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VI on the cheap

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(@notahippie)
Posts: 114
Estimable Member
Topic starter
 

This is just a pie-in-the-sky idea right now - my wife is going to New York for 5 days with some girlfriends for an artist trip in mid-March. She suggested that I "do something fun" while she's gone. So here's my fantasy.

Fly into St. Thomas on a *very* late flight on a Thursday, or a *very* early flight on a Friday. Ferry to STX, STJ, or one of the BVIs. Stay in non-luxury on/near a beach and food Friday & Saturday night - head home early Sunday.

Flight and ferry excluded, I'd like to do it for less than $175/day. Can it be done? Suggestions? Ideas?

 
Posted : November 20, 2008 11:11 am
(@clevelanddave)
Posts: 16
Eminent Member
 

Ed -

Others are far more familiar with the USVIs than I am, but there are some very nice options in the BVIs that would fill the bill.

1. Rhymer's at Cane Garden Bay, Tortola rents rooms for $75/nt in March and is highly regarded.

2. Ivan's on White Bay, Jost Van Dyke rents equipped campsites for $35/Night or cabins @ $55/nt in March

3. Neptune's Treasure on Anegada has two rooms to rent out @ $80/nt in March

Each provides easy access to food. I ranked them by available activities/action (in reverse order of solitude)

Really tough to predict the availability this tight to your date but I'd sure give it a look see.

If I were puting together a trip like you're talking about, I'd go with any of these with the decision determined by the flavor of visit I want.

happy hunting

Dave

 
Posted : November 20, 2008 2:39 pm
(@bnsilly)
Posts: 88
Estimable Member
 

ahhh....notahippie is trying his hardest to get back to the islands...lol
I can see your wheels spinning as your wife was saying those words...you got that
gleam in your eye didn't you???? "Hmmmm...wonder if I can swing a trip to the islands...." lol 😀
Wishing you luck..I am right behind you..Airfare is usually the bank breaker...:X

 
Posted : November 20, 2008 3:49 pm
 Lulu
(@lulu)
Posts: 234
Estimable Member
 

Ed, did you see this article? It might help.

It's Yahoo's 10 best budget beaches, and both Anegada and St. John are included.

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-24699200;_ylc=X3oDMTF2cGJzYmlpBF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEX3MDMjcxOTQ4MQRzZWMDZnAtdG9kYXltb2QEc2xrA2NoZWFwYmVhY2gtMjAwOC0xMS0xNQ--

 
Posted : November 20, 2008 4:40 pm
(@linda-j)
Posts: 844
Prominent Member
 

Sorry, a 4-day vacation, two of which would involve travel doesn't sound like a good time to me. Stock up on junk food and firewood and park yourself in front of the TV for 4 days. MARCH MADDNESS!!!!

 
Posted : November 20, 2008 4:57 pm
(@scubado)
Posts: 72
Trusted Member
 

if it's gonna be a while before you can go back w/wifey I say go for it and start scanning the web for flights. Can't wait to get back myself!

 
Posted : November 20, 2008 5:21 pm
 TomB
(@tomb)
Posts: 763
Prominent Member
 

Yep - it can be done especially if you stay flexible

I would start at www.skyauction.com.
Do a search on Thomas & March
Sometimes get packages that include Airfare or Airfare by itself.

I have used Skyauction and been very lucky on getting place on St Thomas and once on St John.
One time we get a 1 bedroom a Magens Bay for $5 + $195 for Taxes and fees - $200 for a week ain't bad
You just have to watch and be careful of the fees.

www.cheapcaribbean.com can have some pretty good packages that include airfare. Once again it is just watching, but be ready to pounce.

 
Posted : November 21, 2008 9:22 am
(@notahippie)
Posts: 114
Estimable Member
Topic starter
 

Linda, I would rather spend 4 days - 2 of travel - to sit on the beach at White Bay, kicking back with Ivan, drinking Bushwackers at the Beach Bar, or chillin' at Megan's than watch basketball on TV 😉

Rhymers and Ivans are EXACTLY what I'm looking for! I can do rustic (as long as my wife isn't with me - she's never even been camping!). The prices are right - the location is ideal - now for the airfare. I guess I just need to watch, and, as TomB says, "be ready to pounce."

Yeah, I'm hooked. I really am. When my wife said she was going to NY, and I should find something fun to do (I hate being at home by myself) my first thought was "get back to the VI". It still amazes me how one cruise ship day in STT, led to one week in STJ, and has become an obsession to get back.

