As an experienced practicing psychotherapist who deals with teenagers and their families on a daily basis, I am shocked and dismayed at the contemporary trend of teenagers travelling, unchaperoned and unsupervised, far from home. In an earlier career, I designed special interest educational travel programs for high school and college students for a company that sent over 40,000 passengers abroad each year. Even with one chaperone for every 6-8 students, with a tour guide, and with additional support staff, the calamities and very serious issues that arised would curl your hair. Just my opinion, but this whole trend disgusts me.

I am going to kick myself for posting to this, but here goes......I am not an old fuddy-duddy, by any means (38 going onn 21), but.....please stay in the US. I remember my "beach week" at 18, and I was not ready to go out of the country, much less to Virginia Beach! That was my first experience hanging with kids my own age and I had never seen drugs in my life...believe me they were there, although I can honetly say, I said a BIG FAT NO! It's hard to make wise decisions with peers around.
I hope that you seriously consider waiting for the Caribbean experience when you are older. There are so many dangers/strangers/temptations out there, yes, even in the US, but especially when one is away from home. Not to mention the fact that places do not rent to people under 25, even in the US (at least not in Va Beach, Nags Head, Myrtle Beach from my experience).

these are old posts being brought to the top for some strange reason, guys.