July 23, 2003 -- We have "our" Virgin Islands, and then there's "their" Virgin Islands, and travelers often like one grouping better than the other. Our Virgins (the US Virgin Islands) are extending a summertime package promotion into early fall. Need to relax in the sun? Dig into these deals by August 30 for travel through September 30.
You get the "Bucket" when you book a minimum four-night stay at one of the participating hotels and resorts on St. Croix, St. John or St. Thomas. When you do, you get a fifth night free. (Room rates start as low as $89 per night, and up to two children under age 18 can stay in the same room free.)
When you check in, you will be given a Bucket filled not with fried chicken, but with some something even more "finger lickin' good." The Bucket contains a $100 American Express travelers check (so there's a healthy rebate), and a coupon booklet full of savings totaling more than $1000 redeemable at local restaurants, attractions, retail shops and other venues throughout the islands.
Caveat: there may be some blackout dates at select properties. But there's a long list of good, better and best hotels or resorts where you can get the Bucket, with prices ranging from that $89 a room and on up, sometimes way up. On St. Croix, they number a dozen, ranging alphabetically from the Cane Bay Reef Club to the Waves at Cane Bay.On St. John, three properties participate, ranging from the Book-It-VI (a villa rental company) to the Westin St. John Resort & Villas. On the most popular island, St. Thomas, 16 properties are in the scheme, alphabetically from the Anchorage Beach Resort through the Wyndham Sugar Bay Beach Resort & Spa.
These specials can be booked only through your local travel agent. For more information about the US Virgin Islands as such, however, phone 800/372-USVI (same as 372-8784) or visit www.usvitourism.vi.
Have you been to the Virgin Islands recently? We love to read trip reports. Just go to our Virgin Islands Message Boards to share your tale.