Chris,
I don't think you can fly with dry ice any longer, can you?

I'm planning a surprise trip for my husband turning 40 and I'm torn between St. Thomas and St. John. Don't know much about St. Croix. All I want is for us to relax and enjoy each other since we'll be away for the 1st time in 13 years and away from our 4 kids. We want to enjoy the clear blue waters and swim. Some nightlife perhaps but not important. A romantic area would be nice.

Anyone know about The Wyndam Sugar Bay in St. Thomas? or the Westin in St. John? How are these properties? How are the beaches in the area. I don't want to go where there are a lot of pebbles or rocks on the beach. Or, is it better to rent a private villa there instead?

Anyone's help re: these places or suggest other alternatives would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.
Sandy

I would recommend a private villa, we used Windspree vacation rentals and it was nice. We had a private villa with a pool in St John. We were on the Coral Bay side. It's more secluded. We drove up a mountain to get to our home and had breathtaking views of Tortola Island, Peter Island, and the Caribbeen sea. I think for the money a home is way better than a hotel. Hotel, you have maid service, but you also have distractions, noise, people, crowds. Sounds like you want romance and seclusion. I would suggest a villa. www.windspree.com
Coral Bay was about 30 minutes from nightlife in Cruz Bay and larger shopping and more choices for eating out. Yet, you are still close to beaches, Salt Pond, and others that you can easily get to snorkeling spots. Enjoy!

Will be going to st.croix staying at the Buccaner, need some cheaper restaurants to eat at. Taxis look expensive, how close are we to other restaurants? Is walking safe? This is a blow out trip for us Including my 14 yr. old son, who eats like a horse. All 3 of us love the beach and trying spicey new foods. Suggestions? We're there in 2 weeks

Do not walk anywhere from The Buccaneer - there are no sidewalks and no shoulders. Christiansted is about 10 minutes away ($10 or so cab ride). If you want to see more of the island you might want to rent a car. Rumrunners is a good restaurant right on the water in Christiansted. Cheeseburgers is also good and is east of The Buccaneer. The Hotel on the Cay in Christiansted has a buffet on Tuesdays with entertainment. There have been several postings in the past few weeks on restaurants and things to do in St. Croix that you should look up. If you enjoy golf, The Buccaneer has a beautiful 18 hole course.

Hello Tara,

Breezes at Club St. Croix has good food and not expensive, you will need to take a taxi. The Lucheria in Christiansted, I have heard has large portions and not expensive. Golden Rail in Gallows Bay has large portions also and not pricey. Off the Wall is another option but quite a distance from Bucaneer. You will need to take a taxi anywhere you want to go... except within the resort. You might want to rent a car.

--Islander

We're returning to The Buccaneer in August for the third time and I agree you should rent a car.

You can get an economy car for around $25/day, a jeep for around $35.

With tip, you could spend $20 on a round trip to C'sted or Duggans. For a few dollars more, you have the convenience of your own transportation.

We've always used Centerline because they drop off and pickup at the hotel (which I'm sure others will also). We usually have them drop off the car the morning after we arrive and pick it up the day before we leave.

Six weeks and counting . . . .

Tara,

As others have said, you are not walking distance to any restaurants, but you are going to want a car toget around for at least part of the time anyway. I like Goldmine Car Rental (3 days/$99) - his rates are good and so are his cars. I can offer other suggestions if you want - e-mail me directly.

Definitely try Nolan's Tavern - it's near to the Bucaneer, serves large portions of great local (and regular) food and the prices are reasonable. Other choices for local food include Harvey's (lunch only) and Kim's (lunch and dinner). Both are in Christiansted. If anyone is an NBA fan the Harveys know Tim Duncan. Restaurants near the Bucaneer include The Galleon, Duggan's (both pricey) and Cheeseburgers in Paradise (upper average). In Christiansted for inexpensive food try Luncheria and Pleasants. The Bombay Club serves a wide array of food from burgers and fish and chips to filet mignon and fresh catch of the day. They're my everyday favorite and their prices are reasonable. I don't like Stixx (slow and often surly service) or Tivoli (have heard unsavory things about the sanitation) but Rumrunners has a great view and happy hour (and sushi bar) and the Brew Pub is fun and right on the water. As Islander said, you will probably want to hit Off the Wall and the Cane Bay Beach Bar because you will want to go to Cane Bay. Also check out http://www.stcroixscuba.com/restaurants.htm for ideas.

I have huge lists of things to do, my own restaurant "reviews", web sites and even a packing list if you are interested.

We are wanting to take a trip to VI in August and are trying to decide whether we should stay in St. Thomas or St. Johns. We will be taking our 20 year old and 17 year old kids with us, so seclusion and a desserted beach is not necessarily what we will be looking for! The travel bureau just told me that there is more night life in St. John's, but more shopping in St. Thomas. But I have read opinions that there is NO night life in St. Johns. Which is it?
Also, can anyone recommend a great place for our family to stay in St. Johns? Remember seclusion is NOT the ticket in our case. It needs to have some action.

IF they're not interested, I sure am, were leaving Thursday morning July 1st. for STX. we will be theruntil the 6th. Anything you can send us will be helpful.
Thank-you,
Polly

if you want to try real local food go to Juni's and get the bull foot soup.......then you'll know you've gone local..............and get the fungi at harveys

Not sure about the nightlife in St. John's, that being the capital of Antigua (sorry, pet peeve of mine...)

St. John on the other hand, has pretty good nightlife, especially right now with their Festival going on. There are a lot of good little bars and restaurants in Cruz Bay (Duffy's, Woody's, Front Yard, etc.)

Red Hook on St. Thomas is a comparable area in that you have many bars within a close proximity. St. Thomas has a bit more choice in that there are four main bar areas: Red Hook (Duffy's, XO, Sopchoppy's), Havensight (Shipwreck, Offshore), Town (Greenhouse, Tommy's), Frenchtown (Epernay), as well as some other scattered about the island (Sib's, Old Mill).

Personally I love the slightly more laid back vibe on St. John, but for variety and sheer number of nightlife options St. Thomas would win out. A good compromise might be to stay somewhere on the East End of St. Thomas so the kids could check out the Cruz Bay scene a couple times.

Ha! sorry about the slip!!!! I don't blame you for being "peeved". I struggle with that
We've booked a quad at Paradise Point in St. Thomas. Good choice? It is only a 3 star which concerns me, but anything over 3 stars, even if you could find accomodations to work for 2 parents and two "big" teenagers, get really expensive. Do you know the property? Is it decent? Thanks alot for your opinions.

Hi!

My husband & I just returned from the Sugar Bay Wyndham this past Saturday - and we absolutely LOVED it!. We are planning on returning next year with our boys.

Bridget

Bridget,
We are going to St. Thomas for the first time, next month; my husband and myself, my 20 year old and my 17 year old. We want to make sure they have a great time. What did you all do that you would recommend, and what would you not recommend? How was the weather?
Did you eat at some good restaurants?
Grateful for your input,
Linda

We'll be in St. Thomas the beginning of August. We want to do some great two tank dives and wonder if anyone can suggest the best dive shop. What are the best sites to dive?
Thanks!
Linda

Hello Linda,

I reposted your questions under a new thread entitled Linda's questions. This thread has a few different topics going on so figured you would get a better response with your own thread.

You can start new threads by clicking on New Topic at the top of this message board.

Thanks!!

--Islander