tripster Posted May 29, 2015 #1 Share Posted May 29, 2015 What is your favorite island in the Southern Caribbean...and why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted May 29, 2015 #2 Share Posted May 29, 2015 So many interesting islands, but if I had to choose only one, I'd have to go for Bonaire for the snorkeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashland Posted May 29, 2015 #3 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Aruba...I had always had such a negative thought (you know why) about this island and felt I had no interest in going there..but when I finally did last October I ended up loving it ...so beautiful... and am looking forward to my B2B cruise that will visit there again next May. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langley Cruisers Posted May 29, 2015 #4 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Oh man... OK.. Aruba. I mean, so many are worthy, but we LOVED Aruba. The ocean was pristine and the color was stunning... I was just talking to a co-worker yesterday and she went there on her honeymoon last month, and she told me that Aruba has among the highest "call-backs" of anywhere in the Caribbean. It's easy to see why when you stop there for 8 hours on a cruise ship, and you know you want to return there one day for a land vacation. :) It is just beautiful. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CntPAcruiser Posted May 29, 2015 #5 Share Posted May 29, 2015 For quaintness, charm, shopping, and dining, we've enjoyed Curacao most as a Southern Caribbean cruise port. We've only been to Bonaire once now, but would gladly return for the incredible snorkeling, but overall, Curacao holds more for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erniesband Posted May 29, 2015 #6 Share Posted May 29, 2015 #1 - Dominica hands down for it's natural setting. Undeveloped by corporations and big hotels and I hope it stays that way. However if you just want beaches and everything "disneyfied" it's not for you. #2 - Bonaire for the pristine snorkeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted May 29, 2015 #7 Share Posted May 29, 2015 (edited) A B C D Nothing with an E :confused: Edited May 29, 2015 by John&LaLa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sealeggs Posted May 29, 2015 #8 Share Posted May 29, 2015 St. Maarten Maho Beach!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseapril Posted May 29, 2015 #9 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Curacao- Lived there for 2 years and have been back twice by cruise ship. Enjoyed the snorkeling at the cove beaches, the charming city of Willemstad, the diversity of cultures, the ships coming in from all over the world, the Dutch influence, and the proximity to Aruba and Bonaire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyD Posted May 29, 2015 #10 Share Posted May 29, 2015 If I had to pick one, I would choose Curacao. Been there twice and love the culture and Dutch atmosphere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattpro Posted May 29, 2015 #11 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Aruba beach - Palm Beach restaurant - Madame Jeannette's product - Aloe manufactured here casino's - sports betting (horses) Natural Pool Butterfly farm Bird sanctuary Safari trips in the state park Snorkeling - Baby Beach Sperlunking California Lighthouse 2 malls to shop in Seaport Village for charted fishing Sunset sails (Red Sail Sports) Cunucu bus - bar hopping Always sunny year round - less than 20" a year in rain Below the hurricane line - only one in the last 100 years Friendly people island wide They drive on the right side of the road Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ileys Posted May 29, 2015 #12 Share Posted May 29, 2015 We must have caught Aruba on an off day, as we did not get the same positive feel for the island. The water was certainly blue, and the beaches were gorgeous, but the natives all seemed to be generally annoyed with us, and I am not sure why. It is possible that they did not like the cruise ships or possibly Americans - I do not know, but we try to be as unlike the "ugly american" tourists as possible. I have never seen that type of reception anywhere else - not any of the other Caribbean islands, or either coast of Mexico and the associated ports in those areas. Now, I did enjoy Curacao very much, and any trip back there will probably include Aruba, so I will certainly give it another shot. I want to get to Bonaire so I can complete the ABCs and try out that snorkeling I hear so much about! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awhfy Posted May 29, 2015 #13 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Antigua then Curacau, Barbados & Aruba in a three way tie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted May 29, 2015 #14 Share Posted May 29, 2015 I though Aruba was not as beautiful as the other islands...it's not lush...it's flat...it's a desert!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy41 Posted May 29, 2015 #15 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Here's an oddball one for you. Quite a few years ago we did a cruise that included Panama and one of the islands near there that we toured was one of the San Blas Islands. That is still my favourite. Very different. Barely above sealevel. Very small. No vehicles. Small hotel where you slept in a hammock. Small pond of sea water where you could fish for your dinner and of course a tourist trap little convenience store. I've never seen this place mentioned since but it sure was a great place to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulette3028 Posted May 29, 2015 #16 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Are you telling me there is more than one? I thought there was one giant island and several different docks, and a few areas where they set up Tender landings.....ships just head out to see and then make a turn and head to a different port location on the big island....seems like at the fort locations, they could just change the name of the fort and the history slides and photos and keep going round and round. Oh just kidding....but after I have seen a few forts and heard a few different sets of Island history,,,, they came, they conquered then a few year later others came and conquered.....they all seemed the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoyMouse Posted May 29, 2015 #17 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Nevis. We took the shore excursion there from St. Kitts. It's not very developed/only developed in pockets, so it felt authenticity Caribbean. Full of lovely people proudly showing us their home. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigeagle12 Posted May 29, 2015 #18 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Curacao Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abhb Posted May 29, 2015 #19 Share Posted May 29, 2015 St. Lucia-so much to see and do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sr4mjc Posted May 29, 2015 #20 Share Posted May 29, 2015 While not technically a port stop, my favorite island was Virgin Gorda, The Baths as visited on an excursion. Gorgeous, I'd love to go back when they put Tortola back on the schedules. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VMIMarine Posted May 29, 2015 #21 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Since the OP said Southern, and I have to choose only one, I'd have to go for Aruba for the snorkeling.But my real favorite is St Thomas, USVI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare APDMOM Posted May 29, 2015 #22 Share Posted May 29, 2015 (edited) So far: 1. Aruba - because we are "cheap" and like that we can walk to a beautiful beach within 10 minutes from the port. 2. Curaçao - we love the quaint and colorful city of Willemstad. Still need to see Bonaire... St Kitts, Dominica and Barbados were nice too, but not my top 2. Edited May 29, 2015 by APDMOM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidygirl Posted May 29, 2015 #23 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Dominica- Beautiful and Tropical rain forest- undeveloped which makes it feel more authentic (not just a built up shopping center) Virga Gorda- The Baths You get to from Tortola We just took the kids back on a cruise to these places but Tortola was cancelled as they used the excuse the port wasn't finished. I believe it was a money thing as they could have used their lifeboats as tender boats. We we disappointed!:( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
depplep Posted May 29, 2015 #24 Share Posted May 29, 2015 (edited) Aruba! Spent a week on the island and stopped for a cruise once as well. Extremely friendly people, beautiful beach, great restaurants and shopping. It's been 16yrs since we've been back. :confused: What's wrong with this picture? Love Antigua. Is this really southern? Edited May 29, 2015 by depplep Forgot an island Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjdixon4 Posted May 29, 2015 #25 Share Posted May 29, 2015 I'm tied on this one. I vote Aruba for the beach, and Curacao for the beauty, friendliness, and diversity of the people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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