Jamaica-anywhere on the island<BR>and Atlantis resort, I would avoid at all costs

Another vote FOR Aruba! It's easy to get there from US & Canada, Palm Beach w/ its spectacular sunsets is heavenly, Radisson & Hyatt are 2 good choices, golf is nearby, restaurants are great & varied. If you want a "beach holiday" Aruba is the place to go.<BR>

The question is: places to avoid.<BR>So your strong vote is for Aruba, Michelle?

Whaaa! Alex, I still think that I deserve a prize! I understood the question but I chose to counter some of the Aruba bashing so as to give the original poster a more balanced perspective when considering places to avoid! I'd hate for Mally to miss a chance to use that "free trip" in a place that IMO meets all of her criteria: Aruba!

SANDALS DUNNS RIVER, NEVER AGAIN, HORRIBLE.

Aruba. I'd rather be hit by a hurricane than to stay on this island.

Sandals Negril to be avoided at all costs.<BR><BR>Also, avoid Nassau.

<BR>The same person is posting all the anti-Aruba messages, so ignore all but the first one. Same Internet address. <BR><BR>

monitor:<BR>look again. I posted once and mine wasn't the first so aruba lover you can try to discredit the posters but get a clue. not everyone loves your island. no monitors here that's why the least informed have the most to say.

What a nice negative thread!! People sure do love to hate....

John: You must be new to this board. Guess you just get used to it after a while. But you're right, people love to hate. Especially on this board.

Avoid Aruba-it's a desert and a beach with a bunch of hotels and casinos.

TO AVOID: ATLANTIS, ARUBA, JAMAICA and any and all ALL INCLUSIVES - Sandals and Beaches (bad food watered down drinks lousy service, etc...)St.MARTIN and ST. THOMAS (trashy, touristy - think cruise ships pulling in) PUERTO RICO (Brooklyn with Palm trees)<BR><BR>TO CONSIDER: Anguilla, Virgin Gorda, Belize - Ambergris Cay , St Barts and Turks and Caicos are beautiful but you may go over your 4500.00

How do they collect water?

Aruba. Way overrated. My husband warned me that it's desert-like because it's out of the hurricane belt but I didn't listen. No plans on returning.

Avoid St. Martin. We recently had all of our luggage stolen and I know of someone else who was held up at gunpoint (last week).

If this goes on another day or so the entire Caribbean will be trash. Just make a list of all the Countries that havn't been mentioned here yet, they will be included soon.<BR><BR>Poor service, food poisining, crime, rip offs, dirty islands, rude people, diseases, bugs,corrupt govt. and local officials, the list goes on and on.<BR><BR>Is it just me or has this site been screwed up by folks with more time on their hands than they have information to offer.

I think it's useless to start a thread like this because each of us has their own idea of a vacation. No one is right or wrong here, just a matter of personal preference. So Mally, instead of asking us what place to avoid, why don't you list all the things you're looking for in a vacation and we'll help you find it. More details you can give us, the better. If all you're looking for are great beaches and restaurants and safety, grand cayman and aruba would fit the bill.

If "just wondering" is asking about water in Aruba, they have a huge desalinization plant.<BR><BR>We've been to several Caribbean islands and out of all our trips, the only place we stayed overnight where we wouldn't return is the Newark (NJ) airport.<BR>

Why do some people insist that their favorite spot is the perfect answer to every inquiry without any comparsions or thought to personal preferences and opinions? They are right, their answer is the only one and their island is the ONLY one that can be the best NO deviation even if they've never been anywhere else. And heaven help those who might feel differently. And then those that heard something or saw something on TV. Trash for one is treasure for another. Jeeeeze!