Langley Cruisers Posted April 13, 2015 #26 Share Posted April 13, 2015 Two islands where there can be problems, I would say are St Lucia, where a ships tour was held up at gunpoint, and Jamaica where I felt a bit intimidated if off the tourist areas. Any island can be dangerous. My husband was brought up in St. Lucia and I have visited there six times with him - never had a problem. Never had a problem in Jamaica. No offense but by your reasoning, St. Thomas is also off the list for gang/drug activity and shootings. We just have to be careful and use common sense. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHXscuba Posted April 13, 2015 #27 Share Posted April 13, 2015 My mother has been all over the world (all 7 continents, many group tours, cruises, etc.). The one and only place that had trouble was when the tour bus was broken into in .... Paris!! Travel smart anywhere you go, from your own downtown to the ends of the earth! I am personally excited to go to Aruba and Curacao this fall. Maybe I can say I've "seen" Colombia from the ship without going there! PHXscuba Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
temple1 Posted April 13, 2015 #28 Share Posted April 13, 2015 Just back from a cruise that included Aruba and Colombia. We rented a car in Aruba and never concerned about any part of the island. We took a private tour in Colombia and never were concerned about our safety, annoyed by some of the vendors but not worried about safety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeW Posted April 13, 2015 #29 Share Posted April 13, 2015 Agree with everyone - been to all three and Aruba is our favorite port in the Caribbean. Since we have been there many times we usually just walk across the main street and catch the 10/10A/10B buses out to the beaches. Costs around $2.30 US and the driver will give US change if he has it. These run around every 20 minutes, but there are a lot of small private vans that do the same route and cost a bit less. Very nice folks. Bonaire has one of the best snorkeling areas around. Take a 15 minute ferry over to Klein Bonaire and drift down the wall. And of course you can buy wheels of cheese..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hancogran Posted April 13, 2015 #30 Share Posted April 13, 2015 Agree with everyone - been to all three and Aruba is our favorite port in the Caribbean. Since we have been there many times we usually just walk across the main street and catch the 10/10A/10B buses out to the beaches. Costs around $2.30 US and the driver will give US change if he has it. These run around every 20 minutes, but there are a lot of small private vans that do the same route and cost a bit less. Very nice folks. Bonaire has one of the best snorkeling areas around. Take a 15 minute ferry over to Klein Bonaire and drift down the wall. And of course you can buy wheels of cheese..... :D My most favorite thing to do in Aruba. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danp Posted April 14, 2015 #31 Share Posted April 14, 2015 We have been to the ABC many times. In Aruba we take the bus to the beach. The bus station is across from the pier. Tell the driver you want Palm Beach, it is about a 20 minute ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted April 14, 2015 #32 Share Posted April 14, 2015 You will probably be safer than in much of the US Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FawnRiver Posted April 14, 2015 #33 Share Posted April 14, 2015 We haven't been to Curacao yet, but had absolutely no problems in Aruba or Bonaire. We especially loved Bonaire and look forward to getting back there to do more snorkelling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marco Posted April 14, 2015 #34 Share Posted April 14, 2015 Probably about as safe as doing an "errand run" in your town/city. IE: Going to the market, the dry cleaners, the post office, the drug store, dropping the kids off at a track meet, stopping for a bite or going through the drive-threw.......you get my drift. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ithaca gal Posted April 14, 2015 #35 Share Posted April 14, 2015 Aruba is a lot safer now that Joran Van der Sloot is in prison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Roz Posted April 14, 2015 #36 Share Posted April 14, 2015 The ABC islands are actually closer to Venezuela than they are to Colombia. Roz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottaKnowWhen Posted April 14, 2015 #37 Share Posted April 14, 2015 The ABC islands are actually closer to Venezuela than they are to Colombia. Roz Which does elevate the threat somewhat. But even so, I would think that the ABC's are among the safest places to visit. Our brief exposure to A and C was very pleasant. stan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare geoherb Posted April 14, 2015 #38 Share Posted April 14, 2015 I haven't been to Bonaire. We have been to Aruba and Curacao several times. When we took our cruise to the Panama canal, it included a stop in Cartagena, Colombia. It's not a place I'd want to go off on my own. We took the ship's