INITIAL NOTE:

While on a Caribbean cruise where you may not have
too much shore time, always call/write the casino
reception in advance to reserve your chip(s) within
hotel casinos, of course, and in most cases even
roulettes (esepecially in the Dutch West Indies).
Also, always ask for "obsoletes" and "foreign"
chips, as these small operations discard nothing and
they will be more than happy to give you what you
ask for (within reason). You may want to request
that your purchase be waiting for you at the hotel
reception in the French West Indies, as most of
their casinos open after dinner (about 9:00 - 10:00
p.m.) which is well past the departing cruise ships'
time.

If one has the time (not those on a cruise), you may
want to check out the local Cat services in the
Leeward chain where you can sail from
island-to-island for a lot less than local hops.

Though I only frequent the casinos/resorts on just a
few of the islands, I have been taking every form of
transportation throughout the Caribbean since 1965.

For those that enjoy water travel while in the
Bahamas, there is a simple, low-cost and run-down
but adventurous (about $2) service from the Nassau
harbor to P.I. which is only available during the
day.

There are several local ferry services from one
(casino) island to another. Such as St-Maarten to
St-Kitts, but these do not operate every single day.
Local indepentant water taxi service is also
available at far lesser cost and faster
(unscheduled) service. Do not believe the crime
stories or nightmares you've "heard" regarding
tourists on some of these island countries, as laws
and penalties are well under control/inforced
regarding tourism.

Most important: Be polite and don't have the "I paid
for it and I want it now" attitude. The way of life
is much more relaxed and enjoyed in The Caribbean.
And, last but not least: Do not just rely on what I
suggest -- ask you travel agent. The last thing I
want to hear is from someone on Gumbo Tongo Island
calling me at 3:00 AM saying: "Where the heck is
this ferry you told me about that connects me back
to my "chip" which "defarted" six hours ago?" <G>

JB