Hi Joe, Bettendorf here.... just got a large bandage off after minor hand surgery so haven't done anything on this post we 1st went to StT 13 years ago, also for our 25th anniv and have been back 7 times, always staying on STT. I'm excited for all the new-comers out there, the weather is perfect if it rains just move to another beach! We were 10 days in March & already looking for packages back! It will be good for you to be alone, enjoy while you can, once the grandkids come all your money will go to them!

Do you have a rental car at the airport? if so go to the rental agency 1st , they are all in a big room with baggage claim and the free rum punch! There is always a long line at the ladies restroom so don't drink too much! Also lots of information packets with lots of coupons , St Thomas Today for lists of cruise ships and maps. Its nice to have this stuff to read back home, to see what you missed and to plan your next trip.

Since we don't stay on STJ I can just tell some of our favorite, shopping at Mongoose plaza especially big planet, great placo to get take homes for the kids. There is NO parking in Cruz Bay,so good luck there, Caribbean Spice (I think thats the name) at the people ferry is also a great place. Our favorite Cruz BAy restaurant is the Lime Tree Inn and at Coral Bay , Island Blues is much better than Skinny legs, go to Skinnys for a t-shirt.

I like Cinnamon beach better than Trunk Bay, something about the giant termite nests there creeps me out! If I can be of any help just e-mail. BTW are you flying out of the Quad Cities? We have always done the trip to Chicago and stayed at the park and fly, we decided with our flyer miles to fly out of here, went thru Atlanta and it was great! Delta except for ourlast leg coming home was AirTran and what a great airline, we'll try to fly out of here from now on. Hope this helps, I'll think of more later

Count me among the blessed.

You'll have a great time in the V.I. My wife and I went in January with a couple from Iowa City.

I'm actually from Iowa originally -- Des Moines to be exact. My girlfriend and her husband are going in a couple of weeks who are from West Des Moines and I will be meeting them out there.

We'll let u know how the trip went for us?

la, you had me worried for a second. For some reason I had in my head that you were a man writing the note, when I read:

"My girlfriend and her husband are going in a couple of weeks who are from West Des Moines and I will be meeting them out there."

I thought that was a little too much information for this forum. Then it dawned on me that a woman wrote the note.

As far as my plans, we are driving to Chicago and doing the Park/Sleep/Fly thing. American Airlines to Miami to STT. Renting a jeep from Budget and taking the car ferry to St. John. This is one thing that I just went back and forth on, where to rent the Jeep, STT or STJ. People on this forum are all over the place on that issue, and there are advantages both ways. For us it came down to the fact that we are spending our last day and night on STT, so as long as we are renting, it will be nice to have the Jeep for that last day. We would not have that if we rented a Jeep on STJ.

We picked up some snorkel gear for each of us, and plan on spending our time checking out beaches and doing a little shopping. The only thing that is set in stone for the week is we do have a day sail booked with Capt. Doug Ross on Gypsy Spirit. Other than that, we just plan on going with the flow, no firm plans for any of the other days.

We are still trying to decide if we should bring any of our own food along, since we are planning on cooking most of our evening meals in the villa. Since there are only two of us, I am kind of leaning toward buying all of our food when we get there.

I have been taking some notes of restaurant and beach recommendations, and we will be trying to hit some of the places that have been very highly recommended on this and other forums. We are not planning on any day trips to BVI. Since this is our first trip to STJ or STT, I get the feeling that we will not even be able to do all of the things we want to do on those two islands, much less going over to BVI.

The only thing that concerns me is the addiction that everyone on this board seems to have! I have never been to the islands, so at this point I have been spared the addiction. I am reading about all these people who have gone year after year, some several times a year. With 4 young kids, I know it is likely several years before I get back there, and I am worried about spending my life painfully longing to get back to a place.

Oh well, there is always the painkiller or bushwacker to help me get through those times!

IA Joe

Halfway between Des Moines and Iowa City is where you'll find me and mine. My first trip to St. John was the first week of March and yes I'm addicted. I'm still checking this forum and I've been home for over a month. Already trying to plan the next trip...actually considered taking a family trip in July...somebody stop me 🙂

~Rachel

Hey, Joe...

Another Hawkeye to add to the list! We're in Storm Lake, and made our first trip in '05...also for our 25th. And yes, like so many before us, we became hopelessly addicted. We now plan a trip each year, and are trying to figure out a way to make it twice a year, but my wife has yet to come to grips with her other vice...shoes. 😛 We're headed to the island again for the last week in July. The waiting is brutal...

We make the drive and do the park & fly at Chicago also, quite a jaunt for us but lots of advantages over Omaha or Des Moines (much lower fare for starters). If you fly out on Saturday, United 1065 is non-stop and puts you on STT at 2 pm...catch the 3 o' clock downtown ferry and you've got your first painkiller in-hand by 4:00.

