I've narrowed down our ten year anniversary trip to either Barbados or the US Virgin Islands. Barbados being slightly more, but all inclusive. Virgin Islands not all inclusive, but a little cheaper. Thanks for any input!Which would you pick for a 7 day anniversary vacation?Ritz-Carlton - US Virgin IslandsSandals All Inclusive - Barbados

This message has been edited. Last edited by: AirmanJeff,

I've been to both. You won't be disappointed at either, but I liked Barbados more....

Mind you, I was a sailor, and was probably very drunk at the time [snickers and stumbles off]

We were just a both and Barbados was just beautiful although we didn't do any snorkeling there like we did in the Virgin Islands. Lots to do on Barbados. Good luck.

Went to Barbados back in oh 2006, stayed in some British occupied all inclusive resort(the calm side)of the island, was nice but man fighting for a lounge chair around the few trees on the beaches, was a bitch. I liked it thou and of course you must try Banks beer, fantastic beer, wish I could find it in Colorado. They did give jeep tours to the "other" side which is pretty rugged. MUST wear sun block, I was smarter this time than my wedding in Jamaica...I did notice with the Brits that they were kind of reserved, they had excellent bands but nobody would dance.What was cool is we had beach front rooms on the 2nd floor, no windows just shutters, was great hearing and smelling the water.

They both suck, but Barbados over the USVI. BUT, I'd highly recommend St. Maarten or St. Barts over both of them... or even the BVI's........more to do, nicer restaurants.....nicer beaches.....I travel all through the Carribbean as a Yacht Captain. I've seen all of those islands.

Another vote for St Barths, St Marten, and Barbados in that sequence.
Been to them all and that is my preference.
If you go to Barths be sure to visit Little Switzerland and bring BIG limit plastic.
Just sayin....

Been to dozens of Caribbean islands including those you listed. Barbados was one of our least favorite. Totally annoying, aggressive guys on the beach trying to sell you something all day long. Also, it's one of the most densely populated islands, so getting around (if you choose to) is not fun in the traffic jams. Sandals is notorious for not having enough beach lounge chairs or shade. People pay their employees to get to the beach at dawn to save a chair or they try to get there by 6am to do that. No thanks. I prefer the BVI, but if you are looking for nightlife, etc, you might want a busier place. We much prefer Antigua, or Anguilla.

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Originally posted by jimmy123x:
They both suck, but Barbados over the USVI. BUT, I'd highly recommend St. Maarten or St. Barts over both of them... or even the BVI's........more to do, nicer restaurants.....nicer beaches.....I travel all through the Carribbean as a Yacht Captain. I've seen all of those islands.

Sir, you surprised me. I didn't care for St. Maarten that much. Or Aruba.
I've cruised the southern Caribbean several times. Antigua and St. Lucia I really liked.
We spent the day in Bermuda and had a very good time also.

USVI is basically Brooklyn with Palm trees and cruise ships. Barbados is a beautiful Island with great people, it's worth the premium.

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Originally posted by TBH:

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Originally posted by jimmy123x:
They both suck, but Barbados over the USVI. BUT, I'd highly recommend St. Maarten or St. Barts over both of them... or even the BVI's........more to do, nicer restaurants.....nicer beaches.....I travel all through the Carribbean as a Yacht Captain. I've seen all of those islands.

Sir, you surprised me. I didn't care for St. Maarten that much. Or Aruba.
I've cruised the southern Caribbean several times. Antigua and St. Lucia I really liked.
We spent the day in Bermuda and had a very good time also.

Antigua, the water and views are nice but it really lacks any good land based stuff (good restaurants, other things to do.)

In St. Maarten, you have terrific cafes and food on both the French and Dutch side, REALLY good snorkeling, great beaches, the view at Orient Beach are stellar.......lot's of beautiful french things to look at, there's Fort Louis, casino's, really nice shopping, st. Barths is a quick ferry ride for the day......really nice yacht views.....the beach at the airport with the jets landing 40' over your head.......among other things.....it's civilized enough to never miss food or anything, and wild enough to have lots of fun!

If we are talking hotels- the Ritz.
Don't know enough about the two islands to compare them, though.
Have a wonderful time, regardless!

If you end up in Barbados go on a catamaran cruise with these guys. They feed you drinks all day (awesome rum punch and a full bar) and food. They make 2 stops, one for sea turtles and one for regular snorkeling. It was the best excursion I did on my cruise. I booked a cruise with my kids this summer solely on the fact that it goes to Barbados so I could book this again.

http://sailcalabaza.com

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Originally posted by frayedends:
If you end up in Barbados go on a catamaran cruise with these guys. They feed you drinks all day (awesome rum punch and a full bar) and food. They make 2 stops, one for sea turtles and one for regular snorkeling. It was the best excursion I did on my cruise. I booked a cruise with my kids this summer solely on the fact that it goes to Barbados so I could book this again.
http://sailcalabaza.com

Yes! Did that on Antigua. Snorkeled then had lunch at a beautiful deserted beach. My wife seldom drinks, but at one time I looked over and she had a rum punch in one hand, and champagne in the other! That was a great time, and jerk chicken for lunch!

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Originally posted by LBAR15:
St. Thomas is basically Brooklyn with Palm trees and cruise ships. Barbados is a beautiful Island with great people, it's worth the premium.

Don't paint the entire USVI with the same brush. St. John couldn't be more different than the other two. When I go back to St. John it will be through the BVI so I don't have to experience St. Thomas twice again.

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Originally posted by Blackmore:

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Originally posted by LBAR15:
St. Thomas is basically Brooklyn with Palm trees and cruise ships. Barbados is a beautiful Island with great people, it's worth the premium.

Don't paint the entire USVI with the same brush. St. John couldn't be more different than the other two. When I go back to St. John it will be through the BVI so I don't have to experience St. Thomas twice again.

Blackmore, you are so perfectly correct! I should have specified St Thomas, USVI. I could not agree with you more. Thank you for clarifying!

Ive stayed at the Ritz in St. Thomas. There were 4 of us for 3 days. We got "quiet hours" called on us at 9pm for eating dinner on our balcony, we werent even drinking/drunk then. My friend happened to have the same thing happen to him this year.

Drinks are also expensive, our tab for food and booze for 3 days was 2700 bucks and it was a corporate event where most of the dinners and drinks was paid for. 18 dollar drinks are everywhere.

Ive never been to Barbados but weighing cost and atmosphere at the Ritz I would go to Barbados.

As much I enjoy both St. Thomas & St. Johns, Barbados is the better value and time spent.

Maybe the answer lies in whether you both drink and like to party ?

Thank you to everyone for the replies thus far. I had considered St Barts but flights seemed tricky to find. I also considered Bermuda but apparently November is their down time. And my wife was worried about the cost of food at the Ritz so hearing about 18 dollar drinks just about eliminates that from contention.

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Originally posted by irreverent:
Maybe the answer lies in whether you both drink and like to party ?

yes and yes... That's why I was initially dead set on Barbados because it seems like the more exciting place in terms of night life, but the Ritz is offering a helluva good deal right now and it piqued my interest!

My wife is still trying to go to Jamaica but we've been there twice and I would rather not go back. I've seen just about everything there is to see and I have no interest in turning down drug dealers all day.

Toss up on locations, but all-inclusive over pay as you go.