USVI-On-Line

bride's and my strategy for more economical trips to stj is last minute travel that results in significant villa discounts usually 30% off book rates via cloud nine villas. two trips we had to plan ahead, we weent with another couple who shared villa costs with us (50% off is cheaper than last minute discounts).

last minute travel for us doesn't involve higher last minute airfares but does require flexibility that my retirement makes possible. (bride's a kept woman and been retired since oldest daughter born 40 yrs ago). in 1994 our bady daughter tossed a career of teaching unrulely kids for one with an atlanta based airline, sooo we have standby pass privileges on the airline that has only atl to stt nonstops.

ftls are free BUTTT only if there are empty seats. so we have to be flexible and watch flt loads and villa availability. sometimes involves leaving and returning on non weekend days but most of times get to fly first class. have done mid dec last 4 yrs but trip not firmed up until few days before leaving.

after 8 trips, always made trips on planned dates, eventhough we've had to go or leave a day early a couple of times to make our flt. also in dec 06 had to buy tickets on cape air stt to sju to catch flt with seats to atl.

god, i love being retired and planning trips (and getting last minute discounts).

moral - don't let your kids grow up to be cowboys (or anything else that won't make them stinking rich), pray they have shaky careers with an airline with parental pass privs and stt nonstops from a city near you!

happy new year to all,

papabou

ps i know i owe a trip report about me and buddy's stj snorkel adventure earlier this month. it soon come. preview, any of you on stj 12/15 to 21 see a couple of old f*rts, one bald (me) and one in a royal blue with red trim snorkel/sun suit (a lot like spiderman's) with yellow snorkel vest that he wore all over the island not just when snorkeling? i did make him take it off before going into starfish market, even i have a dress code. pb

Thanks everyone - you have come up with some great ideas so far! I really appreciate it. One thing I think I have identified as boosting our trip price up is the length of time we like to go for. Because we live in the northeast (and I know it's the same for lots and lots of us) it takes us a whole day to get to St John and a whole day home so we have been trying to be gone for 12 days total which leaves us with 10 days in paradise. We have always gone off season, never rented an exorbitant villa and usually eat in far more than we eat out but I am thinking that those extra days are what puts this over the top pricewise. So, my next question is - if you go for a week or say 8 or 9 days is that enough?

I also am going to try and work on a good frequent flyer card as our airfare is always exorbitant and I try and shop hard too! We usually end up paying at least 1000. for airfare alone. If you have any more ideas keep em coming!! Happy New Year to all!!!

I like to do 2 or 3 one week vactions a year so I don't have to stay away so long

We also get FF miles on AA with an Advantage card. We put everything on it, including the light bill and daughters college expenses. It takes us about 2 1/2 months to get one ticket. Less during Christmas. But you have to pay the bill off every month or it's not worth it. OUCH!! We also usually have to travel mid week to get the lowest required miles. If I remember correctly, they give you a load of miles when you sign up.

Also, if you are traveling with just your husband or with one or two kids, Cruz Views is the best deal I've found for a relatively nice place. AC, great views, all the necessities you'd find in a villa, except no washer or dryer. It's about a 40 second drive up the road from Woody's, so you can easily get home after a fun night out. No biggy. #3 has an awesome bathroom and I just found out they've remodeled the kitchen. Really nice covered deck area too. But you won't save money by not renting a car. I tried that once and I spent more on cabs than the car would have cost and I had the frustration of having to wait for the taxi to fill up before departing. That can be a looooog wait. Especially in low season and it's HOT just sitting there.

Meals.........Cafe Roma: you can split a meal and be full. It's very reasonable Candys Bar-be -que: also split a meal Deli Grotto: Best chicken salad I've ever eaten. Sun Dog Cafe: very reasonable Woody's and The Beach Bar: Great hamburgers and cheap.
I think you can eat out in those places cheaper than buying groceries. We always have food we didn't finish and have to throw away. Be careful you don't overshop at Starfish or Dolphin Market. It adds up REALLY fast. Don't buy a big chunk of cheese or a big jar of peanut butter to use a tiny bit.

Good luck! It can be done.

DELETED

SJfromNJ, I've thought of the timeshare route in the past. I like to try different properties when I am with the group. But, it would certainly make sense for just two of us.

The only real downside is the same for all vacation properties that require air travel: the expected rise in the cost of travel. Air travel in the US is still incredibly cheap considering the pressure on fuel costs. This argues much more strongly against an investement property. I don't see a timeshare as an investment, but more of a pre-paid vacation, so there's less risk of depreciation. I'm still going to vacation, no matter what. Ocean City, MD is not a replacement!

Cheers, RickG