USVI-On-Line

confession: St. John addict in the making and I haven't even been there yet!!!

basic facts: arriving July 10th, staying in Villas at the Westin. Yes, I have both recommended books: Feet, Fins & Four-Wheel drive & St John Off the Beaten Path

my question(s) (won't be my last) has to do with car rental. Sort of a logistic riddle/quiz. Given the size of our group and the basic fact that being on St John means exploring St. John to experience the beaches and snorkeling, knowing that we won't all be moving en masse but there might be that one time that we all want to meet up on a certain beach or bar (advance apologies if we are there when you are. We are a fun group but still ...)

could we get away with renting 2 large suv type cars and cram in if we have to then relying on a cab for overflow if necessary? or just go for it, be safer by renting 3 cars?

the specifics of our multi-generational family group:
Age range: youngest is 5, most "mature" is 84
Group comprised of:
my dad
3 middle age couples (myself & my 2 brothers and spouses)
1 younger couple (niece & DH)
1 newlywed couple (another niece & DH)
2 college age girls, 19 & 21
1 teenage boy
2 young boys - 5 & 7

thanks!

Welcome to our rag-tag group of tropical adicts.

I'm thinking with a group that large and diverse, four cars my be more appropriate. It will give you maximum flexibility. You will find, I think, that there will be smaller groups who want to go to different places and a different times.

You are going to have so much fun. Relax and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

JIM

I'll chime in. Three at a minimum, 4 would be better.

I would recommend at least three vehicles also. That is a huge group to manage. My hat is off to you for taking up the challenge. Here is a link to a list authored by a frequent contributor to this forum. Some of it may apply.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1 ... lands.html

The difference being that he deals with groups of friends. So there is a certain control factor there that you don't have. Good luck and have fun. I'm sure you will have a wonderful time.

Couldn't agree more with the above posters. Think about it, you're spending a ton to go to STJ between flights and lodging, when you get there you'll see you won't want to waste a minute waiting for taxi's and what not, cars allow you to be more mobile just like at home. Be that as it may, you have a couple things to consider:

1. I think you can do this with 3 cars. Two big ones, one smaller.
2. You can only be a driver if you're 25 or older for the local car companies on STJ. So hopefully one or more of the kids is over 25 because they'll surely want some time on their own, most likely in evenings.
3. Your biggest problem will be getting everyone out of bed in the morning to move....that's why you'll want more cars. The early risers will feel they're wasting the day away waiting for the sleepers, the sleepers won't care (see what side of that argument I'm on). With that large a crowd, someone has to be the drill seargant to get everyone moving in the morning. Usually that person is me. The method I use is to put the ipod playlist on that my kids hate the most, then blast the outside speakers and next thing you know, everyone is up running to turn off my classic rock playlist!
4. You might want to get the cars from the same company, maybe you get a price break but more likely they'll laugh at you....though maybe you have a chance, hey it's off season in July.
5. Different cars have different storage as Pia mentions. If you can get a Durango, it still has decent storage room behind the 3rd row. Two weeks ago we had 7 of us in one, and we got 6 beach chairs in the back and everyone carried their back packs. The issue with the Durango is the 3rd row is a bench seat, it doesn't split when you put it down.
6. The next size down is a Jeep Commander. This can take 7 passengers also, but its got no room behind the 3rd seat. The advantage though is that the 3rd row can split down. So you could put 6 people in it, split one seat down and still have some decent storage next to 3rd seat.
7. For the last car, save a dollar and get a smaller Jeep or Suzuki that can take 4 people.

Two last points:
If you have a villa with a washing machine/dryer, tell everyone not to pack much, you won't wear much beyond 3 pairs of underwear (some bring none! ), 2 pairs of shorts, three bathing suits, a few tee shirts (you'll buy some there also). So pack very light, its a laid back island. Almost everyone packs too much.
Also, plan to snorkel and buy decent equipment before you go from a local dive shop. Don't waste your money in Sports Authority, get properly fitted with good equipment. There's nothing worse than being in the middle of a snorkel enjoying STJ and someone is whining because their flipper hurts their foot, or their mask leaks. Hear me now, believe me later!

