USVI-On-Line

The dates are decided (Oct 27 - Nov 3), the villa is booked (Argonauta), and tickets purchased (Delta SkyMiles). Now we are trying to decide if there is a vehicle big enough for six people and all our "stuff" - coolers, beach chairs, etc. Maybe it makes more sense to rent two vehicles? I would appreciate any advice from those who have traveled with other couples before.

Thanks!

I would recommend 2 vehicles. This will give you flexibility too. If 2 couples want to hit the beach and one couple wants to go hiking, you don't have to worry.

Last time, we rented a Mitsubishi Montero from Penns that would definitely hold 6 people and beach gear, but you really should consider getting 2 vehicles unless you're sure that everyone will be content with being tied to the hips all week...

Last year, we had five adults and one child. We rented two vehicles for two reasons 1.) Based on past experience, we didn't want to spend time trying to jam all our stuff into one vehicle. 2.)Flexibility and downtime away from each other the adults. Worked very well for us.

We are going in May with two other couples and will definitely rent two vehicles. First trip to St. John, but have traveled many other times with other couples and realize being able to go our separate ways at times is much needed.

That being said, they do offer Montero's which have enough seats for 6, but my parent's have one of those and crawling in and out of the back seat isn't that fun if you aren't a child and that leaves almost no room for gear!

I would definitely get 2 vehicles. When we went w/ 2 other couples - 6 adults and 2 kids - we got three vehicles. That way we all could do our own thing whenever we wanted/needed. Everyone didn't have to pack up and leave the beach if one kid was having a bad time or needed to go nap.

One vehicle for 6 people is a HUGE HUGE HUGE mistake. Make sure you get at least 2.

I'm going against the tide here... If most of the three couples are "newbies" to ST. John and you are only staying a week, I think a Montero or Durango will do just fine. Bring a cargo net or tie down straps for fixing your luggage to the roof rack for your arrival and departure. The difference for the extra car, about $300, can buy a lot of painkillers!

Also, if you decide to go the 1 car route, you can save at least $150 in taxi and ferry fees by renting at the airport instead of on St. John.

Even if they are newbies, it is nice to have the option to do something a little different. We travel with other couples all the time and we always want to have the option of doing things without the whole group.
There will be 6 in our party and only 2 of us have been there before and when we met, it was decided we wanted to have 2 cars.
It is all a matter of what everyone wants.