Need advice for Caribbean Vacation

On May 26, 4:01 pm, Matt Beckwith <drbeckw... DeleteThis @fastmail.fm> wrote:
> Never been to the Caribbean. Would like to take my whole family there
> during Christmas. We will be departing from the Baltimore, Maryland
> area. We will be 7 people, ages 68, 50, 50, 27, 21, 16 and 15. We'll
> need 3 rooms. My wife and I will want a full-service hotel that is
> somewhat luxurious. The children will want activities to amuse them
> (that is, we won't want to go some place to get away from things,
> we'll want a place that has lots of attractions). My wife and I will
> want to learn to scuba dive. It would be nice if there were good
> Internet access, and a few nice cafes. And of course restaurants.
> Nobody in our party drinks alcoholic beverages. I'd prefer to be some
> place where there's not a lot of poverty, because I think that would
> depress me. Any suggestions appreciated!

Bonaire! Learn to dive/best Caribbean spot to learn perhaps, easy
flights on Air Jamaica or AA from BWI. We are Dutch so not Third
World. Tons for kids to do.

Ann Phelan
www.bonairecaribbean.com
 >> Stay informed about: Need advice for Caribbean Vacation 

On May 26, 4:01 pm, Matt Beckwith <drbeckw... DeleteThis @fastmail.fm> wrote:
> Never been to the Caribbean. Would like to take my whole family there
> during Christmas. We will be departing from the Baltimore, Maryland
> area. We will be 7 people, ages 68, 50, 50, 27, 21, 16 and 15. We'll
> need 3 rooms. My wife and I will want a full-service hotel that is
> somewhat luxurious. The children will want activities to amuse them
> (that is, we won't want to go some place to get away from things,
> we'll want a place that has lots of attractions). My wife and I will
> want to learn to scuba dive. It would be nice if there were good
> Internet access, and a few nice cafes. And of course restaurants.
> Nobody in our party drinks alcoholic beverages. I'd prefer to be some
> place where there's not a lot of poverty, because I think that would
> depress me. Any suggestions appreciated!

With that many people, you might want to consider a villa on
Montserrat. Most come with private pool, excellent views, and maid and
chef services readily available. Try www.visitmni.com. Look for a
villa in Woodlands, Mayfield Estate or even Lime Kiln Beach. Good
scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, beaches (black sand), boating,
hiking, biking, and see a live volcano close up. Visit the Soufriere
Hills Volcano Observatory. You can connect through Antigua and SXM, I
believe. Try Betty Dix for RE rentals. Some good restaurants available
too. Learn to windsurf (Danny Sweeney at Jack Flash taught Sting,
among others, to windsurf to Redonda). Lots of great music and
festivals at Xmas. Go to Andy's to listen to Calypso King band
practice, see the Masquers dance. A great time to be on island. BTW,
Montserratians are very friendly. If the adults want to go out for a
night on the town, child care services are readily available.
 >> Stay informed about: Need advice for Caribbean Vacation 

Ann Phelan "n...@hotmail.com" <n....RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Matt Beckwith <drbeckw....RemoveThis@fastmail.fm> wrote:
>
> > Never been to the Caribbean. Would like to take my whole family there
> > during Christmas. We will be departing from the Baltimore, Maryland
> > area. We will be 7 people, ages 68, 50, 50, 27, 21, 16 and 15.

A group of 7 travelling over a major holiday? You're wise to start
your research this early.


> > We'll
> > need 3 rooms. My wife and I will want a full-service hotel that is
> > somewhat luxurious. The children will want activities to amuse them
> > (that is, we won't want to go some place to get away from things,
> > we'll want a place that has lots of attractions). My wife and I will
> > want to learn to scuba dive.

What do you consider the "activities" to be for the kids (the
teenagers)? Are we talking about simply beach time, or amusement park
-types? Similarly, are you the oldest couple, or the 20-somethings in
the middle? (See my scuba statement below).

FWIW, when it comes to island picking, getting one of the large travel
agency books that cover virtually every island can be a useful tool:
you can go through and cross off things that you want to avoid
(casinos, topless beaches, etc) ... or do the oppostite ... and start
to narrow down your list.

> > It would be nice if there were good
> > Internet access, and a few nice cafes. And of course restaurants.
> > Nobody in our party drinks alcoholic beverages.

