Caribbean honeymoon?

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

GameboyRMH wrote: Still, as Caribbean islands go, in terms of scenery and nature tours (and shopping if your fiance's into that) Aruba is probably the most boring. And the natural bridge collapsed a few years ago so that's a big chunk of their nature tourism gone.

I wasn't bored at all - we went wind surfing, diving, and ripping around the desert in a 4x4. I guess it is all what you are into. There were people there who never left the casino area and I never set foot in the place. I didn't know the bridge collapsed - it was pretty cool but... not a deal breaker. The #1 draw for Aruba is really weather. I know for a fact that it will be 90 and sunny every day except maybe 15 minutes in the next year. It won't be destroyed by a Hurricane... etc and for a honeymoon plan that is important as people tend to treat it like a huge deal. I really like pretty much every Caribbean island I have been to but some are prone to getting berkeleyed up badly every 2 - 4 years. With Aruba... you lose a cute white chick every now and again but that just keeps the price down :)

I've been a half dozen times, and my wife more than that. My wife's hobby is travel, and in particular, Caribbean, or island travel, and she goes 3-4 times a year. Aruba is her favourite place, followed by St. Lucia, what she calls the most beautiful place she's ever been.

The weather really is perfect, but it has changed. It used to be dry, and really scrubby, but they've seen rain the last few years, and it's far more lush now. July is hurricane time, and you won't see that here. There are a lot of things about Aruba that make it feel comfortable, and like home to me. It's very safe, and very easy to navigate. The traffic is just like here, and things are generally laid out like here. It is a small island, but definitely big enough to keep you busy for a few weeks at a time. If you stay in the high rise area ( I recommend it), the atmosphere in the evenings is great. There is a strip of restaurants, an open plaza and 3 story open air mall right across from the hotels, and in the evening it's bustling. The locals cruise that road at night, and all the restaurants are patio, and full. We walk through it every night. Shopping is not our thing, but eating is, and for that, Aruba is excellent. Prices are similar to home, and you can just as easily go low, middle or high end all in the same area. We typically stay at a high rise that is cheaper than most, and spend the difference in eating out.

I've rented a dual sport every time and will spend mornings either cruising the island, or running laps, or going back and forth to the natural bridge (the small one is still there) on the rough of the island, what GPS called the desert. If you like to go offroading, you can rent a Jeep, and get as rough as you want with it. If you want to go into town, you can either hop on the bus, or wait for one of the licensed minivans that will take you downtown for $1.25. That way you get more local flavour.

Aruba's slogan is one happy island, and it's for a reason. I've never met more friendly people in all my life, and we will be spending some of our winters there when I retire. If you have any questions, just ask. If you decide on Aruba, let us know and I'll give you some info that will take some of the guesswork out of your week. We're going in November.

In reply to Zomby Woof:

This may be an odd question, but I've often wondered it- how does the vacationing scene change when a cruise ship or two is there?

I've been to Aruba 3 times, but only via a cruise ship- so it's hard to see the impact since I don't know what it's like once we leave.

Some good suggestions so far. I haven't seen the Caymans pop up on the list but that was a nice one too.

I'll 2nd what another poster said about Jamaica being fine if you are in one of the resorts (and stay there)

I had a drink with Shaq while at Atlantis. Well, he was at another table 20' away, but just sayin'.

In reply to alfadriver:

Not much. I've been in town when the ships come in, and although it does get busy, the density in the areas you'd expect them to go is already pretty high with other vacationers. The funny thing is, I've had cruisers ask me for directions in town, and on the bus. Usually followed by, "so how long have you lived here?"

Do a search on here for cars of Aruba. Some interesting pics from in town and at the track.

JThw8 wrote: I'll 2nd what another poster said about Jamaica being fine if you are in one of the resorts (and stay there)

If you go out with a tour group you'll be fine too, but don't go wandering around by yourself or bad E36 M3 will happen.