My best friend - bestest friend ever - was stationed in Seattle a number of years ago, and he told me to never come visit him - because if I did, I would never want to leave. Seattle was exactly my kind of place. He may have been right, but then, he'd never been to the VI. I've said this a number of times - the VI was never on my list of places to vacation. Not even on the radar. Now... well now I just want to get back by hook or crook.

 
Posted : November 21, 2008 10:06 am
(@bnsilly)
Posts: 88
Estimable Member
 

lol..I am with you brother....it just gets in your blood....Where are you from? I am from the DFW area and
there never seem to be good prices on flights from that hub...

 
Posted : November 21, 2008 10:21 am
 TomB
(@tomb)
Posts: 763
Prominent Member
 

Not sure why but I picked ATL as your airport and did a search on Cheap Caribbean
March 5 days - 5th night free at Bolongo Bay
$1200 which included airfare from ATL

Depart on Weds - Return on a Monday
Ferry to Jost runs Friday Saturday and Sunday

Sounds like a plan

Blongo is on the beach
Never stayed there buy I hear a lot of nice things about it from others

 
Posted : November 21, 2008 11:00 am
(@notahippie)
Posts: 114
Estimable Member
Topic starter
 

lol..I am with you brother....it just gets in your blood....Where are you from? I am from the DFW area and
there never seem to be good prices on flights from that hub...

ATL is my closest airport, but all but direct VI flight want to go to Charlotte or Phillie first. STT from Phillie? Ugh! It was long enough from Charlotte!

 
Posted : November 21, 2008 11:01 am
 Lulu
(@lulu)
Posts: 234
Estimable Member
 

Ed, I fly Spirit from Atlanta to STT. It goes through Fort Lauderdale, but it's an easy flight and under $400/rt. I don't know if you've checked that out.

 
Posted : November 21, 2008 11:35 am
(@notahippie)
Posts: 114
Estimable Member
Topic starter
 

Spirit is on the list - just watching the rates right now....

 
Posted : November 21, 2008 12:19 pm
(@clevelanddave)
Posts: 16
Eminent Member
 

I can so see you right now at Ivan's, pouring your own at the honor bar. $35/nt yeeeehaaaa!

An admirable pastime...good luck!

 
Posted : November 21, 2008 12:54 pm
(@bnsilly)
Posts: 88
Estimable Member
 

Wow..I have been watching fares for the last weekend of May into June..American has been running $4000 for our family of 5....Just found it from Kayak (Orbitz and cheaptickets)..for $2500...That is almost half!! Woo hoo!!! Keep watching notahippie...
(The fares through cheaptickets is running around $487 from DFW-ATL-STT)

 
Posted : November 21, 2008 12:57 pm
(@bluwater)
Posts: 2026
Noble Member
 

I second Rhymers on Cane Garden Bay on Tortola. It sits directly on the beach. Ask for the room with the wide balcony that sits over the beachfront. Best kept secret for budget-minded VI travelers. You can shuffle down the beach to Quito's Gazebo for live music, food and drinks 🙂

 
Posted : December 3, 2008 11:32 am
(@canoebase)
Posts: 134
Estimable Member
 

I stayed at Cane Garden Bay last March and it was awesome!

 
Posted : December 3, 2008 7:12 pm
(@clevelanddave)
Posts: 16
Eminent Member
 

Hey Ed!!

Spirit - ATL to STT March 16 - 20 @ $385 total

I hope you're grabbing this 'cause it ain't gonna get any better!

Good Luck

Dave

 
Posted : December 4, 2008 5:47 pm
 TomB
(@tomb)
Posts: 763
Prominent Member
 

yep - I made the jump last night from DC to STT 4/8 - 4/18
$458 taxes and tags.
Yuck, but they were creeping back up and return seats were disappearing

 
Posted : December 4, 2008 7:36 pm
 Kimw
(@kimw)
Posts: 7
Active Member
 

Just do it! Stay in STJ it is an adults play ground. Which beach and which beer to take is the hardest question of the day. You forget the world back home.I went for a week in Oct. it turned in to 15 days thank you Omar the hurricane. I just booked one trip in Jan and one in Feb what is up with this island? ps try to get to Coral Bay for a different flavor.

 
Posted : December 4, 2008 8:10 pm
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