Hi, My husband and I are flying in on that day also, 4:30 flight, I too am wondering what will be open, we rented from Budget at the airport, I know everyone says not too, but i feel they have to be open as long as flights are coming in. Can anyone out there tell either of us what too expect on Christmas Day, what might be open to get something to eat or some groceries. Good luck to you going to St john's on that day. I have been a faithful visitor to this mesage board since last Feb when we booked everthing, it has been extremly
informative, I know when its closer I will have a few questions for you all. thanks to all of you for the pictures and information so far.
We will have 2 weeks on your beautiful island, which we have only experienced from a cruise ship 3 times, I am very excited to just get there and chill with some cold beer, or maybe this drink everyone is talking about. Thanks..........Rosebud

Rosebud:

Welcome.

You picked, IMHO, 2 of the best weeks of the year...you'll have a great time.

Depending on where you are staying you should find some places open to buy groceries, etc.

Budget is O.K.

Beer?.....we drink rum here in the islands (lol).

F.I.

All the supermarkets and stores will be open as usual on STT and most restaurants too. What's guaranteed to be closed are all Federal and local government offices - for many it's just another working day! Cheers!

As a former island resident, I feel like I have to give a small disclaimer. Remember that the people that are waiting on you, ringing you up, selling you a ferry or barge ticket, etc would much rather be home with their families celbrating the holiday. Because the islands are tourist driven, some people will have to work, but not everyone wants to.

My first Chistmas on island, I was working at a restaurant. We were only open for dinner. We were setting up the dining room to open at 5 and family walked in and asked to be seated. We explained that we would not be open for an hour and that we were completely booked for dinner that night. The man started yelling at us, saying that "my family has Christmas dinner at 4 pm every year and who do you think you are to ruin our tradition and our holiday" The manager was able to get him to quiet down and leave but it made me a little sad. There are so many people that forget that the people that are providing you with the service that you want, might be there because they have to and not because they want to.

You will love the holidays on island, just remember that the folks that live there want to enjoy them as well.

Xislandgirl: I'm not sure what you are "disclaiming" where this thread is concerned, but you unfortunately were subjected to some stupidly bad abuse from a stupidly bad tourist who probably should have stayed home if he was so set in his ways! Thank goodness that your manager stepped in and got rid of him. I would have tossed him out in the street in a heartbeat with no pretense of being civil if he'd pulled that in my place!

I think that the majority of people in the service industry here can relate to what you're saying but, at least where my place is concerned, if Christmas Day falls on a day that I'm open for business then I'll do a traditional Christmas Dinner and, if not, then I'll do a similar Christmas Eve dinner beforehand. In all the years I've been doing it I've never had an employee kvetch or bemoan a few hours work. Customers in general always tip very well but at Christmas they tip even more so the incentive to work is high.

Most of us transplants (and I'm one of 25+ years now) have families way distant and the memories of Christmas pasts are cherished but we''re in a whole different mode here in the middle of high season. That said, Christmas Day falls on a Thursday this year which is a night when I'm usually open so - oh crapadoodle - I'm going to have to be open not only on Christmas Day but on Christmas Second Day too!

Oh this is way too much to absorb so I must hie me to bed, perchance to dream and ready myself for the morrow. Cheers!

Coral - there will be taxis at the airport on St. Thomas on Christmas Day. The taxi stand is just outside the luggage claim. The ferry operates on its normal schedule on holidays. There is a taxi stand at the end of the Cruz Bay ferry dock and there are usually several taxis waiting when a ferry arrives. You should be able to catch a taxi from there to Coral Bay. You could contact a few car rental agencies and see if they are open on Christmas or can accommodate your picking up on that day.

Rosebud - if you want to have Christmas dinner out the evening you arrive you may want to pick the place a couple weeks in advance and make a reservation. You mentioned staying for 2 weeks, on New Years Eve many restaurants have special fixed menus, some have entertainment. Making a reservation for New Years Eve dinner is also recommended.

--Islander