I agree, 3 is OK, 4 much better. If the younger couples are at least 25, let them be one of the driving corp.

Have a blast!

Ha!!! Edit that, my wife says I'm bringing too much underwear! Only need 2 pairs...

4 cars...seriously---can you do it with 3? yeah, probably but gear, kids, agendas....4 will have you much better covered..

I had 7 down once and rented 2 jeeps. 1 two door for five of us(wife and 3 older teens) and when my son and bride came down to join us I rented a 2 door for them. I found they didn't use the 2 door and we all fit in the 2 door just fine. The ride to and from was part of the fun. We fit 2 beach chairs but if you go to trunk or Cinnamon they rent chairs there. I would think it depends if you take the ferry to westin and rent at hotel you would need less and if you rent in cruz or st thomas you need to fit luggage and will need larger.

You didn't say how many villas at the westin you were getting..I'd get one per villa. That should be a good division. Plus plenty of room to park there. A group this large is not going to travel together every day. Some will want to stay at the Westin and others will beach it. Where are you renting? We paid $481 for an 8 day rental on a Dodge Nitro (something like that) from Thrifty on St Thomas in April for our group of five and plenty of room in that SUV. We've never had one before, but the kids are getting bigger so we did an SUV and only paid a little more than what we usually pay for a car. Great vechicle. No problems anywhere on STJ.

We have a group of 11 going in July. Getting everyone up and ready has never been a problem - the kids (now 22, 20, 18, and 16) are ready to go!!! Great suggestions - pack LIGHT! I agree with 4 cars - if you have enough drivers. Although a large group comes with its own set of challenges - we just keep it in check. It IS vacation and everybody has to do their part! And remember - LAUGH! Drinking helps too! Enjoy

thanks so much for the input and information. What a difference to get perspective from those who have done this before. Early group versus late, cost of taxis, beach stuff to fit in, etc etc. Thank you!!

Wish there was a way to do this without adding to St. John vehicular traffic. Oh well. Assume I should get these reserved as soon as possible, provided all are in agreement.

We are renting 4 villas - 3 Pool Villas & 1 Bayside Villa. This year's trip was not mine to plan (I did last year's to Wyoming).

Love the list about group travel rules. To be honest, this family group of mine truly has a great time together. Lots of activity, laughter, playing and interest in each other. This is our 3rd annual trip. Last year we spent a week at a ranch near Jackson Hole. Spectacular. The year before was the first family troop travel - cruise to Bermuda. We all loved Bermuda (my 4th trip there). Some were not so crazy about the cruise itself but for our first family travel it was just fine.

elcnj-- everyone here is spot on with their advice. And all of the logical reasons for their suggestions.

Last June we had 9 (two of which were little ones) and we had three cars. That was just right for us. Provided maximum space and flexibility.

Keep in mind that the bigger vehicles may be difficult to maneuver over slick curvy roads or up Jacobs Ladder when heavily loaded, which is why I think that the smaller vehicles are better.

Keep in mind that the larger cars may be difficult to find parking for in crowded Cruz Bay or at very busy beaches where improvisational parking is the norm.

I would reserve asap, better safe than sorry.

Count me as another vote for 4 or the very least 3 vehicles.

We have done One-Vehicle-Per-Family trips as well as Families-Sharing trips.

Like others mentioned, different sleep schedules and speed of movement can be an issue. I am one of those that wants to scream when people are "wasting time" when I could be at the beach. As far as I am concerned, no one needs to have two pots of coffee and watch GMA when they are riding in my jeep.

Another thing that would happen during our sharing trips is the one couple we shared with didn't want to drive, at all. That became an issue because whenever they needed something, my husband or I had to drive them to the store, down into town, etc. I will never again share with anyone who isn't will to drive themselves.