Caribbean honeymoon?

So my Fiance and I are getting married next July and I am starting to look around for honeymoon spots. We were thinking the Caribbean. I am trying to figure out which islands to look at and how much they will cost me for a week. So far I have figured out to avoid Jamaica and Haiti. I know at least a couple of you are somewhat familiar with the Caribbean.

Maybe a cruise to visit multiple islands...sort of like a sampler. Find an island you like and stay there the next year for your first anniversary. My fiance and I are doing basically that but through the Mediterranean in a few months. I highly recommend Royal Caribbean and have sailed with them several times.

Are you trying to do a resort? Just a hotel and go out on your own? Cruise?

If you're doing a resort, there isn't anything wrong with Jamaica.

Aruba. I can guarantee you won't be rained out. The water is beautiful. The govt. is Dutch. It has water sports out the wazoo, beautiful scenery, caves, cool natural bridges, horseback riding, and a really nice town with shopping if that is your thing (Oranjestad). The food is great and you can rent jeeps and motorcycles for ripping in the desert.

It's a 2.5hr flight from Puerto Rico. Caracas, Venezuela is only a 90 mile puddle jumper away if you feel like exploring.

Wow, almost 10 years ago, Yikes! My wife and I went to the British Virgin Islands on our honeymoon. Yes, we went during hurricane season, and as a young stupid kid I did not get trip insurance. With all that said, I'd go back in a heartbeat. The flights cost about as much as all of our expenses on the islands, but it was worth it. We stayed on Tortola and had a cabin on the beach. It was the true island experience as nothing there has been Ameri...I mean commercialized. In comparison, we went to St. Thomas and it was like going to any other place in the states, they had a Walmart a Kmart and a BurgerKing. Not what I would call the island experience. Our trip to Tortola was the best trip I have ever taken, and we plan on going back sometime for either our 15 or 20 anniversary. We were going to do 10 this year, but kids got in the way...

On Tortola you can mix with the locals, hike some glorious trails into the hills and see the views were freaking awesome, or sit on the crystal clear beaches and soak in the rays. On the beach we waded out waste deep and you could see the fish swimming around clear as day. We sailed to a local reef on a snorkling trip and it was like we were the little man at the bottom of the fish tank, it was unreal. We had conch chowder and conch fritters while sitting in a little seaside restuarant, drinking cold beer, and listening to the local reggae band. It was heaven...

You didn't say what other aspects you were looking at price wise, expereince wise, all inclusive, time of year, but that's my take.

octavious wrote: You didn't say what other aspects you were looking at price wise, expereince wise, all inclusive, time of year, but that's my take.

We will be going in July. I don't think we really want a resort. We would prefer to be able to kind of explore the island. But a cruise might not be a bad idea. Cheaper would be better. I am saving money over this year but the more left over the better.

May I suggest Maui? I know I know... it's not the Caribean, but the wife and I have been on multiple cruises through the Caribean and we both prefer the Hawai'ian islands over the caribean.

But.... if you are set on the carib, go with a cruise. That way you at least get a nice place to sleep every night.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: Aruba. I can guarantee you won't be rained out. The water is beautiful. The govt. is Dutch. It has water sports out the wazoo, beautiful scenery, caves, cool natural bridges, horseback riding, and a really nice town with shopping if that is your thing (Oranjestad). The food is great and you can rent jeeps and motorcycles for ripping in the desert.

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.

Jamaica's fine if you stay in the resort. Really good nature tours as well.

Barbados is good for a chill vacation and you can go anywhere safely, and has one of the best motorsports scenes if you want to sneak some of that in Again very good on the nature tours side of things and you won't have to drive around as much as in Jamaica.

The Carribbean is odd in the summer.

Thanks to the summer it's REALLY HOT.

But thanks to the schools, it's also high season. Cruises are VERY VERY packed in July, with lots of kids.

If you want to stay in the US, Puerto Rico (which has Culebra and Vieques as sub islands) or the US Virgin Islands (St Croix is not crowded at all).

Did I say it's hot? We've visited PR in July a few times, holy cow, the heat. Much better in December.

Oh, and there are race track in Puerto Rico, too.

Bobzilla wrote: May I suggest Maui? I know I know... it's not the Caribean, but the wife and I have been on multiple cruises through the Caribean and we both prefer the Hawai'ian islands over the caribean.

Hawaii is out. SWMBO has been to Hawaii and wants our honeymoon to be to somewhere new.

Yeah the heat is oppressive, maxed humidity and the sun is almost as harsh as in Florida. The worst of it is late July to mid-September, STAY AWAY in that time of the year - this is also when it rains nonstop like a motherberkeleyer. June's OK.

GameboyRMH wrote: Yeah the heat is oppressive, maxed humidity and the sun is almost as harsh as in Florida. The worst of it is late July to mid-September, STAY AWAY in that time of the year - this is also when it rains nonstop like a motherberkeleyer. June's OK.

