The Caribbean has always been a glamorous location but recently celebs have been swapping the sophistication of Monte Carlo and the excess of LA for the sandy beaches of this charming island chain. Whatever you think of Simon Cowell’s X factor decisions, you can’t argue with his taste in holidays. His private jet can routinely be seen touching down in Barbados. Colleen Rooney has reportedly been enjoying some time out there as well, presumably relaxing in the knowledge her husband’s team have run away with the title. She’s not the only Manchester United affiliate to have been enjoying the Barbadian sunshine either. Beckham has taken time out from filming semi-naked, Guy Ritchie-directed adverts in the Hollywood Hills to presumably pose on the beach all day doing keepy-ups.
Former England striker and match of the day presenter, Gary Lineker and his model wife, Danielle flew to The Caribbean last week. Lineker always looks like he’s spent about half an hour too long on the sunbed but maybe it’s all natural. If footballers, models and music moguls don’t impress you then take a swing at The Caribbean’s newly formed cricket premier league which has already enlisted Australian captain Ricky Ponting. Richard Branson commands his own ‘Necker Island‘ and you can even walk in the sandy footprints of Jonny Depp on the island of Dominica where the Pirates Of the Caribbean franchise was filmed. If you want the chance to appear in an upcoming movie then head to Jamaica or Puerto Rico where filming will shortly start for ‘Macbett’, an African interpretation of Shakespeare’s classic, Macbeth. Sneaking into the background of a shot might get you screen time with the likes of Hollywood’s Terrence Howard or Sanaa Lathan.
Realistically if you want the celebrity treatment in The Caribbean, you either need to shell out lots of cash or be clever about where you spend it. For a start, the exchange rate and local economy mean you’ll get more bang for your buck than you do at home. You can be more lavish and flash than you would normally. You can treat yourself to spas, beauty treatments and massages and generally act like a diva if you want to, after all you’re never going to see these people again. Taking a cruise will also give you the feeling of being better than everyone else. Lounge around on your private balcony while stewards bring you drinks or allow yourself to be escorted around an island paradise while other tourists flounder with confusing maps and foreign languages. Leisurely sail from port to port drinking in the sun, sights and plenty of local rum like the movie stars of yesteryear.
For the best results you’ll need to get inventive, try and convince others that you’re a celebrity and you might just get treated like one. Big sunglasses are a must, throw in a ridiculously haughty accent and pretend phone calls that you sign off with ‘darling’ and ‘ciao’ and you might just be in with a chance. Even better, hire a couple of photographers and get them to shout your name, relentlessly snap you and generally invade your personal space whenever you get off a plane or ship. Ultimately though, celebrities head to the Caribbean to escape the endless attention their daily life brings. You might find that relaxing on the beach in the sun surrounded by natural beauty and your own anonymity is actually the most authentic Caribbean celebrity experience.
