Which islands to avoid in the Carribean?
Oct 4th, 2000, 05:28 AM
#41
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I am continually surprised at people who visit a locale (especially those from a cruise ship who formulate their opinions in a few scant hours in a couple of isolated places) and fail to take the time to understand and appreciate all that an island has to offer. This is one reason I have been reluctant to take a cruise. Anyone attempting to visit 8 islands in 10 days has absolutely no hope of forming an educated opinion of any island. <BR> <BR>It takes time. It helps to interact with the locals. To explore different areas. It seems as though many Americans have a preconceived notion of what the Caribbean should look like: a splendid, neat, pre-packaged Fantasy-Island version. Anything less is perceived as being a "dive" or a "pit". What a shame. It reminds me of those who visit New York (where I once lived) and completely write off the city because they can't see past some of the noise, pollution and congestion to embrace one of the most vibrant, exciting and culturally stimulating cities in the world. <BR> <BR>If this insulated type of experience is your idea of a Caribbean Vacation, I strongly suggest you visit a lavish, all inclusive resort that will shelter you from the outside world and cater to your every need. Or better yet, save the extra bucks and simply head to one of the upscale resorts in Florida or South Carolina. Because aside from the cute accents of the staff, you probably won't know the difference! <BR> <BR>Jon
Oct 16th, 2000, 01:18 PM
#43
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Jon is correct! The folks on the cruise ships are mostly "white bellies" who care more about eating 10 meals a day than learning or seeing anything about the places they visit. They come on shore, eat the food they brought with them from the ship, trash the island, maybe buy a t-shirt and leave only to be replaced the next day by another group. The best thing for the Carribean would be the end of the curise ships! Therefore, I suggest searching for islands where the cruisers do not go. IB
Oct 16th, 2000, 03:54 PM
#44
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Oh, I love your comments about how artificial cruise ship lines are. I guess their OK for older people, who need a quick tour and maybe a tourist taxi tour of the island to tell the grandchildren how wonderful their vacation was. If I stepped on any one's toes, please forgive me, because that is stereotyping older people. <BR> On with the cruise line story: Great Guana Cay is a 7-mile long island lying 9 miles off of Great Abaco, an outer island in the Bahamas. On the northwestern end of Guana is gorgeous winding and isolated white sand beach called Bakers Bay. There is an old, abandoned cruise ship mooring buoys and pilons, and an incredible tiny, mangrove artificial island called Spoil Bank Cay offshore from the beach. A huge cruise ship line dug out the reefs and made an artificial island years ago, which is Spoil Bank, and it's great for shelling. Local Bahamians who fished the area for years told the cruise line that the currents and tides would be too much for the huge liners. The cruise ship co. hired engineers, who said they could make a cruise line paradise out of the area, ignoring local Bahamian fishermen. After several huge liners filled with thousands of passengers were grounded on the shallow reefs, the company deserted the project, and left us intrepid voyagers with a cool mangrove grown island, great for shelling; a beautiful talcum powder, white beach, and buoys and pilons to dock our rented boats. Oh well, that's it. Go figure. Robert
Jan 5th, 2001, 11:58 AM
#45
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From the look of the other responses, you will have to avoid the caribbean all together. <BR> <BR>I've traveled to many of the places that the others are speaking of and its all in the perception. I disagree with most, a true vacation is what you make of it and most of these comments are simply opinions, keep that in mind. <BR> <BR>Go where you want to go, do what you want to do, life is short, live it and don't let others influence you so much!
Jan 6th, 2001, 02:49 AM
#46
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It's hard to believe that someone actually listed St. Barts as one of the islands..to avoid. Get real! St. Barts is an immaculately clean island, full of friendly people, and is without any doubt one of the safest islands in the entire caribbean. It's restaurants are among the very best, and it has beautiful beaches. What's not to like??? It's expensive, but nowadays so are many others, such as Anguilla.
Jan 27th, 2001, 11:01 AM
#49
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Okay, okay. At the beginning of this thread, someone said something about not liking Tortola. Happen to be going there the end of July. Anyone care to elaborate? We've never been there before, thought we'd try something other than the USVI for a change.
