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Blue Beard's Castle Pirate Hotel, AND general info on St. Thomas

Blue Beard's Castle Pirate Hotel, AND general info on St. Thomas

Old May 20th, 2014, 02:31 PM
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Blue Beard's Castle Pirate Hotel, AND general info on St. Thomas

I am wondering if you have any infor on this hotel.
And any information regarding St. Thomas -- recommend this island for a one week stay in late Dec? Things to do? We like museums, historical tours, snorkeling.
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Old May 20th, 2014, 02:39 PM
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Well St. Thomas wouldn't be my first pick of all the islands, but if that's the only place your timeshare trade covers... I'd consider it I guess. Sorry don't know the specific resort. I was only on St. Thomas a few days passing thru to get to St. John.
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Old May 20th, 2014, 02:44 PM
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Hi suze. Thanks for your thoughts. I'm curious why it wouldn't be your first choice. (Actually it's not mine either, but I'm not sure why as I've never been )

We aren't wedded to this so other options are certainly welcome. Our RCI exchange in the Caribbean for the week we want to travel is limited to St. Thomas, Dominican Republic, and St. Maarten (which I've been to so that is out) and I think she said Puerto Rico.

We may end up going somewhere totally different too. This was our first thought for Xmas week.
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Old May 20th, 2014, 02:50 PM
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I was only in Charlotte Amalie and a long time ago. It's a tiny island, very touristy, very expensive, a cruiseship stop, and without a whole lot to recommend it.

We passed thru and spent the night twice, in order to catch the ferry, where we stayed most of the trip out on St John at Cinnamon Bay.

So my perception is extremely limited and old. Hopefully others with chime in to help you.
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Old May 20th, 2014, 02:50 PM
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Puerto Rico sounds a LOT more like what you are seeking (history, museums, etc.)
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Old May 20th, 2014, 02:53 PM
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Thanks suze, I was wondering about that - years ago a friend went sailing around the Caribbean with her family and as I recall her description seemed similar to what you are describing. Maybe that is out for us.

Does PR have good beaches and snorkeling as well?
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Old May 20th, 2014, 02:58 PM
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I've never been to Puerto Rico (well thru the airport on that same USVI trip) but I think the answer is yes. It certainly has more of the culture and history you are looking for, but what I know I know from reading travel magazines (lol)!

Charlotte Amalie, the main city on St. Thomas, is like one big duty free shopping district, or at least that's how it struck me at the time. That's not to say you might find a perfectly acceptable resort there for a relaxing vacation.
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Old May 20th, 2014, 05:00 PM
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Well the OP won't be staying in Charlotte Amalie but more likely the East End, which has nice beaches. In fact most people just go into town once or twice to eat and shop.

Puerto Rico is varied. There are some good beaches and some not so good ones. Crime us a growing concern, as it can be in St Thomas as well. But Puerto Rico does not have great snorkeling, while there's so much great snorkeling in and around St Thomas I hardly know where to begin.

I agree that St Thomas is generally more expensive than Puerto Rico. It's a hard choice, but I'd probably choose St Thomas. I've been to both.
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Old May 20th, 2014, 06:41 PM
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Thanks Doug. So St. Thomas has great snorkeling and beaches - plus & plus. What about things to do in St. Thomas (I know I'll be checking out the Fodor's Travel Guide soon!!) while I've got your ear.
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Old May 20th, 2014, 06:47 PM
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Hi Again Doug,
Actually the timeshare is in Charlotte Amalie - is that not a good place to be?
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Old May 21st, 2014, 04:00 AM
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I go through RCI myself as I own a timeshare. Can't you go onine and see availability? I know you can I do it all the time.You also have the option of reading reviews. I ask since you mentioned "she said" etc.

I have never stayed in St. Thomas for a week, but have visited several times via cruise ship. I have stayed for 3 or 4 days several times in Puerto Rico. PR just didn't do it for me. If given a choice I would choose St. Thomas. There is Megan,s Bay. Voted one of the best beaches. You can take a day trip to St. Johns. That would be a must do. There is great snorkeling there as well. Pick St. Thomas.
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Old May 21st, 2014, 04:13 AM
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hi diann,

yes i am going thru rci to check timeshare availablity that is why i've asked about the bluebeard's pirate hotel.

i was all excited about st. thomas then did some more checking and found it has the highest homicide rate in the caribbean in fact, their crime rate is higher than in the usa. was disappointed to hear that.
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Old May 21st, 2014, 05:31 AM
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Oh, then I misunderstood ... well, then definitely NOT St. Thomas. I wouldn't want to spend a whole week in Charlotte Amalie, far from the beach. Go for Puerto Rico.

