Island hopping the Caribbean
Question:
Hello World, I’ve been reading many posts in this newsgroup on the subject of island hopping the Caribbean. Most of the posts were from the past and I thought that I might just bring the subject back up to see if anything has changed in regards to island hopping via ferries. Here’s the layout. I have two free tickets to fly anywhere in the Caribbean. So the girlfriend and I have thought about a nice trip to the Caribbean. We also thought that it would be cool to island hop. We can fly into several locations that Delta Airlines services. Wouldn’t it be cool to Fly into Venezuala and start island hopping from there??? LOL…. But from old posts I’ve read that there isn’t ferries between the different island chains. Some posts stated that the travelers should stick to a specific chain of islands(usvi & bvi, svgi & Grenada, Dominica & Martinique, etc…) and ferry between the islands within that chain. That would be cool but also limits the exposure to the many different cultures of the Caribbean. I guess my first question would be if it is at all possible to island Caribbean starting from Someplace south and moving up? For instance start in Grenada and end in either PR or Dominican Republic? If not which set of islands would be best for a couple that likes to shop, eat, party, and lounge in the daytime? I wouldn’t mind camping out on some beaches during the course of this trip, which would last 18 days. I think that would be cool. Wouldn’t mind doing some sight seeing, bike/scooter riding. Just all out enjoying life with the hassle of the everyday hustle and bustle that I would eventually have to return to. LOL I’m not trying to blow a fortune on this trip but since the airplane tickets are free than we will have more to spend on the trip itself. I anxiously await all replies. Thanks
Response:
> Here’s the layout. I have two free tickets to fly anywhere in the >Caribbean. So the girlfriend and I have thought about a nice trip to >the Caribbean. We also thought that it would be cool to island hop. We >can fly into several locations that Delta Airlines services. Wouldn’t >it be cool to Fly into Venezuala and start island hopping from >there??? LOL….
The previous recent threads have probably milked this one dry. Anyway, AFAIK it isn’t easy to move from Venezuala into the caribbean, and flying to Venezuala isn’t going to be direct either. But you were kidding anyway. Only thing I have to add to the previous posts is to consider the LIAT island-hopper special airfares where you can stop on several islands on one ticket. Often those have to be purchased abroad. Perhaps other airlines like Caribbean Star also do the same now (or perhaps they’re out of business). But if you can’t find a ferry, a flight could work to bridge the bigger gaps, like maybe Guadeloupe to Antigua. For short hops, also consider chartering a plane, though for two people would be a bit pricey. There are also some banana boats or mail boats that ply the more southerly islands. — Ken Tough
Response:
Thanks for the replies so far…. I actually can fly into Caracas, Venezuala and start from there. A possible trip could be: Fly into Caracas (stay the day and then clear our in the morning!) Ferry to Margarita Island Ferry to Trinidad Ferry to Grenada Ferry to St. Lucia Ferry to Martinique Ferry to Dominica Ferry to Guadelope Ferry to Antigua Ferry to St Kitts Ferry to St Barts Ferry to St Martin Ferry to British Virgin Islands Ferry to US Virgin Islands Ferry to Puerto Rico With all of these possibilities I need help! So I’m asking all to help me to cut the fat from this trip. I would like to go some to places that are fun! I don’t want to go someplace where there isn’t a night life(LIke the Cayman Islands! From what I hear). Also if you could please point out the places that aren’t cool(I’ve heard that the French part of St. Martin is full of stuck up people). Also is there a chain of islands that would be better than the others? I don’t have to fly into any particular place and I also can purchase a LIAT air pass to get from island to island. I await your answers. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hello World, > I’ve been reading many posts in this newsgroup on the subject of > island hopping the Caribbean. Most of the posts were from the past and > I thought that I might just bring the subject back up to see if > anything has changed in regards to island hopping via ferries. > Here’s the layout. I have two free tickets to fly anywhere in the > Caribbean. So the girlfriend and I have thought about a nice trip to > the Caribbean. We also thought that it would be cool to island hop. We > can fly into several locations that Delta Airlines services. Wouldn’t > it be cool to Fly into Venezuala and start island hopping from > there??? LOL…. But from old posts I’ve read that there isn’t ferries > between the different island chains. Some posts stated that the > travelers should stick to a specific chain of islands(usvi & bvi, svgi > & Grenada, Dominica & Martinique, etc…) and ferry between the > islands within that chain. That would be cool but also limits the > exposure to the many different cultures of the Caribbean. > I guess my first question would be if it is at all possible to > island Caribbean starting from Someplace south and moving up? For > instance start in Grenada and end in either PR or Dominican Republic? > If not which set of islands would be best for a couple that likes to > shop, eat, party, and lounge in the daytime? I wouldn’t mind camping > out on some beaches during the course of this trip, which would last > 18 days. I think that would be cool. Wouldn’t mind doing some sight > seeing, bike/scooter riding. Just all out enjoying life with the > hassle of the everyday hustle and bustle that I would eventually have > to return to. LOL > I’m not trying to blow a fortune on this trip but since the airplane > tickets are free than we will have more to spend on the trip itself. I > anxiously await all replies. > Thanks
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Thanks for the replies so far…. >I actually can fly into Caracas, Venezuala and start from there. A >possible trip could be: >Fly into Caracas (stay the day and then clear our in the morning!) >Ferry to Margarita Island >Ferry to Trinidad >Ferry to Grenada >Ferry to St. Lucia >Ferry to Martinique >Ferry to Dominica >Ferry to Guadelope >Ferry to Antigua >Ferry to St Kitts >Ferry to St Barts >Ferry to St Martin >Ferry to British Virgin Islands >Ferry to US Virgin Islands >Ferry to Puerto Rico >With all of these possibilities I need help! So I’m asking all to help >me to cut the fat from this trip. I would like to go some to places >that are fun! I don’t want to go someplace where there isn’t a night >life(LIke the Cayman Islands! From what I hear). Also if you could >please point out the places that aren’t cool(I’ve heard that the >French part of St. Martin is full of stuck up people). >Also is there a chain of islands that would be better than the others? >I don’t have to fly into any particular place and I also can purchase >a LIAT air pass to get from island to island.
