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Also known for world-class dive sites with spectacular shipwrecks, vast coral reefs, dramatic walls, and stunning drop-offs, you will definitely have something to talk about when you get home. The islands also have their share of fine shopping, including English china, Swiss watches, and Japanese cameras. Though all three areas sustained damage from Hurricane Ivan, they are gearing up for what they expect to be a bustling 2006. What it means for you: special savings. Where to Stay if you Love to Dive: Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman is undergoing major renovations at press time, but it's expected to return to its former glory, complete with private balconies and ultra-modern state-of-the-art facilities come February 1, 2006. (Some of the one and two-bedroom suites are already open.) Details: www.grandcayman.hyatt.com or 800-233-1234; rooms start at $285 a night.

Where to Stay Secluded: If you're looking for somewhere small and secluded, check out the Aqua Bay Club, a 21-unit condo property that offers honeymoon and dive packages, along with the key thing every honeymooner craves: privacy! There's a private beach here, along with a freshwater pool and Jacuzzi. Details: Rates start at $230 for a one bedroom unit. 345-945-4728 or www.aquabayclub.com. Island Info: 800-346-3313 or www.caymanislands.ky.

Flying Time from the Tri-State area: Four hours.

Jamaica
The Scene: When many people think of the Caribbean, they think of Jamaica. It's got everything-from crystal-clear waterfalls and jungle mountaintops to unforgettable beaches, bustling markets, and the rhythm of reggae on an outdoor patio.

The array of lodgings is just as appealing as the landscape, with everything from boutique hotels and quiet hillside inns to grand hotels and all-inclusive resorts. You'll find no shortage of charm or choices. The main regions to concentrate on include Ocho Rios, on the north coast, Montego Bay and Negril, on the west; Port Antonio on the east and Kingston, the capital, on the south.

No visit is complete, however, without sampling the wide variety of culinary delights: jerk chicken, meat patties (spicy pies sold by roadside vendors), duckunoo (steamed pudding made from cornmeal and coconut, wrapped in banana leaves), and for the adventurous, curried goat. Oh, and the rum's not bad either. Where to Stay Montego Bay: Half Moon in Montego Bay has an array of intoxicating amenities sure to please. Dotted with palm trees and two crescent-shaped beaches, you have your choice of golf, spa treatments (their "heaven for two" spa treatment is a favorite among honeymooners), horseback riding, bike rentals, and more. Details: www.halfmoon.com or 866-648-6951; rooms start at $390 a night. Where to Stay Negril: The private beachside aromatherapy massage is just one of the reasons honeymooners tend to enjoy The Grand Lido Negril Resort & Spa. The other reason? The sunrise beach massage with peppermint, Jamaican gingers, and lemongrass essences, accompanied by a mimosa toast to the sun. The waves lapping at your feet, the intoxicating aromas of sweet orange and grape seed oils perfuming the soft airÉneed we go on? Details: www.superclubs.com or 877-467-8737; rooms start at $2,500 for a week (all-inclusive).

Island Info: www.jamaica.com or 800-233- 4582 or 876-929-9200 or www.visitjamaica.com Flying Time from the Tri-State area: Three and a half hours.

St. Lucia
The Scene: Lodged between St. Vincent and Martinique, this lush outpost draws from both its French and British heritages, giving it multiple personalities. (The main language here is English, though many locals also speak French and Spanish, as well as the native language, Kweyol.) The island is full of natural beauty, and is known the world over for the dreamy vistas created by the twin Pitons, extinct remnants of an enormous blown-out volcano. There's also a hot sulfur bath nearby, where-if you can stand the rotten-egg smell-you can take a tour, and even a dip. Then there's the wild, musical side. One of the Caribbean's most famous street parties take place in Gros Iset, near the capital of Castries. "Jump Up" is where the action is on Friday nights. Streets are closed to traffic, and there's plenty of music, food, and entertainment. (But don't go before 10 p.m. as the action doesn't even begin until the twilight hours.) You can do everything or nothingÉ"nothing," of course being putting up your feet, admiring the sunset and veging under a palm-thatched hut. Thanks to the mountainous terrain and lush flora, St. Lucia has plenty to keep you busy: colonial plantations, historical military ruins, rainforest walks with local guides, and Sulphur Springs, with the world's only "drive-in" volcano. Where to Stay if You Love Tourists: Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort is a Moorish wonderland of white-stucco villas that kiss the hillside on one of St. Lucia's premiere bays. Ask for a bedroom villa with your own plunge pool and start "playing house" now. Eat in the restaurants or make your own meals; it's nice to have choices.

