Best place(s) to spend nine days in the Caribbean?

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Hi All,

 

I'm addressing this to RSSC board since we all have an interest in engaging vacations. We were on the 12/4 Voyager sailing that was canceld. We have to visit south Florida during that time frame anyway due to family obligations, and we already have first/business air from LAX arrainged (and flights to MIA are getting spotty).

 

So, if we stick with our current flights, we have nine full days to spend somewhere in paradise :D Money is no object, as we were going to drop $1,000+/day on the cruise anyway. We have never been to the Caribbean before (have been to the Keys). I'm a certified diver, but DW is not, though she expressed interest in getting certified on the trip, or doing a resort cert. We are in our early 50's and reasonbly fit.

 

The question for the board is: If you had nine days in which to go anywhere from Miami, and do anything, what would you do?

[AtA]

frankly if you're already in florida, I'd see if you can get a last minute spot on the 9 day silversea cruise leaving dec 3 from fll to bridgetown.

http://www.silversea.com/destination.aspx?Year=2006&Month=12&ShipID=3&RegionID=6&SearchBy=Ship&search_type=ViewVoyage&VoyageID=214&page_id=destination

 

but that's just me. LOL.

[MamaQuack]

I'd take a short flight to Marsh Harbor in the Abacos. Rent a little house in Hope Town. Then snorkle, dive, fish, enjoy the settlement and meet some incredible folks. Its not a cruise but the waters are spectacular, the locals are friendly (its not the Nassau crowd - no casinos, no golf courses, no tennis just relaxation). If you want some rental referrals let me know. We own a family vacation beach house there but we do not rent.

[caviargal]

I would visit two islands and split my time; choose two in close proximity.

 

St. Maarten is beautiful and has a lot to offer (food, shopping, fab beaches); then you can swing by St. Barts for a few days of luxurious bliss.

 

St. Lucia is less developed but with fabulous natural scenery and enough to do to keep me busy for a week. Cool places to stay include Ladera and Windjammer Landing. You can combine it with a few days at Galley Bay in Antigua.

 

I do not care for the US Virgins but really like the BVI. So Peter Island for some luxury and Tortola for more activity.

 

Anguilla is also gorgeous but pretty low key, which in previous posts seem to not be a great fit.

 

Just a few islands to consider....

[PaulaJK]

This is a response from a non-diver. I am aware that many islands offer some diving activities but the diving- paradise destinations [e.g.Grand Cayman, Tortola,etc] are fairly low key.

 

If you wish a combination of upscale accomodations & french influenced cuisine [similar to cruising] you might consider St Bart's. There are many lovely facilities, including Guanahani, Eden Roc & Le Toiney. Shopping & spa opportunities compliemtn the usual assortment of water based activities.

[DoctorTom]

If you want to do the Caribbean, and want some quiet, unpretentious luxury with no crowds, try Guana Island in the BVI - 1 island, 30 guests, 7 beaches, about the same cost per day as a Regent cruise. My other favorite spot in the Caibbean is Ottley's Plantation, on St. Kitts. Both have web sites to check out.

 

Tom Fynan

[DreamBoatAnnie]

I agree. The British Virgin Islands would be my pick. Beautiful.

 

Also, if you're willing to go a little bit farther, The Grenadines have fantastic diving. Check out Petit St. Vincent (PSV), a private island in the Grenadines.

 

You might want to check out ScubaMom's website for ideas. She has a lot of useful information about dive sites and reviews of some wonderful resorts.

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Thanks all! The Caribbean sure is a popular place. I've found a dozen or so interesting places but they all have turned out to be booked up. The search continues:eek:

 

As a default we will probably do a shortened trip, hitting the Sandals in Nassau for 5 days, then on to the family stuff.

 

PS - In researching flights, I found LAX-MIA flight segments that popped up when combined with MIA-NAS legs that did not show up when I just searched for LAX-MIA. Turns out doing the LAX-NAS with a layover in Miami on the way back was very cheap, had good seats available on big planes, and had convenient times! When I tried to do the two parts seperately, all that showed up were ugly flights:confused:

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Well, we give up in defeat :( Everytime I find something in the Caribean that looks good, it is either booked, air is impossible to get, or the reviews are bad.

 

We are just going to do a driving trip for a few days from Miami, up the Atlantic coast, checking out the various beaches, visiting the Kennedy Space Center, visiting Disney World (my wife worked at Disneyland for many years in her youth... not that she isn't still young:rolleyes:... and would like to see D. W. ). Then down the gulf coast to our family event in the Venice area.

 

We'll save the Caribbean for our March Mariner 10-day'er.

 

Thanks for all your help!

[JDRMYS]

Before you give up, try the very luxurious Horned Dorset Primavera near Rincon on the west coast of Puerto Rico. This is a small, quiet beach resort with huge duplex suites (with private plunge pools) wondeful service and one of the best restaurants in the Carribbean. If you like to surf, some wonderful surfing beaches are very close by.

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Our timing couldn't have been better (if you have to have a cruise canceled...), the space shuttle Discovery is now scheduled to launch the very day we are going to be at the Kennedy Space Center!!! I ordered passes on-line to view the launch from the Center.