We do check a soft-sided cooler full of frozen meat etc., 'cuz we're big on the grilling, too, but we also visit 2 or 3 of our favorite resteraunts during the week.

My only suggestion is to not try to plan TOO much! St. John isn't the place for itineraries...have a general idea of the places you'd like to see, how you want to spend some days...but when you finally get there, relax and go with the flow. Anything that doesn't get done, well...you can always do it the NEXT time you're there... 😉

Dave.

Hello there, I'm from the lovely state of Nebraska! That's right Hawkeyes, the Huskers are taking over STT! Ha, ha... just kidding! Anyways, we are having our honeymoon at STT in about two weeks. Think we're getting a car from Avis as they let you do the car ferry over to STJ, right? How much is the car ferry by the way and when does it start running from Red Hook in the morning?

Thanks and please let me know if you guys have any other advice on where to go for our honeymoon. We like to have a cocktail or two before dinner and then just really relax on the beach during the day.

Thanks and take care!
Jeff

Hi, I'm from Chicago but have lived in IC since my college days in 1991. We're headed to STJ in late June.

Sorry, I hit send too fast! Joe, when will you be there?

Hey Iowans!!
Just returned Tuesday from a week on STJ!
Third time there in 3 years and we're hoping to stay consistant on that ratio!
Heard you guys had snow while we werre in paradise!! Hah!!
Had a wonderful time...duh...but it is always so tough getting back into the grind here.
I may, if I can find some time, get a trip report out there for your reading pleasure.
We basically bum around in the jeep looking for new beaches.
Picked up a tired looking guy walking along the road one day - turns out he was heading to work at the Westin -
Got to talking and turns out he was an ISU graduate - 20 minutes from our Ankeny home. Lived in the town
of Saylorville growing up - small world!!!

Your trip is creeping closer and closer, Joe - have a great time!!

We are there June 7th - 14th.

Joe

Count us in! We are from Cedar Rapids and our first visit to St Thomas and St John was in late October. It will not be our last visit as St John is in our top 2 favorite Caribbean destinations. Hoping to get back next summer but that will only be if the timeshare exchange goes through.

We'll just miss you then. We're headed there on 6/23.

I just gotta know... besides STJ, what is the other of your top 2 Caribbean destinations???

Hi, from Ames originally, then lived in Iowa city 9 years, now in springfield illinois. I'll be in Stj June 20-29!!!

Well, I guess I will join the confessions, I am from Chariton (home to Hy-Vee). Although I am now living in St. Louis I still consider myself a hawkeye at heart. I started going to the Virgin Islands 20 years ago and will be back on June 7th for 13 days - Can't wait. My kids love the islands....

Rogue

Cara, well if you see two pastey white 30 year olds wearing their Hawkeye t-shirts, be sure to say hi to us! 🙂

Other top Caribbean vacation spots? I loved Punta Cana. I didn't like Jamacia, the Caymans, Playa del Carmen or STT.

Hi Iowans!

We are also dying to know what lizardlover's #1 favorite Caribbean destination is!

We are from Cedar Rapids.

Favorites: St. John, The Quiet Mon, Hawksnest Beach, renting a boat and crusing around, Jost Van Dyke, Ivan's, renting villas...the list is long.

Note: We have rented from Budget at the airport and once on St. John. We totally prefer renting the Jeep at the airport and driving ourselves over to STJ! We didn't not enjoy the taxi to the people ferry, the lines for the people ferry, etc. I think I have control issues, but it is SO nice to just grab a Jeep and take off -- it's more like your vacatin starts at the aiport. (just our two cents) =)

Four trips down since summer 2005 and hoping to squeeze another one in soon!

We are true addicts and our little boy also has the bug after two trips!

He looks at his Pirates of the Caribbean posters and tries to determine if Captain Jack is standing on Trunk Beach or Cinnamon! ha ha!

We've always done the park and fly out of ORD, but next time we are going to fly out of Cedar Rapids or Moline.

We're watching for deals -- so please let us know if you see anything low anytime July '07 or later! (Seems like Delta is the best bet?)

After you calculate gas, mileage, meals on the way too and fro', the park and fly, an extra vacation day spent for travel time, and your precious TIME -- Cedar Rapids or Moline seems like a justifiable option, especially if a family member can drop you off at the airport to avoid parking fees.

HAVE A GREAT TIME IN THE USVIS IOWA FOLKS! We are green with envy!!!!!

=)

uno mas! Clive be the place. St. Croix, and St. John be the islands. My family lived down there for 20 years+. My wife and I go there quite a bit esp to be w/our Cruzan friends and a little r&r at st. John. Put it this way, no matter where you're from, you'll absolutely LOVE St. Croix and St. John. I have my own reservations about St. Thomas.