where are you staying?

billd

GA: Because that is the peak of hurricane season, you are going to find most places you go to be very quiet. There will be a number of restaurants that will be closed, so it is difficult to send you any specific place. But anyplace you DO go, will be wonderful, right? Definitely go for a day sail, you will discover empty anchorages and beaches you can claim for your own.

i thought dinner at the Banana Tree Grille over looking the harbor with the lights of the cruise ships and Charlotte Amalie was one of our romantic highlights. The food was excellent and the atmosphere was fabulous.

Hello!

So sorry you didn't get any responses to your first post, but hopefully some of us can help you out this time around. 🙂

o.k., a little history on me and my hubby...we were married on Magens Bay 3 years ago and honeymooned there for a week. We also stayed at the Marriott Frenchman's Reef (loved it there).

I know you asked for "one thing" as a recommendation, but it's good to have lots of ideas (esp. since you didn't get any responses the first time), so I'll throw out some of the things that come to mind that we did while we were there. Also, as East Ender said, make sure that places aren't closed because of hurricane season. Hopefully at least one of the things below will be something you guys will enjoy and may not cost much:

--took the little ferry from the Marriott to Charlotte Amalie for lunch and shopping and just to walk around and see the town. There are cute little shops for souvenirs, and some nicer shops as well. Don't know if you guys are into shopping, but it was fun just to walk around and then have lunch. You can get round-trip tickets down at the hotel dock.
--drinks at the RumBar (the lobby bar) in the lobby of the Marriott in the evening. They have an outdoor terrace with chairs and tables and it is romantic to sit there and look out at the view of the water and Charlotte Amalie in the distance. I think they also have music at times.
--dinner at Havana Blue at the Marriott. Awesome food and drinks, and also overlooks the ocean. Really cool atmosphere! You take the shuttle from the main hotel building over to the Morningstar section of the hotel where Havana Blue is.
--dinner at Mafolie restaurant www.mafolie.com click on the Restaurant tab and you can read about it and see the menu, too. Very romantic restaurant. Beautiful views and very, very good food.
--of course...spent time at Magens Bay. 🙂 You just pay to get in/parking and then find your perfect spot on the beach. I know I'm biased, but I'm not alone in saying that it is a gorgeous beach! You can go on walks up and down the beach, maybe stop at the beach bar and grab a bite, have a drink. There is also a shop there with some cool gear (sweatshirts, t-shirts, etc.). The water is calm and you can just hang out there the entire day. Don't forget sunscreen! Oh, and try not to go on a day when ships are in port. It will be too crowded. You will get a Daily Activities Guide at the Marriott which tells you if ships are in port that day or not, but I think you can get a schedule from the Activities Desk that can tell you days in advance when ships should be in port.
--drove around the island and went sightseeing. When we travel, we love to just drive around and get to know the area, stop to take pictures, etc.
--went to Coral World Ocean Park www.coralworldvi.com It's basically a tropical aquarium with a lot of cool stuff to see. Check out their site.
--drinks and/or food at Paradise Point, at sunset. The sunsets are beautiful and they have good drinks and bands. Unless they have changed this, they are only open when ships are in port, but you might want to double check www.paradisepointtramway.com They have a sky tram which you will drive by on your way to and from the Marriott, that you can take to get up to Paradise Point. You don't have to take it, though, but it's probably easier than driving up to the Point and trying to find parking. Plus, it's just fun to take and see the views as you go up.
--Yacht Haven Grande is a couple of years old and has some cool restaurants and shops. You'll drive by this, too.
--day trip to St. John. This was a must for us, and we were glad we did it. St. John has gorgeous beaches as well and if you're like us, it's fun to drive around and get to know the island. We took the car ferry and had our rental car (make sure with your rental car company that it's o.k. for you to do this). Or you can take the regular ferry and just cab it to wherever you want to go. From the dock (Cruz Bay), you can just walk right up the all of the shops and restaurants. Trunk Bay is awesome, as are so many other beaches on STJ! So many to choose from.
--o.k....this is the last one I'll throw at you...I know I've probably overwhelmed you! This is something that we absolutely LOVED doing, and yes, it was pricey, but it's the only thing we did that was that pricey, so I'll share it anyway...a day snorkeling trip to the BVI's aboard New Horizons II www.newhorizonscharters.com It was $145.00 per person, but totally worth it. This was SO much fun and they included a continental breakfast, lunch, drinks, and a fabulous time. 🙂 Check out the site and you'll see what they offer. On our anniversary trip, we did a day sail aboard the Daydreamer catamaran which we booked through the Westin. Here is their site: www.daydreamervi.com I don't see a price on their site, but I believe we paid $85.00 per person (2 years ago). It was a great time as well.

