Caribbean Holidays



Been 3 times, Barbados, Bermuda, St Kitts, St Maarten, Aruba, St Thomas, Tortola, Cozumel, Roatan, Puerto rico, Curacao, Dominican, Grand Cayman. Worth doing something like a couple of nights in New Orleans at the end (we did last time) before flying back. Of the 2 cruise lines we went with, Royal Caribbean was the better one. If you want some where safe, where you can have a night out and go pretty much where you want, Aruba, Bermuda, St Thomas and Tortola were the best. Aruba in particular has virtually zero unemployment/crime rate and is safe as houses. As other posters have said, avoid hurricane season (and US college spring break). Weather is pretty much same all year (apart from hurricane season), hot and sunny, so you can't go wrong. Cozumel has got the clearest blue sea I've ever seen, personal fave destination was Aruba though, I'd go for a fortnight hotel stay there. Check out pics of Palm Beach Aruba.
 
Been 3 times, Barbados, Bermuda, St Kitts, St Maarten, Aruba, St Thomas, Tortola, Cozumel, Roatan, Puerto rico, Curacao, Dominican, Grand Cayman. Worth doing something like a couple of nights in New Orleans at the end (we did last time) before flying back. Of the 2 cruise lines we went with, Royal Caribbean was the better one. If you want some where safe, where you can have a night out and go pretty much where you want, Aruba, Bermuda, St Thomas and Tortola were the best. Aruba in particular has virtually zero unemployment/crime rate and is safe as houses. As other posters have said, avoid hurricane season (and US college spring break). Weather is pretty much same all year (apart from hurricane season), hot and sunny, so you can't go wrong. Cozumel has got the clearest blue sea I've ever seen, personal fave destination was Aruba though, I'd go for a fortnight hotel stay there. Check out pics of Palm Beach Aruba.


Aruba is fantastic like if not a little expensive
 
Bit of a bump.

Any comments on going independently (as opposed to AI)?

I think you first need to throw up a bit more info? time of year? how many travelling? all adults? kids? likes and dislikes on holiday (beach resort v culture, etc) and language preferences? (some are British or yank linked, others Dutch, French, or Spanish when it comes to that region)
 
Feb.
2 adults.
Prefer independent to big AI.
The SMB often offers a new bit of info that I haven't discovered for myself.

fair enough... I have never travelled All In on any trip or holiday as I prefer local food, social life, etc and not a fan of restrictions (move on to next place if I don't like somewhere), and my guess is that if you are heading out on some 8 to 11 hour flight you'll be staying at least 2 weeks or more to make it worthwhile?
Feb is a good time as its not got price bump with school holidays... so for around 600 to 750 euros you can easily get a return flight per adult.
Depending on which island you choose depends on the cost of hotel, etc... Cuba and Dominican Republic will be lower cost, while Aruba (one of the Dutch ABC islands) and Bahamas will be higher end
I would estimate about 40 to 60 euros or quid per night for well above average, even good accommodation for 2 adults, that will include your breakfast on one of the lesser visited islands.
In a lot of these locations a cab costs peanuts compared to Europe (get hotel you are staying at to book for you) -or use a bike to get around (the Dutch islands hotels will often have free use of a bike if you ask around)

Barbados, Cayman Islands, Jamaica all have British roots and traditions... English speaking is a preference to some

Dutch ABC islands: Aruba (influenced heavily by US and casinos), Bonaire (smallest of the 3 islands but a divers paradise) and Curacao (cheapest of the 3 but much higher crime rate than the other two islands) … In Bonaire you can go get your PADI certificate within a week at probably one of lowest rates in that part of the World.

Dominican Republic (its full of All In resorts and is very touristy orientated... its also got a land border with rat infested Haiti ;))

Cuba - history and loads to do/see, and its well worth getting on their train which travels from Havana all way to south of island … or south east when looking from above :lol: (flying into Holguin is cheaper than flying into Havana and you can get same train up to Havana while there)

Mainland Caribbean is for most part Spanish speaking (apart from Belize in central America) or southern coast of USA... Mexico will be ok in English but for main part they are over run with All In type resorts

When I ever go I do what I call a triangle... fly into one airport, travel around from one place to another, and then fly back from a different airport/country, but I would normally do 4 to 5 weeks on a trip like that
 
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Looking to book up somewhere in the Caribbean next year for me and the misses. I've never been there before or been on holidays in years!

Who should I be using to book for such a holiday and does anyone have any recommendations for places to go? Should I go all inclusive?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Grenada.

Hire a car.

Go self catering.
 
I did Barbados for a week and spent three days at the cricket. The other three were spent on the beach. Not a great deal else to do. Day on a pirate ship, rum distillery tour was the only other things I remember. Lovely place and people though.
 
Aruba is beautiful, been 4 times although the prices had rocketed the last time we were there, combined with the poor dollar exchange rate.
Lots of Americans who demand the best service, food and cleanliness.
 
Ive been to a few.
St Lucia
Barbados
Antigua
Cuba
Dom Rep
Canouan
Palm Island
Guadeloupe

Barbados was my favorite. My recommendation would be to look at lights and get a villa for the time with a car.

Nah, the RTG one.
We were out in 2004 with London Branch members. Had the Semi day on the beach in Holetown with a group from the boat
 
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Looking to book up somewhere in the Caribbean next year for me and the misses. I've never been there before or been on holidays in years!

Who should I be using to book for such a holiday and does anyone have any recommendations for places to go? Should I go all inclusive?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
What type of holiday are you after mate? What type of things do you want to do when you're there? What quality of food do you want to be eating?
 
Ive been to a few.
St Lucia
Barbados
Antigua
Cuba
Dom Rep
Canouan
Palm Island
Guadeloupe

Barbados was my favorite. My recommendation would be to look at lights and get a villa for the time with a car.


We were out in 2004 with London Branch members. Had the Semi day on the beach in Holetown with a group from the boat

Another thumbs up for Barbados.
 
Ive been to a few.
St Lucia
Barbados
Antigua
Cuba
Dom Rep
Canouan
Palm Island
Guadeloupe

Barbados was my favorite. My recommendation would be to look at lights and get a villa for the time with a car.


We were out in 2004 with London Branch members. Had the Semi day on the beach in Holetown with a group from the boat

2015 when we went.
 

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