Ok, I decided on St Lucia, mainly because that's where I could get in for a timeshare exchange. Any feedback on the island? Will be there late Oct. How's the climate, bugs, etc? Any special points of interest, tips? Restaurant rec? thanks!

Sorry Steph---<BR> Why do more and more travelers hate St. Lucia and many cruise lines are pulling their ships from the port?

My husband and I spent our honeymoon at St. Lucia and we absolutely thought it was the most romatnic and beautiful island. We plan to go back for our anniversary next summer. <BR><BR>You can read my full trip report and see all the pictures at www.seashelltravel.com If you have any questions after reading the trip report just let me know.

Steph: If you could provide us with where you will be staying on the island, we could probably offer more help. Only because the island is difficult to get around on. I doubt you will be going from one end to the other very often and both ends are very different. <BR><BR>The south is more quiet and laid back with few dining or nightlife options but it is more lush and mountaineous. The north is livlier with more dining and nighlife options. It's not as mountaineous and lush, but it's still quite hilly and green.<BR><BR>Most people prefer the south but my husband and I prefer the north.

Thanks for the help so far! We will be staying at the Windjammer Landing in the north and will be there for a week. Any suggestions?<BR>-Steph

I'm thinking of honeymooning in St. Lucia, possibly at Sandals..any commments/advice on that?<BR>But also, I went there on a cruise last summer and got out of a taxi that was suposed to take my friend & I on an exclusive tour but tried to add a family of four to our "exclusive" tour. I had heard before the trip that the island is "shady" & unsafe. Anyone had any good or bad experiences there?

Vickie-<BR>We personally found the Sandals St. Lucia did not provide us with a quality vacation. It was the most expensive of the Sandals properties, and our least favorite. You will have a million different opinions, but we weren't satisfied with the management. Friends who had been there before assured us that it used to be better than it is now. I would look elsewhere.

On the flip side of this coin we loved Sandals St.Lucia and thought the resort was super. Just my opinion! if intrested I have an excursion sheet for this resort email me directly.

We stopped there last year for the second time on a cruise. The first time I loved it and couldn't wait to go back. Well the second stop was an eye opener. We docked in Soufriere (sic) and it was filthy. The people were using the surf as a toilet, they harassed the hell out of you while you were trying to walk down the street. The usual polite "no thank you" did not work. We stopped in a couple stores looking for cough medicine and the grocery store smelled so bad of body odor that I almost puked.<BR><BR>After an incident, the ship was not allowed to take on water and we moved to Castries. The difference was like day and night. I don't know why they didn't just dock there in the first place instead of subjecting us to the conditions at the first stop. Bottom line, go to the nice part!

I agree wholeheartedly with anon's description of Souffriere (located in south part of island). Absolutlely hated it and couldn't wait to leave. <BR><BR>Like I said earlier, I liked the north part of the island better. Definitely go to the Coal Pot for dinner and do the Brig Unicorn Sunset Cruise (heard their day cruise was a lot of fun too). <BR><BR>At all costs, AVOID Mike's deep sea fishing at $75 pp. Wouldnt' have done it if it were free. Most others on the boat felt the same. Big regret! <BR><BR>We did enjoy the Carib Batik Factory and Eudovic's Wood Carving studio if you're into that stuff. We hired a taxi driver for a half-day who gave us a great tour of Castries and included those two stops listed above for a really good deal. Usually taxis are expensive in St. Lucia but he gave us a great deal which turned into a great tip for him. We found him downtown Castries and definitely bargain with the taxi drivers. While they claim the rates are set by the Taxi Association, we found disparities.<BR><BR>Also, definitely bring you camera and go to Pigeon Island. Two restaurants are located there too - the Captain's Cellar (really cool), and the Snouti Agouti Cafe (kind of college-like trendy) right on the beach. Great for lunch.