o.k., sorry so long, but, again, it's good to have lots of ideas. I hope you guys have a wonderful time and congratulations on your upcoming wedding! 🙂 Enjoy!

We're staying at the Marriott Frenchman's Reef. Got any advice or fun/romantic/adventurous/unforgettable suggestions?

Thanks!

Thanks so much "East Ender," "tiger1," & "Beach Bride" for your restaurant & sightseeing suggestions! Will definitely start making some of those plans.

Anyone else? All suggestions are welcomed...the more the better! Cheers!!!

If the weather is acceptable - a day sail to anywhere with snorkeling. We really enjoyed snorkeling Trunk Bay on St. John. Our "kids" (19 and 22) went scuba diving through the Bolongo Bay Dive Club. They teach/practice in the pool in the morning, then they went to 3 or 4 different places in the afternoon (including a sunken ship) to scuba dive. They came back with some amazing pictures - colorful fish, turtles, an eel and of course several pics of themselves scuba diving - very memorable. I think it cost $155 per person. Some of the pics will make great blowups on their bathroom wall!
We also took a day trip to the BVI's (you do need a passport) - snorkeled "The Caves", toured Virgin Gorda "The Baths" and the best - Jost Van Dyke - home of the infamous "Soggy Dollar" - that beach is BEAUTIFUL!
Happy Honeymooning!

Hi there GATRAVLR,
I've been following this thread as well because we are going in October for our 15 year anniversary . We, too, are looking for great things to do. I've been told and read 4-5 times from different posters and in private emails that going to Jost Van Dyke is great and that we must visit the Soggy Dollar and Roxy's .....a great shopping place. So after such high reviews, I think we are going to try and make this a day excursion.....maybe do it by private charter or something?? We can hardly wait! Let's promise to post again when we get back and give everyone the details of our romantic trips!

:-)Hi gatravlr,

We have a timeshare at Bluebeards Beach Club, and enjoy our two week every year

The Marriott is a great place to start your marriage. My Daughter got married their on Morning Star Beach in Dec 2006. Are you getting married at the hotel or on the beach?

The Marriott has some great restaurants. Don't miss out on the Havana Blue Restaurant experience. Pricey but well worth it. Havana Blue is at Morning Star Beach, just down from the Marriott.

You can take the water taxi from the hotel into Charlotte Amalia for less than a regular taxi and have a great day of browsing the shop. The Greenhouse on the waterfront is a nice place to have lunch and has a great happy hour at night.

The best Italian restaurant is just two block up the ally at Virgilio's.

My daughter love Trunk Bay on St John's you can take the ferry from Downtown or if you have a car drive to Red Hook and take the ferry from there. Red Hook is on the East side of the Island. If you get to Red Hook try Molly Malone's a very good Irish Pub.

Some other places on the Island are Coral World, Peter the Great House, and Megan's Bay.

If you enjoy King Crab take a ride the Agave's Restaurant.

expect to pay around $100.00 - $125.00 per couple for a good Dinner at the restaurants I have mentioned

HAVE A GREAT WEDDING AND TIME IN PARADISE.

Richard & Nance Tremblay(tu)