USVI-On-Line

So we are heading to STJ in just over a week! Yeah. With Grandma and 20 month old daughter. Do the beaches have chairs to rent? Or somewhere to rent those 1/2 upright beach chairs for a week? Don't want to travel with them.. but need for Grandma

Next question -- we are staying in Great Cruz Bay at a Villa near the Westin but not at the Westin on the other side of the bay.

We heard there is a new grocery store around there? What's the scoop?

If we wanted to get a taxi into town and back for dinner one night (Grandma staying with our daughter) are taxis available while we are there in September generally at any time in Cruz Bay (at night?) or need to arrange in advance? Who would you recommend? (Memories of New Years in Chicago with no taxi in the could have me worried.)

Third question -- cell phone service. Husband has Sprint; I have US Cellular. we have told each other that we would throw our blackberries in the water if we are working too much but just in case do these services work in STJ?

4th question - Our villa company recommended Warren Gordon fot Taxi to Red Hook. We hired Warren - $70 bucks from STT to Red Hook -- I think good price, but any comments?

Finally, I'm also turning 40 years old (OMG - Wtf?) in STJ that week -- thought day trip with Grandma and daughter including Baths, BVI etc would be great. Include family or just husband for BVI day and 40th Birthday?

Thanks ALL!!

Lisa from WI

Your villa will have beach chairs, no worries there.

I have heard that the new store is awesome, but it was not yet open when we were there in April


When you are in town, just go up the taxi stand and ask one of the drivers for their number. Tell them what you want to do and you should have no problem, but I would recommend arranging it in advance. September is quiet so they will be looking for work.

I know that ATT works well, but I have no experience with the others. Sorry


I recommend Rachel for a taxi but she is a friend and I don't pay, many folks here use her, so I am sure they will pop in with what she charges.

You can certainly call Capt John at Palm Tree Charters and he will be sure to give you a great day.
If you take a private boat to the Baths, you will need to swim in, so keep that in mind.

You probably can make taxis work but I highly recommend renting a vehicle while you're there on STJ. I'd also recommend purchasing a phone card that will allow you to make long distance calls while on the island (if you have to stay connected to the outside world, that is). Check with your wireless carriers to see if they can tell you anything about there coverage on STJ. My guess is there won't be any. Think about getting an AT&T Go-Phone. They are inexpensive. If you must stay connected, that's the way to go.

Are you getting a taxi b/c you don't want to drink and drive? Or because you won't have a rental?

I cant imagine going and staying in a villa and having to rely on a taxi. That is not going to be fun or convenient. Maybe others on the forum can comment on that- has anyone ever stayed in a villa without a car?

If your villa is close enough to walk to the Westin and you were planning on doing that for your beach, you will be missing out on the most beautiful part of St. John-the reason we all go-the beaches in the National Park and the more remote areas.

The Westing beach is not horrible, but it is really bad compared to the North Shore and others.

Hopefully you have a car and you just are needing the taxi for the night?

Hi Lisa & Jeff

I use me Sprint phone - it works great with no international charges. Just make sure you are not picking up the cell tower in BVI (roaming). Reception is good in Cruz Bay and for some reason at Francis.
I've stopped there just to make a call, if I'm out and about. (Note: I own a business, so I need to stay in touch )

You will have a great VACA on St John!

The new grocery was open when we were there in June. It is very nice. I thought their selection of produce looked much better than what is available at Starfish and Pine Peace. It's well stocked with a variety of items. They sell wine/beer, etc. also.

I just assumed that you had a car and wanted a taxi for yoru night out.

If you haven't rented a car, you need to do that now!

Lisa&Jeff wrote:So we are heading to STJ in just over a week! Yeah. With Grandma and 20 month old daughter. Do the beaches have chairs to rent? Or somewhere to rent those 1/2 upright beach chairs for a week? Don't want to travel with them.. but need for Grandma

Check with your villa or manager. They are most likely provided for you. If not, Cinnamon Bay has them for rent.
http://www.cinnamonbay.com/beachshop.html
Don't know if you can get them for more than a day.

You will have a great time!!
As far as phone coverage we have Sprint and have never had any problems.
We have always had beach chairs at our villas but as others have said you may want to check with the villa manager. If for some reason they do not you might try Christys of St John. I know they rent all kinds of equipment and have heard good things about them on the forum. You mentioned you are traveling with a 20 month old? I know Christys also rents
high chairs and cribs and car seats as well if you may be needing that kind of stuff but don't want to bring it. I have read a couple trip reports of people who have used them for kid's stuff.
Hope you have a great trip! Let us all know how you enjoyed it when you get back!!

I forgot to comment on the new grocery store near the Weston whose name escapes me at the moment. We were there in STJ in June and the store was open but they were really just getting set up and most items that were on the shelves weren't even marked yet. It was a very nice small store. I don't believe they had a meat or deli counter open yet at the time but I do recall that the produce was very nice and the prices that I did see were pretty close to the prices at Star Fish (which is a bit larger).

Do book your car/Jeep ASAP. You'll really want to have your own vehicle to explore the island. I can't image staying on STJ without a Jeep or some other type of 4WD vehicle.

Lisa and Jeff--As I recall, you are renting Pink Conch which is a nice new house rented through Caribbean Villas. They will provide you with beach chairs. You will definitely need a car or jeep---you probably already have one and we are just misinterpreting your post. Have a great trip!

Thanks all. Yes -- we have the Jeep for the week. But hoping for a night out for hubby and me and to drink without worrying about driving. So that's why we would want to be able to arrange for a taxi.

We did rent some baby stuff from Christy's but I didn't see chairs or things like that on the website.

We have been able to rent baby stuff directly through the villa management company (or through the owner--via their villa management company--if that was the route we were going).

Agree with others that you will have beach chairs provided for your use at your villa (if for some odd reason they are not, or are broken or rusted out for some reason, just call the management company--they should be out right away with new ones, at least that's been our experience).

As far as going to the Baths--from my perspective, when you are celebrating one of the "big ones," the more the merrier. They all will have different perspectives and memories of you and will contribute to your having a special day of happy (as opposed to regretful) memories

Why are you taking a private taxi rather than just a regular taxi to Red Hook? Regular taxi would be almost 1/2 of private taxi but perhaps you're in a rush to catch a particular ferry or getting in very late?

Went to the new grocery in June. Really liked it because of it's convenience & parking. A LOT of items were still unmarked and, personally, I just don't buy items--even on vacation--that I DK how much they cost, so I'd bring up the 3 different jars of mayo (e.g.) and have them scan them and just buy the most reasonable. They had no problem with that.

I did enjoy the ambience of shopping there but still stopped in at Pine Peace and Starfish (or Gourmet Wine & Cheese) to get the particular items I like or that were more reasonable.

Have a great time!