Answer: The unit is fully equipped for cooking. All linens are provided, including beach towels. Toiletries, as well as laundry detergent, and coffee and various teas are also in the unit. There are hair dryers in the bathrooms. Also included are a large capacity washer and dryer and laundry supplies, iron and ironing board. Bring your suit, snorkel, and fins (although we do have a couple of masks and snorkels available) and make yourself at home.

Answer: We strongly recommend renting a car. Caret Bay Getaway is on the north side of the island, off the beaten path, so you will spend a lot of time waiting for taxis if you do not have a car. The taxi fares are high in St. Thomas. Finally, having a car gives you the freedom to go where you want, when you want. You will quickly adapt to driving on the left.

Answer: Yes, St. Thomas drivers drive on the left, with cars that have their steering wheels on the left. However, there are no interstates on the island, and there are frequent speed bumps to keep traffic going slowly. Most of the speed bumps are painted, but after you hit one or two of the unpainted ones, you quickly learn where they are. Also, you will find most of the island drivers are courteous and understanding. When you need to make a right turn in a crowded situation, a driver will soon yield to you, with a quick tap on their horn (bip!), which means "go ahead". You, in turn, respond with a quick tap, which means "thank you". Also, "left-on-red after stop" applies.

Answer: Our personal preference is to rent with either Avis or Budget. They are both at the airport, and have competitive rates (check their websites for rates and to book. If you book through their website, call and confirm a week before you travel, and be sure to have documentation in hand when you arrive). There are other agencies, and even some local ones that advertise "best rates on the island", but we have found they use hidden fees and scare tactics to induce you to end up paying higher rates than the big names. Be sure and check with your insurance company to make sure you are covered on the island. Hertz does not allow you to take their cars to St. John.

Answer: Last time we checked (May 2007) both Avis and Budget allowed you to take a rental car to St. John. Before you arrive, you should confirm with whichever agency you select. Avis and Budget are in the airport.

Answer: This is a non-smoking unit, and is insured as such. There is absolutely no smoking permitted anywhere inside the unit. You may smoke outside, provided that you clean up your smoking debris. The carport is well suited to this, since it is covered.

Answer: The unit is fully air conditioned. It is furnished with six "split" air conditioners.

Answer: Yes, the unit has its own private swimming pool. There is (naturally) no lifeguard on duty, so please keep an eye on your children.

Answer: Caret Bay Getaway is situated in a very private residential area. If you plan on having a late night celebration, we would ask that you do so in one of the local nightspots rather than in the unit. Most residents here go to bed at about 10 p.m. and get up early. We will definitely hear about it if they hear you blasting the stereo, so please be considerate of the neighbors. Most of them are are not on vacation!

Answer: Click here to see the unit floorplan.
The house has four bedrooms. The largest is the master bedroom, which has a king size bed and sleeps two. (The master bedroom also has a small couch that folds out into a single bed. We don't advertise this "ninth" bed on the web, but it is available, should you have a child that wants to stay in your room. So the house actually sleeps nine). All of the bedrooms are pictured on our website. The second bedroom on the main floor which we’ll refer to as the "back" bedroom, because it’s on the back of the house, has a "trundle" bed, which sleeps two. A trundle bed is actually a pair of beds, one twin size, and one just slightly smaller than a twin bed. That slightly smaller one is on rollers and is stored beneath the upper twin bed. The lower bed rolls out and then can "pop-up" to be the same height as the bed it is stored beneath. You can make this up as one large bed or two twins. The third bedroom on the main floor has a queen size bed, and sleeps two. Finally, the fourth bedroom is on the lower level, and has a separate entrance. Whoever wants the most privacy should use this room. There are three ways to get to the lower level: 1) You can take the outside stairs near the carport (assuming the gate is unlocked). 2) You can exit through one of the sliders on the main level, and take the deck stairs down. 3) You can exit the house through the master bath/laundry room, and take the side stairway down. That bedroom (which has its own bath) has a queen size bed, and sleeps two.

