Anyone been to Virgin Islands?

**ruxCYtable** · 02-11-2013, 09:47 PM

How's it compare to Hawaii and other tropical destinations (climate, activities, price, etc.)?

**Go2Guy** · 02-11-2013, 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by ruxCYtable

How's it compare to Hawaii and other tropical destinations (climate, activities, price, etc.)?

com'mon fess up, you were watching The Bachelor in St Croix....like I was:) I wanna go.

**cowgirl836** · 02-11-2013, 10:12 PM

Should have watched the Bachelor tonight!

I had been researching places for our trip this summer and St. Croix/John were high on the list so I appreciate the Bachelor giving me a glimpse.

From what I learned, you need to go spend time on TripAdvisor and decide what island(s) you are interested in. St. Thomas/John are quite close to each other and you can visit the other during the day if you are staying on the other. St. Croix is further away and quite expensive to hop to. Most of St. John is a national park with great beaches.St.Thomas was more commercialized, and St. Croix was supposed to have great food/beaches - sounded like a decent mix of the first of the other two. St. J didn't have a ton of resorts/hotels to stay at - lots of condo/rental/cottage type places. All three are supposed to be pricey.

Spend some time on TA and Fodor's, they give a pretty good idea of each island. Though we're still undecided....

**Go2Guy** · 02-11-2013, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by cowgirl836

Should have watched the Bachelor tonight!

I had been researching places for our trip this summer and St. Croix/John were high on the list so I appreciate the Bachelor giving me a glimpse.

.

i wasn't really watchin'; I was channel surfing during the KSU-KU game

But there were a couple hotties in bikinis, so I had to check it out

**mtowncyclone13** · 02-11-2013, 10:15 PM

I've been. It's safer than many other islands but not as safe as East Des Moines.or North Waterloo. It's beautiful but make sure you have easy access to a nice white sand beach. There are some great beaches there but also some rocky ones.

St. Croix is less developed than St. John's. and St. Thomas. Charlotte Amallie (?) is a neat little town with some cool alleys and whatnot but don't stray off the tourist area. Again, I'll reccommend the Cayman Islands as a safe destination with wonderful food.

**Luth4Cy** · 02-11-2013, 10:17 PM

I have not been, but Steele Jantz has.

**SplitIdentity** · 02-11-2013, 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by Go2Guy

i wasn't really watchin'; I was channel surfing during the KSU-KU game

But there were a couple hotties in bikinis, so I had to check it out

Yeah right...

I thought this thread was going to be about clones21's basement (get it? his own private virgin island). But seriously, that's a top destination for me. I was searching a few months ago, and it would have almost been cheaper to go to the University of the Virgin Islands than Iowa State (tuition wise).... wish I woulda known that.

**SuperTrooper** · 02-11-2013, 10:47 PM

Yeah I was there last week.

They are in the process of changing their name this week.

**kcdc4isu** · 02-11-2013, 10:48 PM

Been to both Virgin Islands when the women went for the Thanksgiving tourney and Hawaii last July. Both are not bad St Thomas ( and so is St. John toook a day trip there) is poorer and you need to watch where you go. I thought Hawaii was a little more expensive but has more tourist sites to visit would go back to either one if I got the chance.

**mtowncyclone13** · 02-11-2013, 10:51 PM

I agree. If your choice is between USVI and Hawaii take Hawaii every time. But if you are dead set on Caribbean (and every flight from Iowa has a layover so the time isn't much different), USVI isn't too bad. At least it has mountains which is nice.

**VTXCyRyD** · 02-11-2013, 11:03 PM

Originally Posted by SplitIdentity

Yeah right...

I thought this thread was going to be about clones21's mom's basement (get it? his own private virgin island). But seriously, that's a top destination for me. I was searching a few months ago, and it would have almost been cheaper to go to the University of the Virgin Islands than Iowa State (tuition wise).... wish I woulda known that.

fify

**Three4Cy** · 02-11-2013, 11:10 PM

I went when the women played there in 2010 - loved it, and planning to go back. Stayed at the only all-inclusive resort on the island, perfect weather, great beaches, and since we were at an all-inclusive relatively inexpensive.

I plan on going back and going to St. Croix, we went to St. John and stayed in St. Thomas. We stayed on the side of the island opposite of where the cruise ships come in, so it was pretty quiet. Interesting to drive on the island since you drive on the opposite side of the road. Also, no passport required.

I've been to Hawaii three times and the USVI and there are pluses and minuses to both. One thing I liked about the USVI was the time difference. You are on Atlantic Standard time so two hours ahead, vs Hawaii which is five hours behind. The jet lag from Hawaii can be a killer. Hawaii is far more developed, and there is much more to do.

**Bamacyclone** · 02-12-2013, 12:04 AM

Originally Posted by ruxCYtable

How's it compare to Hawaii and other tropical destinations (climate, activities, price, etc.)?

Hawaii is stunningly beautiful and if you haven't seen it, then it should be on your short list. We're fans of the more lush, garden type islands such as Maui as opposed to the desert feel to the island of Hawaii.

We have been to many Caribbean islands over the years. We love the proximity to us in the SE US, the beautiful beaches, food, and music. We're golfers so we favor islands with golf courses.

Honeymoon was in St. Croix, as it's a little more quiet than St. Thomas. Beaches were average though if that's what you're looking for.

Cayman Islands were ok but very busy with many cruise ships and their crowds hitting the shops and courses most days.

Our personal favorite, and we've returned many times now, is the Turks and Caicos island of Providenciales. Good golf course. Grace Bay beach is beautiful with good beaches and snorkeling.

As to crime, we've stayed away from Jamaica and Dominican Republic for that reason. I'm sure you'd be safe in one of their all-inclusive resorts, but we like to get out and explore the island. There are areas you run into that your common sense tells you to stay away from, especially at night, but that could apply to any city in the world pretty much.

Really comes down to which atmosphere you like better (caribbean or polynesian) and what it is you like to do.

**ruxCYtable** · 02-12-2013, 07:12 AM

Originally Posted by Go2Guy

com'mon fess up, you were watching The Bachelor in St Croix....like I was:) I wanna go.

Um...well...the girls had it on...and I was just...you know...hanging around.

**cycloneworld** · 02-12-2013, 07:30 AM

It really depends which Virgin Island you are talking about...they are all very different. All have beautiful scenery but the culture/attitudes are different.

St. Thomas (US) is similar to Hawaii. Lots of Americans, lots of rich people.
St. John (US) is a little more laid back but still "Americanized".
Tortola (UK) is much more laid back.

Personally, I like the St. Martin & St. Kitts-type islands which are in the Caribbean but not technically the Virgin Islands. Less of a tourist feel, more natural Caribbean atmosphere.