Favorite/Least Favorite Caribbean Island?

[sceneisle]

Favorites - St. John, Bonaire, St. Barts

Least Favorite - Aruba, Hispanola (Dominican Republic)

[Learning Conformity]

What was it about St. John, St. Barts and Saba that eveyone liked so much?

 

I am celebrating my 30th birthday on the Empress Of The Seas this February/March with a group of family and friends. My sister and I are planning to charter a helicopter to go somewhere, but have not yet decided where to go, and what to do. We don't scuba, and are very into history and culture, and are total "foodies" (nothing "snobby" - no restaurants with dress codes on this relaxed day!). Shopping on this day is no big thing to us (we live close to Manhattan, and would rather spend our island time otherwise). How is Saba for non-divers? Barbuda? St. Eustatius? Nevis? Any advice is very greatly appreciated!

[twomikea]

Saba is beautiful but very small and quiet. It is a steep mountain coming out of the sea:

http://www.jcd-spotter.de/luft/Saba.jpg

Not many people and fewer restaurants. Go their to get away from it all, hike a beautiful mountain and DIVE!

 

St. Eustatius has it own beauty. Two – three times the size of Saba with a classic volcano on the south end:

http://www.skypic.com/carib/11-7801.jpg

http://www.aquamarine-adventures.com/images/statia4.jpg

A lot more people but it does have some fascinating history to see and learn about.

 

St John is beautiful with some history. It has a “cool” feel to it – where you can go without a passport a hide from who know who?

http://www.imivi.com/St.%20John%20Aireal.jpg

 

I haven’t been to Barbuda or St Barts. St Barts is very French – think great food and $$$.

 

I don’t know which Empress Of The Seas cruise you are on (3 or 11 day) but if you haven’t been to the ports it goes to, why not fully explore them. St. Maarten and St. Kitts are wonderful on their own.

[Learning Conformity]

Thanks twomikea!

 

We are going on both the 3 and 11 night cruises B2B. I will share these with my sister. It certainly does narrow it down a bit (I like the look & feel Saba and St. Eustatius) :)

[CoconutFish]

Have anyone been to this small port on the north coast of the Dominican Republic?

Seems a very limited place with very few shore excursions and a very small town to wander around in.

 

Any information would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks

[BettyB2]

CocoNut -

 

What hours will you be in port? I came home last Saturday after 9 days in the Dominican Republic and can help you out if you let me know when and how many hours you are in port. I met some very reliable boaters/drivers that were recommended on some DR forums and can get you in touch with them

 

Will you be there before Whale Watching ends on March 15?? If so, you can get that pretty reasonable from Kim Beddell who is the resident specialist with the whales (mating season from Jan 1 - March 15) Thousands upon thousands of whale families, babies and more come to Samana. every year.

 

I hope more ships start going there as I would love to book for a day trip during whale season......

 

It is a BEAUTIFUL country if you are in the right places.......

 

I can probably hook you up with some great people to help you out..just let me know

 

Here is some information I gave my friends/family that came with us on thsi trip:

Samana is a small peninsula and town on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. It is one of the newest cruise ports in the Caribbean, and as such, has several remote and undeveloped areas of jungle, beaches and inland waterfalls.

 

Cayo Levantado is one of the most popular excursions, being a short tender ride away from the cruise ship anchorage. Also the town of Samana itself, which has a new tender pier, that is not visible on the current satellite data.

 

Other excursions take you to the fishing village of Las Terrenas, on the north shore of the peninsula, and Las Galeras, a beach area, also on the north side.

 

There are several other various types of excursions available, and this port appears to have much potential for the future. You can read more about the port on their web page http://www.cruisesamana.com/

 

They have many excursions to choose from

[dilmoregause]

St. Thomas / St. John and St. Martin are my favorites.

Really dislike Jamaica - only thing there worth seeing is Dunns Falls. BUT almost every western itinerary goes to Jamaica.

[victoriapaige25]

My fav was roatan honduras. We took a cab to west bay (beach?) and it was pure paradise!!!! So far I don't have a least favorite I have loved all the islands I have been to. Caymen Islands, Belize, Cozumel, and Honduras. We will see on our next cruise since it's 4 ports we have never been to!!

