St. John Retreat

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will I need a passport? 

Yes.  You do not need a passport to enter St Thomas or St John since those are American territories.  However, US rules have changed as of January 2007 that you must have a passport when visiting the Caribbean or Mexico.  You will need it to get back to the mainland.  In addition, you may choose to participate in a day-sail excursion which will require a passport.  The link to start the passport process is http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

2. Is St John American/US? 

Yes, it sure is. The American Virgin Islands are St Thomas, St John, and St Croix.  No passport is required to visit those territories, just like Puerto Rico.

3.  Where exactly is St John? 

St John is east of Puerto Rico, in the Caribbean Ocean.

4. Can you fly directly to St John? 

No, you fly into St Thomas, Cyril E King Airport, airport code STT.  You then take a taxi to a ferry dock and a ferry to St John, just “across the pond” from St Thomas.  The ferry ride from downtown costs $10 one way and takes about 45 minutes. 

5. Does this include airfare?

No, because we have participants coming from different areas, each person will make her own arrangements.  There are currently flights available for less than $500 round trip.  Check this link for discounted air travel:

http://www.cvoa.com/book_flights.php

Secure your tickets as soon as possible, due to rising travel costs (oil, gasoline, etc.).  You’ll fly into St Thomas (STT) and take a ferry to St John, Cruz Bay.  Ferries leave from Charlotte Amalie ($10) and from Red Hook ($5).  You can use this link in the FAQ for ferry schedules and fares:  http://www.stjohnusvi.com/ferry.html

6. Are there any other costs I might incur en route?

Well, there is that wonderful airport food to plan for.  Just one more hot dog before you get your tropical fruit smoothie!   You’ll also need to plan for taxi rates from STT airport to the ferry docks (either Charlotte Amalie or Red Hook) and from ferry dock to airport on the way back.  I highly recommend using the Charlotte Amalie ferry dock.  Less traffic, easier for the taxi folks to organize, less hassle.

http://www.vinow.com/stthomas/getting_around_stt/taxi_stt/#rates

Taxi:  $6.00 or 7.00 between Airport and Charlotte Amalie (downtown St Thomas); $11 or 15 between airport and Red Hook (East End St Thomas)

Bring whatever you need for personal shopping and souvenirs.  We will offer optional massages, an optional day sail trip to the BVIs, and we may want to go out one night to a nice restaurant (group will decide when there—nothing is required on this trip).  If all nine spots are filled, I will be subsidizing that dinner out.  American dollars are accepted in the American and British Virgin Islands.

7.  Will there be a refund in case a hurricane or other act of God prevented the trip?

This wonderful location puts us at risk for hurricanes. If the home reserved becomes unavailable due to an act of God, every effort will be made to re-reserve a similar property. If similar accommodations cannot be found, a refund will be issued.

We highly recommend that you purchase trip insurance. If you purchase appropriate trip insurance, most costs will be covered and reimbursed.  For a small price ($25 - $100) you can purchase a policy to cover illness, accidents, inclement weather, even hurricanes. 

Insurance is truly that—a “just in case” situation.  The retreat is deliberately scheduled for late/almost done with hurricane season, after the election, before the high-season rates increase, and before the holidays.  I tried to schedule it at an optimum time for as many people as possible. 

http://www.insuremytrip.com/hurricane.warning-1000-0-15129-43.html

8.  If you don't have all nine spots filled, will the trip still go on as planned?

Yes, for the most part "as planned."  We need a minimum of 7 people to make this happen and cover the costs of renting the villa and the vendors’ costs. Amenities may be slightly affected (difference between “this is great!” and “this is really great!”).  We’ll still have an amazing experience reconnecting with nature, food, balance, each other, and ourselves.  

There is also the possibility of moving to another villa if we don't get nine deposits on time.  So grab your friends to grab this villa!

9.  What exactly do you mean by “double occupancy?”

Casa Luna has King-sized beds, so guests will share the bed and one bathroom.  One bathroom per bedroom.  The theme is Reconnect to Wellness, so plan to come with a good friend or a family member, someone with whom you'd like to celebrate and deepen your relationship.  If you want to come and are coming alone, it will be okay.  Besides, everyone has all these amazing things in common—love of yoga, meditation, massage, good food, going to the Caribbean, self care, getting away.  It’s going to be great!  If you absolutely must sleep alone, we can request an inflatable air mattress from the villa owners for $75/week.  You’ll be sharing a room, but not a bed. 

10.  Ok, tell me everything in 60 seconds or less:  what's included and what exactly will I be paying for?

The $1650 includes your accommodations, on-island transportation that we provide (arrival, departure, activities included in the group itinerary), a special National Park hike and transportation back to the villa, wellness classes, yoga and meditation sessions, breakfasts, most lunches and dinners at the villa (including catered meals, meals that we'll be fixing, and a cooking class),  and a few "gifts and surprises."

What's optional is the following:

I would love for us all to go out for dinner one night, and I'm arranging "a deal" so your cost will be around $30-$50 dollars per person.  Massages are optional ($110).  An optional snorkel/sail for a full day (including lunch) is $125 per person.  It is truly optional; you don't have to go.  You are financially responsible for anything you choose to do on your own.  Souvenirs; transportation to somewhere not on our schedule; sun block/tanning lotion; stuff like that.  All in all, I'd bring about $350-500 in spending money, just in case.