Many places have reasonable Web access these days. I suspect that
your comment about wanting a "full service" hotel infers an all-
inclusive, which makes 'on the economy' statements about being
interested in nice cafes a bit of a contradiction.



> > I'd prefer to be some
> > place where there's not a lot of poverty, because I think that would
> > depress me. Any suggestions appreciated!

Poverty also frequently leads to issues regarding crime, and in some
areas the all-inclusive resorts become figurative fortresses. I can
still recall my first caribbean trip where there were guard towers on
the resort's compound.


> Bonaire!

Gosh, amazing coincidence that Ann just happens to have a commercial
website that's selling that destination. Maybe Ann can fill us in on
the current status of Bonaire's recurring petty crime problems, as
I've not been following it recently: are the rental car agencies
still recommending leaving your car unlocked, windows down and with
*absolutely* nothing in it? Are there still the spare tires and car
battery scams still happening?


> Learn to dive/best Caribbean spot to learn perhaps...

Perhaps.

While I do think that Bonaire is one of the better places for novice
divers to gain some proficiency, as the shallow shore dive sites and
relatively gentle drop-off topology are forgiving. However, I would
not necessarily look favorably upon Bonaire's main sales feature of
"unlimited shore diving", since this incurs higher levels of physical
exertion (lugging gear) and the temptation to dive without as much
professional supervision early on.

If someone took me to "1000 Steps" (a shore dive; it only feels like
its 1000 steps down to the water) for one of my OW checkout dives, I
don't think that I'd still be a diver In general, it is much
easier to catch a boat ride and "fall off the boat", particularly if
one isn't a young, fit 20-something anymore. If Matt's in the "over
40" crowd, I'd not be particularly inclined to recommend that he first
go to an island whose selling point is shore diving.

BTW, consider taking the scuba diving training at home and ...here's
the interesting part... do what is known as a "Referral" to finish the
certification, which requires a bit more effort & coordination between
the local diveshop and the remote diveshop...the payoff is that the
consumer is able to avoid days sitting in a classroom while on his
vacation.




> ...easy flights on Air Jamaica or AA from BWI.

BWI-BON on American Airlines is not a non-stop: it is via San Juan.

YMMV, but during the winter holiday season, I would be hard to
convince to fly anywhere out of the Northeast where a change of
flights is required.


> We are Dutch so not Third World. Tons for kids to do.

Yet there's still rebar-welded bars on the windows of businesses in
downtown Kralendijk. Most rooms come with a safe; use it 24/7.


> Ann Phelan www.bonairecaribbean.com

And which of the properties that you have listed would you suggest for
Matt, based on what he has said? They could go cheap by making their
own meals at Sand Dollar, but that's well outside of town for going
for a meal out. Harbor Village is closer, but $$$. The Flamingo's
within walking distance of downtown, but Ann (IMO wisely) doesn't have
it listed.


-hh
 >> Stay informed about: Need advice for Caribbean Vacation 

On May 27, 2:02 pm, "wes...@laway.net" <FooFoo.Lam....RemoveThis@gmail.com>
wrote:
> On May 26, 4:01 pm, Matt Beckwith <drbeckw....RemoveThis@fastmail.fm> wrote:
>
> > Never been to the Caribbean. Would like to take my whole family there
> > during Christmas. We will be departing from the Baltimore, Maryland
> > area. We will be 7 people, ages 68, 50, 50, 27, 21, 16 and 15. We'll
> > need 3 rooms. My wife and I will want a full-service hotel that is
> > somewhat luxurious. The children will want activities to amuse them
> > (that is, we won't want to go some place to get away from things,
> > we'll want a place that has lots of attractions). My wife and I will
> > want to learn to scuba dive. It would be nice if there were good
> > Internet access, and a few nice cafes. And of course restaurants.
> > Nobody in our party drinks alcoholic beverages. I'd prefer to be some
> > place where there's not a lot of poverty, because I think that would
> > depress me. Any suggestions appreciated!
>
> With that many people, you might want to consider a villa on
> Montserrat. Most come with private pool, excellent views, and maid and
> chef services readily available. Trywww.visitmni.com. Look for a
> villa in Woodlands, Mayfield Estate or even Lime Kiln Beach. Good
> scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, beaches (black sand), boating,
> hiking, biking, and see a live volcano close up. Visit the Soufriere
> Hills Volcano Observatory. You can connect through Antigua and SXM, I
> believe. Try Betty Dix for RE rentals. Some good restaurants available
> too. Learn to windsurf (Danny Sweeney at Jack Flash taught Sting,
> among others, to windsurf to Redonda). Lots of great music and
> festivals at Xmas. Go to Andy's to listen to Calypso King band
> practice, see the Masquers dance. A great time to be on island. BTW,
> Montserratians are very friendly. If the adults want to go out for a
> night on the town, child care services are readily available.