[Snorkel Dawg]

St. Lucia is my fav

 

Jamaica least fav

[volleyballmom87]

hated Nassau! You could tell Americans discovered it in the late 60s early 70s and it hasn't been updated since. Cool fort though.

 

Love Jamaica, but not as a port. We only do all-inclusives there. Negril is BEAUTIFUL!

[Aplmac]

TRINIDAD is not for everyone

but it's a big -1800+ sq. miles- island of contrasts.

 

You'd be well advised to not do Port of Spain,the capital..

but instead do an organised tour that will get you out of the city

and out into Trinidad's amazing ecosystem.

 

Maracas Bay is a delightful swimming spot

particularly during the week when the local throngs aren't there

- you'll see why it's so popular!

 

Although I live on nearby Barbados, the wife and I get over to Trinidad

once or twice a year for the contrast and difference

not to mention the amazing food and shopping!

[Host Karen]

On our most recent cruise, we visited Tobago for the first time and had an awesome day sailing on Island Girl. There were about 20 of us on a large catamaran (most from Cruise Critic) and the snorkeling was fabulous -- the best of our 14-night cruise. I would highly recommend Tobago for snorkeling and would be happy to spend another day on Island Girl.

[ChampionCruiser]

My favorites are St. Lucia (BEAUTIFUL harbor to dock in, gorgeous mountains, amazing beaches) and Castaway Cay (gorgeous and undisturbed).

We have never experienced a bad island, but if we had to choose it would be Costa Maya, as there just wasn't enough to do (but we didn't book an excursion here). Progresso is the only place that we stayed on the ship (we were just too tired).

[Wineguys]

From best to worst:

St. Martin

Aruba

Tortola

St. Johns, USVI

Barbados

Cozumel

..... small hop

Grenada

Dominica

Puerto Rico

Turks & Caicos

Sint Maarten (world of difference for me for St. Martin)

St. Thomas

......... big jump

Grand Cayman

New Providence, Nassau, Bahamas

....... giant leap

Trinidad

Jamaica

 

Would love to try next: St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Bonaire, Curacao, Tobago

[Poxy]

I really liked all of the islands that I have been to and think they are all worth visiting. Seems like the pattern for me is that the islands get better as the cruise goes on. Here is my tiny list:

 

 

Martinique - 10/10

Barbados - 9/10

St. Maartin - 8/10

Cozumel - 7/10

Key West - 6.5/10

[BeachBar]

Haven't hated any, but favorites are Curacao, St. Martin, and St. John.

[Lady Jane]

I agree that any day on an island is better than a day at work! We did a 7 day Caribbean in Aug 2008 and were amazed at how much improved St. Maarten was compared to several years ago...new boardwalk, spruced up streets for shopping, etc. We love to eat lunch at Antoine's on the beach...just a hop, skip & jump from the cruise ship if you take the water taxi. In January 2009 we're visiting Grenada, Tobago & Dominica for the first time....

[BoPippy]

I loved Mayreau,in the Grenadines with Princess.Great for snorkelling and relaxing.

[TexasMommy]

From Best to Worst

 

Antigua (Perfect)

Castaway Cay (Disney's private island) LOVE!

Grand Cayman (But not if too many ships in port)

St. Martin (Love to go back)

Cozumel (Paradise Beach and Nachi Cocum! But scared of food. Will NOT go there as a land vacation. Just as a cruise stop.

Nassau The area right by the pier is NOT impressive but getting away from the pier &going to a hotel like Atlantis, etc is great.

Jamaica (Actually really loved a week stay there last year at an all inclusive resort...but that was VERY insulated from all the hassling, riff raff) never stopped there as a cruise stop. Would be nervous on a cruise stop.

Cancun - Never went as a cruise stop but land vacation. It was our worst vacation ever.

Freeport - Yuck

 

So far I haven't found a stop I didn't like and we've had 11 cruises. Not an island, but not a fan of Key West. Going to St. Croix next and excited about that.

[thecarnivalkid]

Too many favs to list, Tortola and Grand Cayman come to mind of the top.

 

On the least desirable side have to put Jamica as #1 as do most on this thread.

