Re: Visiting other islands
 

I think the 3 day cruise happens once a year. I went this year with my mum and the outlaw (sorry mother in law). It was my first cruise and I was surprised that I enjoyed it. You don't get much time to see the islands though. I heard that they might be doing another one in August but it isn't confirmed yet.

Re: Visiting other islands
 

I really liked Tobago. I went there last June for a week.
We were staying in a private villa in the middle of the island. It was very remote but we never felt unsafe anywhere on the island.
It is very quiet, completely different from Barbados. Amazing bird life and scenery. We just flew with Liat which isn't always cheap but I did get the accommodation through work (74GBP for the week)

Re: Visiting other islands
 

Thanks for the info, Cartoon. I didn't realize the 3-day cruise might only happen once a year. Who did you book it through?

take care,
F

Re: Visiting other islands
 

Why not Dominica?
I did a write up of my trip to Dom:
HERE

I've been to Bequia, it's nice, but also very very touristy too. But it has great history and nice views.

Tobago is also nice and it caters to tourists so its safer than Trinidad by far.

I've heard mixed reviews on Aruba.

Re: Visiting other islands
 

Oh, that's a great write-up, I hadn't seen that! Makes it sound worth investigating, and I haven't been before so would be somewhere new. Thanks so much, building up quite a list of options now. Exciting!! :)

Re: Visiting other islands
 

the 3 day cruise that you are talking about only happens if the Barbados Tourism Authority wants it to and the cruise line is willing. it happened in 2007 at the end of the Cricket world cup because the ship (at that time Carnival Destiny) was here being used as a hotel and had part of a week left on the contract before it had to go back to San Juan). this year, the Carnival Victory was used and it was a joint thing between the BTA, Carnival Cruise Lines and Foster & Ince Cruise Service/CruiseWorld. While it is popular, it may or may not ever happen again.. it's one of those wait and see things..

There are ships, like the Victory that will do 7 night cruises from Barbados (they do this year round).. not cheap and cheerful, but moderately prices. other cruise lines do these types of cruises during the Winter Caribbean Cruise Season (Dec to April). others do "one off" cruises (only happens once, maybe twice during the same season.

We have been to Bequia and totally enjoyed it.. the last time was about 4 years ago, and I've understood it's gotten more touristy, but it is still worth a visit. We stayed in a house called Casablanca, managed by the owners of Kingsville Beach Hotel.. basic but nice.

Hubby just got back from a quick over night to Tobago with his brothers (long story but looking for a fishing boat). DID NOT LIKE IT AT ALL!!.. Locals unmannerly.. people you would have thought wanted business, bars / restaurants, not interested in opening or in service..

anyway.. it's not cheap to get "there" from here anymore, but try to visit the other islands to get a real sense of what you have in Barbados.

Re: Visiting other islands
 

In my mind the Caribbean as a region, which we here in Barbados are a part of, and each of the countries that make up the region, all have something to offer. A one night trip to any of these islands cannot certainly be representative of the entire place. If you travel seeking to compare your destination to where you live be it the US, Barbados, Canada, UK... I suspect that you will always find points of contrasts and comparisons, things you like and dislike.

Intra- Caribbean travel could certainly be more affordable...

Re: Visiting other islands
 

HI Zanne,

I totally agree. it's interesting though that people from Barbados travel to places like Bequia and other smaller islands and will come back and say things like " that was Barbados 20, 30, 40 years ago".

As an American, I find it very difficult even today to not compare Barbados with things I'm used to from there, but the funny thing is now I go back to the US and wonder how come it can be more like Barbados.

I've been to several of the islands, mostly on one day visits on cruise ships, and for sure you need more time. and it is a real shame that the air fare costs so much to get to the other islands from Barbados.

I think the biggest thing is when ex-pats start complaining about things here, a visit to another island would certainly "wake them up" to what they have here and what they wouldn't get there.

having said that, when we first visited bequia our kids loved it because of the channels we could get on the TV, that we couldn't get in Barbados (at that time).

Re: Visiting other islands
 

I know it has been a long time, but I hear there is another cruise on the 1st December. Not sure where it is going as I read that Carnival are no longer going to Antigua because of fighting between passengers and local taxi drivers. (That was in last weeks Sunday Times)

Re: Visiting other islands
 

Trinidad or Tobago is the worst places i have been i would not recommend them to nobody,the best thing to do is go to Going Places Travel and you can book a trip with the new ferry go to St.Vincent and visit the Grenadines islands,if something happen to you in Trinidad or Tobago you will loose all your rights as a visitor matter of fact everybody try to get money out of you even the police so if you decide Trini which hardly have a proper beach and lets say you get into a traffic accident they will lock you up untill you pass some money.