ishkribbl

Steviegene-
One last thing- I read TripAdvisor but do not always take it for the gospel truth because there is always someone who does not like a place that others rave about; however, if you have not done so yet, go there and look up reviews of the Villa Greenleaf. They are all resoundingly positive. Maybe you can send a message (if you are not used to using the site it is easy to sign up and then you can send private messages to people to get more one-on-one advice) to some of the people who were there recently if you have questions.

laplaya

since you've been to caneel, would you recommend it in June for $400/nt?

kfusto

I went to St. Croix many years ago and just never liked it enough to consider a return trip.

Personally, the USVI are all unappealing to me with St. Thomas being the least desirable of all.

I second the recommendation to consider Puerto Rico. It has what you are looking for and is also very accessible.

I love St. Lucia but it takes some time to get there and I live in FL.

I would also suggest St. Martin. Gorgeous, beautiful beaches and water and lots of accomodation options. Far more charming than St. Croix IMO.

steviegene

Thanks so much ishkribbel!
I have looked on Tripadvisor, but didnt know about the "personal messaging". That is a great idea on getting more detailed information on specific attributes of the island.
Im also glad to hear your considered visiting St. Croix again! Maybe Im worrying for no reason - I just want to pick the right place, especially since this will be our last vacation for "just the two of us" in a while!

Laplaya,

I did not stay at Caneel, but did go there for dinner.
It is a very upscale resort and is located on a beautiful beach with good snorkeling.

Personally, from my own travel experience I often find it to be "worth it" to splurge on accomodations. The last 2 vacations we took, I scrimped a bit on accomodations, and regretted it. I had not yet embraced my snob-factor. I have specific tastes, and like being in places that I consider well-decorated, comfortable and upscale. I like nice bathroom fixtures and high-quality furniture and bedding (stupid I know, but Im picky). I like being in a setting where I can call the front desk/hotel owners and have them make dinner recommendations/reservations. This is my own personal travel style...so to ME, it would totally be worth it to go for Caneel. Others would totally disagree with me, saying while in St. John you wont want to spend time in your room.

So........iIt really depends on how important the room/resort experience is for you and what your budget will allow. St. John is beautiful, secluded, with incredible natural beauty and plenty to do (I highly recommend you rent a car - to really explore the island). You wont regret visiting St. John.

I see on some of your other threads you are considering between St John and the BVIs. We went on a wonderful full day boat tour that took us on a day-trip to the Baths and a stop in Tortola. That allowed us to spend the majority of our time on St John, but also get a taste of other islands. Do searches on this sight and you should find some charter boat info.

laplaya

Puerto Rico would be great: fast, airfare around $230 roundtrip, nice beaches.

How come you did not like St John?
Thought St john was known for stunning beaches..

Was St john too crowded, or getting too commercial?

steviegene

kfusto,

thanks for your input!
Can I ask what specifically did you not like about St. Croix? And what you did like about St. Martin?

I agree I was not a huge fan of St. Thomas either. Have you visited St. John?

kfusto

I have been to St. John only on daytrips. I find the accomodation selection too limited as well as the preferring islands more culturally diverse. Pretty yes but interesting, no.

As for St. Croix, it is more that I was not enamored with any aspect of the trip rather than that I actively disliked it as I do St. Thomas. There are too many places I really enjoy tp bother going back to one I could care less about.

I have been to St. Martin several times. I like the variety of funky little cafes and restaurants, the beautiful beaches and stunning water, the easy driving compared to other islands, the choice of accomodations. Interesting as I do not like France at all yet really enjoy this island...go figure .

Check out the new Westin as they had some great deals.

ccrosner

Steviegene--
Sorry...have been off Fodors for awhile during the holidays and just saw this post.

I have been to both Virgin Gorda (once) and to St. Croix (eight times). I am sure that the snorkeling and beaches are prettier on Virgin Gorda but STX is definitely easier to get to and has a lot going for it.

I've never seen Villa Greenleaf but it does get great reviews. STX is very undeveloped (which may be why many people chose to go elsewhere but why we like it). I think there is one McDonalds and one KFC.

If you like great dining with lots of variety, I would go with STX. Unless much has changed, Virgin Gorda doesn't have as many options for eating out and there is really not a town center. STX has Fredericksted and Christiansted which each have some nice shops (especially C'sted).

To be honest, St. John is hands down my favorite spot in the Caribbean (with the possible exception of Harbor Island in the Bahamas). And it's probably as easy to get to as STX if you can fly directly to STT. VG requires a stop in Tortola which really adds on to a short trip.

Let me know if you have other specific questions or need comparisons. If I were you, with a newborn on the way, I'd do minimal exploring on my last vacation and just enjoy the beach.

steviegene

ccrosner,

In my searches on this site your name has come up a lot, so I appreciate your reply!

