USVI-On-Line

Our past visits to STJ have been in late April/Early May. The island has been pretty calm at that time, in terms of visitors. This year, we are coming with our kids ("kids"...18-23) just after Christmas to a few days after New Years.

What should we expect in terms of "crowds?"

One of the things that has prompted this question is that, in the past, we never had any issues about dinner reservations. Frankly, we seldom had to make reservations in advance. For this visit, I emailed the Terrace about reservations about a month ago...for a January date...and it was apparent that they were close to full. They were great to work with and we have the reservation that suits us.

But, will we be dealing with a different, more crowded vibe over the holidays than that which we have come to know when visiting in the Spring?

Make reservations now! We have taken 2 trips in High season and found that without reservations we were dining every early or very late.
We made an effort to get to the beaches early to stake out our space, too.
We got used to paying for parking, even though our rental company provided parking, because there were so many people parking there.

It is different, but it is is still STJ and we loved it

We did a combo of reservations and walk-ins over our ten day trip in February. It was odd, some nights restaurants had plenty of availability, other nights were packed. (This was the week before Presidents week). We were a party of three for that trip. When we are our usual February group of 5 or 7, I always make reservations.

I agree with Tinke on the parking, STJ Car Rental (where we always rent) is often beyond full. We probably park at Slimman's at least 50% of the time just because it is so convenient.

PA Girl wrote: I agree with Tinke on the parking,

LOL, Thinking of another forum, perhaps?

I took my daughter to STJ last January, and didn't notice any difference in the number of people at all! We didn't eat anywhere requiring reservations, and I'm almost always first at the beach, though. But I remember a moment standing on the balcony at St. John Spice, looking down at Cruz Bay and thinking where ARE all these people that folks complain about???

Xislandgirl wrote:

PA Girl wrote: I agree with Tinke on the parking,

LOL, Thinking of another forum, perhaps?

Ha! yes. Not unlike calling an old friend by her maiden name even though she has been married for 20 years.

I have not been in high season so my advice may not be valid but here it is anyway. As a group of 6, I would be sure I had reservations for the places I absolutely want to go as a group. Especially on a night like NYE if you plan to be out that night.
Then I'd probably wing it. Who knows, maybe the kids go one place, mom and dad another, a few nights. Or just walk around and see who can take you when you feel like having dinner.

Not sure how many nights you are going for but you probably have a good idea of how many nights will be in and how many out. If you want to be sure of eating at a certain time I'd have those reservations in advance.

First of all there is a big difference between low season and high season.

What you should be asking is; What is the difference between High Season and Christmas/New Years two weeks? From Dec 21 until January 5th, You will see a Gigantic Difference and It Is Crazy, the island is packed with people that pay a lot of money to be there.The people that visit at Christmas are very wealthy. Coach Airfare from Boston right now is about $1500.-$3000. a ticket, same from most other northern cities. Most of these people are not on VIOL or Peeps, they only come to STJ at Xmas/NewYears.

I just reserved the last Jeep Wrangler on STT/STJ yesterday for one of my guests from a car agency on STT. I heard Denzil is holding out one jeep for a celebrity. Otherwise all jeeps are all rented out on both islands with all agencies. A few "cars" on STT still available.

My daughter is a hostess at one of the nicer restaurants in Cruz Bay and she just told me she is getting holiday weeks reservation requests hourly. I am sending a note to all of my holiday guests to make their dinner reservations now.

If you like Jumbie or Oppenheimer or any of the small beaches get there at 8am to get a parking space. Same with Honeymoon and Caneel. In past years Caneel has limited the parking spaces allowed to go out to Honeymoon. They have to keep parking spaces for their guests. And room for the added taxi's. This is when Caneel and most every other lodging in St John jacks up their prices. I do not know how they are going to handle the ZoZo's reservations from the outside, maybe they will have Valet to the employee parking area.

The island is filled with lots of teens and under 21's that want to drink legally and stay out very late partying at night. They will make tons of friends and have a blast.

