USVI-On-Line

GHDad and I were looking at finances. Our big thought was to surprise 2 kids and 2 grands with vacation in 2009. It seems no big bonus for GHDad in November as in previous 10 years due to economy. We are sort of sick at heart when thinking of not returning to our beloved STJ in 2009. Has anyone else had to bite the bullet and skip a year? I was looking at St. Croix since it seems the villas are more reasonable. I am just sick at heart right now thinking that we won't be able to dream about summer 2009 I guess I just need to get over this and realistically try to plan something more feasible.

we were there first time in 2006 (honeymoon) and even though we said we couldn't return in 2007 we did this year taking a year off. this is coming up to around the time we would normally be there. can't say i'm happy about it but I do have a trip on the books to get me past it. but let me repeat .. not happy about it!

Thanks for the reply. I know I'm being selfish and sentimental. I know that I need to stop whining and plan another trip. But it hurts my heart not to plan for STJ for year 5! It's still not an impossiblilty but it will take some scrimping and saving to do it without the big bonus that we've always relied on. Did I say I'm thinking about being a Pampered Chef person? Just had a bridal shower recently at my house and the rep makes about $200 each show and she does around 8 a month. Not a bad second income (I'm thinking STJ $!). I'll come down to earth and realize that if I really want to be there in 2009 I need to make it happen!).

Greyhoundmom: Don't worry! If you can go to STX I'll bet you will have a really great time. We love STJ but after being there in '06 and a brief trip in '07 we just decided to let STJ kind of catch up with its growth and we have been enjoying STX. It's a very laid-back feeling place, there's not yet a lot of villa congestion and the restaurants are just wonderful. We're planning on '09 right now - 10 days for Hubs and I and then he'll leave and my girlfriends will come down and I'll spend another 7 with them. Have stayed in a few villas on STX and toured some each time we've been down. Villas on STX are a value right now but they are catching up - I think the secret is out. One thing, though, there are more villas on STX with beachfront. Let me know if I can help with some suggestions.

Margy - I would love to hear more about STX. Did you post a report anywhere?

Is the snorkeling off of the beaches like STJ? Are there lots of choices as to where to snorkel.

Is STX crowded like STT or more like STJ?

Where do you like to stay?

Thanks,
nothintolose

My girlfriends and I have started the tradition of going every fall. Now that I have a significant other who loves St. Maarten and keeps asking me when he gets to go to St. John (I think I've trained him well). I want to go on another trip -- just us. So, I'm trying to find budget accommodations (they do exist), relatively cheap airfare (kind of hard these days), so he and I can go next spring for my birthday.

There are ways to do STJ on the cheap. The landscape is the important part and that doesn't change if you stay in a luxury villa or camp at Maho.

Haven't posted any reports here - just some snippets in response to posts about STX. Be happy to answer anything I can.

Yes, you can snorkel right off the beach. There are some villas where you will find great snorkeling right off your own stretch of beach. It's a large island and you will find varied snorkeling - the crystal clear waters of Buck Island and Sandy Point and the west end beaches, the close-in reefs on the east end, mangroves, a salt river, off the pier in Frederiksted. Like STJ, there are varied beaches - white sand & clear, rocky, those with lots of wave action. There is also great diving on STX - home of The Wall on the north side.

I don't find STX much like STT - there is not that crush of people. Things move much slower - there is more of the West Indian courtesy and conversation. The first trip, I thought the refinery would be very off-putting, but, I only saw it twice - on the way to the east end from the airport and then again on the way back to the airport and that was because we took a short cut to reach the south shore road.

We love Christensted - it is just so pretty and so steeped in history. And the shops are lovely - not a million little places with made in China junk. Shopping kind of has the feel of the first couple of years of Mongoose Junction on STJ - when there were lots of art and unique shops. C'Sted does not cater to the cruise ship crowd. The pier where the cruise ships will return is way at the west end of the island - a good 30-40 minute drive from C'Sted. Shopping is a much slower experience down streets steeped in history.

We like to stay on the east end. One trip we may do a split - 5 days on the north side near Cane Bay just to enjoy the north beaches that have more surf then 7 days back on the east end. There are lots of beach and great restaurant options on the east end. The driving is easy (lighted curves!!!) and many Buck Island and sailing charters leave from Green Cay Marina.

