06-13-2016, 07:22 PM
(06-13-2016, 06:27 PM)TAH Wrote:My research tells me St John would be the island of choice when I hit the Virgin Islands. Laid back and lush with a nice beach is really all I need. It is on my short bucket list and I'm sure I will be there in a year or two.(06-13-2016, 04:12 PM)booger Wrote:(06-13-2016, 03:38 PM)TAH Wrote: I'm right there with you Booger. The Virgin Islands are mighty nice, and really aren't that much more expensive.
I'm actually doing the Maldives next, sort of opposite ends of the spectrum. The Yucatan/Quintana Roo has some amazing beaches and better food IMO. It's a shame you have to be so vigilant regarding the water issues. If not, I would be there much more than I have as of late.
Nice, definitely let us know how that goes. I've looked a lot over in that region in general, but the travel time is always the deal killer for me. Eventually we'll get tired of the Caribbean, but we aren't there yet.
We went to St John in March/April, and it is a pretty awesome place. We were on St Thomas a couple nights, and it has a lot to offer as well, but St John I think would be right up your alley.
As far as the Maldives, it is quite the hike to get there. I will be on two different flights for nearly a full day just to get there, however in business or first class it is not much of an issue as you can sip on alcohol to your hearts delight and enjoy a lie flat seat to catch some zzzzzz. Once you land in Male the capital you still need to take a speed boat or a seaplane to reach your resort.
If you know how to churn credit cards you can get there for cheaper than a round trip coach flight to Jamaica. Outside of the minimum spend requirements, you might have to absorb an annual fee. However, there are cards out there that you can net zero spend with the additional benefits they offer. There is no way in hell I would pay the cash price for that ticket, as they are north of $5k for a RT business class ticket.
I also have a credit card that covers the 4th night for free. So I am booking two resorts and will only pay 6 out of 8 nights. So while this trip will cost more than my typical trip, it will not break the bank had I paid for 8 nights with airfare separately. In fact, I will spend less than half if I had paid outright for airfare and hotel.
If any of this interest you do a search on manufactured spend and credit card churning. You will find numerous bloggers who are more than happy to teach you how to "work" the system.
"Do not argue with an idiot, he will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience." Greg King