Details: www.windjammer-landing.com or 758-456-9000 or 800-958-7376; rooms start at $115 a night. Where to Stay if Youre a Romantic: Anse Chastanet ranks among one of the most romantic hotels ever. Hillside rooms are built into the mountainside, with entire walls that are open to stunning views of the Pitons jutting out of the clear-blue sea.

Details: www.ansechastanet.com or 800-223- 1108; rooms start at $465 a night. Where to Stay if You Love Privacy: Ladera Resort is another one of those have-to-see-it-to-believeit resorts. It also is built into the hilltop, and features 25 rooms and an intimate restaurant that's open (literally) to fresh breezes and one of the most breathtaking views of the Pitons you'll ever see. Each villa has a private pool. Details: www.ladera-st.lucia.com or 800-738-4752; rooms start at $320 a night. Island Info: 800- 456-3984 or www.stlucia.org. Flying time from the Tri-State area: Four hours.

Puerto Rico
The Scene: Talk about an island that seduces! It's easy to redefine relaxation when you pick among Puerto Rico's wonders. There's pretty much everything here: interesting museums, Spanish tradition, historical architecture, fabulous dining, gorgeous golf courses. San Juan has that big-city feel, yet if you head a few miles out, you'll find a rustic countryside with coffee plantations and a tropical rain forest.

No where else in the Caribbean do you get such a unique blending of Indian, African, and Spanish cultures, along with an incredibly rich history. And being part of the United States makes it that much easier: The currency is the U.S. dollar, English is widely spoken, and, most importantly, you don't need a passport to enter! Where to Stay Hotel: The lodging is diverse here, from grand resorts with gorgeous golf courses to small, historic paradors that pride themselves on personal service, to intimate, boutique hotels. The Water Club, in San Juan, is a boutique hotel meant to get you in the island mood. Everywhere you go-even your room with floor-to-ceiling windows-you'll be treated to views of the sparkling Atlantic. Suites, in fact, include a telescope for stargazing. But that's not the only place where you'll find stars: The hotel is a favorite among the celebrity set, attracting such name-droppers like Denzel Washington, Rosie Perez, and Sarah Michelle Geller. Details: www.waterclubsanjuan.com or 888-265-6699; rooms start at $140 a night. Where to Stay Resort: The toprated Horned Dorset Primavera caters to those who enjoy elegance, amidst a setting of serene peace and quiet. Rooms have four-poster beds, and some have private plunge pools. The resort has been styled to resemble a Puerto Rican hacienda, and is rated among one of the best hotels on the island. Details: www.horneddorset.com or 800-633-1857; rooms start at $490 a night. Island Info: 800-223- 6530 or www.gotopuertorico.com. Flying Time from the Tri-State area: Three and a half hours.

U.S. Virgin Islands
The Scene: These U.S. tropical destinations are a smorgasbord of delights: Danish windmills, designer goods, charming West Indian flair and, best of all, an American backdrop, meaning the U.S. dollar reigns. Visit St. Croix and you'll be taken with her varied landscape: lush, rainforest-clad mountainsides, arid hilltops, and ruins of her sugar-plantation past. You'll have fun snapping photos of the old windmills that dot the landscape. Most of the hotels are located in the towns of Christiansted and Frederiksted. St. Thomas is your "urban" destination, full of designer stores and some of the best duty-free shopping in the Caribbean. Opportunities for sports abound as well, with sailing, sport fishing, and scuba, right up there with kicking back on a sailboat. For the more laid-back experience, you'll want to visit St. John, known for its undeveloped hillsides and commitment to nature. Cruz Bay is the island's main town where you can find art galleries and designer duds. Take a ferry from here to St. Thomas, and you can have the best of both worlds. Where to Stay St.Thomas: Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa, on St. Thomas, blends perfect weather and colonial history into a memorable Caribbean experience. The resort recently completed a major refurbishment and replenished its ecofriendly beach (where they offer information on the Virgin Islands' flora, fauna, and wildlife).All rooms have private balconies...your own little oasis. Details: www.wyndham.com or 877-999-3223; rooms start at $350 a night.Where to Stay St. Croix: Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort, on St. Croix, is located on a quiet 1,000-foot white stretch of beach- one of the best on the island-and offers spacious guestrooms and deluxe hillside suites, along with its own dive center. Details: www.diviresorts.com or 877-773-9700; rooms start at $150 a night. Where to Stay St.John: Caneel Bay, on St. John, offers pristine natural surroundings and low-key luxury amidst the Virgin Islands National Park. The resort was built to blend in with the scenery and this mellow atmosphere makes for the perfect escape. Details: www.caneelbay.com or 340-776-6111; rooms start at $325 a night.Island Info: 800-372-8784 or 340-774-8784 or www.usvitourism.vi. Flying Time from the Tri-State area: Two and a half hours.

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