Most of those ferries don’t exist! If you want fun, then the Spanish Caribbean is the liveliest – like Cuba, Dom Rep, Puerto Rico. Bear in mind that much of the British Caribbean is quite quiet, with much entertainment provided by the hotels and resorts. Barbados, though, has lots of bars and restaurants, but is pricey. I personally liked San Juan, and won’t mind returning.
Response:
> >Ferry to Guadelope >Ferry to Antigua >Ferry to St Kitts >Ferry to St Barts > Most of those ferries don’t exist!
Ditto… Guadeloupe->Antigua, Antigua->St.Kitts, Antigua->St.Barths ferries I have never heard of. You have missed ones like St.Maarten->Anguilla, St.Maarten->St.Barths etc. >With all of these possibilities I need help! So I’m asking all to help >me to cut the fat from this trip. I would like to go some to places >that are fun! I don’t want to go someplace where there isn’t a night >life(LIke the Cayman Islands! From what I hear). Also if you could >please point out the places that aren’t cool(I’ve heard that the >French part of St. Martin is full of stuck up people).
For the most fun, you should plan your trip according to the local carnivals and festivals. Even little Statia is fun during carnival time. If you’re willing to go far south you should not miss Trinidad carnival, and the one in Curacao was also good. Dominica had a very spirited carnival parade, and jump-ups across the whole caribbean will be great. Many carnivals tend to start around Mardi Gras, and fortunately get later as you move north. — Ken Tough
Response:
> Hello World, > I’ve been reading many posts in this newsgroup on the subject of > island hopping the Caribbean. Most of the posts were from the past and > I thought that I might just bring the subject back up to see if > anything has changed in regards to island hopping via ferries.
Actually, things don’t change very fast in the Caribbean, so most of those posts will be still true. If you’re adventurous, charming and flexible, you can get nearly anywhere, but unless you’ve got a LOT of time, stick to one place every week or two. I’ve known people who thought they did an "overview" in only 12 months’ cruising. 
— Jere Lull Xan-a-Deux (‘73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD) Xan’s Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/
Response:
also you can take a ferry from st lucia to martinique to dominica to guadeloupe. carnival in dominica is in february. a real treat. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> >Ferry to Guadelope > >Ferry to Antigua > >Ferry to St Kitts > >Ferry to St Barts > Most of those ferries don’t exist! > Ditto… Guadeloupe->Antigua, Antigua->St.Kitts, Antigua->St.Barths > ferries I have never heard of. You have missed ones like > St.Maarten->Anguilla, St.Maarten->St.Barths etc. >With all of these possibilities I need help! So I’m asking all to help >me to cut the fat from this trip. I would like to go some to places >that are fun! I don’t want to go someplace where there isn’t a night >life(LIke the Cayman Islands! From what I hear). Also if you could >please point out the places that aren’t cool(I’ve heard that the >French part of St. Martin is full of stuck up people). > For the most fun, you should plan your trip according to the > local carnivals and festivals. Even little Statia is fun during > carnival time. If you’re willing to go far south you should not > miss Trinidad carnival, and the one in Curacao was also good. > Dominica had a very spirited carnival parade, and jump-ups > across the whole caribbean will be great. Many carnivals tend > to start around Mardi Gras, and fortunately get later as you > move north.
