting for your trip report. Anything in the works?

Yes, brenandg... I'm so sorry for the delay!!

We got back on 7/1 and I've been burried with work ever since... plus my son has been sick, my daughter has an out-of-state visitor staying with us, and I'm busy planning her 16th birthday which is this weekend!

We did have a very enjoyable trip and I'm going to try to get to the trip report and pictures in a few days... I promise!

In the mean time, I still have thoughts of the hours spent floating on the crystal blue waters of the very beautiful and uncrowded Mahoe Bay of Virgin Gorda.... ahhhhhhhhhh.... it was very nice.

Carole

I have often said that I was spoiled as my first trip to the caribbean was STJ. I love the white sandy beaches with great snorkelling and the backdrop of the lush hills. Unfortunately, it has become so popular that it is not the same experience we had even 5 years ago!! Oh, and the color of the water. I hate to think what would have happened if I was taken to some AI somehwere on a busy waterfront beach!
We want to experience all of the islands, but Grenada, St.Kitts, Dominica are tops, with regular trips to the BVI's!

I would agree that my first visit to the Caribbean influenced the type of island I prefer to vacation on -- but it showed me exactly what I DIDN'T want!!

It was my honeymoon, in the pre-Internet era (1989), in SXM. Even in August, it was crowded and congested and loaded with American-style attractions. Seemed like everyone was from the East Coast. Without access to tons of information, we didn't know how to find the best of the island. It was our honeymoon, and by definition special, but disillusioning.

As little as we liked St. Martin, we didn't give up on the Caribbean altogether -- how could we? Despite the crowds and timeshares, there was still that water, and that sand...

Next trip, the following March (1990), was Eleuthera, a decision made with equal lack of information. Here it was that we fell in love with the truly remote, laid-back, non-commercial Caribbean [not technically the Caribbean, I know...]. Here, we had miles of pink sand beaches to ourselves, rooms without keys, welcoming (if a bit shy) islanders whom we were encouraged to pick up if hitchhiking, and at the end of the day, a handful of like-minded travelers to unwind with at the bar.

Since those early visits, we have visited the islands every year (sometimes as often as 3x), and we've added sailing to our Caribbean repertoire. We've run the gamut of destinations -- from cheesy Cancun to remote Cat (my current favorite). Our hearts take us back to the Out Islands of the Bahamas most often, because 17 years later, they retain the rustic and remote charm we found on Eleuthera in 1990.

We have learned to make the most of every destination, and the information and community avaiable on the internet make it easier to do so. Thus, we've come nearly full circle and spent our last vacation based in St. Martin as we sailed a 72' racing boat. This time, though, we found what we could love about St. Martin -- which has become even more congested and busy in the ensuing years, but with a bit of information, pleased even this seclusion-seeker. (Trip report here: http://www.traveltalkonline.com/foru...=15#Post651518)

In the end, I am grateful that my initially disappointed impression of the Caribbean didn't stop me from trying again (and again and again) to find my heart's second home.

My response is similar to Callaloo's; not that I didn't like the first island that I visited (Puerto Rico) but that the islands have changed over the 20+ years that I've been visiting and more importantly so have I. I, too am a seclusion seeker!

I now look for different experiences; I didn't snorkle 20 years ago and I've only just tried SCUBA plus now I probably require a little more comfort lodging-wise (AC and hot water are very welcome!).

I lived on St.Kitts for a couple of years in the days before the Marriott was built and the island wasn't a cruise ship destination. I travelled to several islands on very little money and this 'overview' has shaped what I look for in an island to vacation on today.

My number one priority is a great beach with from the shore snorkeling. Note: a great beach doesn't have to have powder soft white sand but it helps. The fewer people the better and deserted is ideal. :)

Twenty years ago I loved Anguilla now I much prefer Vieques and I'd like to go back to Montserrat for starters...

Extremely interesting question,ej! It makes me think a little. Our first Caribbean island that we visited was Jamaica. Beautiful beaches and natural abundance of lushness. A very differnt culture.
Now when we choose an island, the beaches aren't so very important, but I still prefer the lusher places with a different culture...and someplace for a quiet stroll for two.

I loved my first visits at the time! ;-)

Once in a while, after I've been to about 10 islands, I'll run across one that takes my breath away, and makes me forget the first ones.

But to add to your theory-maybe you're attracted the first time to seek what your tastes are, even if subliminal?