Crap. Does anyone have any suggestions (other then Hawaii)? It would be hard for us to go any other time of year since she is a teacher.

We did find that high up in the mountains in Puerto Rico- it's a lot cooler. We were in the center of Ponce, and decided to get a coffee plantation tour. Car said it was 97 in town, and when we got up to the plantation, it was 73. Took about 40 min to drive up there- since the roads are nice an curvy.

The island is small enough to spend a lot of time on the beach and in the mountains.

I'll chime in with Tobago. Quiet, tourist oriented, but not too much. St. Lucia is beautiful, and not expensive. I agree with Aruba. St. Vincent is the most beautiful island I have been to. Airport has a very short runway- landing is an adventure. Almost all the people I have met in the islands have been very friendly, with the exception of Jamaica. If you stay in the resort, behind 12' razor wire fences, no problem, but if you want to explore, no,don't. BVI, drop dead gorgeous. My son just spent a week in Puerto Rico, absolutely loved it. Went to Vieques and was amazed. Do your homework, check on Tripadvisor, you will find a great place. Good luck and congratulations!

In Barbados you can rent a Jimny and explore to your heart's content, I'd invite you for some wheelin' if the chance arises. If you get out of there by mid/late July you'll only experience the better side of the weather.

July???

Bermuda. Not actually Caribbean but beautiful, great weather, upscale, super safe and lots to do. You will be happy (but your wallet won't).

Alternatives?

Grenada - pretty, pretty safe and the locals like Americans and welcome tourists. We honeymooned here and loved it.

Barbados - a little pricier than Grenada but similar vibe.

Puerto Rico - Spanish speaking and parts can be dirty/run-down but it has a lot of positives.

St. Barts - the place to go if you want to do nothing in luxury.

Not an island but I highly recommend the Mayan Rivera south of Cancun. Stunning resorts, friendly people and lots to do. Also Spanish speaking but it seems like most everyone we encounter has some level of English skills and welcome the opportunity to use them.

bludroptop wrote: Grenada - pretty, pretty safe and the locals like Americans and welcome tourists. We honeymooned here and loved it.

We honeymooned in Grenada as well. It was incredible. We explored the entire island, toured some nutmeg factories, etc and had a blast.

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 :)

Re: Barbados. Statistically by far the safest in the Caribbean. Very British, lot's of British Ex Pats. Have no idea why they buy so much security equipment.

Paradise Island, Bahamas. Specifically, Atlantis. The place is unbelievable. You will never get bored there. An E36 M3 load of things to do. They have about 15+ pools, dozens of restaurants, shops, and of course their own private beach. Also have a million different adventure tours you can take...snorkeling, scuba, etc... My wife and I have taken a few half or full day tours to private islands. They take you snorkeling, feed the stingrays, go to a secluded island, stop and feed iguanas, etc...the ride back and forth is in a really fast boat.

Yes, it's hot there in the summer, been there in July. But stay in the water, grab some shade when not in the water, chill out.

Wife and I like peace and berkeleying quiet. We went to Virgin Gorda, BVI on our honeymoon. 8 square miles. Nothing to do but eat, drink, hike, snorkel, and, you know. There is a resort, but that's not our thing. We've been in June (off season) and January (full season.) Stays in 80's year round. Most houses do not have AC. We rent one of the handful on the island that has a window unit. It is my favorite place on earth halfway through my projected lifespan. PM me if you want more details. DON'T tell all your friends.

If you're a "gotta have something new to do every five minutes, and love meeting new people" person, this is not the place for you.

Posting from screened porch overlooking beach enjoying second breakfast beer at 10AM. Enjoy work, suckers.

Re: Bahamas. The FRIENDLIEST people that I have been in contact in the islands. They really seem to actually like Americans. Atlantis is cool, with many different things to do. Casino is "interesting". I walked by a blackjack table and there had to be 50 large on it. I have some nice stories to tell about my trips there.

poopshovel wrote: Posting from screened porch overlooking beach enjoying second breakfast beer at 10AM. Enjoy work, suckers.

Do you have the Disney channel there?

bludroptop wrote: July??? Bermuda. Not actually Caribbean but beautiful, great weather, upscale, super safe and lots to do. You will be happy (but your wallet won't).

This. I did a fair bit of sailing from new England to the us and brit VIs, stopping in Bermuda frequently. No way I would go to the Caribbean in July. Bermuda is gorgeous, that's a great time of year to go there, give it a look.

cwh wrote: Re: Bahamas. The FRIENDLIEST people that I have been in contact in the islands. They really seem to actually like Americans. Atlantis is cool, with many different things to do. Casino is "interesting". I walked by a blackjack table and there had to be 50 large on it. I have some nice stories to tell about my trips there.

No kiddin'. The casino has some serious cash heavy people in it. It also has some serious sugar daddy girls that go along with it, who like to hit the beach nearly naked. Just sayin'.