At St. John Ultimate Villas we want to help optimize your stay amidst the pandemic. So, here are a few of our recommendations.
Save the trip to the grocery store by provisioning your villa. We are happy to send our guests a list of provisions and have your villa stocked on the day of your arrival. By doing this, you not only save yourself the hassle of grocery shopping, but you also minimize initial contact with locals who may be vulnerable to the virus. Keep in mind that even if you arrived at the airport with a negative COVID-19 test, it is still very possible to have contracted the virus during your journey to the USVI. So, monitor your health closely during your vacation and stay at your villa if you feel sick. You can book an appointment for COVID-19 testing at one of these locations here.
Make restaurant reservations as soon as possible. Many restaurants are not yet operating at full capacity and there is often a waiting list of up to two weeks. To ensure a smooth dining experience, we suggest that you call your restaurant of choice to make reservations and to find out about their specific COVID-19 related requirements.
Reduce exposure during your travels. The Crown Bay Marina is a good bet for visitors who are concerned about being in close proximity to potential carriers of the virus. The Crown Bay ferry is about a five minute drive from Cyril E. King airport and is significantly smaller than the Redhook and Charlotte Amalie ferries and carries far fewer passengers. The ferry ride from Crown Bay to Cruz Bay is about 35 minutes long and offers a stunning view of the Southern coastline of St. Thomas. Reservations can be made here.
Get travel insurance. Many airlines are no longer offering free flight cancellation like they were in the earlier stages of the pandemic. And since a negative COVID-19 test is required to travel to the USVI, we highly recommend that visitors insure their flights in case they contract the virus days before traveling and are prohibited from flying. Just to remind visitors, hurricane season extends from June to November, so when you purchase travel insurance you are protecting yourself from COVID related matters, but you are also protecting yourself from any misfortunes that could come with a hurricane (i.e. last-minute flights home, property damage, medical bills, etc.).