Hi! Planning a trip this summer & need to know which islands are not recommended to visit & why. I already hava a few on my list but want a general idea what everyone else thinks. Thanks!

Don't go to St. Vincent or Curacao. <BR><BR>Both are dirty, with St. Vincent not having any modern facilities...and Curacao is the most rude island in the Caribbean.

As I posted elsewhere, we really liked Curacao and the Curacao Marriott and did not find the people rude at all, except at one restaurant (Fort Nassau - also expensive considering the mediocre food). Conversely, on Jamaica where people are supposed to be so friendly (and most were) we ran into some very rude people at Marguerite's and at our hotel (Wyndham). You will find rude and polite people anywhere (ran into some rude people on St. Bart's and St. Thomas but also plenty of nice people). Curacao is certainly much cleaner than most Caribbean islands - it actually has an economy other than tourism and the people there enjoy a relatively good standard of living. It is not as clean as a place like St. Bart's which has less people and little, if any, industry. We always felt safe on Curacao and they have fabulous restaurants - the island is known for its dining. While other people love it, I would not go back to the Dominican Republic because we don't care for all-inclusive resorts and we didn't find too many good restaurants there. Dining is very important to us, especially on vacation. I guess it depends on what you are looking for in an island.

Hi Kara,<BR>If you've been reading these posts for any length of time, you'll find this kind of question causes a lot of trouble (big catfights)and will probably end up not getting answers to your questions - may even scare you out of going altogether!<BR>My suggestions (in no order):<BR>1.) Go on a cruise which goes to some of the islands you have an interest in and see which one(s) you'd like to go back to for a longer stay.<BR>2.) Talk to someone YOU know who has been to different places and get their impressions.<BR>3.) Keep up your research and make a decision based on YOUR likes and dislikes.<BR>You'll find a lot of good info/opinons here, but also a lot of trolls and people who love to "island bash."<BR>I've been to 25 to 30 islands and loved every place I visited. I feel sorry for those on this board who are constantly compelled to belittle islands they feel did not live up to their expectations.

I agree that a cruise, if you enjoy cruising, is an excellent way to get a taste of many different islands. I went on a southern caribbean cruise a few years ago and was able to see 9 islands. I would be wary about forming an impression about an island based on the "snapshot" you get to see while on a cruise, however. One of the islands we stopped at on the cruise was St. Kitts and we had a terrible experience there. Based on that experience I would have been inclined never to go back but I did and am glad that I did because it is a wonderful island. You might want to try formulating some more specific questions for people to respond to because, like I said before, everyone has different opinions about something and looks for different things in their island vacation (e.g. if you love lush green scenery, you might not be happy on Aruba). Also, alot can depend on where you stay and your preference for a big resort, small resort or guesthouse, B&B, AI, etc...

This is an unfair question. Just because I didn't like an island and would never go back, doesn't mean that you wouldn't just love it there! It's all a matter of personal tastes...personally I thought Curacao, St. Thomas, Margarita, St. Lucia(just Soufriere) and St. Barts sucked. Most people just love them. PERSONAL PREFERENCE!!!!

Exactly!

Barbados - just not overly impressed with the island as compared to others that we have visited.

Bahamas....all of them. Got off the plane and the cab driver was rude ( psychotic too ) Got to the hotel and the baggage people were rude. Went to the restaurant and the waiters were rude. Talked to the front desk and they were rude. Went to the casino and they were nice! Imagine that!! Everyone else on those pitiful islands were rude. So, what is my recommendation? Spend your hard earned money anywhere's except the BAHAMAS!

I agree about the Bahamas...I forgot to put them in my original post. I also agree about being treated rudely.

Jamaica is the worst. Had several bad encounters with angry, mean people who seemed to be full of hate for everyone. What's their problemo?

I'll never return to Grand Bahama Island, that's for sure -- what a pit! Nor will I ever return to St Martin/Maarten, for all the reasons listed in so many other threads (dirty, crime, overpriced & overrated restaurants, mediocre diving, etc.)

Yea, Ted, its not like you were a crime victim, and you could not tell us a resturant u did not like. <BR><BR>Stupid sxm martin bashers.<BR>Dont listen to them.

Avoid Rikers Island at all coasts.Most of the rooms dont have a waterview and the room service was poor.

To the Bahamas bashers--what about Exuma? Is that okay?

Interesting, how the Bahamas bashers can knock all 700 islands in the chain after just a visit to New Providence (Nassau) or Grand Bahama (Freeport). All the better for us lovers of the Out Islands, I suppose ...

Man did you open a can of worms! We love them all!

The only island that we have not liked has been St. Lucia. Once was enough! The airport staff need to find other employment. Also, we look for outstanding food, good resorts and a selection of things to do around the islands. None were found. We could not wait to get home from that vacation!

Of all the islands we have traveled to (Aruba, Turks and Caicos, Curacao, St. Thomas, St. Martin, Jamaica, Antigua, Paradise Island, Bermuda)there was only one island we both disliked-- Paradise Island --because the people were just not as pleasant as they were at other islands. At all other above destinations we had a very good time, especially Aruba, and would recommend any of those listed.

Kara,<BR>I did not care for St. martin. Was there for the longest week of my life. Too much tourism, island is dirty & brown. Too much traffic in Marigot, too many cruise ships dumping off their loads, too many stray, hungry looking dogs. Food was really good but that was about it. Oh yeah, had some great pina coladas too but that does not make me want to return. Try St. John instead.