I, too, agree that Aruba is not "Americanized". Yes, the presence of McDonald's, Wendy's, Baskin Robbins, etc. was a turn-off. However, you won't find nicer people anywhere. I also agree with the other writer that how people treat you is a direct reflection of how you treat and communicate with them. If you treat them with like they are poor or second class citizens or talk down to them, why would you expect anything but hostilities. Imerse yourself in "their" culture and they will be delighted no matter where you are.

Good luck!

I agree on the whole about immersing yourself in the cultures where you are. In 25+ years abroad in the military, I always made a point at living outside of the American communities that centered around the larger American bases overseas. I made a point of learning the local languages at least enough to get by on a daily basis, especially the phrases of greetings, farewells, and friendship in general. It did do a lot to open up the country to you. In many locations, I was one of the few Americans, as I made a career as a liason/technical specialist to host nation militarys and was attached directly to their militarys on their bases. In those cases, where I lived for sometimes 3 or 4 years at a time, I definitely learned the value of embracing local culture. (including the women) :-} If you ever go to the village of Kato Achaia on the Gulf of Patras in Greece, and go to the cantinas at night, you will find many people there who know the theme song to the Love Boat by heart. My contribution to Greco-American relations.

But in some places, Vietnam, Beruit, Saudi/Iraq, and Somalia come to mind where that level of cultural immersion was not possible, but at least I learned to speak a dialect of the local languages. They spoke AK-47 and AK-74 and I spoke M-16 and M-60. We understood each other.

My husband and I honeymooned for 10 days in St. John, USVI, almost 6 years ago (June 1999). It was absolutely the most relaxing vacation we have been on. 75% of the island is preserved land and the other 25% just gorgeous. The beaches are immaculate with the water so blue and the snorkeling will take your breath away. Instead of staying at a resort (which were few in number and very expensive), we rented a 3 bedroom house overlooking the Caribbean Sea and watched cruise ships go in and out of St. Thomas. It was actually much cheaper to do this than stay 10 days at a resort, plus we still received housekeeping services and were able to walk down the road to the Westin for occasional meals. St. Thomas was much too busy for our liking and St. Croix much too rugged. We took a day trip by boat to Tortola, a British Island, and it convinced us that St. John was truly a best kept secret. The people of St. John were beyond friendly as we felt very safe walking around downtown and the restaurants were just wonderful (from very casual to elegant, you'll find it all). We even went to a Church on Sunday in downtown Cruz Bay and they made us feel at home. The main activity to do there is relax at the beach! We rented our home through Catered To (cateredto.com) and everything went perfectly. As I mentioned before, there is a Westin on the island as well as the exclusive Caneel Bay Resort. I suggest that you and your fiance take a good look at St. John...you won't be disappointed!

I went to the Bahamas last Sept. for my honeymoon, stayed at the Sandals resort. I absolutely loved it. I know many people who have went with Sandals Resorts, including the one in Jamaica and St. Lucia. I would highly recommend the Sandals resorts.

I always think it's funny when people say that Aruba isn't "romantic" because there's a McDonalds 5 miles away. It's just very strange to me. Maybe it's because my girlfriend and I genuinely enjoy each other's company and don't expect the place we're in to make us feel romantic about each other. You either bring that with you or you don't. The place you're in shouldn't be blamed. It just seems more like sour grapes to me.

What I like about Aruba is the fact that I don't NEED to go to an all inclusive resort and hardly ever leave the property. I don't like all inclusive resorts. Going on vacation shouldn't be a race to get your money's worth at the slop house. I like the fact that in Aruba I have my choice of activities and restaurants every day. I just feel caged when I stay in any one place for too long. Some people just like everything served to them I guess.

To me highrises on the beach isn't romantic. When I go to the Caribbean I like to feel like I have been to the Caribbean and not on a beach in Florida and others have mentioned this too when comparing Aruba to other Caribbean destinations, so it is not just me. Other Caribbean destinations I have visited so far don't have as many American fast food restaurants and chains and don't have as many high rises on the beach. I personally find these destinations more romantic than a beach with high rises and lots of American Restaurant chains, but to each there own.

