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Making Your Visit a Memorable Dream

The ultimate guide to planning your vacarion, destination wedding or event in St. Croix and making it a "Memorable Dream" for you and your guests!
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5 Tips for a Successful Destination Wedding

8/18/2020

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Photo courtesy of: Jerad White


As a destination wedding planner in the Caribbean, one tip, which I have touched on in previous posts is the need to hire a local planner in the destination of your wedding who has relationships with vendors such as caterers, hotels, restaurants, local vacation rentals, etc. I will not include that in my top 5, instead, this post is geared towards those of you who have opted to plan your own destination wedding!  Planning a destination wedding from afar can be difficult but can also be a lot of fun if done correctly.

Why a Destination Wedding?
Destination weddings can be amazing but there are lots of moving pieces that you must stay on top of to make it a success, not only for you but for your guests. For example, nothing can ruin the experience of a destination wedding like your mother in law to be staying 30 minutes from the rest of the group or someone not reserving a rental car when it is the only way to get around the island, etc. There are some possible problems with destination weddings that could happen but by being prepared to plan your destination wedding you are one step ahead.
  1. If you aren't hiring a planner, then hire your destination wedding officiant first, a lot of times they work with vendors like photographers, florists, etc. and offer add on options that you can purchase through them and/or they can make the referral to these vendors.  
  2. Do you know a friend or family member who has had a destination wedding? or even a friend of a friend? Ask them for advice, talking to someone who has been through it may save you headaches later.
  3. Lodging - In many cases, not all guests will stay at the same hotel, especially if your wedding isn't at that hotel.  This is totally fine and is actually really nice because guests have the vacation experience they want this way. Although many of your guests may be travel technology savvy, make sure you post links to local vacation rental companies as well as sites like Airbnb, VRBO and Homeaway, also make sure to let your guests know where the festivities will take place so they can try to find somewhere nearby.  . 
  4. Setup a destination wedding website that will get your guests excited for your wedding, after all, a destination wedding isn't just your wedding for your guests, it is also an opportunity for a vacation.  Make sure to include lots of photos of the destination,  information about the wedding including lodging recommendations, area information, pointers, etc.  Take the time to find links to helpful websites and blogs, write your own blogs, etc.  Your guests should be able to use your destination wedding website as the hub for booking their flights, rental cars, lodging, planning tours and excursions, etc.
  5. Don't assume that you will be able to find supplies that you need at your destination. Remote/island/tropical destinations have limited options for stores and the more remote they are the harder it is for them to receive shipments.  For example, you may decide to make your own floral arrangements and just buy things like floral tape or pins for boutonnieres when you arrive but when you arrive, the one store that carries what you need is closed due to a death in the family or that they are sold out until their next shipment arrives in a week?  If you need something supplies, order them ahead of time on Amazon or for decor, favors, etc. buy them ahead on Etsy or Zazzle and pack them in your bags.


This is a small sampling of many pointers that I could give but these 5 tips for the perfect destination wedding could be enough to make a destination wedding everything you have dreamed of and to make your destination wedding fun for your guests.  Looking for more pointers and advice? We offer hourly consulting options that can help to set you up for success on your special day.  Email us with your questions for more information! 

As a top Caribbean destination wedding planner and a Virgin Islands wedding officiant, these are just a few of the tips and pointers I could give.  These 5 tips for a perfect destination wedding in the Caribbean, Hawaii, Fiji or wherever you decide, could be enough to make your destination wedding everything you have dreamed and at the same time, they will help make your destination wedding a memorable vacation for your guests.

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How to Find Cheap Flights to St. Croix Post COVID-19

7/4/2020

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You have taken the first step, you have decided to visit the island of St Croix! Now, it's time to book your flights. With the current COVID pandemic, travel is at an all time low which also means some fares are also at an all time low in 2020. With virus surges happening in the United States, your best bet is to find fares at least a few months out. Many airlines are offering flexible fares for those who are traveling post-COVID, be sure to check with the airlines for the most up to date travel information and restrictions for the US Virgin Islands and be sure to take proper safety precautions such as wearing masks and sanitizing often.

St. Croix is an amazing place to visit, the art, food and adventure activities have put St. Croix on the map as one of the best islands to visit in the Caribbean but depending on where you are located and when you want to visit it can be difficult and sometimes downright expensive to get there.

No problem, check out these tips on the most affordable ways to get to St. Croix!