Great question EJ. My first trip to an island 1983 was Bermuda. Not quite the Caribbean but loved it. 2nd stop 1985 the Bahamas and Paradise Island. Truthfully didn't care for the trip. except when given the opportunity to travel beyond the resort. I can't remember the position the man held at the resort but when asked about traveling beyond the resort for dinner and true West Indian food he set us up with a cab, gave the man instructions where to take us after calling the restaurant and letting them know we were coming. The cabbie was also instructed to be available to bring us back when ready. Boy was I trusting in those days because we ended up definitely off the beaten path and had one of my best ever Caribbean dinners. My first time for conch and I was hooked. One of my favorite choices for appetizers and chowders.

Took a hiatus from traveling outside the US until 1991 the year of my first Windjammer cruise which departed weekly from St. Maarten. Didn't spend much time in St. Maarten but did visit Saba, Statia, St. Kitts and Nevis. From that trip on my preference has been the volcanic islands. Obviously my name says it all, my most favorite islands are of course St. Vincent and the Grenadines. SVG remains dearest to my heart not only for it's natural beauty but that of the Vincentians who live there. This Sept #12 WJ cruise scheduled on the Yankee Clipper sailing yet again for trip #9 to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Pure heaven 3 days on St. Vincent, 6 days sailing the Grenadines and a final 2 days in Grenada before heading back to the rat race. 2 more months to go.....

Not for me.

My first trips were to the Bahamas in the 60s as a child via cruise ship and then later to places like St. Thomas. It was my first trip to Negril 25 years ago that did it for me!

I love Jamaica for the food, people, and topography. Also the music! And my other favorites are the lush mountainous islands of St Lucia and Grenada. These are always my first choices.

The USVI pales in comparison for me, as do the ABCs and Mexico.

Somewhat. My first trip to the Caribbean was Bermuda in 1976. I was 12 and thought it was the most beautiful place in the world. I still think it is the prettiest island that I have visited. I have been back about 5 times since :)
I have however, enjoyed my trips to other islands that are totally different like Aruba and the Caymans. The Big Island of Hawaii was very strange looking, but we loved it! I was not impressed by Nassau in the Bahamas or by the island of Puerto Rico.

My first trip to the islands was Hawaii for our honeymoon. I liked all three Maui, Kaui and the big island (especially the scenery) but was not blown away by it. Our next trip was in '98 to Anguilla. I basically picked the island based on a book which described all the islands in the Caribbean. What appealed to me most in the description was the beaches but more importantly that it had a population of only 10,000 people. Our number one priority is quiet followed by the quality of beaches. And we LOVED it. The most beautiful beaches you could ask for, crystal clear bright blue waters, and empty except for us. And the restaurants were just an added bonus. So it was my first caribbean experience and it definately influenced my preference going forward but I agree with blamona that the reason I was attracted to Anguilla in the first place was because I knew what I was looking for in an island vacation. Our other favorite vacations have been to Eleuthera (currently #1) and Virgin Gorda. We definately hope to go back to Anguilla but I think it will not be as quiet as it had been in the past and we may be a bit disappointed.

I have had to think about my response for a couple of days. Good thought-provoking question.
I would have to say no. Our first trip was to Nassau, and I was not hooked. The beaches were nice, but I didn't like the fact that we felt tied to the resort for two reasons. It was our first AI and with the money that we were paying at a young age, we couldn't afford to explore other restauants and bars. Secondly, we were approached by so many venders and people trying to sell drugs when we left the resort, we ended up staying on the grounds way too much. So we really didn't get to see any out of the way places.
Our second trip to St. Martin's french side is what got me hooked on beautiful and lush islands. Since then, we have tried Aruba and didn't care for the flat and dry area at all.
So, I would say that my second experience in the Caribbean got me hooked and we have returned to St. Martin 3 times, followed by 3 trips to St. Kitts and Nevis, 1 to St. Barts and 1 to Maui (not the Caribbean, I know), but it is beautiful and lush.

Altho my first island experience was Hawaii, my first Caribbean one was Provo. Since then we seem to alternate from year to year going to a more deserty one and then something more lush with a rainforest. Each one holds it's own charm and as long as there's a great beach.....I'm happy!!!!

