I'm somewhat overwhelmed by the choices for the Caribbean

Stay at a place like Somerset on Providenciales, Turks & Caicos. Simple, relaxing and a beautiful beach with many choices of great restaurants.

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I've never done the Caribbean. Help me out here. This will be next spring/summer as well.

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It really depends on where you are coming from and how long you want to spend getting to the island of your choice. I live in Houston and there are several islands I can get to quickly and directly. That is a major factor a lot of times in our trip choice b/c we rarely go for 7 days (we typically do multiple quick 4 - 5 day trips per year). Example, I can get to Grand Cayman in 2.5 hours direct, Aruba in ~ 4 hours direct, St. Thomas in ~ 4 hours direct, and sometimes you can find direct flights from IAH to Nassau (Bahamas) or Providencialies (Turks & Caicos). We've gone to each of those places at least twice.

I love some of the other islands like Antigua, St. Lucia, and Barbados but out of Houston you typically have to spend almost a full day of travel getting to them. So you'd pretty much need to block a full week for your vacation for these to work. Others that live on the East coast or Dallas (American has a ton of flights to the Caribbean) may have a different point of view.

If you want calm water, white sand beaches, a variety of food options, and relatively ease to get to, then go to Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Aruba, or Grand Cayman.

If you want a massive all-inclusive stay at your resort the whole time type of experience then go to Dominican Republic or Jamaica.

If you want a legit Caribbean experience I'd suggest Antigua, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Martin, or St. Vincent & Grenadines (probably the hardest to go to).

If you want the best of all of the above go to the USVI's (my personal favorite).

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But me and the wife like Aruba.

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Overall, liked Aruba more than Nassau and Punta Cana. Aruba probably had the worst beaches of the 3 though (not bad, just not as nice as the white sand and turquoise water of the DR).

I’ve only done the all inclusive and while it doesn’t sound like you necessarily want it; based on what you say your wife wants with the nice amenities it may be the best approach. One of the main reasons I like them is because you can just relax and do your own thing, or do the “party scene” with larger groups. And, if you feel like doing something adventurous they all have water activities and off property group excursions.

Only downside is some of the resorts don’t “police” the beach and sometimes you have to deal with aggressive natives trying to sell their cheap souvenirs. I saw one guy literally waking people up and/or sitting on their lounge chairs while they were laying out trying to peddle his stuff.

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Turks and Caicos.

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Another vote for this.

I loved St. John, but Turks has almost become a yearly visit for us. We stay at the Tuscany Resort. Nice and quiet.

St. Barths.

It is like the French Riviera but with sandy beaches and no jet lag. It is also very expensive. Call West Indies Management Company. They can hook you up with flights and accommodations in your price range.

BVIs, the Grenadines, and St. John are the most scenic. I’ve seen them all.

Just returned from Grand Turk. We are divers and it was awesome.

It is quiet, and there are no cruise ships right now. We had a blast!

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love Aruba too, but how is this even possible? Where were you flying from?

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Houston. It was a package deal on Vacations by Marriott where they bundle flights + hotel. They routinely have great deals to Aruba for some reason.