Travel to St. Croix, USVI from the United States
US cities that offer direct flights to/from St. Croix include: Miami, Atlanta, San Juan, St. Thomas, Fort Lauderdale and sometimes NYC, Charlotte and Chicago with some of these being seasonal only. Delta, American, Jetblue, Spirit and United are the big name airlines that serve the island in addition to a few little guys.
Delta offers flights on Monday and Saturday from Atlanta during peak season and one flight one day a week typically during the off season. While the flights are harder to come by than American or Spirit Airlines, it is my personal preference. As a Delta Medallion Member, I tend to fly Delta, I have experienced the fewest delays or cancellations on Delta vs their competition, and am treated with respect, regardless of my seat class. I will often go out of my way to fly out of San Juan or St. Thomas in order to get a flight on Delta if I can't afford the STX option. Because there are so few direct flights to St. Croix on Delta Airlines, they tend to be the most expensive but sometimes they will surprise you and offer a great deal. . Another thing to note is that Delta provides seat back video screens as well as Wi-Fi on board on all STX, STT and SJU flights (Wi-Fi is for purchase), this is not the case with most other airlines. Delta Wi-Fi is now available the entire flight,although typically it will still tell you that it is not available when flying over the Caribbean.
United Airlines doesn't offer a direct flight to STX BUT they do offer connections through San Juan (SJU) airport in Puerto Rico on Seaborne/Silver Airways. Typically not the cheapest option but sometimes 2nd to Spirit. United Airlines has received a lot of bad press in the past but as one of a handful of limited flight options from the US to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, it is worth checking out.

JetBlue used to be a good less expensive option for direct flights to STX but after Hurricane Maria and the launch of Spirit Airline flights JetBlue stopped offering direct flights into the Henry Rohlsen Airport on STX. You can still book through JetBlue but you will likely have a layover in San Juan and then fly inter island via Cape Air.

American Airlines is typically the 2nd runner up when it comes to choosing flights to St. Croix in both the price and quality categories. While their fares tend to be more than Spirit, they do tend to be cheaper than Delta for most flights into STX. For Delta flyers, expect more services , lower baggage costs and more legroom than Spirit Airlines but not the level of service you are used to with Delta. I have personally experienced several delays (including overnight) on American as have MANY of my friends so this is a valid concern however, sometimes worth the risk vs.other options. American Airlines has 2 daily flights to/from MIA, Miami International Airport.

Spirit Airlines is by far the least expensive flight option to St. Croix (STX) from the continental US that you will find. All flights connect through FLL (Fort Lauderdale), there are 4 flights each week including one on Sunday,Monday, Thursday and Friday. I have seen flights from top destinations such as Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Detroit (DTW) and even Chicago O'Hare (ORD) for less than $100 each way which is CRAZY CHEAP. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Spirit has offered round trip flights to St. Croix as low as $60 round trip from cities like Los Angeles and Las Vegas. You have to watch for these flights but it isn't uncommon to find flights for under $400 round trip from many destinations so by far, Spirit is the winner for the cheap flight from the Continental United States to St. Croix US Virgin Islands Henry E Rohlsen Airport (STX).

Travel to St. Croix from Europe, Asia or Africa
Are you traveling from Europe, Asia or Africa to the United States Virgin Islands? Flights from destinations such as Doha or London to St. Croix (STX), St. Thomas or even to Puerto Rico (SJU) are affordable and readily available, especially during the peak travel season in the Caribbean destinations. Flying to St. Croix via Qatar Airways offers luxury travel to the Caribbean at affordable prices. Qatar Airways has available fares under $1000 round trip from various destinations in Europe to St. Croix.
While some people prefer to pay a premium for direct flights to the Virgin Islands, or flights with the fewest stops and layovers to the Caribbean vacation destination, direct flights to St. Croix can be expensive. For those more adventurous travelers that enjoy airports and extended layovers, first check availablity of cheap flights to SJU (San Juan) or STT (St. Thomas) and connecting flights on Silver Airways (formerly Seaborne Airline) or Cape Air. For a unique and fun travel option from St. Thomas to St. Croix, take the 3 hour ferry boat from St. Thomas to St. Croix, or better yet, take the seaplane in St. Thomas to the seaplane port on the boardwalk in St. Croix.

Inter-island Flights from St. Thomas and San Juan to St. Croix

Cape Air: Cape Air is an inter island option with small (sometimes VERY SMALL) planes, they work with several of the major airlines to offer connecting flights from San Juan and St. Thomas on one continuous itinerary. Inter island flights can range from $50 to $200+ each way depending on the island, the day and time of day.
 
Seaborne/Silver Airways: Very similar to Cape Air, Silver Airways offers smaller planes and cheap connections from nearby Puerto Rico and St. Thomas. Flight prices vary greatly depending on several factors. Seaborne is the exclusive option for seaplane trips between St. Thomas and St. Croix. If you have never taken a seaplane it is almost worth it just for the experience and to say you took off and landed on the water. When looking for flights on the seaplane, use airport codes SSB for St. Croix and SPB for St. Thomas.

Please note that you will need to take a taxi if you are connecting to a regular flight at either STX or STT airports.

Lastly, if you like to live on the edge, consider one way tickets as well, for example, you may want to fly into St. Thomas on one airline, take the ferry or seaplane to St. Croix and then take a flight from St. Croix back to the states. Opting to go this route to the US Virgin Islands sometimes proves to be the most affordable option for flights to St. Croix and also gives you an opportunity to island hop from one Caribbean island to another and visit more than one island and on a Caribbean vacation . ​







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The Top 15 Items to Pack for Your Trip to  the US Virgin Islands and the Top 5 Items NOT to Pack

8/14/2019

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So you are getting ready for your trip and you just aren't sure what to pack! First and foremost, don't pack too much.  It is warm, you will wear as little as possible during most of your trip and you won't want to be lugging things with you around airports, etc.  Also - if you rented a Jeep, there is VERY little room in the back for luggage!
To make your life easy, use this list as your guide for the top 15 things to pack and the top 5 things NOT to pack for your vacation!  Of course, if you are getting married, make this the top 16 things to pack as you will probably also want to pack your wedding attire!

  1. Swimsuit(s), depending on your plan you may want to pack a few for your beach and pool days! 
  2. Swimsuit cover up, this can come in the form of just a pair of shorts and shirt for the beach or in the form of a formal cover up, just make sure you have something to cover yourself in public as it is rude not to.
  3. Shoes - you will likely want 3 pairs of shoes, athletic shoes, flip flops/casual sandals and a pair of dress shoes or sandals. 
    1. Athletic shoes - if you plan to do any hiking, horseback riding or trail riding you will want proper shoes and socks.
    2. Flip flops/casual sandals - aside from your athletic shoes these may likely be the only shoes you will wear, and no one cares what color they are or if they match your outfit!
    3. Dress shoes or sandals for dinners, weddings, etc.  
  4. At least one pair of comfortable lightweight shorts and  several lightweight t-shirts or tank tops for hiking and exploring the island! You will sweat, even during the cooler months of November - April, the sun is warmer than you are used to due to the proximity to the equator!
  5. Lightweight sundresses for women (preferably short to allow for your legs to breathe), these are easy and comfortable and a nice alternative to shorts/pants.  
  6. A collared shirt and long pants for men.  There are one or two restaurants that may require this so always good to be prepared!  If you are the one getting married, this will be needed when visiting the courthouse. A business casual dress or outfit that is not revealing or inappropriate for women,  just in case. If you are getting married you will need this type of an outfit to visit the courthouse.  
  7. A beach bag or a backpack! Pack or purchase upon arrival a bag that is convenient to carry with you to the beach, the pool or maybe even on a hike. 
  8. Reef safe sunscreen - reef safe sunblock is the new law of the land starting in 2020 but surprisingly it is still fairly difficult to find on St. Croix. The chemicals oxybenzone or octinoxate are killing the coral reefs and following the lead of Hawaii, the Virgin Islands had banned these ingredients. Need help  finding Reef safe Sunblock? Check out this article for the 15 best options. If you are flying on Spirit or economy on American or Delta you are going to want to make sure the sunblock you bring is 3.4 oz or less so it is permitted in your carry-on!
  9. Bug spray - it is recommended that you either pack or bring with you a good bug spray, especially one known to work on sand fleas/no-see ums.  Avon skin so soft has been said to work wonders for these critters.  
  10. Benadryl or similar itch cream or itch sticks for bug bites! Again, remember to pack one that is 3.4 oz or less so you can carry it on.
  11. Baby wipes that fit in your purse or backpack- these are great to "freshen up" throughout your trip. You WILL sweat and will be glad you have them!
  12. Water shoes - yes we all know they look RIDICULOUS but there are lots of rocky areas that you will encounter, especially in the best areas for snorkeling and these will save your feet! Also, if you opt to to to either the Carambola Tide Pools or Monks Bath Tide Pools you will be so glad you have these!
  13. Reusable water bottle - you are traveling to an island that just recently started recycling plastic and aluminum and most likely, your hotel or vacation rental isn't recycling yet so do your part and bring your own water bottle for refilling (not to mention an insulated bottle will keep your water cold!).  You can then buy gallon jugs of water to refill your bottles.
  14. Snorkel equipment -  You can rent equipment at Cane Bay beach and it is provided when you take a Buck Island tour but if you would like to snorkel at your own pace where and when you want it is nice to have your own equipment. Fins aren't as necessary as the snorkel and the mask!
  15. Entertainment for the plane and for lying on the beach such as a good book, audio book, Netflix or Amazon Prime Video downloads, etc.  If you are flying on any airline other than Delta, once you start flying over the open water of the Caribbean Sea, there will be no on board wifi or entertainment available. 
What not to pack you ask?? 
  1. Makeup other than maybe lipstick and a waterproof mascara.  Remember what was said above about sweating? Yeah, you will sweat it right off so don't waste your time!
  2.  Pants - aside from the one pair listed above for men
  3. Jackets or sweaters other than maybe something lightweight for the plane, you are in the tropics, it rarely gets below 70 degrees.  The coldest temperature EVER on record for St. Croix is 57 degrees in 1997.
  4. Too much of anything - it is warm, you don't need much and you won't want to be lugging around a big suitcase!
  5. Cigarettes - if you are a smoker don't bother bringing cigs because if you purchase them by the carton they are usually $3.50-$3.75 per pack or $5 per pack when purchased individually.  You are allowed to bring 5 cartons with you when leaving. You may not be able to find all brands but the big ones like Marlboro, Camel, Parliament, Newport, etc. you should be able to find!