Response:
Thanks for the coninuing replies. I sure appreciate the responses. It is safe to assume from most of the replies that 3 weeks would not be enough to enjoy many of the different island chains fully in one trip. So how about this, 21 days – 4 islands with 5 days/nights dedicated to exploring the current island and any interesting surroundings. I will purchase an island hopper pass from LIAT so I’m covered there. Now I just need to know which islands to select. Here’s what I like: Parties Beaches Sightseeing Culture So if it were up to you which 4 island combination would you select? This is what I’m thinking of so far: USVI & BVI (St.Thomas, St. John, and Virgin Gorda) St. Martin & St. Maarten Antigua Puerto Rico I’m looking to party, shop, eat, sleep on a beach(nude beach that is), see the sights and then move on to the next island. Point me in the right direction Thankx – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Thanks for the replies so far…. > I actually can fly into Caracas, Venezuala and start from there. A > possible trip could be: > Fly into Caracas (stay the day and then clear our in the morning!) > Ferry to Margarita Island > Ferry to Trinidad > Ferry to Grenada > Ferry to St. Lucia > Ferry to Martinique > Ferry to Dominica > Ferry to Guadelope > Ferry to Antigua > Ferry to St Kitts > Ferry to St Barts > Ferry to St Martin > Ferry to British Virgin Islands > Ferry to US Virgin Islands > Ferry to Puerto Rico > With all of these possibilities I need help! So I’m asking all to help > me to cut the fat from this trip. I would like to go some to places > that are fun! I don’t want to go someplace where there isn’t a night > life(LIke the Cayman Islands! From what I hear). Also if you could > please point out the places that aren’t cool(I’ve heard that the > French part of St. Martin is full of stuck up people). > Also is there a chain of islands that would be better than the others? > I don’t have to fly into any particular place and I also can purchase > a LIAT air pass to get from island to island. > I await your answers. > Hello World, > I’ve been reading many posts in this newsgroup on the subject of > island hopping the Caribbean. Most of the posts were from the past and > I thought that I might just bring the subject back up to see if > anything has changed in regards to island hopping via ferries. > Here’s the layout. I have two free tickets to fly anywhere in the > Caribbean. So the girlfriend and I have thought about a nice trip to > the Caribbean. We also thought that it would be cool to island hop. We > can fly into several locations that Delta Airlines services. Wouldn’t > it be cool to Fly into Venezuala and start island hopping from > there??? LOL…. But from old posts I’ve read that there isn’t ferries > between the different island chains. Some posts stated that the > travelers should stick to a specific chain of islands(usvi & bvi, svgi > & Grenada, Dominica & Martinique, etc…) and ferry between the > islands within that chain. That would be cool but also limits the > exposure to the many different cultures of the Caribbean. > I guess my first question would be if it is at all possible to > island Caribbean starting from Someplace south and moving up? For > instance start in Grenada and end in either PR or Dominican Republic? > If not which set of islands would be best for a couple that likes to > shop, eat, party, and lounge in the daytime? I wouldn’t mind camping > out on some beaches during the course of this trip, which would last > 18 days. I think that would be cool. Wouldn’t mind doing some sight > seeing, bike/scooter riding. Just all out enjoying life with the > hassle of the everyday hustle and bustle that I would eventually have > to return to. LOL > I’m not trying to blow a fortune on this trip but since the airplane > tickets are free than we will have more to spend on the trip itself. I > anxiously await all replies. > Thanks
Response:
> This is what I’m thinking of so far: > USVI & BVI (St.Thomas, St. John, and Virgin Gorda) > St. Martin & St. Maarten > Antigua > Puerto Rico > I’m looking to party, shop, eat, sleep on a beach(nude beach that is), > see the sights and then move on to the next island. Point me in the > right direction
Nudity is far more accepted on the french islands (like St.Martin) though there are some on Antigua and you might find them on the others. It’s a fair piece from the other islands to Antigua. I wonder whether you might also enjoy something on the south end, say Trinidad, Martinique, Dominica, Guadeloupe. Maybe depends a bit when you go, as well, and whether you’re willing to work in French. date-wise, when? — Ken Tough
Response:
> Martinique, Dominica, Guadeloupe.
These, along with St. Lucia, are connected by ferry. As the OP is in the US he can fly AA on an open jaw to Guadeloupe and St. Lucia, and ferry in between islands. The ferry only goes to St. Lucia a couple days a week, so you’d have to plan things. AA does not charge a premium for an open jaw to the Caribbean, though the price will vary some depending on the island order, as islands like St. Lucia collect the airport departure tax in cash as you leave, and Guadeloupe has their higher tax in the ticket price. You also have several out islands around Guadeloupe. A couple times a week the inter-island ferry stops at Terre de Haut. My interests are different than yours. However, for transportation tips this journal relates my experiences in the first three islands: http://donwiss.com/carib2003.txt And the beginning of this has St. Lucia: http://donwiss.com/carib2001.txt Don <donwiss at panix.com>.
Response:
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