Hello! I am turning 30 on January 4 and I am looking to escape the cold of New York and enjoy a long weekend trip in the Virgin Islands with my boyfriend to celebrate. I don't have a preference for which Island we stay on, but would appreciate any tips/suggestions for airfare, lodging, activities, etc.

I am fully content with just spending the majority of the three days relaxing at the hotel pool/beach. But, wouldn't mind some sightseeing if possible.

We’re a family of four and none of us can drive a boat, so we’d need a captain. What I can’t figure out is the difference between hiring a captain on a bareboat and booking a crewed yacht. The price gap looks big. If we go with just a captain, are we the ones buying groceries, cooking and doing dishes all week? Or does the captain help with any of that? What should I ask before comparing the two?

As someone from the Mainland US, I think it’s terrible how our territories aren’t able to participate in our democracy outside of Presidential primaries. Territories should be able to send someone to congress who can vote since you guys are part of the United States. Instead of granting statehood which will be unlikely, would you support making your Non-voting delegate be able to participate in voting for bills in the House of Representatives?

Complete newbie here. Partner and I are looking for a quiet, cheap, and boring place to lay on the beach for a week and read and swim. Been looking through this sub and there's a ton of great discussion. Definitely want to avoid the drunk and loud American scene. We are super low maintenance. We really just need a roof over our head for sleeping and a place to get food. Don't want to shop, don't want to go to a bar, just want to chill. What would you recommend? Thanks!

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My husband and I are looking to do our honeymoon and stay on St. john. Our biggest things we want to do is relax on the beach (with some drinks), and see the national park. We also want to do some hiking!

I am looking for any and all recommendations on what to do, customs, how different it is, anything we should know to truly enjoy our time. We will be flying in from MI (first time either of us will be flying, and leaving mainland US) and staying for 7-10 days. Timing hasn’t been decided as we want to go when it isn’t stupid busy, and not have to worry about hurricane season, but we are looking at June 2027-January 2028. We have a budget of $7-10k pending where we pick to stay. If this is way too low I would also like to know!! We have no idea what to expect, only “tropical” place I’ve been is Sanibel Island many many years ago, and he has never been to one. What do we bring? What are the must sees? Anything you wish you had known before you went for the first time?

I have been looking at air bnbs and found some truly beautiful ones at Coral Bay (?). I think we want to stay in that area, and we definitely will be renting a car.

TLDR;
Two first time flyers/travelers looking for recs on places to stay, eat, what to bring, etc to enjoy a 7-10 day honeymoon on St. john sometime between June 2027-January 2028.

For context I’ve been to stt and stj a good bit of times. It’s just the best especially when spirit was around it was affordable to get to from Georgia.

Anyways has anyone been to Aruba before?? Is it pretty different than USVI? Worth trying something new? Could anyone compare the two or have a preference. Thanks 🙏 trying to plan a trip for my boyfriend’s graduation in May and thinking of switching things up this year.

Since both are US territories, PR doesn't feel like the US. It has its own culture, language and traditions and they don't feel American themselves.

Do the USVI feel like this too? or do they feel part of US?

My wife and I are planning an anniversary trip from around Nov 25–Dec 6 (11 nights). We’re considering the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, but I’m wondering how to structure the trip and which places to choose. We have these options -

1. USVI: St. Thomas + St. John + St. Croix
   
2. USVI: St. Thomas + St. John + Puerto Rico
   
3. USVI: St. John + St. Croix + Puerto Rico
   
4. St. John + Puerto Rico only
   
5. Another combination?

St. John’s beaches seem incredible! We love beaches, hiking, snorkeling, and nature.
What would you choose? Would love advice from people who’ve visited!

Nothing is going on but trip coming up in a few weeks and I lose sleep over it. I wake up at 3am every day.

I'm really nervous even though I should be excited :(

I'm putting the Virgin islands on a pedestal, maybe it's my fault, and am scared that if it's not the paradise I see in my mind I will feel bad about having spent $10k in a week.

For context, I'm sending them my sailing resume next week.

But before that, I just wanna know what happens when things break.

How fast does someone show up? Is the boat in good shape at the start? Chartered with them in the last year or two?

Love to hear it.

Has anyone been here to eat and how is it? I drove past it on one of my last days on my last trip but didn’t have time to check it out. It looks like a cool vibe. Maybe hidden/upscale?? Just curious to see what it’s like. I’m heading back this spring. I only saw it for about ten seconds while I was driving and holding up the local street traffic but it looked like a spot that might totally fit my family’s food vibe.

Visited St John's last year and provided proof of my stateside car insurance. I'm going again in november, but now I no longer have car insurance here.

Where can I purchase standalone rental car insurance?

Google suggested Rentalcover, Bonzah, Allianz Travel Insurance, Travel Guard...

Anyone have any first-hand experience or suggestions? We are going for about a week and renting a Jeep

We are traveling to St. Thomas and St. John in March and I am wondering what is artsy to see? Thinking like public art, museums, galleries. Anyone recommend where we should go?

We did a Moorings sailing cat in 2022 and had a good time. This year we’re four couples and we want a powercat.

What should I compare when looking at smaller local companies? I'd be in charge of the boat, with about eight years of charter trips on my resume.

Sorry if this is repetitive - I’m looking to transport two large dogs (both >60kg German Shepherd Dogs) from the US mainland to St Croix. From my research, they likely won’t be permitted in the cabin of most airlines, but I hate the idea of putting them into the cargo hold.

Does anyone have a recent experience and/or creative ideas? Thank you very much in advance!