I'm not really concerned that much about the homicide rate (for many years the highest rate in the US was in DC, and that never deterred me from visiting there). Most serious crime is drug-related, as it is in many destinations, and not focused on tourists. But you are mistaken. The highest per capital murder rate in the Caribbean is still Jamaica. Granted, the USVI (not just St. Thomas) is not so far behind.

Crime in Puerto Rico is also becoming serious, but it's not something I'd cancel a vacation over.
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Old May 21st, 2014, 05:34 AM
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I think when they do this you have to consider the size of the island in comparison to population. It is all relative. If you research thoroughly St. Martin is pretty high as well. We almost did not go to St.Martin due to the reports there. If you are careful and use common sense I think you will be fine there as in any other city in the U.S.

Can you go to Aruba? There might be availability there? That is where my timeshare is located. We go in late January/Feb. I would throw caution to the wind and realize crime is everywhere. You won't escape it anywhere in the world.

We went on a Med cruise and went to Rome Italy. I was so paranoid of pickpockets thieves I had hidden wallets handbags that hooked onto your chair while eating, you name it I had it in terms of security. I loved Rome and I must say I never felt threatened. I probably over reacted but still an ounce of protection is worth it. Just go and have fun.
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Old May 21st, 2014, 05:51 AM
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nanabee, I was just on RCI site. Are you weeks or points? At any rate Aruba has availability for December at there Divi Links property for one week. They have one bedrooms and studio.

The St. Thomas property is high on a hill and overlooks the cruise ship docks. The views are gorgeous. There is a review dated 24 March 2014. It is a wonderful review. I hope this helps. If you can access the site go in and look. In your former comment you indicated that "she said" making be believe you are calling RCI and speaking with a vacation specialist. I meant look yourself, go into the site, read the reviews. it is best that way. RCI is hit or miss with whom you speak with at times. This will enable you to make a better decision.

You had said
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Old May 21st, 2014, 06:41 AM
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diann, I was speaking with a specialist on the phone - there was a problem with logging (passwords/user name) in yesterday. We didn't get resolved but once I do today I will be on my way to checking out more places. Thanks for your suggestions. I really appreciate them.

Crime is something I generally don't worry to much about - but the fact that St. Thomas has such a high homicide rate kinda surprised me. For comparison purposed these stats are based on numbers per 100,000 people not the size of the island. I would consider Aruba - as I've heard the beaches are beautiful.

I've been to St. Martin (Dutch side) and felt very safe although high crime rates are posted there.
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Old May 21st, 2014, 06:51 AM
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Doug: >>Oh, then I misunderstood ... well, then definitely NOT St. Thomas. I wouldn't want to spend a whole week in Charlotte Amalie, far from the beach.>>

This is good to know.
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Old May 21st, 2014, 01:39 PM
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Okay. Bluebeard's Castle is a timeshare property above Charlotte Amalie. It is not on a beach, but there are many beaches you may drive to. It has three great restaurants on property. If you want to be ON a beach, it isn't a good pick, but if you want to be in the heart of the action (and I mean shopping, restaurants, ferries), you will be good to go.

There are lots of historic sites in town and on Hassel Island. The Historical Trust offers many different tours:http://stthomashistoricaltrust.org/
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Old May 22nd, 2014, 08:11 AM
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Thanks eastenderusvi. We can only go where we have a time share option and that is the only place available on St. Thomas for the week we are going. We've pretty much (well never say never) ruled out St. Thomas and are thinking now about Bahamas, (not our first choice), The Cayman Islands, BVI, but there aren't any time shares available yet - so we are keeping our fingers crossed something will open up.
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Old May 22nd, 2014, 02:23 PM
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nanabee: Well, St. Thomas isn't the worst place in the world.;-) Did you look into Bluebeard's Beach Club? It is run by the same timeshare group and is on the water.
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