On the east there are some great villas - whether you like a high, long view, or to be right on your own stretch of swimmable beach. Solitude, Cotton Valley Shores, Teague Bay, South Shore, Grapetree, are all great "neighborhoods". We were lucky to hook up with a great on-island villa manager our first trip to STX and I have been able to tour a few villas on each trip which has been lots of fun.

Here's a shot of Buck Island, and one of "our own" swimmable white sand beach at the villa where the girls and I will be staying in April:





Hubs and I are still deciding on our villa choice - we have it down to two - one hillside in Cotton Valley with a dead-on view of Buck Island and the reef and another with it's own little stretch of beach shaded by a small stand of mangroves.

Yep - we are liking STX. Not to say that we have abandoned STJ but, for '09 and probably '10 we will be returning to STX. And the restaurants...absolutely GREAT food! Happy to answer any questions about STX or villas that I can.

Margy - great info!

Thank you so much for giving me a better feel for STX. I think checking it out is definitely in our future as it fits the bill of "other" islands that have snorkeling off the beach and a laid back atmosphere.

We are not shoppers at all so that aspect is really of no interest, but it's good to know it's not packed with shops.

I may hit you up for more info down the road!

Margy, thanks for the info about STX. The pics are beautiful. I'd appreciate any villa insight or suggestions you could give me. Is there a rental company that you like to use? I'm not picky about location as long as the view is great! I'd love to start exploring this possibility.

We are skipping 2009 for several reasons and in a way, finances did influence the replacement vacation.

High Maintenance Hubs is really fanatical about staying close to his (well, our) favorite beaches. When planning for '09, we could not decided on a rental house.

One thing led to another and we started looking a Virgin Gorda where we found a house that suited our needs, very close (like 200 feet) from Mahoe Beach and about 25% less expensive than the STJ houses we were considering.

Oddly enough, based on ticket prices at the time of booking, it is cheaper for us to get to VG even with the extra leg of travel.

We will be doing less eating out and day trips. Our food and drink spending on STJ in February was just crazy.

When it is all said and done, we will likely spend the same amount as STJ but we are going for a longer vacation.

I am already missing STJ and on Saturday, we started planning the next STJ trip.

I absolutely understand how your heart aches over not being able to visit STJ in 2009. We thankfully have a 10 day trip planned for June but didn't go in 2008. You mentioned STX. I've had the pleasure of going and it is beautiful. I definately think you should consider visiting.

We might be in the same boat as you. My husband found out recently that there is a very good chance that his position will be eliminated at work…he’s done a great job in the department, but with the economy the way it is they are cutting positions and it looks like his might be on the chopping block. So with that kind of uncertainty, there is no way we can plan a vacation for 2009, at least not now. We’ve gone to STJ for the past 6 summers and I would be heartbroken if we couldn’t go next year, but I’m preparing myself for that possibility.

St. John is where I “recharge my batteries” every year…going there each summer gets me through the year…I would be very sad if I had to miss that in 2009.

2009 may be my last trip for awhile. We will have college years starting in 2009. That will probably go on for 8+ years with the two kids.

Thanks for the PM, Margy. Definiely looking at STX next summer even just for the two of us. Teresa, I'm feeling your angst about S/O and job - been there, done that. I find comfort in the fact that STJ will still be there when I can go back. Sea-Nile, I know how expensive two in college can be, although ours our now grown and on their own. Piscesgirl, your 10 days sound awesome, we did 14 days in July and it went by so fast. PA Girl, looking at Virgin Gorda also, in fact been on STX and Virgin Gorda a good bit today at work! Lulu, we did Maho Camps the first 2 summers and I could definitely "rough it" again in order to go back on the cheap. Being in a beautiful villa spoiled us, but it's not the villa but the island that means everything. MBW1024, what an awesome honeymoon and a chance to go back. If I had known in '72 that STJ existed, I would have jumped at the chance to go play, stay, possibly work for awhile before our first baby girl (think of being able to buy a piece of STJ in '72!).

Thanks everyone for all of the responses. It somehow makes me feel better that I'm not the only one being morose over the possibility of not doing 2009. It's not the end of the world, just the end of the constant dreaming and planning for the next STJ fix! You guys are always so supportive and I appreciate you!

Jan

Soon to be hubby and I have agreed there will be no big vacations for the next two years. Im very fortunate that we were able to go to STJ this year in June as a family, and that I'm able to do SOTB II coming up in November. I think most folks are tightening their belts, and vacation is one of the first things that must be cut. You're not alone GHM!