cervonil

I think I've heard like Aruba is below the belt, but I'm not interested in going there with everything that is going on down there right now. Any islands better than others in August or is it just a crap shoot?

Thanks!

doug_stallings

Aruba is below the area in the Caribbean that is most likely to be hit by a hurricane. Nearby Bonaire and Curacao are also less likely to be hit, as are Trinidad and Tobago. Barbados is hit by few hurricanes, and the same can be said of the Grenadines. However, last year's hurricane seasons (which flattened Grenada and even touched Aruba) proves that there is no such thing as a sure-fire way to avoid hurricanes during the season. A better strategy is to pick the island that fits what you want in your vacation and hope for the best. Get travel insurance, but also realize that the chance a hurricane is going to hit the actual island you are going to during the week you are there, is very small indeed. Or you can wait until the week before and book a last-minute trip, which is usually possible in August.

vinceygirl

Southeastern Caribbean is usually spared hurricanes for the most part although recently that isn't so true. Grenada was devastated by Ivan, some parts of the Grenadines sustained a fair amt of damage others less so.
As I have said in other posts it is a crapshoot. Weather can be predicted to a certain extent such as where it will start and go, but no one can predict the outcome. Port Charlotte had not been hit in 40 yrs, then there was Charley. You never really think of a hurricane affecting Southwestern Pa. maybe snow but a hurricane no way. But Ivan did and the effects are still being felt. My point being pick an island that offers what you enjoy and go for the gusto. Life's to short so enjoy because we truly never know when our time's up anyways.

brenandg

vinceygirl-
My philosophy exactly, especially in recent years. Isn't there a country-western song about living life like you are dying? (and sky-diving?) I'm certainly no expert.

vinceygirl

I believe you are correct about the song but I'm only a sporadic fan of CnW so don't recall the name. Recently I picked up a Kenny Chesney CD and one song says "I'm french kissin' life square on the mouth and sailin' out on the sea" Kinda like that idea and it fits what we're talking about. Hurricanes be damned we'll all just go and have fun no matter what stirs.

owa

You all have the right idea about life. I volunteer at a Cancer Center and see weekly about one's life changing forever in a very short time. I'm 65 and I'm not putting trips off anymore. We are using frequent flyer miles to take three trips before the end of the year. We can cancel at the last minute if storms are brewing. Cheers, Owa

ftrain

This has been a topic dear to my heart of late, and I'm not satisfied with the decision we've made about our honeymoon. I put together a spreadsheet (yes, a spreadsheet) outlining hurricanes that have hit every Caribbean island during the third and fourth week of August for the last 60 years and for the last 150 years. One of the places we had looked to go was Bahamas. Grand Bahama has been hit once during that part of August in the past 60 years, and when my fiance heard that--a number that I see as definitive proof that it is EXCEEDINGLY rare to get hit--she instead interpreted it as proof that you can and said she doesn't want to chance it. With the result being that she still wants the turquoise water, but doesn't want to go anywhere where there is turquoise water, and any other idea I've offered up has been met by only lukewarm acceptance. So now, after two months of research into this, reading about every hotel in the Western hemisphere, I'm left with dropping a small fortune on a place she doesn't want to go. And the REALY irony is that the one place she will accept the risk of going to that has turquoise water--Caribbean Mexico--statistically has the same probability of getting hit as most of the places she says she doesn't want to chance. And when I offered up the ideas of carpe diem, seize the day, live your life for today, etc., she responded "but I don't want to be disappointed."

So the situation is that if we go to the Caribbean, there's a less than 2% chance of her being disappointed by a storm, yet where we're likely going to end up going, there is a 100% chance of being disappointed, because she doesn't really want to go to Mexico.

So my advice is live your life, and hope you can convince your loved ones to live theirs, too.

cervonil

aww ftrain - that's so sad! What about Hawaii?? We went to Kauaii and Maui on our honeymoon and it was fabulous.

brenandg

I'm bummed for ya too! Hopefully your fiancee will lower her expectations just a touch or she is going to be disappointed wherever you go. There is not a PERFECT place that has "it all". Good luck!

