Going to the Caribbean! Y-a-a-a-a-y!

[Clairek]

Hello everyone,

new to this forum - so hi! I am very excited to be planning a trip with the kids on a beneteau 47.7 around the Carribbean December Jan and Feb. I grew up living on boats so am pretty confident about the kids being onboard (although a plastic racer cruiser wouldn't necessarily be my first choice of vessel but that is another story!)

what I want to find out about over the next couple of months is destinations, cool places to visit, places where we can meet other cruising families and any other hints and tips about keeping it hassle free with the little ones.

The babies will be three years and 19 months old and we will initially have quite alot of help onboard with five/six adults inlcuding me.

So my first question is can anybody point me in the direction of some good resources for planning our destinations? Any hints or tips where to visit and where to aviod?

Thanks,

C

[s/v Jedi]

We're in our 7th year of going around the Caribbean. I know we go slow but I also know you are not going to do that in 3 months.

So, which area in the Caribbean?

cheers,
Nick.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard C.

Where, in the Caribbean, will you be joining the boat?

[s/v Moondancer]

We are in the Caribbean and the Chrs Doyle guides of each area are excellent.

Phil

[Clairek]

Hi everyone,

To answer the questions. Going to be starting from St lucia after the ARC arrival. Will have five adults onboard and the kids.

thanks

claire

[Hud3]

Claire,

I second Phil's suggestion that you buy Chris Doyle's sailing guides. He has one each for the Windwards and the Leewards, and they will tell you 99% of what you need to know to make your way amongst the islands. We spent two seasons cruising up and down the chain from Grenada to Vieques. It was a push to do it all the first time around, but we were able to spend more time in the spots we liked best during the second season.

Our favorites were Dominica and The Grenadines, two places that are very different from each other. Others we know spent long periods in St. Martin/St. Maarten or the BVI. It depends on your preferences. Doyle's guides do a good job of describing the flavor of the various islands, so you can spend some pleasant hours reading and discussing your options in anticipation of your voyage.