Another point to consider, if you are going to a former British colony, is they drive on the other side. That can be terminally confusing to Americans, considering they love round abouts. Also, in some of the mentioned places, driving can be a contact sport.

cwh wrote: Another point to consider, if you are going to a former British colony, is they drive on the other side. That can be terminally confusing to Americans, considering they love round abouts. Also, in some of the mentioned places, driving can be a contact sport.

All of the USVI drives on the left side. And being American, all of the cars are left hand drive.

alfadriver wrote: All of the USVI drives on the left side. And being American, all of the cars are left hand drive.

When we were on St. John, I actually found that to be a better system. I wasn't worried about oncoming traffic. I was worried about the 300-foot 45-degree falloff that was never more than about a yard from the side of the road. Being on that side of the car gave me a better view of the washed-out road edges, especially since there weren't any guard rails in the way..

I have been to most of the Islands in the Caribbean, and you really can't go wrong anywhere. For a first timer, I'd recommend St. Croix. It is one of the three USVIs, with St. Thomas being more commercial and St. John being mostly a nature preserve. You can day sail to either, which is great, or sail out to Buck Island for a little snorkeling.

The currency is US and the language is English, so that makes some thing easier. The cars are US, so driving is easy, but they drive on the British side of the road, so you still get some adventure! Snorkeling is great all around the island, and the beaches are beautiful. There are two little towns to explore, so renting a Jeep is a great way to go.

My personal fave was the Cane Bay Reef Club. It is on the North End of the island, so a bit secluded, but they have their own restaurant so it was a great getaway. The second floor room has a killer balcony overlooking the rocks below, like being in Diamond Head in Hawaii. No beach at the property, but a 5 min walk to Cane Bay with excellent snorkeling, diving, and a burger shack to die for. Sadly, it has been many years since I have been there, and it seems to have gone way downhill based on reviews. There are other resorts up there, shop around.

In reply to pinchvalve:

crooked island bahamas, no casino, population 350, great diving, great fishing, nothing to do, perfect honeymoon in my opinion

Yeah, the Out Islands are really nice. No hustle, some nice places to stay, but not 4 stars. Peaceful, mon.

We had a great time in Antigua a few years ago (OK, technically this is the West Indies) You can see me drivng for 4.5 minutes on Antigua HERE

And Nassua is pretty neat, if busy.

I have never been to BVI, but I heard a ton of nice things about it. One of my friends just sailed there (from NJ in a 30 footer).

I have a group of relatives from another side of our family that were in Aruba last year. Maybe it was the place they stayed, but they will not go back. They are pretty well-travelled and a reasonable bunch. I was surprised to hear this myself.

I have an an aqaintance in Bonaire (which is part of the Netherlands Antilles) who runs a diving resort. He owns a Lotus Seven, an Austin-Healey 100M, an E-type and a classic Mini (all kept here in NJ) and is a cool "car guy". If you are interested in diving in a safe and peaceful place, you might try his place. http://www.caribinn.com/

Preemptive strike go this winter to aquadilla PR

No mention of the Dominican Republic? The beaches and the food are wonderful. You can do it all in Punta Cana. All inclusive resorts good prices, etc.. Airfare from the U.S. is around 200 bucks depending on the time of year. Don't go in December..

Good Luck..

I found Martinique to be very nice when I went there.
What about Belize?

So talking to SWMBO a cruise might be something we are interested in. I have never done a cruise. How much do they cost and what are good cruise lines to go with? Also Bermuda sounds interesting. Is there plenty to do there?

93EXCivic wrote: So talking to SWMBO a cruise might be something we are interested in. I have never done a cruise. How much do they cost and what are good cruise lines to go with? Also Bermuda sounds interesting. Is there plenty to do there?

How much time do you have? There are cruises that are 3, 4, 5, and 7 days that are quite common in the summer- out of Florida and San Juan. There are a few others up the east coast that are 8 and 6 days (Baltimore and New Jersey).

The Bermuda cruises start in Baltimore or Bayone, New Jersey (generally), and in the summer also go to east coast stops. Just this past July, we did a 8 night out of Baltimore that was Bermuda, Boston, and Newport, RI- it was a great trip.