My first trip to the Caribbean was to the Bahamas on a family vacation as a teenager. My parents took us on a trip every year and I was fortunate enough that they let me plan where to go every year. The Blue water and white sand in the Bahamas have definately influenced which islands I go to. All my husband and I care about if the beach. We love the blue water and the white sand. We've always gone to islands that have that. Grand Cayman was our all time favorite until we found Anguilla. It is our dream beach.

I would say yes. My first island trip was to Trinidad and Tobago for the carnival. I was only 20 and I realized that being on a not so economically well off island made me a bit nervous. My next stop was the Domincan - Puerto Plata. Same feeling - beggars on the beach, horrible roads, do I dare eat raw fruits and veggies and wonder if I'll get sick, etc. Then it was Bermuda for my honeymoon - not the caribbean and it was obviously a full circle from what I had experienced and now I have no desire to feel uncomfortable again and it's nice to not have to take shots and have the water quality problems to take your chances with . It's not just that, I was sold on how gorgeous the island is and every single time I go back it takes my breath away.

Hmm. My first was also St. Lucia, and I liked it, but looked for a destination with calmer water for the following trips...we were on the south coast of St L and it was windsurfer territory, not so much snorkeling/floating in clear water.

Cozumel was an attempt at that, too built up for me though.

Jamaica was just right for us, that's the one we've been back to over and over though rarely to the same area.

..but that first trip to St. Lucia has sort of steered me away from very developed, what I'd call "Americanized" islands, or those with flat or scrubby landscapes.

Interesting responses, everybody! I've enjoyed reading everybody's thoughts and getting a refresher course on the places you've already visited.

I have to wonder though: If I had gone to Anguilla or an Out Island for my first trip, would I now be seeking destinations that are centered on the beaches? Because I'm pretty sure I would have loved that as well. Then again, I generally expect to like my destinations, so who can say?

It seems that people's opinions of places are absolutely based upon their frequency of travel. Some of my friends, for instance, have gone on their first tropical vacation (to Aruba for example) and end up buying a timeshare. They rave about how great it is there, without having the experience of what other islands have to offer. After our kids were out of school, my hubby and I were able to take a trip every winter to a warm destination. Each trip was our favorite until the next time. They kept getting better and better, expecially since I was able to start using the internet to plan our travel. We started out small, first going to the Keys, then Mexico, then Costa Rica, then Hawaii twice (that one will forever be hard to beat), St. John, St. Barts, and Virgin Gorda. My goal is to keep improving on the previous trip. All that said, I was enchanted by north shore Kauai and have been chasing that high ever since.

Great thread ej! My first trip to the Caribbean was in 1985 to Ocho Rios, Jamaica and then to Negril for the first of many trips in 1987. Jamaica was an affordable destination for us (my parents) at the time. It still is an affordable destination and a preferred one of ours (my wife and I) for different reasons. Jamaica holds an escapism element that many other islands can't duplicate. Sun, sand and water are tops on our list of island basics, so the "lushness" is just an added incentive. We live in a big metro area, Seattle, so we desire a relaxed "vibe" and as little "Americanization" as possible. Also, a destination needs to be easy to get to, especially traveling with kids, and Jamaica holds that element as well.

That being said, I loved my trips to Jamaica so much that it inspired me to move to the USVI (STX) following my college graduation. The fact that it is US Territory made that an easy decision and that I was able to find work that my college degree is in. If you truly want to experience the Caribbean, live it. My experience on STX, although fairly short, was one that I have reflected on the most over the years. Those 3 years were the most influential years of my life at an impressionable age.

We are trying to experience some different islands, however. I have looked seriously over the years at T&C, Anguilla, Grand Cayman, Tobago and the Out Islands of the Bahamas. We just always seem to fall back on sweet Jamaica. :)

Maggi,

It is hard to beat the North shore of Kauai..it is very beautiful!I would go there more often,if it was not a 10-12 hour flight for me.:(

I plan to travel back to Kauai and the Big Island and to really see everything and enjoy it...we would need about 3 weeks to 1 month.I will have to wait until my kids are outta school.12 more years!...for now,I will enjoy the Caribbean and who knows...I may find that place that I keep going back to!:)
It was really hard to stick to our plans on going to Vieques,when my heart was saying St John!(which we might go to in February).:)

Have fun in Vieques!When do you leave?

Christie

Good question. For me, the first was definitely not the definitive (thank God for that regarding and other things in life! ;) We went to the Bahamas and Bermuda a few times before we ever went to the Virgin Islands, and for me, the experiences were very different. The overruling factor is the amazing water and the love of nature.