You will not see as many locals in town at night.
The Christmas and New Years Crowd dress up at night, not usual St John Island Casual.

The last few years we have had family and friends visit these two weeks, this year they all want to visit off season. You will either love it or decide never to repeat!

Someone was asking about the week before Xmas, the 2 weeks before xmas are a blast, lots of local restaurants have their parties. You have the Mongoose Junction Prom, You have the St John Brewers Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, The Parrot Club has a huge bash as does most of the other bars to celebrate before the tourists arrive. Everyone is happy and in the holiday spirit, very few tourists.

The best I can offer, in addition to the crowds, is that the surf is frequently up, there is usually quite a breeze, the water is discernibly cooler and you WILL have a problem parking at the beaches. As I recall, you guys are not really beach people, are you? Enjoy your trip.

Well that was not the best news I've heard today. Ms. Doom and Gloom here parsed from that:
1. It's gonna be crazy crowded everywhere.
2. Everyone is dressed up fancy, no island causal.
3. Forget about parking at Conrad's, it'll be packed full, must park elsewhere and pay.
4. 18-21 year olds running about like fools because they can drink legally...not our kids' idea of fun.
5. It's gonna be windy and the surf will be up, oh, and it will be chilly. So much for a calm day at the beach.
6. Make reservations now (Pete just did for places that DO take reservations).
7. Locals hide out during this week because it's so insane.

I have GOT to get in the mood for this whole thing, people. Help me here.

Marcia (Mrs. Pete) wrote:
I have GOT to get in the mood for this whole thing, people. Help me here.

Ruth, Ron, and Curly will still be island casual and so happy to see you and yours! Betcha!

I forgot about the winds and surf If we have the North Shore swells, head to Salt Pond, Lameshur or East End. Actually most Holiday travelers do not know of these beaches so you will have a better time there.
If you have a boat trip planned to BVI's and it is too choppy to go to the Baths ask your captain to take you to Alice in Wonderland on the South side of Ginger Island, nice and calm good snorkel or dive. Go explore the south side of the islands it is fun and different!

You have young adults with you, so park at public parking by the tennis courts and have them run to get the car at the end of the evening to come scoop you up.

I don't know if your Catholic but the midnight mass at Our Lady of Mt Carmel is lovely.

Motu last year had a snow machine on the upper floor of its building and it was snowing in front Motu and The Terrace. A first for St John, hope Dawn does it again, very festive!

Sorry to be a Debbie Downer, just wanted to warn you that it will be different from any other experience you have had on St John. All of the tourists are in the holiday spirit, You will have fun! It is St John!!

1. It's gonna be crazy crowded everywhere.

It won't be crowded at your villa! And it probably won't be too crowded over in Coral Bay.

2. Everyone is dressed up fancy, no island causal.

Ignore them. Wear what you want!

3. Forget about parking at Conrad's, it'll be packed full, must park elsewhere and pay.

Gravel lot is free and a 2-minute walk to town. I read somewhere that they are not allowing people to leave their old vehicles/trucks etc. there anymore, so you have a shot at a spot.

4. 18-21 year olds running about like fools because they can drink legally...not our kids' idea of fun.

Again, ignore them! Your kids will make their own fun in their own way.

5. It's gonna be windy and the surf will be up, oh, and it will be chilly. So much for a calm day at the beach.

It might be breezy, but it won't be chilly. Think about how much colder it will be in Wisconsin! You could still go to the North Shore beaches if the swell is up. It is impressive to watch. Just don't go in the water, it is dangerous. Bring a book and enjoy the roar of the waves.

6. Make reservations now (Pete just did for places that DO take reservations).

For places that don't take reservations, eat at odd times. My guess is that you will have better luck early than late.

I have GOT to get in the mood for this whole thing, people. Help me here.[/quote]

Smile! You are going to St. John!!

"The people that visit at Christmas are very wealthy."

Well, on the plus side, Marsh, it turns out that we are rich. That's some positive news, right?