Ever hear of anyone who DID NOT love St John?

[PA Girl]

Friends of the family recently returned and while they didn't say anything negative, I sort of got the impression that they didn't love it. They are definately the resort type that like the security (in an emotional sense) of a packaged environment.

During our first trip to Caneel (our honeymoon) there were several honeymoon couples in our general age (24 and 29) range that were very, very upset. They thought they were going to an all inclusive type of resort and could not get over the lack of a swim-up bar, no tvs, and at that time, no ac. One girl from NJ really sticks out in my mind as she complained no-stop about the sand. (we were on a day trip together)

I read the Caneel reviews once in a while and am just amazed by the complaints. Don't these people have a clue about their desitnation?

My favorite was the honeymoon couple that said the only thing that saved their Caneel honeymoon is that they brought his laptop along so they could at least watch DVDs. Hello?!?!

[iowaguy]

PA Girl---Thats pretty funny about the DVD player (and the complaints about the sand). We too spent our honeymoon at Caneel (for us, about a hundred years ago). I remember it was raining quite hard one day, and this couple had asked the front desk what they could do since the beach was out. They were incensed when the staff person suggested they "read a book, or play a game." I guess they were hoping for an indoor bowling alley or something.

[waterguy]

on your honeymoon and you can't find some thing to do I know what my fall back would be

[pipanale]

I had to advise people not to go. They had heard me rave about StJ, but wanted casinos, resorts, swim up bars. I told them to go to Aruba.

[Nic in KC]

At the end of our August trip last year we rode back to the airport on STT with a couple who had just completed their first trip. We were all so sad to be leaving and they were happy to "get out of there". They stayed in a villa and were upset that it took "so long" to get to the beach or restaurants. They wanted waiters to bring you drinks on the beach and restaurants with a/c. It was hilarious to here them talk. It ended up coming out that they are cruise people and that's the only kind of trip they prefer. They only went to the beach one day on their trip and they didn't care for it. Whatever works for them, I guess!

[California Girl]

they are cruise people and that's the only kind of trip they prefer. They only went to the beach one day on their trip and they didn't care for it.

Nic, that is so funny! And we are SO NOT cruise people! We hate being cooped up on a ship with nowhere else to go, it's claustrophobic!

I say let all those people who don't like STJ stick with their impressions! That way I won't have to be sitting next to them at The Balcony or in the Beach Bar listening to them bitch

[Xislandgirl]

Back in my on island days, I was working at Paradiso. One very busy night, I waited on a couple. I approached the table and introduced myself and asked them if they would like a drink. They ordered and as I walked away, she told her husband “you can certainly tell that we are not in NY”

I arrived back at the table with their drinks and did my usual routine. “do you have questions, have you decided what you would like, blah, blah” The husband said that they were ready to order and ordered for both of them. I did not write it down, as we did not write down orders for parties under 6, just a restaurant policy. She looked at me and said “why didn’t you right anything down, you are going to get it wrong, this would never happen in NY, they always write it down so there are no mistakes.” I repeated the order back to them and assured them that there would be no mistakes as I walked away she made another comment about not being in NY.

This went on through all the courses, she would always have a comment about how things were done in NY, how this was not NY, etc.

I brought the check and she grabbed it and told me that her meal was terrible and my service was even worse and that there would be no tip. She said that perhaps the people of STJ should all take a trip to NY to learn how things are properly done and she had thought that the USVI would be more urban considering it was a US Territory. I was so shocked, I lost my cool and asked her if she had seen the Empire State Building on STJ. She said “Of course not” and I smiled and replied “ That is because you are not in NY, perhaps you should go back”

As they were leaving, the husband walked past the hostess station where I was trying to cool down and slipped me a $50

I guarantee that they never returned to STJ

[canucknyc]

I was so shocked, I lost my cool and asked her if she had seen the Empire State Building on STJ. She said “Of course not” and I smiled and replied “ That is because you are not in NY, perhaps you should go back”

Yeah, Xislandgirl!!! Way to go! Love it

[California Girl]

Yay X! Don't you just love it when you actually say what you usally say "I shoulda' said..."!?!

