usvi-on-line
Am I crazy????
Vacation with or without?
Well, we vacationed in the FL Keys for about 5 yrs with very good friends. We started each in our own "keys motel" room, then shared space in a 2bdr/2bath house on the bay for a couple of years. Our time was great, then we each got a place, ours ocean side, theirs bay side. We all had a choice when to get together for shared fun times & when to totally relax.
If you rent your space first....a 1brd/1bath... then suggest that they rent their own & you'll get together occasionally...problem solved.
As of Feb '09 we have our own condo @ Mill Harbour in St Croix. It's a 3bdr/3bath & we already had 15 kids and grandkids in two waves(8 then 7 at a time). WHEW!
Our condo is on the beach, w/pool and restaurant & bar. Everyone was on their own schedule to do what they wanted. We gave them an island tour one day & then those late nighters walked to the condo bar while other vegged out.
A place like Mill Harbour, which also rents out their condos for a reasonable price, and this about 1500sq ft in the 3/3 units with 2 lg. galleries (patios/decks). In this type of place you can be as relaxed or active as you choose!
Can't wait to try it with friends.....we will be cautious. Good luck!
If you rent your space first....a 1brd/1bath... then suggest that they rent their own & you'll get together occasionally...problem solved.
As of Feb '09 we have our own condo @ Mill Harbour in St Croix. It's a 3bdr/3bath & we already had 15 kids and grandkids in two waves(8 then 7 at a time). WHEW!
Our condo is on the beach, w/pool and restaurant & bar. Everyone was on their own schedule to do what they wanted. We gave them an island tour one day & then those late nighters walked to the condo bar while other vegged out.
A place like Mill Harbour, which also rents out their condos for a reasonable price, and this about 1500sq ft in the 3/3 units with 2 lg. galleries (patios/decks). In this type of place you can be as relaxed or active as you choose!
Can't wait to try it with friends.....we will be cautious. Good luck!
We took a cruise with two other couples and one of the women would bitch so much at dinner every night( the sheets weren't right, I didn't get a complimentary bathrobe, the foods not good but I'll eat two entrees, this cruise just can't compare with ?) that I told her off the last night of the cruise (as Crash was kicking me under the table!). We've never spoken to them again and I haven't been on a cruise since.
Lesson: Choose your travel companions carefully. Sometimes it can ruin friendships. But I guess they weren't really friends in the first place...
This trip we're going with a couple and he's in AA. I'm still a practicing alcoholic so I told them we'd be at the bar after the beach and we'd catch up with them later!
Lesson: Choose your travel companions carefully. Sometimes it can ruin friendships. But I guess they weren't really friends in the first place...
This trip we're going with a couple and he's in AA. I'm still a practicing alcoholic so I told them we'd be at the bar after the beach and we'd catch up with them later!
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chicagoans
- Posts: 1586
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:51 pm
- Location: IL
We have 4 or 5 families that we vacation with in various configurations once or twice a year. We're very compatible, but still have our early risers (me) and late sleepers; our shoppers (not me) and adventurers. We ALWAYS get a car for each family. It works out great, and if someone's spouse wants to go shopping while the other wants to go to the beach, we all juggle around and fit everyone somewhere.
Separate cars is a necessity. I think you can make it work -- in the villa of your choice! -- if you feel comfortable telling them why you have to have a separate car. ("We'll be hanging at the beach most days; we know you love to go to town, so you'll need your own car because we don't plan on going.") Insist on it! Vacation time and $ are too precious to feel pressured into doing things you don't enjoy, or staying somewhere that's not really what you want.
BTW I'm from the western suburbs too. Nice to 'meet ya' here!
Separate cars is a necessity. I think you can make it work -- in the villa of your choice! -- if you feel comfortable telling them why you have to have a separate car. ("We'll be hanging at the beach most days; we know you love to go to town, so you'll need your own car because we don't plan on going.") Insist on it! Vacation time and $ are too precious to feel pressured into doing things you don't enjoy, or staying somewhere that's not really what you want.
BTW I'm from the western suburbs too. Nice to 'meet ya' here!
Ditto for sepreate cars....best recommmendation everchicagoans wrote:We have 4 or 5 families that we vacation with in various configurations once or twice a year. We're very compatible, but still have our early risers (me) and late sleepers; our shoppers (not me) and adventurers. We ALWAYS get a car for each family. It works out great, and if someone's spouse wants to go shopping while the other wants to go to the beach, we all juggle around and fit everyone somewhere.
Separate cars is a necessity. I think you can make it work -- in the villa of your choice! -- if you feel comfortable telling them why you have to have a separate car. ("We'll be hanging at the beach most days; we know you love to go to town, so you'll need your own car because we don't plan on going.") Insist on it! Vacation time and $ are too precious to feel pressured into doing things you don't enjoy, or staying somewhere that's not really what you want.
BTW I'm from the western suburbs too. Nice to 'meet ya' here!
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hoosierdaddy
- Posts: 920
- Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2009 11:53 am
- Location: Indiana
I guess the first question I have is would you rather not go with them. If not you should let them know in the nicest manor possible. If you do want to go with them it seems like seperate cars would help, but what about a villa thet had seperate sleeping quarters. I remember when I was doing my villa search I saw a few. In fact we stayed in a three bedroom and one of the bedrooms was only excessable from outside down some exterior steps.