This is a fabulous recommendation, so long as Soufriere behaves.

Ann Phelan
www.antiguacaribbean.com
 >> Stay informed about: Need advice for Caribbean Vacation 

On May 27, 11:17 pm, -hh <recscuba_goo....DeleteThis@huntzinger.com> wrote:
> Ann Phelan "n...@hotmail.com" <n....DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Matt Beckwith <drbeckw....DeleteThis@fastmail.fm> wrote:
>
> > > Never been to the Caribbean. Would like to take my whole family there
> > > during Christmas. We will be departing from the Baltimore, Maryland
> > > area. We will be 7 people, ages 68, 50, 50, 27, 21, 16 and 15.
>
> A group of 7 travelling over a major holiday? You're wise to start
> your research this early.
>
> > > We'll
> > > need 3 rooms. My wife and I will want a full-service hotel that is
> > > somewhat luxurious. The children will want activities to amuse them
> > > (that is, we won't want to go some place to get away from things,
> > > we'll want a place that has lots of attractions). My wife and I will
> > > want to learn to scuba dive.
>
> What do you consider the "activities" to be for the kids (the
> teenagers)? Are we talking about simply beach time, or amusement park
> -types? Similarly, are you the oldest couple, or the 20-somethings in
> the middle? (See my scuba statement below).
>
> FWIW, when it comes to island picking, getting one of the large travel
> agency books that cover virtually every island can be a useful tool:
> you can go through and cross off things that you want to avoid
> (casinos, topless beaches, etc) ... or do the oppostite ... and start
> to narrow down your list.
>
> > > It would be nice if there were good
> > > Internet access, and a few nice cafes. And of course restaurants.
> > > Nobody in our party drinks alcoholic beverages.
>
> Many places have reasonable Web access these days. I suspect that
> your comment about wanting a "full service" hotel infers an all-
> inclusive, which makes 'on the economy' statements about being
> interested in nice cafes a bit of a contradiction.
>
> > > I'd prefer to be some
> > > place where there's not a lot of poverty, because I think that would
> > > depress me. Any suggestions appreciated!
>
> Poverty also frequently leads to issues regarding crime, and in some
> areas the all-inclusive resorts become figurative fortresses. I can
> still recall my first caribbean trip where there were guard towers on
> the resort's compound.
>
> > Bonaire!
>
> Gosh, amazing coincidence that Ann just happens to have a commercial
> website that's selling that destination. Maybe Ann can fill us in on
> the current status of Bonaire's recurring petty crime problems, as
> I've not been following it recently: are the rental car agencies
> still recommending leaving your car unlocked, windows down and with
> *absolutely* nothing in it? Are there still the spare tires and car
> battery scams still happening?
>
> > Learn to dive/best Caribbean spot to learn perhaps...
>
> Perhaps.
>
> While I do think that Bonaire is one of the better places for novice
> divers to gain some proficiency, as the shallow shore dive sites and
> relatively gentle drop-off topology are forgiving. However, I would
> not necessarily look favorably upon Bonaire's main sales feature of
> "unlimited shore diving", since this incurs higher levels of physical
> exertion (lugging gear) and the temptation to dive without as much
> professional supervision early on.
>
> If someone took me to "1000 Steps" (a shore dive; it only feels like
> its 1000 steps down to the water) for one of my OW checkout dives, I
> don't think that I'd still be a diver In general, it is much
> easier to catch a boat ride and "fall off the boat", particularly if
> one isn't a young, fit 20-something anymore. If Matt's in the "over
> 40" crowd, I'd not be particularly inclined to recommend that he first
> go to an island whose selling point is shore diving.
>
> BTW, consider taking the scuba diving training at home and ...here's
> the interesting part... do what is known as a "Referral" to finish the
> certification, which requires a bit more effort & coordination between
> the local diveshop and the remote diveshop...the payoff is that the
> consumer is able to avoid days sitting in a classroom while on his
> vacation.
>
> > ...easy flights on Air Jamaica or AA from BWI.
>
> BWI-BON on American Airlines is not a non-stop: it is via San Juan.
>
> YMMV, but during the winter holiday season, I would be hard to
> convince to fly anywhere out of the Northeast where a change of
> flights is required.
>
> > We are Dutch so not Third World. Tons for kids to do.
>
> Yet there's still rebar-welded bars on the windows of businesses in
> downtown Kralendijk. Most rooms come with a safe; use it 24/7.
>
> > Ann Phelanwww.bonairecaribbean.com
>
> And which of the properties that you have listed would you suggest for
> Matt, based on what he has said? They could go cheap by making their
> own meals at Sand Dollar, but that's well outside of town for going
> for a meal out. Harbor Village is closer, but $$$. The Flamingo's
> within walking distance of downtown, but Ann (IMO wisely) doesn't have
> it listed.
>
> -hh

