Posts: 105
From: Camarillo, CA
Registered: Mar 2004

posted 04-14-2005 15:23               

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What is your favorite place in the Carribbean? We have never been to the Caribbean. We enjoy snorkeling, good food, nice scenery, shoppping, different cultures.
Which area in Carribean do you prefer and why?
Which timeshare do you prefer and why?

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labguides

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Posts: 1
From: e.islip new york usa
Registered: Apr 2005

posted 04-14-2005 18:46               

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We like Grand Cayman. Our youngest son (32) and I scuba and snorkel, bike ride.My wife likes the beach and flora and fauna.
Our granddaughter (13) will be starting scuba with us in May.
the people are great and exchange rates are better than when we went to Ireland.
We have timeshares on the East end (less developed than Georgetown)so the cruise boat masses aren't near us.

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pyrobill

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Posts: 5764
From: North Carolina
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 04-14-2005 19:27               

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Sint Maarten/St. Martin or St. Barths

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Posts: 769
From: Long Island, NY - Playa Linda, Aruba wks 51& 11.Aruba Renaissance wk 2 St. Marteen, Pelican wks 50 & 51. Jockey Club, Vegas, wk 8 - Flagship AC
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 04-14-2005 19:51               

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Playa Linda in Aruba. Island is very clean, safe, great people, food and wonderful beaches. Water sports by day and casinos and night life at night and it's outside of the hurricane belt.

If you think the last point is not important just check with owner's in the Cayman Islands and St. Martin who couldn't use their weeks for months or even years and then needed to pay big assessments to get the resorts open again. Exchangers have also been effected even if they were confirmed outside of hurricane season. I had that experience this year when Ivan hit the Cayman Islands.

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Larry

[This message has been edited by Larry (edited 04-14-2005).]

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Posts: 1507
From: Ont, Canada
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 04-15-2005 04:00               

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The Reef Resort on Grand Cayman's East End.

Outstanding resort (all units are ocean front), outstanding diving with one of the best dive operations anywhere. Snorkeling right of the beach. The island is one of the safest anywhere and the people are very friendly and welcoming. The developer of the resort is top drawer and a class act all the way round!

As to the comment on hurricanes - The Reef was reopened within 5 months of the storm and the special assessment was only $210 per unit, it's operating at near full occupancy at this point and is one of only a few hotels/resorts on the island that was able to get things accomplished so quickly. One of the biggest reasons for this is due to the developer funding much of the repairs out of his own pocket rather than waiting for insurance payments - like I said - class act!

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Posts: 844
From: Boca Raton, FL Own: Bluebeards Castle, USVI, Costa Linda, Aruba, Vistana, FL
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 04-15-2005 07:08               

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Aruba!!!!

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Posts: 729
From: Swampscott, MA, USA
Registered: May 2002

posted 04-15-2005 07:19               

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There are many good spots. You'll find a wide range of opinions here.

My best advice is to remember that the islands are not all the same.

Try to plan on visting a few different islands that you might like(not all on the same trip...hehe) Then pick one that is convenient for you to start.

Also, don't forget to factor in the weather. Some islands are cooler in the winter (Bahamas - too cold for me in January). A lot are in the hurricane belt. Some are not (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao)

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Posts: 34
From: Cromwell, IN Fairfield Star Island
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 04-15-2005 09:20               

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we love the caribbean too. If you are interested in good snorkeling and experiencing a different culture, you may want to consider Cancun/Playa del Carmen/Cozumel area as well!
As far as islands go, some of our favorites are a little more out of the way and are not quite so touristy/Americanized, like St. Kitts, Antigua, and Bonaire.

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Posts: 206
From:
Registered: Jul 2001

posted 04-15-2005 10:29               

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Grand Cayman for snorkeling and general classiness (assuming you're OK with British culture and reserve).

St. Martin (French side) for fine food and unique beaches (assuming you're OK with French culture and beach habits; also the snorkeling is a catamaran trip away).

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Posts: 16
From: suamico, wi, usa
Registered: Jan 2005

posted 04-15-2005 19:03               

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belize.....aruba

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Posts: 1401
From: Goochland, VA OWN : Sandy Point Beach & Boambee Bay in RCI pts Australia; Sandpiper Beach Club 2BR FL; 2 weeks - Royal Holiday Club
Registered: Dec 2001

posted 04-16-2005 05:35               

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Boy that is a hard one. I have to say I have enjoyed every Caribbean location I have visited, some obviously more than others, but all good. There are pros and cons to all of them and depending on individual likes, some places may suit better. So I find it very hard to recommend one island. Perhaps staying with something safe for the first trip would be better, Aruba, Cayman, Barbados, ST Martin, Provo in T&C. Now at to favorite resort, I do have a definite answer on that one, Residences at the Crane in Barbados, my hands down favorite.

Patty

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It’s these changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes
Nothing remains quite the same
With all of our running and all of our cunning
If we couldn’t laugh we would all go insane - Buffett

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Posts: 43
From: PA, US
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 04-16-2005 06:45            

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St. John - for all the beautiful beaches and non-developed national park land.

(Though I realize I will probably NEVER score a trade there... )

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Posts: 8
From: toronto, ontario, canada
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 04-20-2005 19:45               

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Definitely it is Grand Cayman. Not inexpensive by any means - but warm and welcoming. The diving is great - the restaurants are diverse and excellent. We have been there five times - we plan to return and we recommend it to everyone. It is 'our' place!

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Posts: 651
From: Cayman Islands
Registered: Jan 2001

posted 04-21-2005 11:40               

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I travel away from Cayman on business way too much, so my favourite place in the Caribbean is the first step off the aircraft when disembarking at the Cayman airport, especially if my kids are looking for me and waving from the viewing gallery

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www.thereef.com.ky

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Posts: 1451
From: Carlsbad, CA, USA Carlsbad Inn, Trendwest , Marriott DSV & Newp, Westin MissionHills, Whaler/Maui & PonoKai/Kauai
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 04-21-2005 14:51               

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We just returned from a Windjammer Barefoot Cruise where we visited 11 Caribbean islands over 2 wks. St. Lucia and Ile d'Saint were real interesting. St. Maarten for culture.

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