doglover888

Hello,

My husband and I are taking a trip during Thanksgiving week. I have a passport, he doesn't. We are afraid his won't come in in time so we were planning on going to the USVI to be on the safe side.

My brother has given us use of one of his timeshares (RCI) which lists several places on St. Croix & only 1 on the beach on St. John. We want to do some snorkeling and have some peace and solitude. Which USVI which you recommend?

The name of the facility on St. John's is Virgin Grand Villas. Anyone heard of it? Any reviews?

We don't get to travel much and would really like to get the most out of this trip. Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks, Lisa

beachplum

Virgin Grande Villas are part of the Westin property and not really on the beach but up and behind the Westin hotel. My understanding is that it is pretty difficult to trade into there as it is a popular spot.

poss

From where you'll be staying, for sure you'd have to drive (or taxi) to have any snorkeling. Also, as previous poster said, your accommodation won't be on the beach. In fact, the beach at the Westin is a poor one (compared to the other beaches around the island). We happen to like St John much better than St Croix though. By the way, I don't think you'll have solitude anywhere in the Caribbean Thanksgiving week-- but the islands are scrumptious even without that quality.
Cross fingers that no island suffers Dean too terribly. Scary stuff!
Good luck with your choice.

doglover888

Now, you've got me thinking maybe we should try St. Thomas instead. The RCI website is misleading. It said the one on St. John's is on the beach. Does anyone know anything about RCI's locations on St. Thomas? or St. Croix?

RonUSVI

Bluebeard's Beach Club may be under RCI.
That's definitely on the beach!

RL

StanKase

The comments are correct about the possibility of St. John. But, it sure is worth a try. It clearly is a better choice. The snorkeling is si much better on St. John. You can take a tour boat (try to get one that takes 12-16 snorkewlers vs. 30+) it will be so much more enjoyable. A 3-4 hr. trip that makes 2 snorkel stops (make sure it is 2 stops) is $50-$60/person) but is best way to go. On St. Croix I would do the same but it may be $5-$10 less but snorkeling not as good. If you rent a car on either island you may need a reservation in advance. St. Croix is lovely as is St. John for a scenic drive. Also, easy way to get to snorkel trips and restaurants. Hurricane Dean does not look like it's path will come close to the Virgin Islands as of a report I heard on the Weather Channel at 3PM EST.

beachplum

Other than some rough water and intermittent rain with the sun sparkling thru other times and a bit of wind and beach erosion, Dean had little effect on the VI's as it passed south yesterday so I've heard.
Also might want to check the RCI list for the Elysian or Sapphire Beach on St. Thomas (I don't know who is affiliated with RCI) and as Ron said, BlueBeard's Beach Club, if the Westin doesn't work out. It has a manmade beach. Neither BlueBeard's Castle nor Magen's Bay Villas, which are also timeshare, are beachfront. Both the Elsyian and Sapphire have nice beaches and Sapphire's is one of the prettiest on St. Thomas, imo. Sapphire has a marina on site so those day trips can be taken right from there and both are close to Red Hook for dining, bars, the ferrys to the St. John (a 15-minute ride) and the BVI's. The better snorkeling from the beach would be at Sapphire, especially out at the Point. I personally enjoy the smaller (they call 'em 6-packs) charters because they take no more than 6 guests.
Can't help with St. Croix altho I think Carambola is timeshare (it originally was a RockResort) but it is rather isolated and has a golf course. Styed there years ago so anything I could add would be very outdated - expect the water was rough! Also the excursion to Buck Island seems to be the snorkeling excursion of choice and there is not much good snorkeling otherwise. Thanksgiving is usually a very busy week

doglover888

I found on RCI. They have a location on Sapphire Beach. Has anyone been to or heard about Paradise Found Vacation Club at Sapphire Beach?

michelleNYC

Just returned from St. John yesterday (6th time there) and I would certainly choose St. John over St. Thomas. Unbelievably beautiful beaches where sometimes you are the only ones there and great restaurants in Cruz and Coral Bay. Rent a car and it's very, very easy to get around.

JoenShell

ST.JOHN!!!!!!!!!!!!! ST. JOHN!!!! ST.JOHN!!!!!!!!!!! ST.JOHN!!!