We have been to St. John and really loved it, but are unable to find suitable accomodations for the dates we want (that are also affordable). I guess I would love to know how St Croix compares to St. John, and Virgin Gorda. I tend to be a bit of a snob about vacations - and I am scared that St. Croix wont meet my expectations....

I guess my main hesitation with St. Croix, is that it is not discussed much here, or whenever the Virgin Islands are referenced. It sounds very nice, its affordable and seems to have what we want. But Im nervous to choose!! Ive now been sidetracked by other options, such as St. Lucia, Antiqua, St Martin and the BVIs But I keep coming back to St Croix......

If you dont mind too much, could you help me with these few questions.

What kind of traveller are you?
What things/activites are most important to you in a vacation?
What is the atmosphere on St Croix like?
Are the towns quaint and charming or dirty and seedy, large or small?
Is the scenery beautiful, like on St. John, or is it overrun with condos, strip malls, etc.?
Why do you keep going back to St. Croix?

Thanks so much!!

laplaya

i read reviews at
epinions, & it was mentioned a couples times about the crime..in st croix.

ccrosner

Steviegene--

It's important to remember that the reason we first started going to St. Croix was because we had young children (4 and 1 1/2 at the time) and feared a villa on St. John would be dangerous for them. And we knew that we didn't like the beach at the Westin and would not be able to travel around a lot to different beaches with the kids. So we chose The Buccaneer on St. Croix and it's the reason we keep going back. Laid back luxury for a fair price during high season. But it may not fit your luxury quotient (not sure many places will during high season, actually).

We have traveled a great deal around the U.S. and to lesser degree the Caribbean and Europe. We stay at nice places with good amenities but don't spend the money on places like the Ritz or Four Seasons because we don't need that much pampering and, frankly, are too cheap to spend the money. Sometimes that means I'm a bit disappointed that our rooms aren't nicer but I am usually pleased with our selection.

When we go to St. Croix, we don't do too much touring and enjoy hanging on the beach, playing tennis and meeting nice people. Each year we usually do a trip to Buck Island and usually a day spent touring some part of the island.

St. Croix is not at all developed like St. Thomas or places like San Juan or Miami. Few condos. Many villas. Poverty like you see on all islands except Bermuda. The people are reserved but welcoming if you treat them with respect.

I wouldn't call Christiansted "quaint" but it's far from seedy. Not anywhere as big as Charlotte Amalie. There are probably 10 stores that I go to every year for unusual gifts, jewelry, clothing. I go in on my own during the day and don't feel unsafe. The crime issue is overplayed on all of these boards. I don't think it's any worse or better than any of the islands. There are drugs around but not if you don't go looking for them.

The worst time we ever had with "crime" while in the Caribbean was on Virgin Gorda and had nothing to do with VG. Someone in an adjacent room was beating up his wife/girlfriend in the middle of the night and it was frightening. But I wouldn't hold that against VG.

To sum it up, we started returning to St. Croix each year because we loved the Buccaneer and it was perfect for our family. Now we return because we feel welcomed on St. Croix and love the restaurants, the scenery (quite mountainous with beautiful views), the lack of commercialism, the friendly travelers we meet. And we like that there are few if any cruise ships. No crowds. And nobody's hawking their wares on the beaches (a personal pet peeve of mine).

Most of all, we return because it is a special place for our family of four (kids are now 13 1/2 and 11) and gives us a chance to share something special with each other. We are currently debating our restaurant choices for our trip in February and looking forward to eating lobster quesadillas at Rumrunners while listening to our favorite acoustic duo (Gunn & Raine) sing great songs on the waterfront. As my husband says, "it doesn't get any better than that!"

Don't worry....you'll enjoy your trip wherever you end up. And if it's not St. Croix, just keep it in mind when you have little ones. It's great to travel in the USVI when you have children.

ishkribbl

steviegene-
I am 50ish but very active and certainly don't feel that old, widely travelled for my whole life, and do lots of research for trips because I really enjoy doing it but want to be sure I choose well- basically I have learned to "listen to my gut"- yours keeps telling you St. Croix so go for it. I did not mention it earlier but personally, even though you would only be midway or so in your pregnancy, I would want to be in a place where English was the first language and close enough to the US - or technically the US- in case you needed any type of medical care- even a cold or stomachache!
St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix- as others said- are very different in every way. St. Croix is not lush and mountainous like St. John but it also is not commercialized and crowded like St. Thomas. It is different and beautiful, somewhere you have not been, and would be a new adventure. There is plenty to do for 5 days of exploring.
When I had considered St. Croix in the last year or so I was leaning towards Villa Madeleine but the place you found sounds even better- if you go I definitely want a trip report to hear all about it.
Years ago, I went to St. Croix with my sister for a "girl trip" and it was wonderful- on the way to our hotel from the airport (in the near dark) the cab had to stop for a deer in the road. We laughed until we cried because our husbands were at home on a deer hunting trip and we were fairly sure we saw a bigger one than they did - and in the Caribbean. Luckily, I have a different husband now who loves travelling WITH me and I was going to take him to St. Croix because he has never been (we got married on Hawksnest Beach in SJ in 2001). Have a memorable time wherever you choose.

steviegene

I want to sincerely thank all of you for your responses!
Thank you, thank you thank you!

