Where to honeymoon in the caribbean?

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seabass

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I had this post in travel discussions, but didn't get many replies. We are currently looking to stay at the Sandals Grande St. Lucian. I have read all the comments about this place so far and am looking for someone with experience or a friends experience that may not have posted a trip report.

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I am looking for suggestions for a caribbean (southeast asia is also a possibility) honeymoon location April 6-13th. I love to dive but my fiance does not (and will not). I am looking for a place with 4 or 5 star accomodations or secluded beach villas. Over water bungalows on stilts look beautiful, but I don't know what the issues might be.

I definitely would like to sneak in a few dives, but it isn't a priority. From reading, every place seems good which is making it hard to decide.

I have lots of frequent flier miles so really would like to go someplace that american or american airlines partners can fly to.

I would like to keep the price of accomodations below 3-4K for a week for the two of us.

(Grand Caymans sounds promising, especially considering there is already a message board group going...)
 
Well, Aruba is the honymoon capitol of the Caribbean.

There are lots of casinos that host vegas style shows. There are many romantic restaurants offering fine dining. The beaches are beautifaul and all public. It is easy to drive along the uninhabbited north sore and find private secluded beaches.

The following is a clip from a prievous thread that I wrote.

Good luck.

for more aruba info look at aruba.com


Diving:
There is very little shore diving. There is some, but the entries are tough and there are long surface swims. If you are into this, let me know & I'll give you some directions.

The two largest Dive Operators "Red Sail Sports" and "Pelican Adventures" , have the most boats going out. Either one will pick you up at your hotel-Where are you staying?

Pelican is a smaller company (Aruba only) and red sail operates on several islands. The Aruba operations are similar in size. They both have two nice dive boats and several catamarans. Their prices are similar.
Personally I prefer Pelican, In my opinion the staff is quite friendly, helpful and accomodating. I have been diving with both. When I lived there I worked at Pelican, so maybe I am slightly bias. Never the less, I am confident that you will be happy with them.

The morning two tank dive boats go to the South Coast. This area has the best vis. There are moderate seas at times, and often a moderate current. I don't know your level of experience and training, but this area is best for Advanced Open Water or above. The dives are usually about 90-100ft first dive, then 50-70ft-second dive. I particularly like the "Jane Sea" wreck, Bacadera reef and Skalahein reef.
Water temps are 80-85f. Vis=60-120ft.

The pm 1 tank boats go out at 1pm and 3pm.

1pm-"Pedernalis" wreck. Just 25ft deep, but a fantastic dive. Spiny lobsters, green and spooted moray, octopus + tons of reef fish. This site is wreckage of an oil tanker sunk during ww2. The wreckage was used as target practice by Dutch Marines after the war. So now it is basicly piles of blown apart rubble and some unexploded bombs. if you go 40 ft north of the mooring lines, about 10 feet left of the main wreckage, you'll see a coral head about 3ft in diameter. On the west side of the coral head you should see a little "cave" where an octop[us lives. He/she usually has a pile of shells and dead coral pushed up around the entrance-check it out!

3pm-"Antilla" wreck-55ft max. Aruba's most famaous dive site:

The story (keep in mind this is part history & part local legend. I cannot guarantee iots accuracy)

The Antilla is the most famous of Aruba's wrecks. This german freighter was in Aruba's waters during WW2. It was suspected of supplying German u-Boats. Once Germany invaded Holland, the were considered the enemy by Aruba (Dutch). The ship was near Aruba and was surrounded by Dutch Marines. The captain, anchored off Aruba's North West shore, asked for time for his crew to gather belongings and surrender on shore. During this time, the crew super-heated the boilers. Just prior to leaving the ship, the captain opened valves allowing sea water to enter the ship. When the cool water reached the hot boilers, there was an explosion that virtually ripped the ship in half. The Antilla sank, lying on its port side. The main mast still penetrates the surface, as does a section of the starboard side.

The crew were taken prisoner and sent to Bonaire (a prison camp at the time) where they spent the days drinking rum and hitting on Bonarian women. (this is why so many people from Bonaire have blue eyes )

After the war, these prisoners liked Bonaire so much, they did not want to return to Germany. So a group of them opened the first Carribean resort in the Area. The buildings--The prison of course. The prison was converted to a resort. That resort is now the "Divi-Flamingo Resort"

The ship itself has become an artificial reef. There are multitudes of reef fish. The blown apart mid-section reveals the boiler sections. The wreck is easily penetraed at this point. The large cargo holds allow lots of room and there is pleanty of sunlight. Max depth 55 ft, this is a dive for both beginners and seasoned divers. The ship is on its side. The bottom is almost like a wall dive. Look up and see the colorful sponges and corals encasing the hull with the bright sun shinning overhead. Also sometimes stingrays hang out in the sand 50-100ft away from the wreck. There are several VERY LARGE green moray living there, so be sure to look under things (especially in the blown up section).

Aruba General ifo:

Power is 110v but different cycle and Im not too sure about suges. So, most devices (shavers and stuff0 are fine, but i suggest a surge protector if you intend to charge camera batteries or vieio equipment.

1 US dollar=1.75 Aruba florin. American $$ accepted anywhere. Sometimes small change will be in florin, but otherwise your change will be US.

