I swore I'd never write one of these, "please tell me where to go" messages, but I guess it has come to that. We are looking for a week in early March. Here is my info:

Passengers: My husband and my 5-months pregnant self and our 20 month old daughter and my mother-in-law.

Needs:

1. My mother-in-law like to travel 5 star all the way. But it seems like some of the nicest places are also going to be the most boring places. I want the nicest resort in the Caribbean. I want lots of amenities and things to do.

2. We can rent a car, but I don't want to spend all the time in the car. (see pregnancy and small daughter above)

3. Diving. Husband is a big diver. Only hobby really. And he is spoiled.

4. We are coming from Michigan, so although everything will be in our time zone, which is good, we are going to have to switch planes in Florida I presume. So, again with traveling with the baby, something not too far away would be good.

5. Mother-in-law likes to shop.

6. Would like the island to be safe, safe water and food, and at least a little lush.

Don't care about:
all-inclusive or not, casino or not

We've been to Jamaica, Aruba, and Grand Cayman and want to see something new. Grand Cayman would be perfect, but we were just there last year. We went to T&C for our honeymoon 7 years ago and would be willing to go back assuming the shopping has improved.

So where should we go?!?!?

I'm not sure that your dream island exists. I think you need to give us a better idea of your priorities among say shopping, five star accommodations, lush island, short flights and great diving. Based on what you've described, I'd think Turks and Caicos may be your best bet but, as you noted, the shopping there is not its strong point. If you can give up great shopping, T&C may be worth considering.

Ritz Carlton St Thomas: Husband can go out diving, Mother in law can shop till she drops, pretty much an easy destination to get to. As far as amenities go, I am not sure, but a Ritz is usually a nice place to stay.

That's a tall order. Check out Sandy Lane on Barbados. It's a 5 star resort (with prices to match), the island is somewhat lush, there's very nice beaches, diving is OK and you'll find a decent amount of shopping but nothing like you'd find on St. Martin or St. Thomas.

I'd suggest St. Barth's (lots of upscale resorts & Hotels, sophisticated upscale shoping, plenty of great restaurants, all the watersports one could want and some decent diving. The only problem is getting there. You first have to make your way to St. Martin than either fly on a small island hopper or take a ferry.

One other suggestion, is go to Caneel Bay on St. John. You fly into St. Thomas and take a short ferry ride to the island. It will have the amenities you and your mother-in-law want, lots of diving opportunities for your husband, it's lush (3/4's of the island is a national park), there are loads of beautiful beaches and your MIL can take a quick trip to St. Thomas for her shopping fix.

Thanks all for your thoughtful replies. I will check on all those great suggestions. Keep them coming!

A bunch of good suggestions but I would recommend Grand Cayman. The diving is outstanding and if you stay on Seven Mile Beach you can see the dive sites, so no long boat trips. Lots of hotel selections, including the Ritz and great restaurants. Even the roads are in good shape. The downside is it doesn't have the exotic feel of St Barts or the privacy of Mustique. We spend five weeks on GC and didn't want to leave.

Kelliebellie, sounds like you're the only one out of the bunch that deserves to have a posh vacation. Imagine, dictating terms to a poor pregnant woman. But in accordance with your confines, I think St. Thomas and the Ritz Carlton is a great choice. The resort itself will offer plenty of amenities to make you comfortable in your uncomfortable state, and the shopping is world-class. Caneel Bay on St. John certainly fulfills most of the bill, but it is harder to get to and the shopping on St. John is genteel if not as big time as St. Thomas. Few places compare to the Virgin Islands for diving opportunities so your husband should be more than pleased. Good luck on your upcoming vacation and baby.

Tuxedocat, the mother-in-law will be paying for the trip, so I don't mind so much the conditions placed on it! But I do thank you for your nice concerns, helpful advice, and kind wishes. St. Thomas sounds wonderful. We just need to pick some dates and check some prices.

Thanks again all, but now that I've been put on total bed rest, the vacation will havet to wait until next year!

Listen to your Dr. and Good luck with the pregnancy - that's more important than any Five star hotel!!

take care of yourself!

Have a wonderful new baby... and look foward to a vacation next year... teh best of all worlds

Thank you for your kind wishes! My office has been moved to the dining room and my feet are up. I will definitly be due a nice long trip in the future after this. We are thinking Spain 2007. Until then I will have to travel vicariously through all of you!