usvi-on-line
Suggestions for first timers on limited budget
-
Sun4MySoul
- Posts: 524
- Joined: Sun May 06, 2007 1:37 pm
- Location: NC
Nancy- For lower cost rentals, I would check out your options on VRBO.COM. Some of the one bedrooms are very reasonable, I think. There are even some apartment type places that are a part of a larger house that the owner lives in, that are really pretty cheap. I stayed in one of them once and was not bothered by owners, had a great view, good location, etc. Which side of the island are you looking at?
Gromits surefire test for potential traveling companions -- questions and hazing 101
Like everyone else I think that this situation warrants some serious evaluation before jumping in.
We've done all kinds of trips with all kinds of folks and have learned LOTS of lessons along the way. For the recent trip with the in-laws see "Gromits Adventures in Happy Land" especially the synopsis of do's and dont's for my last installment.
So much about the success of a trip with folks like this centers around communication. Communicate clearly, honestly, early and often (sorry it's the PR guru in me!) Never assume that your traveling companions see things the same way you do.
IF you decide to progress any further with these folks I suggest that you go you to a restaurant where they won't bug you if you stay for a while and make sure it's not too noisy so you can have a good talk. Also make sure you get ONE check (more on this later).
Tell them you're interested in talking about this trip but you need to make sure that you lay down a few ground rules first and to make sure that they're OK with them.
Determine the cost of their share of the villa and tell them that you need their portion 30 days in advance of the trip. They shoud also agree that this is not refundable. (This shows their actual financial commitment to the trip)
Tell them how much flights and their own Jeep will cost.
TEll them what dinners and food cost on island.
Tell them how you like to spend your time on island (what's your routine? Because it may be very different on island than off).
Agree in advance who will pay for what and when.
Always ask for separate checks (Except for this night).
Ask them what their expectations are -- honestly. What do they want out of this trip? An escape? Relaxation? Hiking everyday? Drinking from morning until night? CLothing optional vacationing? (OK kidding on that last one-- OK maybe not).
Make sure they understand they you don't want to be attached at the hip for the duration of the trip.
If you have ground rules for your villa- no loud music etc. make sure that you communicate this with them.
Tell them the good things and bad things about STJ-- can be hot and humid, bug bites, not fancy etc. See what their reaction is.
Finally tell them that you want to think about it some more and tell them that you will get back with them in a few days and that you want them to think about it as well.
Finally ask for that single check. See how they behave when paying for it. Do they
1) Offer to pick up the whole check as a thank you to you for considering taking them on the trip? Or do they offer to just split it down the middle knowing that they probably actually don't owe that much?
OR
2) Do they carefully go through the check deteriming to the penny what is theirs and what is yours?
OR
3) Do they leave a small tip-- or worse, none at all?
OR
4) DO they totally shortchange you on the bill?
Any behavior that falls into categories 2,3,or 4 is a huge warning sign and I would avoid taking the trip with these folks. Wait a few days and then just tell them that you really want some "alone" time with your spouse and that you might consider another trip with them in future after you've had a chance to get to know one another a bit better.
If they fall into category #1 then I would give it a go. This behavoir would tell me that they are generous and considerate and will think of you before themselves. That they will try and at least offer to do the right thing even if you don't take them up on it. Also I would insist on splitting the bill with them in the end to be fair.
Just my .02.
Like everyone else I think that this situation warrants some serious evaluation before jumping in.
We've done all kinds of trips with all kinds of folks and have learned LOTS of lessons along the way. For the recent trip with the in-laws see "Gromits Adventures in Happy Land" especially the synopsis of do's and dont's for my last installment.
So much about the success of a trip with folks like this centers around communication. Communicate clearly, honestly, early and often (sorry it's the PR guru in me!) Never assume that your traveling companions see things the same way you do.
IF you decide to progress any further with these folks I suggest that you go you to a restaurant where they won't bug you if you stay for a while and make sure it's not too noisy so you can have a good talk. Also make sure you get ONE check (more on this later).
