The Caribbean

Barbados is a lovely island, particularly if you are sun worshipper but with enough sightseeing choices too. I love Cuba, we did a cruise from Montego Bay, stopping at various fantastic towns around Cuba. The people on both islands are welcoming.

We have had 3 two week cruises where you get to see quite a few of the islands in one trip. I would suggest a cruise so you can see if there are any you would like to stay for a holiday another time. All three have been back to back cruises where you fly to say Jamaica, have a day at sea then call at 5 different islands, back to Jamaica where you have a free day, a day at sea and another 5 islands. I love all the islands but don't think there is enough to do for a holiday unless you want some R & R and spend quite a bit of the time at the pool or at the beach. We've been with Princess (who have their own island) and also Marella (Thomson). Whatever you do have a wonderful time.

Obag: we’ve visited most of the Caribbean islands on cruises over the years, and holidayed on St Vincent, St Lucia and Barbados many times and never had vaccinations as they have never been required. Last year we visited Panama Canal, Colombia, Costa Rica etc and although it was mooted that a Yellow Fever vaccination was needed if you were planning jungle treks etc our GP advised against it as we were over 70 and there were highly possible side effects. We didn’t have it, had a fabulous time, and are fit as fiddles still!

We went to Barbados 7 years ago and I would love to go again.
Friendly people and beautiful beaches.
Most of the resorts are on the west side which is sheltered, but we also took the bus over to the east side where the coast is more rocky and the sea rougher.
We visited a beautiful garden up in the hills too.
Enjoyed every minute.

I'm another one for St. Lucia. It's the only island I've visited so have no comparison but I would return at a whisper. Found the people delightful but spent much of our time on a large estate/farm with private beach. A constant lovely memory which I cherish.

We went on our first Caribbean cruise last March with Celebrity cruises. Travelled with friends as this was our first time. We visited the ABC islands namely Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao also Antigua and St Martin. We had a fab time but I was pleased our friends knew the ropes as they were frequent cruisers. I would recommend booking tours independently as the ship ones are expensive. Our friends husband booked a trip for each island via trip advisor and they were great and reasonably priced. I would definitely recommend a room on the ship with a balcony, great when coming into and leaving the port. The only problem we had was with BA. Our flight from Newcastle to Heathrow was on time but they cancelled the flight from Heathrow to Miami where we were due to board the ship the following day. I personally would never fly with them again although I have heard Virgin are good.

Disagree about St Lucia, been there a couple of times and loved it. Loved the other islands too. The people are lovely and friendly, not at all like city hotels in many countries. Very laid back so don't expect flash service. Great food and very relaxing. If you go all inclusive you never need to leave the hotel.

On one visit we used the local minibus and were the only white people on it. They all insisted that I sat in the front by the driver. All lovely, all chatty. If you get away from the touristy areas there is quite a lot of poverty and in some islands they pretty much rely on tourism and bananas. This could be one of the reasons they are so welcoming. In all our visits I have only seen one beggar.

Did you see them all then mabon?

We only visted about five but even on those the contrast between the sanitised tourist areas and the poor areas and also between islands, was, according to DD who worked out there, immense.

We're going to Barbados for the third time this year. We love the friendliness if the people, the else if driving around and the beautiful beaches, of course! We have also had 3 fabulous holidays in Jamaica which has the most stunning scenery and is absolutely nothing like either Barbados or Antigua, where we have also had an excellent holiday. The topography, geography & ambience differ widely from island to island.

If you've seen one of the islands you've seen the lot. Would never go again.

We have been to Antigua, Aruba and Barbados. Barbados is by far our favourite. We have been 7 times, last trip in November. Beautiful beaches, friendly people and very safe.

Didn't enjoy Caribbean cruise at all. By the time ship has docked and you're on dry land everybody on the islands knows a cruise ship is in port and the touts are all there pestering you to buy things. The prices in the shops go up too when a ship is in port. Apart from all that hassle you get a very limited time on each island, maybe only a few hours, and never get to know what a place is really like. Much better to pick an island and visit just one place but that's only my opinion.

Another vote for Cuba here. Backpacked all alone all over and felt totally safe. Found the capital full of car fumes but the architecture is beautiful.. They secured a couple of millions of funding from UNESCO to do it up, but sadly fading again. Wonderful people, salsa and organic gardening.

Off to Barbados at the end of February. Can't wait. Will be our 4th visit. Very friendly,lovely beaches and some amazing restaurants.
We also did a cruise out of Barbados on a tall ship with sails. Was amazing. As the ship was smaller it allowed us into smaller bays when we visited various islands. Plan on doing it again soon.

Teetime.A West Indies cruise as a starter as we all have our own opinions on what we personally believe you would like.With a cruise you are not in one place for long and gives an idea as to whether you could see yourself making it your next holiday destination.

I think one of the loveliest holidays we ever experienced was in Aruba, 6 years ago. The island is away from the hurricane belt, the locals are friendly, there is no hassling on Eagle Beach from hawkers ( which can ruin holidays for lots of people who wish to relax) and the restaurants serve fabulous food ( even if a little pricey). The hotels on Eagle Beach are superb, and the beach itself is magnificent. There is very little crime and everywhere my husband and I travelled to, we felt extremely safe and welcomed. I would return to Aruba in a heartbeat.

I have been on lots of cruise holidays, but not to the Carribean as the thought of all those vaccinations puts me off. Do you really need to have them for a cruise?.

Add the Mayan Riviera to your choices. The hotels are x
excellent and the day trips you can do are very interesting.

Barbados is my favourite island and all the British Virgin Islands are lovely. Try a cruise and see which one you'd like to return to.

holcott48 thank you, Mr GG13 is eager to go on a cruise.

I cannot evenwatch Titanic (the film) I think it stems from seeing The Poseidon film when I was younger, along with an Island transfer in The Maldives about 15 years ago with our 2 youngest children, supposedly our seaplane was unable to take off. Ours was the last boat to leave Male in a tropical storm which escalated and it was horrendous I really thought we were all going to drown.
I have developed coping mechanisms for long haul flights and can fly anywhere we have even been to Australia several times.

Barbados was nice, off the ship for the day, it's got me thinking about visiting the Carribean again but would like to stay a couple of weeks rather than just day visits on a cruise

LOVED Tobago. Didn't feel comfortable on St Lucia. Not at all. We took a car out on both islands. No problem at all in Tobago but a couple of not so nice experiences on St Lucia. Not that pretty an island either.
Tobago was just magic & the people were so friendly. Gorgeous scenery & beautiful beaches. We went all inclusive at both which we never normally do but the hotels were a bit out of the way so glad we did.
Still much prefer Greek Islands though.

My husband was from Trinidad and we used to visit his family there most years. Unfortunately I would not recommend Trinidad because as it is an oil rich island they are not interested in tourists. However I liked other islands such as Tobago and Barbados.
I would love to see Cuba. having seen Jane Macdonalds recent cruise on tv.
Have a wonderful time!

to GrannyGravy - the sea over there was incredibly calm, like a millpond on some days.

My niece has lived in Barbados for forty five years. I used to visit her in January the coolest (28) and driest month. Although I have travelled widely independently,mainly Europe, camping.
I have never been on a cruise because I don’t like being organised with a crowd of people.