Feb 12th, 2001, 08:22 AM
#50
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This is one of the more interesting forums I've read. So, here's the deal...the Caribbean is NOT the US. If you want US environments, stay home. The charm of the Caribbean is the PEOPLE, and their islands just enhance the experience. Each one is unique and beautiful. I try to overlook the undesireable aspects, and look for the charm. I truly have never had an undesirable event, with the possible exception of St. Thomas and Jamaica. And even if an island is steeped in poverty, there are people and places there to make a lifetime of wonderful experiences. If you choose to go to an all-inclusive resort, and stay inside it's gates, you may as well stay home, or go to Miami Beach. And, yeah...eat the local food. It's wonderful.
Feb 12th, 2001, 01:22 PM
#51
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I've been to Antiqua, Montigo Bay, Freeport , nassau, <BR>and Provo in the TCI 4 times. and I can say Provo has the best beach I've ever been on. <BR> theres not much on the island in way of night life, But if your a beach person and you like to walk a deserted beach and see maybe 4 poeple all day. thats the place. <BR> heading to beaches this time, last 4 was to Club Med, it was time to upgrade. <BR> Girlfriend got sick in Antiqua and had to go to the clinic. That was An adventure in medicene. got to see how the residence really live and shop, hit the back streets with chickens and cows in the streets. was the best part of the vacation, well not for her, but it wasnt major. real nice poeple everyone said hello, guess they were shocked to see us in thier area, away from the normal tourist places. <BR> also liked MB would go back.
Feb 12th, 2001, 03:03 PM
#52
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St. Barth's, a place to avoid? I've heard it all now. This is a very interesting discussion. First of all, my husband and I could probably go to most any island in the Caribbean and manage to have a wonderful time so I don't understand all of the bashing. What do these people mean when they say an island wasn't "tropical". Are they looking for umbrellas in their drinks and dancers in grass skirts? Are they looking for green lush islands? Then be prepared for lots of rain (which St. Martin and St. Barth's don't have alot of, therefore the landscape looks brown). All of the islands I've been to have had warm ocean breezes and beautiful beaches and that's what "tropical" means to me. Yes, there are parts of St. Martin that may not be pleasing to the eye and we didn't particularly care for the traffic jams in St. Thomas. In Jamaica we didn't feel as safe as in some other islands but I would not let that, IN ANY WAY, ruin my vacation. One poster said regarding their vacation, "I should have stayed home". Some of us couldn't agree with you more! <BR> <BR>On another forum, a guy named "Jared" was thinking of not going on a free trip to St. Martin (his fiance won it) because he had read all of the terrible things written by posters on these forums. What a shame! If you think an island is dirty or unsafe, stay home. I'm sure you can find an area just like it somewhere in the city where you live because practically every city in the US has some crime-ridden or unsightly area. Would you tell people never to come to your city because of that area? <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>
Feb 13th, 2001, 05:28 AM
#53
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Not sure which Islands are the ones to avoid but several messages in this list refer to ELEUTHERA in the BAHAMAS as the BEST ISLAND TO VIST. If you would like to experience the true Bahamas, Eleuthera is the place. No traffic jams, lush hillsides, beaches galore both pink and white. And 2 neighboring Islands, Spanish Wells and Harbour Island to visit by ferry. 3 islands in one vacation, you cant get much better than that. If you need additional info feel free to send a reply to my personal email address. Have a great vacation where ever you decide to visit.....Doug C
Feb 18th, 2001, 02:56 PM
#56
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I was also stupified by the earlier comment on St. Barts being an island to avoid. Obviously the girl's off her rocker, and hasn't been there. We were there for our honeymoon in May 2000, and it was incredible. It is exclusive and lived up to my expectations. We're going to St. Lucia this summer for some adventure- Haven't been to Anguilla but I'd recommend that based on prior research. I like the "white bellies"/ 10 meals a day comment about cruises!! We almost considered one for this summer but I also think you can't experience an island from a cruise. All of these people who ramble off the many islands they've been to based on a cruise- what a joke!!
Feb 20th, 2001, 06:35 AM
#58
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We are looking for honeymoon spot in next January for our son and bride to be. We have Marriot points and have the restriction that his bride to be does not travel well. Nassau is very close but US Virgin Islands or Cancun are possible as well. <BR> <BR>Given that they WOULD stay at the Marriott, any comments on Nassus, UVI.? We have personally been to Cancun.
Feb 20th, 2001, 10:30 AM
#60
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There are four Marriott properties on St. Thomas including the Ritz but don't know if you can use the points there. If they can, go for it! The others are Frenchman's Reef (high rise on bluff overlooking harbour and Town), MorningStar (in the same area but low rise on a beach) and the Grande Beach out towards East End - low rise but units are hillside and some can be very far from beach/water.