Tell them you're interested in talking about this trip but you need to make sure that you lay down a few ground rules first and to make sure that they're OK with them.
Determine the cost of their share of the villa and tell them that you need their portion 30 days in advance of the trip. They shoud also agree that this is not refundable. (This shows their actual financial commitment to the trip)
Tell them how much flights and their own Jeep will cost.
TEll them what dinners and food cost on island.
Tell them how you like to spend your time on island (what's your routine? Because it may be very different on island than off).
Agree in advance who will pay for what and when.
Always ask for separate checks (Except for this night).
Ask them what their expectations are -- honestly. What do they want out of this trip? An escape? Relaxation? Hiking everyday? Drinking from morning until night? CLothing optional vacationing? (OK kidding on that last one-- OK maybe not).
Make sure they understand they you don't want to be attached at the hip for the duration of the trip.
If you have ground rules for your villa- no loud music etc. make sure that you communicate this with them.
Tell them the good things and bad things about STJ-- can be hot and humid, bug bites, not fancy etc. See what their reaction is.
Finally tell them that you want to think about it some more and tell them that you will get back with them in a few days and that you want them to think about it as well.
Finally ask for that single check. See how they behave when paying for it. Do they
1) Offer to pick up the whole check as a thank you to you for considering taking them on the trip? Or do they offer to just split it down the middle knowing that they probably actually don't owe that much?
OR
2) Do they carefully go through the check deteriming to the penny what is theirs and what is yours?
OR
3) Do they leave a small tip-- or worse, none at all?
OR
4) DO they totally shortchange you on the bill?
Any behavior that falls into categories 2,3,or 4 is a huge warning sign and I would avoid taking the trip with these folks. Wait a few days and then just tell them that you really want some "alone" time with your spouse and that you might consider another trip with them in future after you've had a chance to get to know one another a bit better.
If they fall into category #1 then I would give it a go. This behavoir would tell me that they are generous and considerate and will think of you before themselves. That they will try and at least offer to do the right thing even if you don't take them up on it. Also I would insist on splitting the bill with them in the end to be fair.
Just my .02.
*Another fine scatterbrained production
Rick-- I disagree.
At least for me-- an understanding about how people approach things really does help and avoids pitfalls that can damage relationships and ruin a vacation.
It's better to put it all out there and know what you're dealing with than to risk ruining your precious vacation time.
To be fair your "Adult day care" quip implies that I want to control what someone else does with their time while there.
My point is that I want to make sure I don't end up getting screwed financially or otherwise. been there. done that.
Perhaps you're fine with that.. so I'll just pass the KY lubricant your way my friend!
How are your enjoying these amazing temps in NOVA?? I was like 58 yesterday!!
At least for me-- an understanding about how people approach things really does help and avoids pitfalls that can damage relationships and ruin a vacation.
It's better to put it all out there and know what you're dealing with than to risk ruining your precious vacation time.
To be fair your "Adult day care" quip implies that I want to control what someone else does with their time while there.
My point is that I want to make sure I don't end up getting screwed financially or otherwise. been there. done that.
Perhaps you're fine with that.. so I'll just pass the KY lubricant your way my friend!
How are your enjoying these amazing temps in NOVA?? I was like 58 yesterday!!
*Another fine scatterbrained production
Ya, no disrespect intended, I just think that if it's that hard before-hand it's going to harder on arrival.
I've had some painful "I don't like my room, I saw a bug, the roads scare me, I need to drive from Maho to a place with a pristine toilet and hot water to wash my hands, these Bocaburgers cost more than at home" companions in the past.
Compare that with a week with Jorge and the Bs, "no problem, we're easy, where did all the rum go?" Now, that's relaxing.
Cheers, RickG
I've had some painful "I don't like my room, I saw a bug, the roads scare me, I need to drive from Maho to a place with a pristine toilet and hot water to wash my hands, these Bocaburgers cost more than at home" companions in the past.
Compare that with a week with Jorge and the Bs, "no problem, we're easy, where did all the rum go?" Now, that's relaxing.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI