Party in the Islands?

[bvigal]

We got side-tracked in TT and began discussing a get-together down here in the islands, after hurricane season, which is high season here. Some expressed an interest. So I pose this question:

How many would be interested in a week here seeing all the islands, lots of beach time, for approximately $800 (double occupancy) to cover all meals and lodging? Air fare would be about $600 unless you get a deal. That comes out to $200/day.

I'll see how much true interest there is, then see what kind of deal I could get based upon numbers.

[bvigal]

Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2006 2:18 pm Post subject:

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Audrey2Katrina wrote:
Also the name of a great song.... yeah, I know... you young'uns wouldn't know anything about it. Wish I could remember who sang it. Wanna say it was the Stones.... G-L-O-R-I-A.....I can hear it now!

A2K


GalvestonDuck replied:
A group called Them recorded the one you're thinking about (I think). Van Morrison's group, if I recall correctly.

The Cadillacs and Laura Branigan also did songs by the same name.

Wow, you sure know your songs!!

[terstorm1012]

1400 dollars for one week in the Islands?

Count me in!

[JonathanBelles]

i would but i cant get a passport until late summer but then school would have started then

[Scorpion]

i would but i cant get a passport until late summer but then school would have started then

A passport is not needed.

[JonathanBelles]

its out of the country

[Janice]

Yes, I think you will need a passport for the British Islands. You do not need one for the US Virgin Islands.

I think they just passed this.

On our last cruise to the British Islands, we were told to carry our passport, but we never had to show it.

The British Islands are not a US Terrority like the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

[alicia-w]

New Requirements for Travelers


The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. In order to facilitate the implementation of this requirement, the Administration is proposing to complete it in phases following a proposed timeline, which will be published in the Federal Register in the near future.

In the proposed implementation plan, which is subject to a period of initial public comment, the Initiative will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed timeline will be as follows:

December 31, 2006 - Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
December 31, 2007 - Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.
This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all United States citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports. This new requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States. Most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and to a lesser degree, Mexican citizens will be affected by the implementation of this requirement.



From the State Department website

[Janice]

I don't think we will be able to make it this year. We want to do the Panama Canal cruise this winter. This should be our last short cruise. We have taken the Alaskan cruise and have now been to all the islands in the whole caribbean and gulf islands. After some of these cats leave, we will concentrate on some longer cruises. We are looking forward to retirement where we can take some European and African cruises. I guess you could say we are addicted....

[mtm4319]

I'm a bit skeptical about the prospects of this actually happening (and I doubt I'd be able to go anyway), but in the case that something like this were to be conceivable, I'd strongly recommend it be held in the US Virgin Islands (or Puerto Rico); the vast majority of S2Kers are American, and therefore wouldn't need a passport to go there.

[Janice]

I think that would be way to expensive for Stormers. The hotel rates are extremely high in PR. I think it would be cheaper if the PR people met with everyone someplace like Florida, Texas or NO. If you re going to spend that much money, might as well make a cruise out of it... all food included too. We can get cruises out of SanJuan for as little as $599 a person for a week for an inside room, sometimes cheaper. I would love to do that, but I am tied up this year with the house and a possible cruise at Christmas. Something like a cruise would have to be planned a year ahead so people can make vacation time off plans.

[O Town]

Man, this sounds soooo like me. I wish I could go. If I was kidless I would be there. Like a dream vacation for me. Not bad prices either. 800.00 for a week for all lodging and meals. Awesome. Hope you guys get enough people together. I am jealous.

[beachbum_al]

I would love to go but I don't know how I would make it.

[Janice]

Yes, this would really be fun, but it is too short notice for me.....

And, some people would have to get their passports quickly.

[bvigal]

I can't understand some of these replies... I think I better repeat my initial post:

We got side-tracked in TT and began discussing a get-together down here in the islands, after hurricane season, which is high season here. Some expressed an interest. So I pose this question:

How many would be interested in a week here seeing all the islands, lots of beach time, for approximately $800 (double occupancy) to cover all meals and lodging? Air fare would be about $600 unless you get a deal. That comes out to $200/day.

So, I'm talking TOTAL COST (including food)=$800 pp, add on air fare to St. Thomas USVI.

It IS a cruise of a sort, it's Windjammer! Not one of those foo-foo contraptions that makes you dress for dinner and sends you ashore to ride around on "tours" in a converted bus, like sardines.

http://www.windjammer.com/fleet_legacy_ ... ion_3.html
I wasn't going to give the actual name, because you go to the site, and many are just going to get even more confused. The cabins are priced for 2 people (one for 4), so for each person is 1/2 that. I know what they are like, I know everything about them and on the ships very frequently.

Just tell me if you could swing a trip after the 1st of the year for the price I quoted. If there are enough interested, I'll work on a package deal!

[Janice]

Oh, I am so sorry. I thought you meant a vacation on your island. Thanks for the information.

[bvigal]

As to passports, I would not travel from mainland to a US Territory (Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands) and back without one after this year is over. When I take the ferry to St. Thomas, I go through Customs and Immigration. I take a taxi from the ferry landing to the airport, where I have to go through again. Once I asked a Cusoms officer why I had to go through twice, here's what he said:
"From the BVI on the ferry, you cleared a US Territory Customs and Immigration. Now, before you board your plane, you are clearing US (proper) Customs and Immigration." So a passport would speed the process leaving US Territory on plane for United States. The airlines are going to get really insistant about passports - they already are. It just makes life easier for them.

For that matter, if one ever plans to leave the US, even to go to Canada or Mexico in your car, you may as well get one. Citizens of every other country in the world consider owning a passport routine. US Passports are valid for 10 years. This year biometric passports will begin being issued. The implementation will be with photos which cannot be forged or replaced, via the use of scanning software which can recognize subtle features not clear to the naked eye. These will be very secure passports, sort of useless if stolen, and the photo in the database will make it easier to re-enter if your passport is lost or stolen.

[Janice]

Yes, I always take my passport whenever leaving Puerto Rico, even to the US.

[bvigal]

Oh, I am so sorry. I thought you meant a vacation on your island. Thanks for the information.

Janice, this would be a great trip for you guys!! You could probably get a $99 fare from San Juan to Charlotte Amalie. The trip stops at St. John, Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and Norman Island. It's great fun!!

[Janice]

Yes, we can always get a $99 round trip to St. Thomas, cheap. But, we are planning a Panama Canal trip in December, so I do not think we can swing both vacations. We have to watch our pennies finishing up on this house to sell.