 

I know many that just treat a Jamica stop as a day at sea and hang out on the ship minus the crowds and while I haven't gone to that level I will next time.

 

Over 4 visits the treatment has been the same and being younger the constant hassling for drugs and even getting physical pushing their crap is disgusting.

 

At 1 point I counted laying on the beach how many times I was bothered and gave up after 50 within a few hours. Finally bought a beer and the guy literally took my 10 dollar bill and ran away, never to be seen on a $2 Red Stripe. Just classless people working the cruise ship area scamming the very tourists that support their island in any way they can, legal or otheriwse. The country should do something before it is too late, although to most, including me, it is too late, I'll never go there again.

 

Guy in the middle of the falls was pawing at me for money for assisting with a hand to help over a rock. Unreal, I think another wanted a tip for taking the water shoes from you after already paying at the bottom to his partner in crime. It just truly goes on and on, just like my post. ha.............

[davidnsteph]

I'm trying to determine where we should aim to go on our next cruise. However, there's so many options, I just can't decide!

 

So, in your experience, what was your favorite place? Your least favorite?

 

I know everyone has different agendas when cruising, ie shopping, water sports, etc., so if you want to just give your overall favorite/least favorite, that will work fine. Thanks for any help!

 

Our favorite islands of the Caribbean are those in the southeast: Grenada, Barbados, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Dominica, etc.

 

They are all green, mountainous and scenic. There are plenty of waterfalls. Also with an interesting aroma of spices as you tour the island market places. The 3 Pitons on St. Lucia looked much like the jagged green peaks of Bora Bora in French Polynesia. Truly an island paradise within easy reach of the USA!

 

Though we've been there many times, we never get tired of the laid-back, pleasant atmosphere of the Caribbean.

 

DavidnSteph

[Parrot Mom]

We have only gone to Jamaica once and even though it was 20 years ago I felt absolutely threatened and would never get off the ship again.. On the other hand Ive matured and love Cartegena, Colombia.. spent a week there years ago and twice back on cruises.. Spent a week in St.Thomas and thought the only thing good about St. Thomas was going to St. johns.. Aruba is boring..no charm.. Cozumel went on a cruise and loved it so much went back for a week..

 

St. Maartin, Antigua and Nassau.. could live without them..not with seven cruise ships in the harbor and thousands and thousands of cruisers b eing assaulted by tour guides..

 

Right now my fav.. Bermuda..where the people are actually warm and helpful

 

We are doing a S.American trip and would love your ideas of what to do remembering that we are seniors and Parrot Pop can't walk rough surfaces.. we have already seen Machu Picchu and the inside of a volcano...

 

Santarem??

 

St. Barts

 

Dominica

 

St. Lucia...was there years ago and went to Batik factory in Mountains

 

Trinidad

 

Devils Island

 

 

oh yes.. years ago spent a week in Margarita and loved it.. and do completely understand the political situation..

[Extraordinaire]

I would rate the islands we have visited....

 

1. St. Thomas/St. John

2. Martinique

3. Barbados

4. St. Martin/St. Maarten

5. Grand Cayman

6. Cozumel

7. Jamaica

8. Bahamas

 

Many factors go into in personal preference. For example, a particular excursion can mean the difference between enjoying an island or not. The only island on the list that we really didn't care for was the Bahamas. We will avoid this port when looking into a cruise itinerary.

 

The best thing to do is try them all! :D

 

We will be visitng Barbados and St. Thomas in March. Could you tell us what made those particular islands special? If it was excursions, please give us the particulars. Thanks

[jms2362]

We will be visitng Barbados and St. Thomas in March. Could you tell us what made those particular islands special? If it was excursions, please give us the particulars. Thanks

We will not go to Margarita Island, Venezuela. It is scary at time with the Military walking around with rifles. They have military stop points on the highway and walking around small villages. It is like a 3rd world country. Have gone two times and won't do it again.

[jms2362]

We will be visitng Barbados and St. Thomas in March. Could you tell us what made those particular islands special? If it was excursions, please give us the particulars. Thanks

St Thomas is the BEST SHOPPING in the World!!! Jewelry, watches and cameras. Go there first thing the snorkel, we love it.