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By Mike Currie, Cruise Holidays of Southlake
Travel and Romance have been flirting with each other for some time. See if you remember:
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Young lovers plead with their respective parents to be on the same beach in South Padre, Cancun, or Panama City for Spring Break.
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A truly compatible partner is validated by how well you travel together
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The airline tickets arrive for your first trip to meet her folks
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Marriages are really celebrated as the limo pulls out for that exotic Honeymoon beach getaway (And take it from a guy originally from Niagara Falls, NY – nobody is doing that anymore)!
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During the dessert course of your 10th, 20th or 30th Anniversary dinner, your lover hands you cruise documents and a Card from your boss to take a well needed vacation
As I reflect on my love for the sea and a favorite platform for romance, a unique archipelago of islands rises to the top of the list… The Virgin Islands. Located in the Eastern Caribbean Leeward Islands southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico are the turquoise watered, beautifully beach lined, and visitor friendly Spanish, U.S. and British Virgin Islands.
Each group of islands is unique in their own right. All are surrounded by romantic beaches and warm sunsets. The Spanish Virgins are newly accessible, quiet, and natural. The U.S. Virgins are increasingly developed with comfortable “creature comforts” like large resorts, extensive shopping and fine restaurants. The British Virgins (my favorite) are full of pirate history and romantic tales, excellent sailing and diving waters and an almost bohemian island night-life.
The British Virgin Islands
Here are 45 islands of cruising sailors’ paradise. I have personally visited this British protectorate paradise a total of 14 different weeks over the past 3 years and know it well enough to want more (We own a sailing yacht at Road Town, Tortola and prior to opening Cruise Holidays of Southlake, we actually had time to sail it). Bareboat chartering and tourism is the number one industry. Premium and luxury cruise lines make Tortola and Virgin Gorda a “must see” port of call on all Eastern Caribbean itineraries.
Two of the scheduled shore excursions are to visit the Baths or the Caves. The Baths on Virgin Gorda have been featured in multiple Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues and the volcanic rock formation the beach is a natural wonder. Here you can hike among the 40 foot boulders, snorkel around them or take a stroll up the hill to a lookout café and views of fresh water swimming pools. The Caves are great snorkeling waters on Norman Island (R.L. Stevenson’s novel Treasure Island was based on the history and look of Norman Island) Legend has it that Blackbeard hid away $400, 000 in coins and valuables inside those caves and never returned for them).
Here’s a little political commentary on why you go there: Britain has a great manner of taking care of their remaining outpost nations. The government maintains conservative development planning to ensure that the landscape does not become over populated or paved. The local islanders must have employment prior to anyone else gaining a local position. All immigrants must secure employment prior to entering the country more than 30 days. The BVI’s have no income or commercial taxes as well. Bottom-line, this island paradise is service oriented and not sales oriented (no HAWKING).
Why people go Sailing or power yachting, high-end resorts, diving, night-life
Biggest Attractions Baths, Caves, Diving the wreck of the HMS Rhone
Best time to visit Shoulder months of May or October
Where to stay High end - Little Dix, Peter Island Resort, Bitter End
Mid-range – Saba Rock or Marina Cay
Best restaurants or bars Bars - Foxy’s, Soggy Dollar Bar, or Bomba Shack on Full Moon
Restaurants – Donovan’s Reef, Bitter End Yacht Club, or Pussers
Best souvenirs Pirate Flags, Islander shirts, Pussers’ Rum
Exciting excursion Bareboat charter a sailboat with Captain and Chef
Cruise with Windstar or SeaDream Yacht Club
The U.S Virgin Islands
Ever since Teddy Roosevelt secured the purchase of these 3 islands from the Dutch, we have been visiting St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John for romantic vacations. Only a short 30 minute flight from San Juan or non-stop from Miami, each island has their own identity and strengths.
St. Croix is the largest (86 square miles) of the U.S. Virgins with a remarkably diverse and beautiful landscape ranging from a lush tropical forest to desert vegetation. This island has an incredible European history as evident in it’s two small cities of Christiansted and Fredriksted. Wonderful architecture, ruins, and museums can be found in the Historic District. Buck Island Reef, duty free shopping and world famous beaches are the draw. The island also has an industrial presence (Oil refinement) so it is not my 1st or 2nd choice.
St. Thomas
is the most developed and most cosmopolitan of the U.S. Virgins. The capital and favorite Cruise ship destination at Charlotte Amalie has great fun for couples or entire families.
St. Thomas
boasts a wide variety of places to stay, from quaint bed and breakfasts, to luxury villas (Ritz-Carlton) or large hotels with all-inclusive packages. The islands proximity to St. John and the British Virgin Islands make a day trip to these neighboring islands easy and affordable. Must sees here are Blackbeard’s Castle, MagensBay beach, and the open-air marketplace.
With two-thirds of the island designated as National Park, St. John is the most undeveloped, easygoing, and laid back of the 3 major U.S. Virgin Islands. There are only two major resorts on the island, and the beaches are unspoiled by large hotels or development. The main industry is tourism and the favorite activities are hiking for all levels, snorkeling and catamaran sailing.
Why people go Beaches, shopping, boating
Biggest Attractions Blackbeards’and Bluebeards’ Castles, MagensBay, CruzBay
Best time to visit Shoulder months of May or October
Where to stay St. Thomas – Hotel 1829, Frenchmans’s Reef Marriott,
St. John
– The Westin Resort
Best restaurants Hueve’s Restaurant for dinner, The Green Awning for breakfast Best souvenirs Jewelry, genuine knock-off designer hand bags
Exciting Excursion Bed and Breakfast on St. John’s
The Spanish Virgin Islands
This little known group of islands is the closest to San Juan, Puerto Rico, (just 19 miles across the sea) is formerly known as the PassageIslands. Less than 10 years ago our Air Force was using the outlying areas of these islands for bombing practice. While still a secret to many, this sea-side frontier land enjoys unmanned beaches, undisturbed coral reefs and a place to anchor your sailing yacht without a crowd.
All that said, Culebra and Visques islands are primitive today, but prime for development within 10 years. So if you want to see sleepy islands with small villages and unfettered beaches go there soon. This is really for those that can sail in or take a water taxi to a rental bungalow. You won’t find resorts, cruise ships or any real night-life, but for some, that’s why you go.
Why people go Relax, Action Sports, and disserted beaches
Biggest Attractions Boating, Diving, and local island bars
Best time to visit No crowds anytime, better sailing breezes in winter
Where to stay Any Bed and Breakfast
Best restaurants Local beach bistros
Best souvenirs Rum, Light Rum and Dark Rum
Exciting Excursion Bareboat charter a sailboat with
Mike Currie owner, Cruise Holidays of Southlake can be reached at
dreammaker@cruiseholidays.com
and is always happy to send a complimentary copy of the The 10 Myths About Cruising.
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