And there you have it folks, the top 15 things to bring and top 5 things NOT to bring on your St. Croix Virgin Islands vacation!

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The BEST Tips, Tricks and Hacks for your St. Croix Vacation

7/17/2019

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Tips, Tricks and Hacks for your Visit To St. Croix

It shouldn't need to be said but when traveling to new destinations, making an effort to observe local culture and traditions is always appreciated and will generally make for a better experience.  Remember, you are in their home, if you want people to welcome you, then respect them. 

St. Croix and the rest of the US Virgin Islands are part of the United States and its residents are US Citizens but you will find that many more of the customs and traditions stem more from the European and African roots than from the US.  St. Croix does have many stateside conveniences but there are many things that you may not be used to such as the rough roads and the tropical flora. No need to worry though, we have you covered - below you will find the best tips, tricks and hacks for an enjoyable and easy trip, vacation or even wedding in St. Croix!

Culture and Customs
 
  • Do use the proper greetings and use them at the appropriate times. Good Morning, Good Afternoon and Goodnight (not good evening)  are the standard greetings, Good Day is also acceptable. It is typical to say this if you are close enough to make eye contact. Do not try to avoid eye contact or just smile and not say anything, this can be considered rude. 

  • It is considered rude to wear your swimsuit anywhere but the beach or pool.  If you are running into a gas station or grocery store, walking down the street in town, etc. the polite thing to do is wear clothing over your swimsuit and make sure you are wearing shoes/sandals.  If you opt to not observe this custom, you will possibly be met with stares and/or comments.

Driving and Getting Around

  • Potholes are everywhere, be careful! Our roads are rough, there are large potholes and ruts everywhere, gravel/dirt or partially paved roads are also not uncommon.  It is customary to swerve around potholes when driving, you will experience this frequently and it may appear that someone is drunk when really they are just trying to prolong the life of their vehicle by avoiding the potholes and ruts. 

  • Do not text or talk on your phone while driving, roads are rough and curvy and this is extremely dangerous. If you need to use your phone please stop and pull off.

  • Keep left - although we are part of the US, we drive on the left side of the road and it is VERY important to not forget this, for your own safety and the safety of others.

  • Google maps works well for businesses but physical addresses do not work like they do in the states so most likely if you enter an address, it will not be found.  Check Google for your destination ahead of time, if it isn't found then ask a local resident for directions.  

  • When driving, you may notice someone honking at you, waving or flashing their lights - this is most likely because they are letting you go in front of them/turn, etc. or they are thanking you for letting them go.  It is common for someone to just stop in traffic to let you go...remember, you are on island time, no one is in a hurry and they are trying to be kind! Please return the favor with a friendly wave, honk or flash of the lights to say thanks.

  • The drinking age is 18, not 21 and it  IS legal to drink and drive and have open containers but the legal limit is still .08. 

Other Useful Tips and Information:

  • Reef safe Sunblock is the new law of the land starting in 2020 but surprisingly it is still fairly difficult to find on St. Croix. The chemicals oxybenzone or octinoxate are killing the coral reefs and following the lead of Hawaii, the Virgin Islands had banned these ingredients. Need help,m finding Reef safe Sunblock? Check out this article for the 15 best options. 

