Your 5 favourite....... Caribbean ports

[kruzseeka]

Well to try to take our minds off this relentless weather thought I'd start another thread for favourite Caribbean Islands. Please say where on the island it is that appeals so much (might not be where you dock) and what it is which makes you love it. Happy memory searching! :)

 

1. Antigua - especially Valley Church beach. The town also has a lovely new shopping area just by the dock and the trips out to Nelson's Dockyard and Shirley Heights is a good option too for something a bit different from beaches.

 

2. Grenada - just love Grand Anse beach followed by a cocktail at the Ocean Bar (on stilts) on the Carenage.

 

3. Dominican Republican (surprisingly) but specifically for the excursion to Cayo Levantado (from Samana) which is one of the most idyllic, archetypal Caribbean islands ever with a gorgeous palm tree fringed beach. Good facilities and bars and not over crowded because it's a private island with controls over number of visitors allowed. Bliss!

 

4. St Lucia and an island tour with Cosol for sheer interest, variety and fun. Volcanoes, botanical gardens, beach for a swim, views, great food along the way and the rum punch/beer in the boot!

 

5. And for a complete contrast, Cuba specifically for Havana which is such a difficult place to describe; beautiful architecture, faded elegance, decay, history, vintage American cars, Coco taxis, but above all -the vibe! What a buzz and especially over night with the music and dancing in the bars or a visit to the Tropicana. And not forgetting the famous cocktails. Such an experience.

 

 

This one was really hard - can't believe I've had to miss out some islands like Tortola, Roatan and St Marten but there's just so much to love in the Caribbean!

[Jakanne1]

Thanks Kruzseeka, just in time for us. I will add my favourites in March! :)

[geomagot]

I tend to go for the unspoiled islands the most

 

dominca/roatan/st vincent for the authentic laid back caribbean vibe...just chillin

 

dominca again and st vincent again for the nature/wildlife both have very high success rates for their dolphin & whale watch (in the wild) trips…very clean & protected waters and tour operators here are very mindful not to disturb the animals

 

not to enamoured with the turtle swim on barbados where I have seen people grabbing the turtles and chasing them and lots of other boats all around (I guess the turtles wouldn’t come if they didn’t want to tho)

 

tortola...or I should say virgin gorda for the snorkelling also tobago bukoo reef for even more fabulous snorkelling or glass bottom boat

 

and havana...its simply unique

[happy v]

You got me K.:D

I was sure you were going to do beaches and have been thinking about them. :o.

Will post when I've given this some thought........and looked at photographs so I can remember which island is which.:)

[1160451]

St Marteen.......great atmosphere where we docked.

Grand Turk......hired a golf cart fantastic day

Key West..........atmosphere and Jimmy Buffet

Dominica.....great falls, pools etc and beach

Antigua.......history

Cuba.......not yet but going next Jan with Fred and hoping its great.

[happy v]

In no particular order, because I keep changing my mind which order they should be.:o

 

ST.THOMAS, I had a guide book which said Magens Bay was one of the top 10 beaches in the world so we went and I wouldn't argue with them. Horseshoe bay with cliffs, no loud music, and no jet ski, bliss. Then in Charlotte Amallie (I love this name) we went up the cable car, had a little walk around the track at the top, then had a drink watching the humming birds with a view to die for.

 

ST.MAARTEN, did the excursion to the French side, which I really liked plus the butterfly farm, then spent the afternoon on Dawn Beach.

 

CATALINA ISLAND, just us, a few local tat stalls, and the crew to make us lunch and supply drinks. A perfect end to a cruise. (this wasn't with thomson)

 

CUBA, like everyone else just love Havanna and the people are so nice too.

 

ROATAN, I'm winging it a bit here as it started to rain as we walked off the ship and didn't stop for the rest of the day, but we walked all through the town, not an america jewellers in sight, yeah!:rolleyes:. Took a taxi to the gardens but as they are on a steep slope it was too dangerous to go in. Didn't go in the bird garden either (it really was torrential). Saw a sodden and forlorn beach which would have been great with some sunshine.

So a washout for us but still a lovely place I would recommend,totally unspoilt by american shops.........up to now!:eek:

[kruzseeka]

Well you've given this some thought happy v - it really is quite a challenge isn't it as there is so much to choose from? :)

 

I'm really pleased to read of your recommendation for St Thomas as that's an island we've never been to but sounds as though we ought to! ;)

 

We had a fab day in Roatan taking a local minibus taxi for a transfer to a private hotel where the beach was glorious. We were reluctant to leave at the appointed time but having said that the time we spent exploring the unspoilt little township was a delight. Like you we valued the lack of commercialism and no Diamonds International (although there might have been some very small duty frees at the berth) but along the main street was so 'real'. We went into a local bar on stilts and had an ice cold beer - bliss!

 

Such a shame you didn't have a better day. Is Roatan on the itineraries for Dream next year? Would certainly recommend a visit although we did meet people who thought it wasn't up to much - but people have differnt expectations and experiences but we'd love to go again. I discovered after we got back that we'd shared our minibus with Ashby and her DH - we dropped them off at the butterfly farm on our way to the hotel. We subsequently met again on our last Baltics trip.

[happy v]

Roatan is on next year, but not from Newcastle, we would have to fly from Gatwick. Still haven't made our minds up about that yet.

I don't mind some shops, I like to browse, it's just the same shops in the same order in every port which get to me.:)

Is Cayo Lavantado the 'bounty' beach? We booked that trip but because of engine trouble never made it. I was so dissapointed.:(

[geomagot]

Is Roatan on the itineraries for Dream next year?

 

yes it is...we are booked on one for next year....... but I dont know which port the ship docks at?....the time we were there the ship should have docked at mahogany bay but docked at coxen hole due to adverse sea conditions

 

beautiful snorkeling at west end beach there:cool::cool:

[kruzseeka]

Roatan is on next year, but not from Newcastle, we would have to fly from Gatwick. Still haven't made our minds up about that yet.

I don't mind some shops, I like to browse, it's just the same shops in the same order in every port which get to me.:)

Is Cayo Lavantado the 'bounty' beach? We booked that trip but because of engine trouble never made it. I was so dissapointed.:(

 

We were told it was the Bacardi advert beach but it may have been the Bounty one. It was definitely absolutely beautiful. If you Google Cayo Levantado it brings up Thomson holidays there! Worth a look for the pictures. Tried to do a link for you but find I haven't quite got the knack of doing it on this device. Sorry! :)

 

 

yes it is...we are booked on one for next year....... but I dont know which port the ship docks at?....the time we were there the ship should have docked at mahogany bay but docked at coxen hole due to adverse sea conditions

 

beautiful snorkeling at west end beach there:cool::cool:

 

Hmm..... didn't know there was more than one place to dock.. Think it may have been Coxen Hole we went to.

[happy v]

I was probably told baccardi but I have a terrible memory :o I'm quite pleased I managed to get the B right ;):)