Can you tell me what island has no crime? I have lived in Antigua and
Bonaire and find crime in both islands in way of petty break ins. Out
of the thousands of clients I have sent to both islands in 20 year, 3
had break ins and ALL left a door or window open. Anguilla presently
has a task force to address the rising crime issue. In all my trips to
Aruba and Sint Maarten I myself had break in attempts and many offers
to buy drugs. The Caribbean is like the rest of the world. We have
crime.

Ann Phelan
www.antiguacaribbean.com
 >> Stay informed about: Need advice for Caribbean Vacation 

Apparently wester DeleteThis @laway.net <FooFoo.Lamarr DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote:
>

>With that many people, you might want to consider a villa on
>Montserrat. Most come with private pool, excellent views, and maid and
>chef services readily available. Try www.visitmni.com. Look for a
>villa in Woodlands, Mayfield Estate or even Lime Kiln Beach.

Are you still allowed down to Lime Kiln nowadays?


--
Ken Tough
 >> Stay informed about: Need advice for Caribbean Vacation 

On Jun 5, 1:42 am, Ken Tough <k... DeleteThis @objectech.co.uk> wrote:
> Apparently wes... DeleteThis @laway.net <FooFoo.Lam... DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >With that many people, you might want to consider a villa on
> >Montserrat. Most come with private pool, excellent views, and maid and
> >chef services readily available. Trywww.visitmni.com. Look for a
> >villa in Woodlands, Mayfield Estate or even Lime Kiln Beach.
>
> Are you still allowed down to Lime Kiln nowadays?
>
> --
> Ken Tough

Yes, the Belham Valley has been the biggest stopper for this volcano
so far (I hope). Lime Kiln is north of Old Road Beach, i.e. Vue
Pointe, and is still available (but not the best beach IMO). Please
don't give up on Montserrat as it is a beautiful island and worthy of
many more visitors.
 >> Stay informed about: Need advice for Caribbean Vacation 

wester.RemoveThis@laway.net <FooFoo.Lamarr.RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote:

>> >With that many people, you might want to consider a villa on
>> >Montserrat. Most come with private pool, excellent views, and maid and
>> >chef services readily available. Trywww.visitmni.com. Look for a
>> >villa in Woodlands, Mayfield Estate or even Lime Kiln Beach.
>>
>> Are you still allowed down to Lime Kiln nowadays?

>Yes, the Belham Valley has been the biggest stopper for this volcano
>so far (I hope). Lime Kiln is north of Old Road Beach, i.e. Vue
>Pointe, and is still available (but not the best beach IMO).

I know. The dome is pretty big right now, and apparently capable of
collapses causing pyroclastic flows down to the lower reaches of
Belham valley. So I wondered whether Lime Kiln is open, since
it's not that big a step over from Old Road.

[And for those who don't know, the northern part of the island is
completely safe. Depending on where you are, a dome collapse could
make things a bit inconvenient, but interesting nonetheless.]

>Please
>don't give up on Montserrat as it is a beautiful island and worthy of
>many more visitors.

Yeah, I know. lived there for a bit.

--
Ken Tough
 >> Stay informed about: Need advice for Caribbean Vacation