How is high season different?

[Marcia (Mrs. Pete)]

"The people that visit at Christmas are very wealthy."

Well, on the plus side, Marsh, it turns out that we are rich. That's some positive news, right?

Yippeeeeeee! We're rich! That's the best news I've heard all day!

[Xislandgirl]

1. You are rich
2. You will be on STJ
3. You will be with your family
4. Marcia is always island fancy
5. Repeat all of the above

[PA Girl]

At first read, I thought Betty's post was tongue in check.

We haven't been for Christmas but our "regular" week spans Presidents Week and I have a hard time believing a short span of "attitude" over takes over the the island to the extent it changes the feel if St. John.

[Betty]

Hi Pa Girl

Presidents Week usually overlaps or coincides with 8 Tuff Miles, you get a different crowd that week. Also Presidents Week lodging is not as expensive as it is for Christmas. 99% of Christmas Villa rentals and Caneel/Westin all almost raise High Season rates from 50-75% more for Christmas. I know a couple of people who live on STJ that just rent their homes out for just Xmas 2 weeks, they go visit relatives in the States and make a chunk of change. Now that Maho is closed I have heard Cinnamon Campgrounds is getting record breaking prices for their spots for "xmas affordable" rents. I have been here as a Christmas Tourist staying at Caneel and now a resident of St John, this is my perspective and experience. PaGirl would love to see you when your on island again. PM me and when your coming back!

[PA Girl]

Interesting, your description reminds me of what we saw in Anguilla.

We will be down beginning of February, I'll be in touch before then.

[EagleRayLover]

First of all there is a big difference between low season and high season.

What you should be asking is; What is the difference between High Season and Christmas/New Years two weeks? From Dec 21 until January 5th, You will see a Gigantic Difference and It Is Crazy, the island is packed with people that pay a lot of money to be there.The people that visit at Christmas are very wealthy. Coach Airfare from Boston right now is about $1500.-$3000. a ticket, same from most other northern cities. Most of these people are not on VIOL or Peeps, they only come to STJ at Xmas/NewYears.

I just reserved the last Jeep Wrangler on STT/STJ yesterday for one of my guests from a car agency on STT. I heard Denzil is holding out one jeep for a celebrity. Otherwise all jeeps are all rented out on both islands with all agencies. A few "cars" on STT still available.

My daughter is a hostess at one of the nicer restaurants in Cruz Bay and she just told me she is getting holiday weeks reservation requests hourly. I am sending a note to all of my holiday guests to make their dinner reservations now.

If you like Jumbie or Oppenheimer or any of the small beaches get there at 8am to get a parking space. Same with Honeymoon and Caneel. In past years Caneel has limited the parking spaces allowed to go out to Honeymoon. They have to keep parking spaces for their guests. And room for the added taxi's. This is when Caneel and most every other lodging in St John jacks up their prices. I do not know how they are going to handle the ZoZo's reservations from the outside, maybe they will have Valet to the employee parking area.

The island is filled with lots of teens and under 21's that want to drink legally and stay out very late partying at night. They will make tons of friends and have a blast.

You will not see as many locals in town at night.
The Christmas and New Years Crowd dress up at night, not usual St John Island Casual.

The last few years we have had family and friends visit these two weeks, this year they all want to visit off season. You will either love it or decide never to repeat!

Someone was asking about the week before Xmas, the 2 weeks before xmas are a blast, lots of local restaurants have their parties. You have the Mongoose Junction Prom, You have the St John Brewers Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, The Parrot Club has a huge bash as does most of the other bars to celebrate before the tourists arrive. Everyone is happy and in the holiday spirit, very few tourists.

I'm playing with you during those two weeks!![FACE WITH STUCK-OUT TONGUE AND WINKING EYE]