Has anyone ever done a charter w/ small children? I would personally love to do a full day, but I'd be nervous with the little one being able to last all day. So it would have to be a half day, which is a bummer because I really wanted to go to Jost. Experiences? Recommended companies that would be ...

I just sent this to the 3 newbs we'll be visiting with in June. Great thread!!

The first time we visited we knew almost nothing about the island. And I'm so glad it happened that way. We discovered heaven on earth with no plan, no expectations, and fresh eyes.

We love Vie's Beach! Very short walk, $2.50 fee and good food! Forgot about that one! That was a good one for us. I will say the one thing that was kind of a bummer about being pregnant on the island was the morning sickness. I could only stay out snorkeling for a short time before getting terribly...

All the ones you named, plus Gibney, which is my favorite beach. Super quiet, lots of space and there's plenty of shade. Easy enough to get to, much easier than Jumbie in my opinion. Get there early for parking. If you get to Hawksnest early and leave before noon it's usually ok. But I tend to agree...

The age old debate. :) I can't comment on the villas, but I can share my perspective on the Cuz/Coral question. It's 100% personal preference. I'm partial to the Cruz Bay side. Something about driving through town to get to the quiet beaches and back to the private and relaxing villa...I don't know,...

We are 6 adults and 1 toddler going to the island in June. Looking for a 3 bedroom villa, around $3500 for the week (w/ fees and taxes), in the Great Cruz Bay, Chocolate Hole areas. We could go as far as Rendezvous or Gifft Hill. I know our budget is a little on the low side so that limits our optio...

These are all fantastic suggestions, thank you all!

Haven't booked flights OR villa yet, but I'm hoping to be there the first week of June.

Thanks for the response and the great ideas, chicagoans! I have both those books but haven't looked at them in ages. I'll have to refer back for some inspiration. We're still deciding on the car rental, but I am leaning toward the 2 separate. Hubs and I are like vegetables on vacation (in a good way...

We are planning a trip along with 3 newbies. This would be the 5th trip for my husband and me. I'm a little nervous about the newbies, who are typically resort/casino type folks. We have 'prepared' them that STJ is very low key, quiet, rustic, and a beach-all-day type place. They are on board and lo...

Not sure how weird this is, but we bring our St. John spice from home to the island. We inevitably end up buying a new bottle to bring home, but we always pack the one we have.

We just returned from a trip to STJ with our 16 month old. We did not want to deal with bringing a car seat down. We had our baby on our lap for the plane ride, which worked out fine. That's only allowed for children under 2. We rented a car from Discount Car Rental on St. Thomas and they met us at ...

My brain is officially fried and in day dream mode as we round the corner to "Back To Where The Boats Come From Tour 2011." Just have to get rhough the following: Manic Monday Terrible Tuesday Whacked Out Wendesday ......and its Takeoff Thursday! Now can we say SOON COME! :D We fly out of...

Oh dear... Would sunny BUG FREE conditions be too much to ask for our arrival next Thursday?

No amount of deet can keep those effers away from me. I am delicious, apparently.

Right there with ya, brother.