Supermarkets have almost anything we have here, prices are similar, some slightly higher.

It is always very windy in Aruba. I mean real windy, like, don't wear a baseball cap windy. Keep that in mind when you pick a spot to lie on the beach. Find somewhere where you won't get sandblasted.

If you chose to rent a car, I suggest "Amigo car rental" they have good deals on cars and jeeps(samarai) American jeeps are available through "economy car rental" but they cost more than the samurai or jimmi.

Busses run every half hour and cost $1.25. Most are full size busses, some are just mini-vans and are eisily confused with Taxis.

Food:
There are pleanty of nice restaurants ($$), for local quizinr try "the Buccaneer), for a fantastic (and huge) steak, try "el Gaucho".

For more moderate prices (under $20pp) :
Iguanna Joe's-Downtown. Tapas, fahitas, ribs etc..
Salt & Peppers-opposite the "Allegre" resort-lots of tapas, and international quizine.
The Bangozza Bar & Grille-at the "Mill Resort" nightly specials, complete dinners for $12, Wednesday-all-you-can-eat ribs nite. This place also has the best happy hour 5-7pm. Say Hi to Randall, Rosa and Gloria from Andrew.

Pelican Adventures offers a snorkel crise and a sunset cruise. Both are 2.5 hours and include snacks and unlimited drinks, it is a lot of fun.

Northside jeep tours are fun, but rather than go with the big groups and packed jeeps, try this. Rent your own jeep for the day, get a map. Drive to the California Lighthouse around 8-8:30am. You will see the tourist jeep convoy come through. You can eisily follow at a distance, so you dont get lost. Or just use the map and follow the coast line.

If you like to party, try Carlos and Charlies-downtown (especially fridays). Other fun spots include: Scandals, Mambo Jambo, and the Tatoo party cruise.

I could go on for ever about Aruba. I'll stop for now. Hope this helps. If you want more, just ask.


Andrew
o2scuba@aquatic1.com
www.aquatic1.com
 
Hi Seabass,

I've been on a number of trips to the Carribean, diving the last two years but attempting romance at the same time. So here is a summary:

1. Aruba - Not recommended, stayed at the Hyatt, there is one main strip of hotels for gambling and eating. Behind the hotel strip is alot of poverty. Nice beach but shared by all the hotels.
2. Grand Cayman - I liked Grand Cayman and went here on my first anniversay, lots to do but not necessarily the romance capital of the world. Natasha from this board is going to Sunset House the week you are looking at. Don't recommend going there for a honeymoon, its a diver 4/5 star, 2 star non-diver resort. Seven Mile beach is nice with alot to do but again, more romantic places in the Carribean and it is your standard Hyatt/Marriot $$$$.
3. St. Lucia - Had honeymoon here and St. John. Stayed at Anse Chastenet. They have one of the Carribeans most romantic rooms here (rated by magazines). Was $750/night two years ago and we spent 3 nights in it then moved to something could afford. Totally awesome. High on a hill looking out on the Pitons, above the trees. No windows, no screens, even shower in the open but beautiful suite, is one on their website and huge. Go to bed and wake in the morning and like looking out on Jurrasic Park. If the moon is out you won't leave the room. Birds greet you in the morning at the end of your bed. Worth even one night stay if you can get it.
4. St. John - Stayed at Caneel bay for second week of honeymoon. Suppose to be a top world resort. Don't bother, expensive and has gone downhill. Had beach front, reminded me of a Ramada room with sand outside, at 5 times the price. St. John is nice though and hear the Westin was good.
5. Dominican Republic - Don't pass go, don't collect $200...
6. Curacao - Nice but not alot to do. Stayed at Habitat Curacao, good diving but better places for romance.
7. Bonaire - Was there with Natasha, great diving but your fiance will probably get bored.
8. St. Maartin - Nice island and very romantic. Recommend Le Merridian (spelling?) with ocean view suite, other hotels not as nice. Jacuzzi with ocean view, etc... Dinner at La Vie en Rose, book way in advance and get balcony seat and you will be surrounded by roses overlooking the harbor. Well known restaurant. Find a coral cliff and walk down to private secluded beaches... Day trips to Saba with good diving too.
9. Virgin Gorda - Very pretty island, flowers and white sand everywhere although not alot to do except soak up the sun. Shallow coves.
10. St. Thomas - Good for a day visit but too commercialized and crowed by the cruise ships.
11. Hawaii - Was in Maui, Kauai, and Oahu for 3 weeks last August. Kauai was the best. Still like the Carribean better though.

Hope this is helpful...

Kev
 
Married over 40 years, so I have to use my imagination!

I am very familiar with the Westin on St. John. (Also agree with the Caneel Bay comments.)

Check the Westin out on-line...easy to find. Sounds like what you might be looking for, although the "secluded" might be in question. Also ask about the timeshares available on the hill (more secluded) to see if any are being rented by the owners at that time.

Contact me with a private message or at keyfolks@juno.com if you want more information or have any specific questions.

Diving on St. John is quite good, but lots and lots of other things to do and many places to get away on a beach virtually by yourself with a short hike.

Ahhhh....a honeymoon.....
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/perdix-ai/

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