You guys just scared me off a 40th anniversary trip. Our first off shore vacation. We will be golfing in San Diego instead. At least stateside we can protect ourselves. I haven't read horror stories about Maui. Catalina doesn't have gun toting thugs blood related to local police. You would think the locals understand that tourism is their life blood. I really wanted to walk in Jesus's footsteps in Israel too. What kind of fool travels there now? I'll just stay cooped up here and dream of swimming with the Manatee. The safety of my wife is more important to me than my "bucket list". I'll spend my money more close to home. I appreciate my "back yard" more and more. I am less that three hours away from Zion, Bryce, Moab, and The North Rim is just 3 1/2 hours. Golfing Moab, Monticello, and Lake Powell is done here on a three day weekend. The Natives of the Southwest love us spending money on their reservation.

nevertravelgreg,

Letting other paranoid travelers ruin your vacation plans is just plain sad. STT has some areas that you need to be aware of, and some common sense is definitely needed (on any island). But to cancel a vacation due to a few grumblings on an online forum is really unfortunate.

Plenty of safe destinations in the Caribbean to explore. You are truly missing out by letting others fears dictate your decisions.

If I listens to all the naysayers about Mexico, I would have missed out on one of my favorite places.

Never live in fear.....just use common sense.

If this one thread made you change plans of vacationing in the US Virgin Islands, I agree it's really too bad.

I love to travel to Mexico and do so every year, solo, female. If I let what I read by a few scared people online or from hysterical media sources, I would have missed out on 25 years of fantastic trips.

I don't blame you nevertravelgreg, I would not want to go to any island where I'd feel uncomfortable. I was in St. John many years ago right after a woman had been tied up and raped in front of her husband on a beach (can't remember which one, Cinnamon?) in broad daylight. Everyone was jittery. Even in Anguilla, where we went 25 times, there is some crime now and I barricade our door with the ironing board and chairs at night. I know things happen everywhere and could just as easily happen at home, but really, you want to relax on vacation and not be looking over your shoulder.

St Thomas is a very dangerous travel destination. It is corrupt. Crime is rampant. I can not believe travel companies don't warn people of the dangers. I also can't believe more people don't know how awful it is there. Stay in crowds. Don't go anywhere by yourself and stay near the cruise ship. The locals have terrible issues with crime and many are afraid of the police. It's not a nice place and def not worth the money. Too dangerous.

I'm spending a week at the Ritz Carlton St. Thomas in August. Hope I survive the experience.

The Ritz Carlton is a great property. Will you be going over to St John?

It looks beautiful brennynp. Can't wait. We plan on taking the boat trip from the Ritz Carlton to St John and have dinner there. Any recommendations?

Well, in Cruz Bay there is La Tapa, Lime Inn, Virgin Fire (in Mongoose Junction complex). Banana Deck. The bars/restaurants right along the waterfront are fun and funky.

Zozos at Caneel Bay is excellent, but pricier. Have you been to St John before

I haven't been before (never been to St. Thomas either). And the cruise takes us to Cruz Bay so we will probably find a restaurant within walking distance.

"there is some crime now and I barricade our door with the ironing board and chairs at night. I know things happen everywhere and could just as easily happen at home, but really, you want to relax on vacation and not be looking over your shoulder."

Wow!! So this is your idea of relaxing? If I felt like I had to barricade the door, I surely wouldn't be feeling very relaxed.

Oh and Tom42, hopefully you will be able to struggle through your stay at the Ritz!! By the way, ZoZos is located at Gallows Point, easily walkable from the ferry docks.

Bassguy, as long as I can barricade my door with the ironing board, I'll be okay. ; )

Thanks to brenny and you for the restaurant recommendations. I'll research them.

Just an FYI, Zozo's is at Caneel Bay. They moved there a couple of years ago. Its in the old Sugar Mill at Caneel.

brenny,

Thanks for the clarification....it's been a few years since I was there. I wasn't aware they moved to Caneel from Gallows....

Do you know if Zozo's is walking distance from where the boat will dock?

Caneel is not what I would call walkable from the ferry docks. A cab would be best. There will be plenty of great food choices right there in town. I'm sure you can get some good updated reviews of the better restaurants right there in town.

Tom 42, yes you would have to take a cab to Zozos. Is your excursion to St John just for the evening? Should you want to see more of St John on your own, you can easily get to the ferry at Red Hook for the trip over. The ferry is 7$ and leaves hourly. You could rent a car (or take a cab) and drive around to the North Shore beaches - they are beautiful. Trunk Bay is a must in my opinion - especially if you've never been before.

brennynp - the plan was just for an evening excursion but maybe we should re-think it. The Ritz Carlton offers the excursion on their catamaran. It's drinks and hors d'ouvres on the way over, dinner on St. John on our own and then the catamaran trip back with cordials and dessert. It's from 6-10. But maybe we should just take the ferry over to Cruz Bay in the afternoon and explore a little. We'll have to to talk about it.

I am extremely disappointed by some of these posts. I spend a few months out of the year on St Thomas and find it to be a beautiful island. Now don't get me wrong, it certainly has flaws.

My perspective on crime: yes it does exist. However if you use common sense you should be fine. I don't suggest walking around late night (especially if you had too much to drink), don't flaunt jewelry or money, and be aware of your surroundings. But this is the exact same advice I would give to anyone going to any place.

Biggest amount of crime tends to crimes of opportunity. I see tons of tourists leave their camera, phone,wallet, etc sitting on a beach chair while they go swimming. Doesn't make it right, but these are easy targets.

Some folks mention it being rundown and trash everywhere. You have to remember cost of living here is high and salt air is rough on buildings. People can't afford to paint their house every year. Sometimes you need to look past the aethestics. And several homes are built to house a family per level. So yes, you do see "unfinished" houses. But it is because no decided to / build an additional level. Now with all that said there are some run down areas. But what city doesn't have that?

As for the trash laying around, that does sadden me. There are public dumpsters all over and yet some people choose to not use them. But let's be honest, how much trash do you see driving down the highway in any state, any city.

There is culture here that also needs to be realized and understood. Most locals are very friendly. You just need to know they have a different culture. They are not necessarily being rude; you just are not abiding by the island culture.

One thing that could be improved though is customer service. Things definitely operate on "island time." And their body of government could use some inspiration.

This brings me to my last point. I think people assume that because this is a Paradise that for some reason it should be different. Just because you are on vacation and expecting certain things, remember this is a place where people live 365 a year. Yes tourism is a main industry but people here are still living their life. They are dealing with sick kids, a flat tire, etc. All the same stuff you do too when not on vacation.

So definitely come to St Thomas to enjoy the beautiful weather, dozens of beaches, and sunny skies. Just be smart and respectful and you should have a wonderful vacation.