Island Hopper, we have done both types of vacations and we enjoy the freedom that a all-inclusive resort offers. We have gone to many all-inclusives in the Caribbean and Mexico and have never felt fearful to leave the resort and explore the country we are visiting. I have had some wonderful food at some all-inclusives including all you can eat lobster tails with drawn butter, prime rib, beef wellington, sushi, ribs, crab, steaks, shrimps, oyster, clams and wonderful to die for deserts such as bananas flambe, homemade ice cream, pies, sinfull chocolate cakes and much more plus Mexican/Spanish coffees served at our tables and premium liquor to drink. Maybe you call that slop, but I don't call that slop. It depends on where you are going. The worst all-inclusive for food we have ever experienced was at a all-inclusive in Aruba and even then to get a steak we had to pay a surcharge. Most good all-inclusives have several a la carte restaurants to dine at and some even have every meal a la carte where you don't even think of having to go to a buffet. Some offer beach service for drinks. It all depends on where you go. Good all-inclusives will include sports equipment, dancing, activies, sailing, windsurfing lessons, etc. and nightly entertainment , but only if you want to enjoy these things because you are never forced to do anything you don't want to do.

We also like the idea that you can try different cocktails if we wish and if we don't like them, we don't have to finish them and can order another one. We don't have to worry can we afford that bottle or glass of wine, cocktail or beer with our lunch or dinner and we can indulge to our hearts desire. We don't have to think about where to eat dinner tonight or arrange and pay for transportation to get there, but we still have the option to go off the resort and eat at a special restaurant if we want. You are not tied to your all-inclusive resort and forced to eat there for every meal if you don't want. We also like that we basically know what our vacation will cost before we leave home and that there are no big surprises on our hotel tab at check-out time.

To us a all-inclusive vacation is truly a no worries vacation. These types of vacations are becomming very popular now and there must be a reason for that.

All-inclusives are not for everyone, but it sounds like you have never been to a good all-inclusive. I suggest that you try a good one and see for yourself how great they can be. You might be surprised how great they can be.

Congratulations! Check out the Bucuti (Tara Suites). It is located on Eagle Beach which is primarily low-rise hotels or timeshares. They are both beautiful! The Bucuti Tara Suites is a more adult-oriented, private place...perfect for honeymooners!

Looks like someone got offended, but I have to agree sitting on a beach surrounded by palm trees is alot more romantic than big high rise hotels and having tons of jet skies and motor sports racing all over the place. I also argee with having all incusive. There are some hotels in Jamaica that have 10- 15 resuraunts in 1 hotel and all your drinks are included plus room service and the escursions. I also stayed at a place in Punta Cana were they even had free horseback ridding. Its definitly a plus when you can just sit down have a nice dinner and not have to worry about a check. It gives you a carefree feeling, when you don't have to pull out your wallet every time you want a drink or get something to eat. The best way to know if the all-inclusive resort your going to is good, is ask if they serve top shelf liquor. Just because your at an all-inclusive resort dos'nt always mean you can't still go out to dinner once or twice. Aruba just isn't the place for all inclusive.

We have stayed at an all-inclusive twice, the Sandals Negril, and it was nice. It is convenient to float up to a bar and ask for a drink and they give it to you. But I prefer a little more adventure and all inclusives tend to cocoon you from the local culture. It's funny, I have laid on Palm Beach under palm trees many times, and I can't say as I really noticed such a level of water activities. It doesn't bother me to see people wind surfing or jet skiing off the coast, but I can honestly say that I saw far more of that along with locals in boats coming close to shore to sell you things in Negril, Jamaica, along with boats and loudspeakers advertising the latest reggae/ska concert in town. That never happened in Aruba.

I recieved alot of culture in Negril, we were there when 9-11 happened and got stuck there an extra 4 nights due to the shut down of the airports the first week we spent in Sweptway(amazing resort) the second week we stayed at the tree house. Not luxury but had a great time. We met a group of locals that were very sypathetic about New York. They took us to there house and we met their family and showed us there p-t garden and served us pot tea. Then they took us into mountains were you had to cut a path with machettis it was so thick. When we got to our destination we were standing in about an acre of p-t trees double my hight. They brought us to a big tent were there were pruning pounds of p-t, and they gave us a big ball of h-sh from all the resin. I don't recommend anyone doing this on there own. So don't asume because you stay at an all- inclusive you can't have some adventure and culture. And there was not one person in the water advertising anything. I never said I minded water sports. I said it was more romantic when all you here is the waves of the ocean.