  • Do not drink the water in most cases, if you are at a restaurant in town that has "city" water you can drink it or if you are staying or visiting a place that has proper filtration you can drink it but outside of town most places depend on a cistern (rain water) that is not treated (it is fine for showers and brushing your teeth however!).  Ask your hotel or vacation rental host about the water at their particular location, some of the hotels or condos have their own water treatment facility and some homes have filtration systems however, most homes will not have this and you will want to buy jugs or bottles of water.  

  • Be Conservative! Most places depend on rain water to fill their cisterns, islanders tend to be very conservative. If a cistern runs out of water the only way to replenish it is to pay for a water truck to fill it, which is very expensive.  Keep your showers short and flush as necessary!

  • Things happen on island time, DO be patient (lines at the store, someone stopping on traffic to talk to a friend, restaurant service etc.DO Be friendly and you will be treated the same, be rude, you will also receive the same treatment. 

  • Drink mixers are often more expensive than the alcohol they are mixed with so drinks tend to have more booze than mixer...it is recommended that if you do not have a very high tolerance that you order your drinks with a "stateside pour"! 

  • Don't leave valuables in your car or on the beach when you aren't around, like most tourist destinations, petty thieves prey on those who leave valuables in their cars or on the beach.  It is recommended that you just bring with you what you need - i.e. bring your ID, 1 credit card and/or a small amount of cash, leave your full wallet at home.  This way if something gets lost or stolen, you have another method of paying for things stashed away!
  • Be smart and aware of your surroundings like you would in any other city.  Overall St. Croix is a sleepy, safe small town however, like anywhere, there is crime.  Don't walk alone, get accurate directions, if it feels like you shouldn't be somewhere then don't be there.  If there is a private property sign, respect this.

  • St. Croix is a very relaxed, laid back destination and there isn't a lot of nightlife. Most things will wind down early, it is rare to be out after 11pm.  

  • Power is expensive, if you are staying at a vacation rental/private residence especially, please turn off fans/AC/lights, etc. if you are not in the room and if you don't need it, don't turn it on.  The Virgin Islands literally has some of , if not the most expensive power in the world at $.41 per kilowatt hour .....to put it in perspective, Wisconsin is about $.10 per kilowatt hour, Hawaii is about $.33, Australia $.25-$.33 per kilowatt hour, the most expensive in Europe is $.28 per kilowatt hour.  Help keep prices of vacation rentals down and be conservative!

  • Beware of the manchineel trees - AKA little apple of death. These trees are commonly found near the shore on the island of St Croix (as well in other areas of the Caribbean, Florida and South America) and are known to be the most dangerous tree in the world. The spade shaped leaves and green apple like fruit (eventuality turning black before falling to the ground). 
    • All parts of the tree are poisonous and should be avoided. 
    • Leaves, branches and fruit are often of the beach, rake them out of your way before sitting down, avoid touching, eating, etc. No deaths have been recorded in modern day but it is said that the manchineel is what killed Ponce de Leon. 


Garbage/recycling
  • Most homes do not have garbage pickup, residents take their own trash to the dump (or in the case of a vacation rental, your housekeeper). Be responsible and respectful, if you are going to drive by a dump at some point, it is a nice touch to drop off your own.
  • Recycling is a newer concept in St. Croix, most clear plastics and all aluminum cans (not tin cans, just beverages) are recyclable, no other recycling is currently in place. Most vacation rentals probably don't recycle because it is not easy to get your recyclables to where the need to go. 
    • If you would like to recycle your cans, you can bring them to Leatherback Brewery any time they are open or to Plaza West on Saturday mornings. Plastic is at Plaza West only.


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5 Days In St. Croix - The Best Tips for a Unique (and Romantic!) Vacation

4/21/2018

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1. Rent a Jeep and drive through the rain forest to Scenic Drive - you will get the most amazing views of the island! This particular shot is at the far west end above the Renaissance Carambola Resort!
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Why a destination wedding planner/designer is necessary

11/26/2017

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Photography by The Squishy Monster

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The 3 Things Every Bride Needs To Know

7/6/2016

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    Author

    Lori Konkler knew how much she loved helping people to realize their dreams and for many years in the hotel industry had the opportunity to do just that!  In 2016 Lori relocated to the island of St. Croix to realize her own dream of becoming an independent event planner and helping people achieve their own Memorable Dreams through their weddings and events.  

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