The Caribbean

The Caribbean is wonderful Teetime especially in this time of year to escape our cold weather!

We have been several times on a cruise which is great as you get to visit different islands, rather than just staying on one island in a hotel.

We usually go with P and O . They charter a plane so everyone on the flight will be on the cruise. We fly to and from Barbados, and are often onboard around an hour after landing as the immigration details are all done at the cruise terminal.

All the islands are slightly different, and it's wonderful waking up each day to a different island to explore.

I'm sure you would love it!

We are off to Cuba soon for the third time. We like it, the people are very friendly and although there are sometimes shortages, the food is good.

Antigua, St.Lucia and Aruba are really friendly Islands.

I have never been on a cruise (I am frightened of the sea), but lots of friends have, they say it's good to see lots of different places but as you are only ashore for a limited time you cannot always get the "feel" of the Islands.

These are the ones I've visited and they were superbly awesome;

Grand Cayman
Abaco
Antigua
Tortola
St Maarten

My D lived in Antigua for 3 years
We could only visit twice due to illness but it was beautiful.
Lots of beautiful beaches a short distance from anywhere and great restaurants.
I would love to go back.

We have usually had full days in the islands on the cruises we have done.

Typically the ship gets in about 7 to 8am then leaves again around 5 to 5.30pm, so plenty of time to explore. In fact as some islands are quite small, it is possible to virtually see the whole island in a day.

Some of the larger islands such as Cuba and Jamaica though would need a couple of weeks to see everything.

Anyway I always say that if we can't do everything we want to on one cruise, then that's a good excuse to book another one next year!

When are you thinking of Teetime? The hurricane season lasts until about the end of November.

You will love the Caribbean, beautiful Islands and lovely people.
We have been on Cruises but I personally prefer staying a couple on weeks on an Island and my favourite is still Barbados where we stay at The Coral Reef Club.

We have been to the Caribbean loads of times. We found Dominican Rep. to be quite Spanish feeling, good fun. Done Jamaica 3 times staying in 5* but never felt safe. Antigua & Barbados were lovely and friendly. Cuba was very interesting with all the history. It takes a few days to wind down to their pace of life, but love and miss going so much!

You are truly spoilt for choice in the Caribbean, my favourite tho is Cuba.

Just home (before the snow). Antigua - you MUST go swimming with the stingrays. Very professional, not at all scary, incredibly memorable, even if over 70yrs! You are a couple of miles out to sea, still less than chest height water, and they are used to being fed, though still wild. Treat them gently and they are gentle with you.
Grenada the nicest people.

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.

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

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!

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.

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

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 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.

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

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?.

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.

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.

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.

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.