U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS UPDATE
St. Croix to Host Marine Corps Birthday Celebration
The St. Croix Marine Corps Association will welcome many active, former and retired Marines to celebrate the 224th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps Nov. 12-20. Activities will include the 6th annual Toys for Tots Commandant's Cup golf tournament to raise money to benefit the Virgin Islands Toys for Tots program. This program provides presents during Christmas for needy children in the territory. Additional activities are also being planned. More than 150 Marines and their families will join 60 local members of the Association for the festivities. Visiting dignitaries include: Gen. James L. Jones, the commandant of the Marine Corps and a member of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff; John Clendenin, head of the Harvard Business School of Leadership; and many other notable and distinguished ladies and gentlemen. For additional information about the 224th Marine Corps Association Toys for Tots Weekend Golf & Birthday Celebration, please call the St. Croix Hotel & Tourism Association at (340) 773-7117.
St. John Resort Offers "Sale of the Century" Summer Rates
The Westin Resort St. John is offering a special "Sale of the Century" package to celebrate the last summer of the century. Effective for travel through Sept. 5, visitors can enjoy the last days of summer at one of the territory's most luxurious beachfront properties for rates as low as $139 per night (per room, based on double occupancy). Guests will save nearly 40 percent off the regular summer rate of $220 per night. The resort features 285 guest rooms and suites; three restaurants and a New York-style deli; 24-hour room service; a full-service Westin Kids Club for children ages 3 years and up; an oversized, state-of-the-art health club and full spa facility; six lighted tennis courts; and a quarter-acre, freshwater swimming pool, including a kiddie pool and two adjacent Jacuzzis. For reservations or more information, call (800) 808-5020 or (340) 693-8000.
Caledonian Airways Offers Flights to London
Caledonian Airways flights from St. Thomas to London's Gatwick Airport can now be booked in the USVI. Up until now, Caledonian flights could only be booked in London. The return flight from St. Thomas stops one time before arriving in London. The airline began offering direct weekly flights from London to St. Thomas earlier this year. The charter will continue to arrive weekly during August and switch to biweekly flights in September. Flights to St. Thomas will revert back to weekly service in October and for the remainder of the winter season. Fares vary from $561 to $693 for stays up to four weeks. For stays over four weeks and a maximum of eight weeks, flights will cost an additional $132. For more information, call Caribbean Travel Agency at (340) 774-1855.
Win a St. Thomas Bed-and-Breakfast Inn through an Internet-Based Essay Contest
Frank and Mary Davis, owners of the Danish Chalet Inn on St. Thomas, will award ownership of their 15-room bed-and-breakfast inn to the contestant who writes the best essay about "Why I Would Like to Own and Operate the Danish Chalet Inn on St. Thomas." To enter this writing contest, which is being conducted exclusively via the Internet, contestants must submit an essay of 150 words or less and pay the $100 entry fee that automatically entitles the entrant to a $100 voucher toward a future reservation at the Danish Chalet. The voucher is valid from the completion of the contest in late 1999 through January 1, 2003 (based on space availability). For more information, call (340) 774-5764 or visit the Web site at www.wininn.com.
Sadie Sea Announces Night Snorkel Trips
Sadie Sea Power Snorkeling & Tours on St. John recently announced the availability of night snorkel trips. The trips include a sunset review of a reef location, instruction in night snorkel equipment and a guided tour through the nocturnal marine world. Fees include a wet suit vest and dive light. Hours of operation for night snorkeling are 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. during the summer season and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. during the winter season. Call in advance for confirmation of times and days. Sadie Sea captain Sandy West also offers a guided hike through historic Reef Bay Valley and a day cruise around St. John. Visitors on the five-hour guided hike explore a subtropical forest and view ruins of the Sugar Era and ancient rock carvings. The six-hour cruise circumnavigates St. John and anchors at remote reefs allowing visitors to explore the diverse marine environment. A demonstration on proper use of equipment is followed by three snorkel excursions. For more information, call (340) 776-6922.
Renaissance Resort Offers Value Vacations Package for Family Fun
St. Thomas' Renaissance Grand Beach Resort is offering value-added vacation options and discounts this summer that will make the entire family's vacation more pleasant. Guests who stay at the resort a minimum of five nights can take advantage of the following Value Vacations package features: accommodations in a spacious room with a partial view of the Caribbean Sea and either a king-size bed or two queen-size beds; a $50 run-of-resort credit per room, per day; and free room and meals for children 12 and under. The rate for the Value Vacations package is $145 per room per night, effective for travel through Dec. 18. Used in conjunction with the territory-wide Picture Yourself in Paradise summer promotion, the Value Vacations package offers guests additional savings with one free Fuji single-use camera, a free shopping shuttle certificate, a free coupon savings book and a passbook that includes free admission to several St. Thomas attractions. Guests planning to stay less than five nights may take advantage of daily rates reduced by as much as 14 percent in some room categories. Through Sept. 30, reduced rates (based on double occupancy) range from $105 per room per night for a resort view room to $125 per room per night for a poolside room. Rates do not include taxes and are not available during blackout periods. A year-round children's program and childcare are also available. For reservations or more information, call (800) 421-8188 or (340) 775-1510.
Singles Summer St. Thomas' Bolongo Bay Beach Club & Villas is offering a Singles Summer Savings Promotion for all bookings made through Aug. 31 for travel through Oct. 31. The special offers reduced rates to single-occupancy guests staying on the resort's European, Continental semi-inclusive or all-inclusive plans. For more information about the Singles Summer Savings Promotion, call Bolongo Bay Beach Club & Villas at (800) 524-4746 or (340) 775-1800, or visit the resort's Web Site at www.bolongo.com.