[Bug]

Hey X ~ YOU ROCK!!!

Isn't it funny how her hubby slipped you the $50. Almost make you feel bad that the poor guy is stuck with her cuz you know if he left her, she would hire a NY lawyers to take him for all he's got!!! Hehehehe

XOXO
Bug

[Nic in KC]

X-that is hilarious! In the age of the internet where we all research our trip, I feel like people still just pick a destination without having done any research. If I was looking for amazing beaches and relaxation I definitely wouldn't choose NY. Likewise, if I was looking for tons of entertainment (movies, plays, high end shops, etc) and a fast pace, I wouldn't pick St. John. It's like going to Mexico and being mad that the people don't speak English. That complaint cracks me up every time.

Cali Girl-we've done the cruise for the experience and had a great time, but I need room to roam too. I always got sad at the end of each day when we had to get back on the ship, but I wouldn't have found St. John if I hadn't taken the last cruise so it was definitely worth it!

[Otters]

And: "My foie gras was not deveined properly." (Glad you really got into the island vibe).

I spit out my coffee at that one! ROFL. Maybe it's because we live in San Francisco and can get a good foie gras whenever we want (which isn't often because it's pretty expensive), but we do not travel to the islands for that.

:::still chuckling out loud.:::

Although I probably sound like a hypocrite because I confess we are packing some lovely half bottles of Napa valley wine in the checked luggage along with our favorite coffee and ::shrug:: a grinder. I know, I know (hanging head), but it is our vacation and these little luxuries matter to us.

[chicagoans]

I read an old thread on the TA forum awhile ago from a guy who didn't like STJ because of "all the hills" and he couldn't stay right on a beach. Another case of someone who didn't do his homework. Hello? It's a mountain!

I can imagine some people I know not liking STJ. My aunt and uncle have a time share in St. Maarten, and have enjoyed their trips to St. Croix and St. Thomas. But they stay at nice resorts like the Ritz on STT. I can't see them enjoying the driving and goats and other funky things that I find charming on STJ, and they're used to a different level of service. But that's OK -- they're happy, I'm happy, and they're stimulating the local economy more than I can!

I think alot of people really enjoy a fancy resort experience and even spend more time at the pool than in the ocean or sea. The travel industry needs people like that... just not on STJ!

[flip-flop]

I couldn't make this up if I tried.

In 2003 we went with one of my best friends. She loved it. Flash forward a few years, her friend is getting married and wants a suggestion for a honeymoon. My friend suggests STJ. Her friend goes. They stayed in reef bay. They HATED it and were terrified. They thought the wind was people trying to break into their house and they slept with a kitchen knife under the pillow. They also went to 1 beach decided they didn't like it and took the ferry to STT to buy DVDs to watch for the rest of the week.

In 2007 I met a fellow forumite on island who had been VERY active on the forum in the lead up to the trip (haven't really seen said forumite around since the trip). I got the impression she was not very pleased with the experience she was having. Too much construction, didn't like the food, etc.

[djmom]

YES. A friend of mine (who can be a real whiner BTW) came back from her honeymoon about 15 years ago (before we had heard of ST. John) and just said it was the honeymoon from hell, how horrible it was, AWFUL AWFUL AWFUL, hot, bugs, she would have gone home early if she could have, etc...

She was at Caneel and I guess it was before AC.

What a way to start a marriage being a total *itch.

Don't think it has changed too much.

But come on! Find a way to have fun, she was acting like the place was a dump. NOt a word about hey, it had the most beautiful beaches in the world!!!

So when we got on the island and saw everything (this was probably 5 years later) we just had to laugh because "Thats Amy". Better be first class all the way with ALL the trimmings, her way or the highway. No flexibility at all.

Island time? Not gonna fly with her while she is waiting on her umbrella drink!

One of these people with money that thinks they are special? I hate that. I like the kind of people with money that you would never know they had it. (I like being friends with them too HA HA )

That is the key, if you are not a real flexible person, the first visit might be a real shocker if you don't do some research first!