I would tell them you are celebrating your 27-1/3 wedding anniversary (or some goofy date) and that you want to spend that special time alone with your spouse. Maybe they'll get the hint.dejavu wrote:I know that we should just say "no" but its very very hard. DH & I went to Bermuda last year for our 26th annv. ALONE and it was fabulous.
Our STJ vacations are meant to be a break from stress- other than the stress of choosing the beach du jour and what mixer to add to the potato juice.
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piscesgirl0314
- Posts: 598
- Joined: Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:31 pm
- Location: Chesapeake, VA
I totally agree with you bevm...we travel with the same couple all the time and always have a GREAT time with them...we're really lucky that we're all on the same page when it comes to where we want to go, what restaurant we want to eat at, etc...we've gone on four major trips with them and have no regrets...bevm wrote:We took a cruise with two other couples and one of the women would bitch so much at dinner every night( the sheets weren't right, I didn't get a complimentary bathrobe, the foods not good but I'll eat two entrees, this cruise just can't compare with ?) that I told her off the last night of the cruise (as Crash was kicking me under the table!). We've never spoken to them again and I haven't been on a cruise since.
Lesson: Choose your travel companions carefully. Sometimes it can ruin friendships. But I guess they weren't really friends in the first place...
This trip we're going with a couple and he's in AA. I'm still a practicing alcoholic so I told them we'd be at the bar after the beach and we'd catch up with them later!
D you are in a pickle good friends not all that compatible on vacation, lots of good suggestions, good luck on it. Glad we have travleing friends we are 100% on the same page or they would not be going. It's vacation not stresscation.
Bevm wrote
This trip we're going with a couple and he's in AA. I'm still a practicing alcoholic so I told them we'd be at the bar after the beach and we'd catch up with them later!
Bevm you always crack me up
Me too although the last couple months I have really simmered the drinkin down. Probably ought to ramp it up for our upcoming trip so It's not so shocking to the old Liver Your friend will have to be really strong around ya You Lush Leave a cherry or two for us on island
Bevm wrote
This trip we're going with a couple and he's in AA. I'm still a practicing alcoholic so I told them we'd be at the bar after the beach and we'd catch up with them later!
Bevm you always crack me up
Me too although the last couple months I have really simmered the drinkin down. Probably ought to ramp it up for our upcoming trip so It's not so shocking to the old Liver Your friend will have to be really strong around ya You Lush Leave a cherry or two for us on island-
David- n Hampton, VA
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Mon Aug 28, 2006 8:30 am
Dejavu, I am with everyone else here. Just get the villa, and be upfront about the idea that you and yours are taking a long slow break......from everyone.....
The place is too nice to be stressed about other people having their fun. If they comment on your schedule......just remind them the reason there are a bunch of different kinds of cake is that there are a bunch of people with different "favorite" cake types. To each his own!
The place is too nice to be stressed about other people having their fun. If they comment on your schedule......just remind them the reason there are a bunch of different kinds of cake is that there are a bunch of people with different "favorite" cake types. To each his own!
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mindehankins
- Posts: 3014
- Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:21 am
- Location: Western NY State
You mention that you are considering the Westin. We (me, DH, and 2 kids) stayed in the new 2 bedroom units a few weeks ago. Are you thinking about sharing this unit with the other couple?
While the units are beautifully decorated, marble countertops, indirect lighting, etc. The living space is tight- decent kitchen/dining area but in terms of couch/hanging out area - small. The master bedroom is decent size and the master bathroom is huge (seriously must be 25% of the entire square footage). We were on a first floor and in the second bedroom of those units there is no window. For us not a big deal, as it ensured the kids slept in a little later but a not exactly ideal.
Hope it works out for you whatever you decide. Traveling with friends definitely has it's pros & cons.
While the units are beautifully decorated, marble countertops, indirect lighting, etc. The living space is tight- decent kitchen/dining area but in terms of couch/hanging out area - small. The master bedroom is decent size and the master bathroom is huge (seriously must be 25% of the entire square footage). We were on a first floor and in the second bedroom of those units there is no window. For us not a big deal, as it ensured the kids slept in a little later but a not exactly ideal.
Hope it works out for you whatever you decide. Traveling with friends definitely has it's pros & cons.
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sailorgirl
- Posts: 1644
- Joined: Mon Oct 30, 2006 3:03 pm
Reading posts like this make me appreciate the group of friends we travel with every year.Our motto, "everyone gets to have the vacation they want, and no one is responsible for anyone else's vacation."
I agree with DJMom a frank but loving conversation which amkjes clear thast you will not be joined at the hip and that you want them to be able to do what they want, but you just don't enjoy doing all the same things.
Frankly I wonder if it is a case where the other couple would rather not spend time alone with each other or need a buffer.
I agree with DJMom a frank but loving conversation which amkjes clear thast you will not be joined at the hip and that you want them to be able to do what they want, but you just don't enjoy doing all the same things.
Frankly I wonder if it is a case where the other couple would rather not spend time alone with each other or need a buffer.