Florida ones tend to go to the eastern Carribbean (USVI somewhere, St Marrten, etc) or western- Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamacia, etc. Puerto Rico will do more eastern (only one day at seas) or Southern (Aruba and Curaso).

We really love going on them, but also tend to enjoy some of the things people think are cheesy about cruising. That being said- it's not too hard to chose an itinerary that packs in a lot of islands so you don't spend too much time worrying about things to do on the ship. BUT- that can get you very exhausted....

As for lines, I can't really suggest one over another- we've only done Royal Caribbean, so I can't really tell you if it's really better or not- it's just that we fit, and don't need to find another line.

alfadriver wrote:

93EXCivic wrote: So talking to SWMBO a cruise might be something we are interested in. I have never done a cruise. How much do they cost and what are good cruise lines to go with? Also Bermuda sounds interesting. Is there plenty to do there?

How much time do you have? There are cruises that are 3, 4, 5, and 7 days that are quite common in the summer- out of Florida and San Juan. There are a few others up the east coast that are 8 and 6 days (Baltimore and New Jersey).

4, 5 or 6 days some where in that range.

Cruises can be very expensive.

They can also be very cheap- I just saw a 3 night cruise out of Port Canveral go for $99pp. With taxes and all, for less than $50/night, you get all the food you want, a moving hotel, a day on a private beach, and day in the Bahamas. That's amazing.

Anyway- 4 nights- there are two versions of those, I've noted- one that does the Bahamas- which will stop at a private island, Nassau, and likely Key West (no days at sea- all at night)- these tend to be M-F cruises, and generally on older ships. Not that they are bad, as we like the ships that RCCL uses. The other 4 night is a start in Fort Lauderdale or Tampa, going to Cozumel, spending a day there, and coming back- 2 days at sea. We've done one of those, and it was pretty nice.

5 days- typically the same as the second 4 night, but add a stop- so day out, two stops, day back. Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamacia, etc- some kind of combination of that. One even does two days at one location.

6 is a fairly rare distance, but they are similar to the above.

Prices should be $100-$150pp/night or so. You can find travel agents that will offer various discounts (on board credit, pre-paid gratuities- things like that), so it pays to shop around. What you get it base food (some places have premium restaurants that cost more, but are separate), room, and some basic drinks. No soda or any alcohol is included in the price. You can add them, for sure. For tours, you will also pay some for specific ones- one of our favorites is to race Americas Cup ships in St. Maarten. That's a blast. But we also just like to wander around on our own.

I hear there's a cool car museum in Grand Cayman. But found out about it a month after we were there....

7 nights opens up a TON of choices, BTW.

Oh, one other question to think about- are you close to a port? If you are, you could drive there and save a lot of travel money. New Orleans and Gaveston are some home ports to Carnival and Norwegan ships (I think). Again, I'm an RCCL fanboi.

All cruise ship lines have thier big fans and big detractors. So don't worry much about picking one, as long as you plan on having fun, and not worry about small stuff. Just like any vacation.

alfadriver wrote: They can also be very cheap- I just saw a 3 night cruise out of Port Canveral go for $99pp. With taxes and all, for less than $50/night, you get all the food you want, a moving hotel, a day on a private beach, and day in the Bahamas. That's amazing.

But you have to get there first, and pay for all your drinks, not just alcohol. It adds up very quickly.

$100-$150 a night even with drinks and stuff doesn't sound that bad. I mean hell it seems like most hotels cost that and that includes E36 M3ty breakfast.

In reply to Zomby Woof:

Award tickets need to be used sometimes. Besides, you have to get anywhere to get there first. If I want to be in St Croix, I can't get there by driving. Civic wants a honeymoon in the Caribbean- planes are probably going to be part of the trip.

And we don't drink soda- water, coffee, and lemondae is free. At some parties, some drinks are free, as well- at the captains reception, bubbly, wine, and "rum punch" are handed out.

Not to say that cruises can't end up very expensive- but it can also be very reasonable.