excursion to the mud volcano. It included some stops in the city as well. There was an armed soldier who accompanied us on the tour bus. I didn't know whether to feel safer because he was there or less safe. He was helpful at keeping the hawkers away from us when we stopped for a view of the fortress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamessemaj Posted April 14, 2015 #39 Share Posted April 14, 2015 The ABC islands are actually closer to Venezuela than they are to Colombia. Roz A most cogent geographic post. Further, it is probably the safest part of the Caribbean, including Colombia, which I also often misspell, Columbia. Many other places (Jamaica for one) would be of greater concern. I assume you won't be making late night/early morning hook-ups with strangers in clubs, so the sensational missing spring break girl is not relevant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ithaca gal Posted April 14, 2015 #40 Share Posted April 14, 2015 A most cogent geographic post. Further, it is probably the safest part of the Caribbean, including Colombia, which I also often misspell, Columbia. Many other places (Jamaica for one) would be of greater concern. I assume you won't be making late night/early morning hook-ups with strangers in clubs, so the sensational missing spring break girl is not relevant. Maybe it's just me, but I find "the sensational missing spring break girl" to be insensitive and offensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langley Cruisers Posted April 15, 2015 #41 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Maybe it's just me, but I find "the sensational missing spring break girl" to be insensitive and offensive. The comment, you mean. Yes, but sadly it seems to be the thing that put Aruba "on the map". May she rest in peace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luddite Posted April 15, 2015 #42 Share Posted April 15, 2015 It is safer than jumping from an airplane. Or staying IN an airplane. Or driving a car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iancal Posted April 15, 2015 #43 Share Posted April 15, 2015 (edited) I suspect that if you looked at the crime statistics, you would find it safer than staying at home (unless you live in East Rubber Boot). Edited April 15, 2015 by iancal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ithaca gal Posted April 15, 2015 #44 Share Posted April 15, 2015 The comment, you mean. Yes, but sadly it seems to be the thing that put Aruba "on the map". May she rest in peace. Yes, of course, the comment. Yes, sadly, it did put Aruba on the map. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karysa Posted April 15, 2015 #45 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Lol! The Caribbean is probably one of the safest places to cruise nowadays....you are being to paranoid! I was not at all concerned about cruising Alaska last September. What info was I missing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beccaseraph7 Posted April 15, 2015 Author #46 Share Posted April 15, 2015 It is safer than jumping from an airplane.Or staying IN an airplane. Or driving a car. Thanks everyone for all your replies, I continue to watch the thread. You have eased some of my worries! HOWEVER :P I would NEVER jump from a plane :O, call me a chicken! (Heights freak me out!) I actually hate driving to, I make my hubby do it :P But I get where you are going with this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beccaseraph7 Posted April 15, 2015 Author #47 Share Posted April 15, 2015 I suspect that if you looked at the crime statistics, you would find it safer than staying at home (unless you live in East Rubber Boot). lol our town we live in isn't that big or does it have much crime... but yes there IS crime everywhere, I get that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beccaseraph7 Posted April 15, 2015 Author #48 Share Posted April 15, 2015 I was not at all concerned about cruising Alaska last September. What info was I missing? To many horror stories that are out these days about crime and when I checked the website on all 3 island it mentioned drug activity, but it's true drugs are everywhere.. I just prefer to know what I am getting into and stay away from any "unsafe places". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karysa Posted April 15, 2015 #49 Share Posted April 15, 2015 To many horror stories that are out these days about crime and when I checked the website on all 3 island it mentioned drug activity, but it's true drugs are everywhere.. I just prefer to know what I am getting into and stay away from any "unsafe places". My ? was not directed to you. I agree with the others. I love A and C and can't wait to visit B. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottaKnowWhen Posted April 16, 2015 #50 Share Posted April 16, 2015 I was not at all concerned about cruising Alaska last September. What info was I missing? Anytime you leave the U.S. of A, you are taking a chance. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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