Its been very hard to choose where to go - especially since this will be our last vacation in a while! Your detailed descriptions have really helped me to see if St. Croix would be a place we could enjoy. Ive been so nervous about choosing - that I havent been able to get excited about the trip!

So I think we're going to St. Croix!
Thanks everyone!

On a sidenote, does anyone know of a daytrip boat sails? We will definetly take a Buck Island tour, but wondering if there are other daysails (maybe to other islands nearby - BVIs or St. John, or maybe to a small uninhabited, etc.) . My husband LOVES boats, and it might be worth staying an extra day if anyone can recommend something.....Thanks!

laplaya

Have you read the reviews at epinions.com? Mixed reviews.

I read them, & out of your choices, I'd choose British Isl, like
Tortola & Virgin Gorda.

doug_stallings

I have to wonder why laplaya hates St. Croix so much. I guess to each his/her own, but I think you'll have a wonderful time. St. Croix is actually my favorite of the Virgin Islands.

Unfortunately, it's also the most isolated, I think 40-some miles south of St. Thomas, so the only place to sail nearby is Buck Island. There aren't that many options for daysails to Buck Island, and most people like Big Beard. Just be sure to take a catamaran trip, not one of the regular boat trips. The experience is much better by sail than by motor.

steviegene

Thanks Doug - appreciate the response!

Can I ask why you like St. Croix best?
and do you have any specific favorite places/activites/etc on the island? (besides Buck Island, which seems to be a definite pick for all).

laplaya

I don't hate St. Croix. I never said that. I've never been there. Its just that I read some cruise ships stopped going there (wonder why?). I think some cruises are going there again, aren't they? Also read of people getting their stuff stolen. Now, this can happen anywhere, but apparently its unheard of in Tortola or Virgin Gorda.

Also, have read MANY reviews of US Virgin Islands. St. John comes in number 1 many times.

Read this 1. It comes w/ a warning.

http://www.epinions.com/content_121843388036

& this one about some who got robbed.

http://www.epinions.com/content_122512903812

Conclusion: I would choose British Isles before heading there.. for peace of mind.

doug_stallings

I like St. Croix because it's much less touristy than either St. Thomas or St. John. It's also often cheaper. If you are willing to drive around, you have a choice of many different beaches, and on many of them you might not find a single other person.

If you like rum, definitely see the Cruzan Rum Distillery. Whim Plantation is a great historical site. I like Christiansted and the fort, but the town is a great place to stroll around and shop.

If you are staying at Villa Greenleaf, it gets our highest recommendation, so I think you'll like it, though you'll have to drive to the beach.

The beaches are actually nicer on the west end than most everywhere else on the island (except on Buck Island itself, which is a simply stunning beach). There are also some great north-side beaches. Unless you want to hike to one of the secluded beaches on the East End, I'd probably skip those because they aren't my favorites.

Restaurants are pretty good over all, and there are many choices in Christiansted in both the upper and middle ranges.

And if you want to do picnics or make lunch for yourself, there are many good supermarkets and even a Kmart.

As for the safety issue, you'll find that petty crime happens on every island these days, even St. John and Anguilla, which have been historically safer than many islands. Walking around in parts of Christiansted or Frederiksted at night can be unwise. And you have to worry about petty crime, but I have not heard of any serious issues of violent crime against tourists in St. Croix. St. Croix does have its criminal element, as well as a drug problem (another growing problem throughout the Caribbean). And the island's economy hasn't been as strong as some others. But I still feel that you'll have a fine time. I've been there 3 times, and I've never had a single problem (other than almost hitting a goat one night while driving).

ishkribbl

Thank you Mr. Stallings for the interesting and helpful information-I will put it in my travel file for future use. I am glad this young couple got some professional/expert advice for what I think sounds like a well-chosen trip!

repete

A lot of good advice here. I like the insight from Doug and ccrosner.

Sure there are part of the island that some might consider gritty and a "snobby" traveler might to keep expectations in check. But I like C-sted and F-town is coming along. Some of the food isn't in the most luxe settings, but we never felt unsafe anywhere on the island.

If you visit Buck Island, make sure you get a boat that also stops along the beach. It's one of the most beautiful I've ever seen. Great sand, clear water and a nice stretch for strolling on this unspoiled island.