USVI-On-Line

My family and I have the bug. Just booked our now "annual" trip for next Feb. For the past two years, we have stayed at Maho Bay for a few nights, followed by a week at a villa (Vistaero in '08 and Hawksnest in '09). While there this year, we made an "interesting" discovery. The kids (4 - all under 13) said they would rather have stayed at Maho and NOT rented a villa at all. I guess they didn't care for the 1) comfy beds; 2) refrigerated food; 3) amazing sunsets; 4) warm showers or 5) pool/hot tubs!

Anyway - I think what we realized was that what they really liked was meeting other kids - or at least the possibility of that - in a "camp" setting. One brainstorm I am kicking around is 7 nights at Maho, followed by a week-long cruise out of SJU. I know - "how gross is that? Total polar opposites" Here's the rationale: I can't do two weeks at Maho. I love it - but I love a hot shower and frankly because of the set up and ages; we split up into two tents so my wife and I are in different cabins. NOT a vacation that way. The cruise would give us some "luxury living" and also show us some of the other islands (never been to St. Lucia, for e.g.). Also, the kids could go to the "clubs" at night and hang out with other kids - they did love the last one we did. All in - it would also be LESS expensive than the villas we have rented (and food is covered too).

Anyone done anything like this??

Thanks for any input!

Dux

that is a pretty cool idea. the only concern I would have is packing issues.

I think I would have to do the cruise first. Although luxury second would be nice, I cant imagine bringing wet St. John stuff on a cruise ship. Unless you could wash it before you leave. I don't know the situation at Maho for that.

towels, etc...?

I woold ship a box of your cruise clothes to Connections before you leave home.
The the day before you leave, box up all your dirty maho clothes and ship them home. Refill the suitcase with cruise clothes and you are good to go.

You can always drop of a few loads of laundry in town and pick up clean folded clothes the next day, too.

Have a great time!

HMMMM. That's a great point . . . I didn't think about the difference in cruise clothing vs. STJ style. The solution must be to pack up just a few things you woudl ONLY wear on the cruise; and then send out all of your Maho clothing to be laundered when you get on the ship.

I knew it was a good idea to post this here! Thanks!

Where's a good place to get laundry done in town (clean and folded the next day as you say), and what does it generally cost?

Santos just before Starfish is a decent place. Also, I think Moses just opened another one up on Centerline just after Gift Hill Rd on the right. We just went by it tonight and it appears open. Very nice- and pink.

Dux,

Been looking to see if you posted a trip report for your 09 trip and couldn't find one. What did you guys think of Hawksnest villa?