USVI-On-Line

Hi,
My wife and I have been to St. John numerous times but always by ourselves. This time we are coming with a group of 6-8 ( 2 still undecided), none of the others have been to paradise yet. Does anyone,who has traveled with a group before have any suggestions or advise to make it easier, such as how many car rentals,did you have problem with everyone wanting to go to different places. We know what we like and where we like to go but also want everyone else to have a great time. We have already booked our villa,so that's settled. Thanks for any help or suggestions.
Scott

IMHO everyone should have their own Jeep or you'll be babysitting somebody all the time.

I have to tell you that I do not recommend this

I would advise each couple to get their own car. Don't try and make plans with the entire group each day, let people go their own way. Even though you think that they want you to be a tour guide, they may not want you to.
Talk a ton before you go and get everyone's true expectations of the trip. Talk about food, money, who sleeps late and who likes to get out of the house early....or stay at different places and do what RickG does with his big group.

We were one of five couples staying together for a week a couple of years ago. The villa was very spread out so finding our own space there when needed was no problem. We rented a total of 3 vehicles, and that seemed to work for us quite well. I think it all depends on how well you know each other and whether or not everyone will be looking for some private time. A pre-trip party with your friends to discuss all this would be best so that everyone could express their opinion. We had a blast...

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Gee, we really need to write a FAQ.


6-8 is very doable, especially if they are 3-4 couples. We have 6 going in October - the 6 that really get STJ. We do a couple of things that work well:

- Don't invite anyone who is a whiner. Don't invite anyone that you would not spend a week with 1-on-1.

- I pick the villa and the week and people get to decide if they want to come. It's okay if no one wants to come.

- You get to pick your room in the order that you pay. I've already paid the deposit, so I go first. This deals with the equal rooms problem.

- One vehicle per 2 couples with at least one person from each couple on the contract for each car. Expect there to be an early group and a late group each morning. This is not a problem. I get my own vehicle. I'm in the early group and my lover is in the late group.

- Pick a beach each day that you will hit, 11AM is a good rendezvous time. The late group can usually make it and the early group will have done a hike and another beach already.

- Do happy hour at the villa. It's cheap and 6-8 people is a party. Bring Twister.

- Dinner for 6-8 is a pain in the a$$. Cook at the villa and do some date nights. Meet for drinks before and after dinner. There's always room at the Beach Bar and the Quiet Mon for 6-8.

- Expect to spend a day without leaving the villa. Start the blender at 10AM, but put sunscreen on first.

- Put $100 per person in a food/drink kitty for villa provisions. If someone is concerned that they won't spend that much and want differential treatment, they don't get to come. $800 will cover food and booze at the villa for 8 adults for a week. Dinner for 8 at Zozo's is $680.

Lessons learned:
- If someone whines at home, they will whine more on STJ.
- If someone pitches in at home they will pitch in more on STJ.
- 10 people feels much bigger than 8 people.
- Don't be afraid to say "I'm heading out. I'll be back for sunset."
- Newbies will assume the villa is on the beach, even if you tell them otherwise and show them pictures. If they can't get over this, they stay at the Westin.

Past trip reports and newbie guides in the archive here and at http://www.garvin.us/STJ/St_John_US_Virgin_Islands.html. I do need to add my last two trip reports to the web site...

Have fun!

Cheers, RickG

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Rick, all great advice! Communication is the key!

Rick's advice is dead on! I've been the group coordinator since I was 21 for my circle of family and friends. I learned early on that trying to move from place to place as a group is impossible and stressful.

I agree that one vehicle per two couples is great. We had two vehicles for 6 people in May and it worked perfectly. It's best to decide what you want to do and then people can come along if they want or go their own way. We'd meet up on the beach or at lunch or sometimes not until sunset and that worked well. If you don't plan to cook at the villa, BBQ from Uncle Joe's or Candi's would be easy, Cafe Roma takeout works. The Banana Deck was an easy place for us all to eat as was Skinny Legs!

Enjoy your trip! My biggest travel group was 15 and believe me, 6-8 is soooo much more doable!!

RickG wrote: - You get to pick your room in the order that you pay. I've already paid the deposit, so I go first. This deals with the equal rooms problem.

That is pure genius!

I would like to add that if the living room has a pull out sofa couch that you DO NOT rent that out as one of the bedrooms. It is imperative that the Living Area be kept clear of sleepers. This way the "early risers" don't have to tip-toe around sleepers.

Also, as far as picking bedrooms, we number each bedroom and then one person from each couple picks a number and that is their bedroom. No squabbles ever happen this way because it is fair, and, as we are all ultimately paying the same price, split evenly, then each couple should have the same chance for the better room, if there is one.

Oh, also, if the only extra bathroom is in the master bedroom...then that bathroom is fair game during day light and evening hours...BUT, at night, after that couple has retired to their room, and the door is closed, then that bathroom is closed.

One thing that we make clear when going on vacation with other couples is that we also like our private time and that it is okay if we are not all stuck together at the hips. It is okay for everyone to do what they want to do. Of course, we are on vacation together so we do most things together, but it is not written in stone that we have to. And, it is okay for one person, or a couple, or whomever, when invited to go to dinner, or a certain beach, or a club, or whatever, to say Nah, I think I'm/we are doing this instead...could just be hanging at the pool with a book, all alone - but that is okay.

I whole heartedly agree about the whiners...if they are whiners ( or high maintenance) at home, they will be whiners ( or high maintenance) on vacation and for me, that is no vacation, so they don't get invited.

Coden, good point - a 1/2 bath in the common area or by the pool is a good thing.

Cheers, RickG

Thanks all for the great suggestions. RickG, I read all your stuff, love your newbie article.
Two dropped out so it's only 6 (3 couples)so it should be very manageable (no whiners). We are probably going with one larger vehicle and one smaller (two dr jeep or vitara). We will all be on the same flight. Now do I go with the pay first /room first or pick out of the hat for the bedrooms and what are everyone's opinions about a private taxi for six to the ferry, I don't mind getting a ride to red hook with other but I hate it when they start dropping other at the hotels nearby when your trying to catch the ferry.
Thanks Again, Scott

Rick, your list is genius. Wish I had it this past April. Will print for future ref.
$100 in a pot for villa essentials is key, some like to collect receipts and tally at the end of your stay, this can be a disaster. laurie

I have been to STJ three times with large groups (10, 7 and 9). I have also done most of the planning (i.e., picking villa, fronting deposit, reserving rental cars) so I always get first pick of the bedroom. That being said, if your group of six has very unequal bedrooms, do a lottery for the other 2 couples maybe?

As far as eating out, we never had a problem with 8-12 people, as long as we made reservations. The separate cars come into play here as well. Often one group was ready to head into town before others (to shop, etc.) and every time we went out some folks wanted to head back to the villa while others wanted to hit a few watering holes so we always had a "late car and an early car".