Poll: Favorite Port for Southern Carribean

[jlane]

Of the 5 islands (San Juan, St. Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, or Aruba) on the Southern Caribbean track, which was your favorite and why?

[hstrybuf]

My favorites in order: St. Thomas, Barbados, Aruba, San Juan and Dominica.

[pholter]

Our favorites were Barbados for the overall island experience and Dominica for the people and beauty. I voted for Barbados, but wished I had 2 choices :) In my opinion, Aruba is very overrated, but I'm sure others would disagree.....

[mjmiller]

Very tough question. I voted for Barbados as best overall. But all of those islands have a lot going for them. I guess I feel that Barbados has the most variety of things to do. However, Puerto Rico (San Juan is the capital) and St Thomas also have lots to do and see. Dominica has a lot of natural beauty, but is very poor. Aruba is beautiful in a desert type of way, but is very expensive.

[vermonter16]

I was torn with voting for St. Thomas/St. John and Aruba....two different styles.... I liked Aruba for the night life and that everything was close to the ship so you could walk into town....and the scenery....we did 4x4 jeeping that day and it was a lot of fun... St. Thomas/St. John was very nice...we went to St. Johns via ferry and had a blast at one of the beaches there, snorkeling.... St. Thomas also had a great town!!!...but the ship was docked far and it would have been a long walk.

[judyjbest]

My husband likes St. Thomas best with Barbados as a runner-up. I like Barbados and San Juan with St. Thomas as a runner-up. Dominica was a nice port, but not a favorite. And, we were both disappointed with Aruba.

[pungo3]

I really love St. Thomas. If you like peace, quiet & beauty, there are some great places on St. Thomas to get away from it all. If you like nightlife, Aruba is probably the place for you.

[dot73]

I've been to Aruba twice and loved it. It has the best of the Caribbean (beaches, always great weather, fantastic snorkelling) with a little bit of Europe. I find the shopkeepers very pleasant and enjoy not being constantly hassled by people trying to sell me something. A close second would be St. John. The water is absolutely amazing for swimming and sailing. Next time I'm there, I won't even bother with St. Thomas and just head straight for St. John. The only Caribbean island I really dislike is Jamaica.

[DreadPirateRobert]

St Thomas/ St. John is my favorite by far. It is the most tropical and has beautiful beaches. Some good bars too!

Too bad they don't go to Tortola or Virgin Gorda.

[IBEEMOM]

My favorite is San Juan because of the historical aspect.

[TropicsR4me]

I like Barbados the most so far even though only was there once many years ago. Will be there once again next December on the Legend.

[tef43]

My favrie isn't listed as a choice, in fact my *two* favorites aren't listed.

 

Curacao and Antigua.

[crisp1]

For the unspoiled natural beauty and the friendly people, Dominica hands down. For beaches and most beautiful port St.Thomas/John- Charlotte Amalee. Historically- Old San Juan.

[smk]

Where is St. Maarten(?)? It was by far the best when we went thru on the

Legend back in 2002. That would be my pick and then Barbados.

[katgar]

Can I let you know next year? St. Maarten, Barbados and Martinique is the Legend's Southern route, and I haven't been on any of them yet!

[smk]

Well not to be nasty, but they can just skip Matinque for all I care. The

people were rude and crude. I thought Carnival was going to take that

off the itenerary. Buy your booze at St Maarten. It doesn't get any cheaper

than there.

[madelinerose]

Yes, we're also planning to do St. Maarten, Barbados and Martinique on the Legend also. Port Everglades - 8 days.

 

How's that ininerary and the cruise overall?

[tispwisp]

Haven't been to San Juan or Dominica - yet! However out of the rest it would have to be Aruba (great nightlife and beautiful beaches!), Barbados, & St. Thomas. Our all time favorite islands so far is St. Lucia!!

[KandMGIn]

Hey what about Curacao and St. Maarten?? :D They were our favorites. Curacao is beautiful and St. Maarten is sooooo lush!

[staylor]

St.Lucia (not listed) and St. Thomas. St. Thomas has everything, beautiful scenery, beautiful beaches, and awesome shopping.

[jlane]

Sorry for not listing those additional islands. This is my first cruise to the southern caribbean and I was listing the island on my itinerary.

 

Thanks everyone for the great input. My next southern carib cruise will have to include one of the other islands mentioned

[roscoesdream]

I voted for St Thomas as I loved the trip to St. Johns! However St. Maartin would be my vote if it was in the vote

[cruise pup]

Too bad St. Lucia isn't on the list. What a spectacular looking island. I did a 7 hour tour from Castries to Souffriere by mini bus and return by catamaran. One of the best tours I've ever taken in the Caribbean.

[Jamie]

I'd have to vote for any island that is the LEAST like here at home. So far I'd say Dominica and St. Lucia. I don't care about shopping or Carlos & Charlies. I get a little upset when I read on the boards, "don't bother getting off the ship". Usually it's because the area is rather poor and a lot of Americans are uncomfortable with that. Remember that this is what life is like for a great portion of the planet. Dominica & St. Lucia have a great deal of natural beauty. They don't yet have the slick shopping arcades of Cozumel or Grand Caymen, and that's something that really appeals to me.

 

Jamie

[theroos]

I voted for Dominica but my favorite was Tortola. That is why you should pick your cruise by itinerary and not by cruise line.