Our kids are grown, Christie, so this is the "now or never" time for us to travel! We leave on Aug. 6th, but first I will be in Boston for a long weekend.

Not for me. I'm one of those people who want to experience every country in this world. I do love the Caribbean because it's where I'm originally from. Right now, we go there a lot because it's easy to get to from the East Coast with a little one in tow (and yes because we love it too). My trips to various islands have actually taught me what I like and what I don't like. I will never not go to an island because I think I may not like it. I know I will like something about it even if I won't love it. But I believe I must experience it so I can make an informed opinion. I may be pleasantly surprised. Right now, I've noticed that I've been booking islands with beautiful beaches, great restaurants with nothing much more to do. I think it's because we've been working a lot. We don't go to restaurants a lot.. and we are just exhausted... so we want to just relax and do pretty much nothing. :-)

my first trip to the caribbean, although not officially...was bermuda. fresh out of high school on a cruise from new york with two buddies...i think our "wanted" photo's may be still hanging up somewhere on the cunard princess !! we were the only ones to take the mopeds and meet the ship in hamilton from st. george....and what fun we had on those mopeds !! we saw frankie avalon and giggled through the entire show because he had on higher heels than us...this was at the southhampton princess way back when they did giant shows !!

boy did i fall hard for bermuda..went back for my honeymoon and have returned at least six times (lost count!) with my hubby, with friends, with the kids...

we've changed our "travel" tastes since then although it would be hard form me to NOT stay in the princess, next time we go to bermuda i would try something smaller, closer to that gorgeous beach! bermuda is truly a magical place.

now we prefer two or three stories the most, set on a beach, small, intimate, quiet.

we are smitten with antigua lately, the palm lined beaches, mountains, green farms and mangroves all call me when im thinking of where to go...the friendly people, both visiting and staff alike....the wonderful restaurants..we are heading there with our kids in august and i am truly on a count-down!!

thanks to you, carribean soul and your journals of your visits to negril, my husband and i are tossing jamaica around for next summer with the kids...took them to jamaica when they were toddlers and we were treated like family. nevis is another island i would like to visit....put it this way, any caribbean island is worth seeing in my book !

and what a joy to put the toddler beach-front meltdowns behind us. we did it with three in tow, dont know how, but we did....worth all the work, my kids adore travelling and do not hesitate to jump on board when we make the offer !!


now that my TA has an idea of what we like, she is pushing turks and caicos....take note blamona...:), its on my list.

happy travels....albee

EJ: this has turned into a terrific thread. Congrats :-)

My first Caribbean vacation was when I was 18 and I went to Barbados with an aunt and uncle. On the trip one day we went on a catamaran ride and I remember that the water was so gorgeous. It had what looked like stripes of royal and light blue going through it. In my 20 plus years of travel since then, I haven't seen water that came close to that memory until I went to Turks and Caicos. I could spend all day looking at that ocean! I don't think that my first Caribbean experience has influenced where I go but that memory of the water in Barbados has definately stayed with me.

Traveling = Learning.

Our first trip to the islands like many others was our honeymoon back in 90. We went to St Kitts and stayed at a cheap AI called Jack Tar Village. The reason we picked this resort & island was simply because some friend of our had just gone on their honeymoon there and loved it. We were both 24, and still into the party scene, so this low budget, crappy food resort was just fine for our first experience. I'll never forget walking to the Atlantic side beach, and thinking it was just another beach. But a day later we made our way to the caribbean side, and that turquoise water stole our hearts, and we were hooked.

Since then, we have tried many islands, looking for that perfect one, which is probably impossible. Each trip we learn more about what we really like in our vacations. Snorkeling has become a huge part of our overall decision, along with nice beaches of course, and a few other things we enjoy.

So far, St John is as close to what we love in a vacation that we have found so far. We are far from done exploring other places, but we will be going back to STJ mnay times I'm sure.

So I'm not sure I was influenced as much as others. I believe we just kept learning more & more, along with knowing what to look for while researching our trips. Thank God for the internet!! Or was that Al Gore?

ScottB....You had me eating out of your hand until the Al Gore statement:)
Seriously, I totally understand what you are saying about getting out there and seeing new destinations.
St. Kitts was not our first trip to the Caribbean, but it was awesome. We have now been 3x to SKB and Nevis. BTW, we got married in 1990, same as you.
You might want to check out St. Barts. It is a great place, as well.