I might suggest that you have a dinner cruse with the lights on over STT and pop the question over a glass of champane. I would do it as you begin to enter the red hook bay. If possible I would try to do it when there is a full moon!

The place is not the issue, it is the moment that counts.

billd

I'm with billd. I think a night time proposal is sooooooo much more romantic but then I am a real GIRL about these things. You are on a cruise ship. Talk to the nice concierge people and arrange a romantic dinner with the lights of STT or heck any island in the view and a glass of champagne. Trying to do a day trip by yourself during the window you have is going to be rushing it. (and I manage charter yachts ;-). Don't forget the chocolate, the flowers and the fact that it is only a short stroll back to your cabin.

Pamela

Thanks for the responses: there will for sure be champange involved either way, and I agree that it should be romatic. I dont think that a night cruise is applicable since we will only be there during the day. I have allready spoken to the concierge with the cruise ship and they dont offer any "engagment" packages. I.e they wont really go out of their way for me. So, I have the boat rented for the day, the captain, and everything alligned to pop the question.... I just need some suggestions as to where to do it. This is the first day of the crusie so I want to make sure we can enjoy being engaged the entire crusise and I dont have the pressure hanging over me!

I would think the boat rental people and captain should know the waters best and be able to suggest some place very private and beautiful for you to propose. I also think it's a very romantic plan. She's a lucky woman.

I do have a suggestion, though. If you have to snorkel into the beach, consider how you will secure the ring while you are in the water wearing nothing but your bathing suit.

Trying to pick the exact spot ahead of time is an unnecessary worry - the perfect white sand beach/island will be out there and present itself as your Captain drives you along the beautiful Virgin Islands - if it is "Sandy Spit" you will know it - remember a trip to the BVI - will require passports and a stop at Customs and Immigration in both the BVI and USVI coming back. It is certainly not impossible to find a wonderful deserted beach / island without leaving the USVI though - St John and St Thomas have some outlying cays and more remote beaches that are accessible by the type of vessel you chartered with a local captain.
Enjoy the day, wear extra sunscreen especially because it is the 1st day of your cruise - a long full day on a powerboat can be overpowering for sun exposure. Your romantic spot will be out there --- when you see it you will know!

You will know the spot and the time when you see it!

Not sure there is a bad place in the VI

Thanks for the responses. I appreciate the advice. I am interested in knowing more about the cays in and around the US-VI. Does anyone have any maps of specific locatoins?

Thanks again!

Maybe you can ask the captain ahead of time to have some places in mind. Sometimes weather conditions can dictate what may be best for that day.If the boat is beautiful that you chartered you may consider doing it on the boat too. in a beautiful setting. with champagne of course.

"A natural history Atlas to the Cays of the U.S. Virgin Islands" - by Dammann and Nellis
Pineapple Press - Drawer 16008 Southside Station Sarasota FL 34239
ISBN 1-56164-022-0
If you can find this book - copyright1992 - it is extremely comprehensive - and really interesting -
------------- OR maybe look in your local library for a Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands -- these are written for boaters and have good charts
use google maps?? Ihaven't tried this.
Put 18'N Lat 64' West Lon into a GPS and see if it will bring up the USVI

Or you can quit worrying so much. Everywhere you turn will be a beautiful location. Truly no worries!!

Talk to the captain. There are lots of cays that look nice, but are untenable as anchorages. I don't think you would be able to just say "Let's go there!" Also, what is a nice stop today with northeasterly winds will be a bad idea when there are southerly winds. Again, the captain gets the big bucks for a reason! 😉

Sorry to hear the cruise ship won't help you. That smacks of really crappy customer service and totally lacking a sense of romance. Which boat are you going on? There are many, many lovely spots and I am sure the Captain/Mate will help you. We charter boat people are incredibly accommodating!

Let us know if we can help!

Pamela
S/Y Catatonic

Again, thanks for your thoughts. I guess I wouldnt categorize that the curise ship has been unhelpful, its just that they have no way of notating that there is an impending engagment for us. They can notate honneymoons and anniversarys, but not engagments. I will speak to the concierage as soon as I get on the boat, but again its tough to keep these things a secret. I live and work with my girlfriend, so the ammount of time I actually have to plan is limited! I cant wait to be there though.

Thanks again.

Ok, we now have a cruise ship involved....

So here it is my suggestion. Forget the power boat
Get off the cruise ship - first one off
Get a taxi to Red Hook
Catch Ferry to St John
Get a Cab to drive you to the fence at Gibney/Oppenheimer Beach

It is the beach right past Hawknest
Walk through the gates down the path to the water

Snorkel to the right about 100-150 yards
You will find Very Little Hawknest Beach
I know this is confusing: There is Hawknest, Little Hawknest, Gibney, Oppenheimer, and very little Hawknest Beachs

On very little Hawknest - Only two people can fit

This is where the shinny bling comes out

Enjoy your time there

Snorkel back to Hawknest

Catch a cab and then it is back to STT to catch the ship

Mission accomplished

This would be the perfect spot. At the far end of the beach. Easy access for a 26 ft boat. You know the saying "the only foot prints in the sand will be yours" this is it.

http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/10/03/beach-break-guana-island/

If you haven't done it yet, i would take her to Megan's bay. It is pretty secluded and you can walk for miles down the side of the rocks. there is a private beach down there as well.

Magens is a beautiful spot but on cruise ships days it's very crowded. I'd leave it up to the captain of the boat who'll know exactly where to take you!

unobtanium wrote:
Thanks for the responses. I appreciate the advice. I am interested in knowing more about the cays in and around the US-VI. Does anyone have any maps of specific locatoins?
Thanks again!

Google Earth is a free download that you can use to explore places...it is super cool!

Here's a link to a screenshot of the area from Google Earth...

Honeymoon Beach on Water Island without a doubt