MIM04

ftrain - I am sorry to hear all that. I really hope you do have a great time. I guess its hard with such low expectations of a place... but hopefully it will suprise you and be a great trip after all! I assume you are staying somewhere nice? That might make up for location...

mabella101

Hello! Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. Have you thought of Isla Margarita of the coast of Venezuela? Just a suggestion. Let us know what you decide! Good Luck~!

MarionCK

ftrain...

I join the others in sharing your disappointment and applaud your well-controlled frustration.

I have followed your posts here and on the Latin American board and kept hoping that something would work out for you.

I know that your time constraints rule out Hawaii. I wish we all had a magic wand to make things right for you.

I do hope your fiancee realizes how lucky she is. This coming from a mom of two daughters, one being married next summer. And she is doing the planning to please him.

I wish you all the best. You are a man to treasure !

Marion

ftrain

Sorry for throwing myself a pity party this morning. Just didn't sleep enough last night. I love her to death, and this is not all her fault. We'll end up somewhere. And it will be nice.

MIM04

ftrain - I am sorry about all the trouble you are having planning. I guess you have decided No on Barbados? I know you have done tons of research on this... I know you have been looking at Mexico - what about the west coast, the Four Seasons Punta Mita. It looks fabulous. I was looking at it myself for a trip next year...

I know you really want to take your honeymoon right after the wedding, but with trip insurance you would be able to take it later on...

I know you have covered all of this before, but I am really just trying to help as I would hate someone to go on a honeymoon somewhere they were not sure about

beachluver

ftrain,
Just had to also chime in here, as I have been following/reading your posts. You have worked so very hard to try to please her. With all the spead sheet info(great idea), was there a top 3 list of least likely--more choices? It sounds like Grand Bahama topped the list, and here it was hit only 3 weeks after we were there last year. Too bad you can't change the wedding date I wish any of us could help you find what she thinks will not disappoint her. Sometimes, it is all our state of mind. you will have to let us all know how it all turns out, She is one very lucky lady. Best wishes to you both, on the wedding and honeymoon!Carol

CaribbeanSoul

http://stormcarib.com/climatology/freq.htm

This is a great link for anyone concerned with hurricanes in the Caribbean. As you can see the Bahamas are #1-5. Surprising to see Nevis as high as it is. The ABCs, T&T bring up the rear.

MIM04

CS - thanks for posting that info. I have been in 4 hurricanes - 2 in Nevis, 1 in St Croix and 1 in Puerto Rico. My mom has been in 4 in Nevis - so I guess I should not be suprised to see it high on the list

vinceygirl

Hey ftrain sorry so much grief at a time that should be filled with anticipation and excitement. I'm going to add my 2 cents again for what it's worth.
Since Mexico isn't your fondest choice I have an alternative destination here in the good old USA. St. Augustine Florida. I visit every yr. To me it is one of the prettiest cities I've ever vacationed. I enjoy so much I return yr after yr for the past 19 and always find a new adventure. There are numerous B&B in town as well as one on the beach. The Casa Monica Hotel is the ultimate in luxury and chic. Numerous restaurants of high caliber and something to fit all budgets. Quaint coffee and pastry shops, and a waterfront with the Bridge of Lions the view is priceless. Very romantic for strolls and intimate dinners at restaurants on the water too. Horsedrawn carraiges. Why not check it out at www.oldcity.com or just do a websearch for St. Augustine Fl.It just might work usually the hurricanes strike further north in the Carolinas or south towards Miami. The water is clear although not turquoise blue but she just might have to compromise a little, after all isn't that part of what makes a marraige working together for the good of both?

This response is for owa- God bless you for the volunteer work. I work as a hospice RN so I know first hand how valuable you are.

Live life to the fullest each and everyday as we never know when it will be our last. It can be snatched in a heartbeat......

brenandg

vinceygirl,
Weird, but I felt like our thoughts echoed each others in regard to lifes philosophies. Must be the RN thing. We see it all. Don't want to clog up the board or get "reprimanded" for going off topic, but if you would like to e-mail me at [email protected], I would like to chat with you. Just went through this with my father and I cannot say enough good things about Hospice Care. owa, my thanks to you as well for what you do.
Brenda

brenandg

Thats [email protected]. Too quick with the fingers.