Answer: We accept MasterCard and Visa. You can pay by credit card using either our our secure server, or Paypal. Click here for a PDF document describing the credit card payment process.
If you decide to use Paypal, you DON'T have to have an account with Paypal to use them. There is a place to click at the bottom of the Paypal screen if you either don't have, or don't want to use your account.
If you make your reservation far enough ahead, and arrange it with us, we will accept a personal check.

Answer: When you decide to accept our offer, you will click on the link we have provided. It will take you to our reservation system on VRConnection.com. You will go through a four step process.

Step 1 of 4: You will complete & verify your contact information (if necessary)
Step 2 of 4: You will review and accept the terms of the rental agreement
Step 3 of 4: You will select a payment method
Step 4 of 4: You select final acceptance and may optionally provide feedback

We will be notified by email, and will then send you a verification, and other information you will need.

Answer: Most of the stores downtown start closing around 5PM (when the cruise ships leave). The restaurants stay open later.

Answer: St. Thomas is on Atlantic Standard time, and they never change their clocks. During the winter, they are 1 hour ahead of New York, but during the summer they are on the same time.

Answer: Unfortunately, crime is everywhere. Be "street smart," as you would in any large city, and walk where there are other people around.

Answer: On average, in the low 80s. June, July and August tend to be the hottest months with temperatures in the mid 80s and December through February cooler months with high 70 degree temperatures.
Water temperatures in the Virgin Islands do not change greatly from summer to winter, however the 4 or 5 degree change is noticeable to those acclimated to consistently warm tropical weather. In the summer months the water temperature is about 83 degrees and in the winter about 79 degrees.
The Virgin Islands does not have a rainy season, however there are month to month differences. The rainiest months in the Virgin Islands are November, October, September, August and May. Rainy months do not mean that there is continuous rainfall every day all month long, in fact most daily rainfall reports are below .10 inches. Rain showers are often short and typically occur early in the morning or at night. On a truly rainy day, it will rain off and on for the entire day. All day downpours over numerous days are not common. The driest months are typically February and March.

Answer: No. St. Thomas is a U.S. territory, and uses United States currency. Most major credit cards are accepted, but Discover is relatively unpopular.

Answer: The unit can sleep nine people comfortably. See the "bedroom setup" question above.

Answer: The water is safe to drink. It is from a cistern under the house, and contains a combination of rain water and purchased water (trucked in). We will also equip you with a supply of bottled water. On the subject of water, keep in mind you are on an island, with only one small fresh water stream on the entire island (which is brackish and undrinkable). Water is extremely precious, and very expensive. We would ask that you help us conserve by not letting the water run unnecessarily, taking short showers, and flushing only when necessary. The saying here is "On this island of sun and fun, we never flush for number one!" (really, they do say that). Also, please report any and all drips and leaks to us.

Answer: St. Thomas is known for its wonderful restaurants, and its beautiful beaches. We have a book in the unit with our favorite picks of each.

Answer: Hull Bay Beach is the closest beach - about 2 miles away. Magen's Bay is just a bit further. However, don't restrict yourself to the nearest beach! The island is small enough that you can explore and find your own favorite. We have a writeup on beaches in the unit.

Answer: Like water, electricity is precious and expensive (roughly 4 times as expensive as at home). The north side of the island is cooler than the rest of the island, and often breezy. However, there will probably be times when you want the comfort of air conditioning. We would ask that you conserve energy by turning the units off when you are not in the room, when you are not in the unit, or when the room has been sufficiently cooled. The units are powerful, and you'll find that they quickly do their job.

Answer: Local custom dictates that you greet a person with the time of day. You should always start with "Good morning", "Good afternoon", "Good evening", or "Good night" before you say anything else. This is a very important and respected matter of ettiquette there. In general, you will enjoy the islands and your stay much more if you practice this simple and friendly courtesy. Otherwise, you will be viewed as a rude and impatient tourist and service will most likely be much slower.

Answer: Assuming you are a U.S. citizen, then no. Read the details here: http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/index.shtm

Answer: There are three gyms that we would recommend. Closest to the unit is Extreme Fitness (340-774-0220). They are in the same shopping center as Cost-U-Less (next to Home Depot), which we have directions to in the book in the unit. The second is Sea Grape Spa and Fitness Center (340-777-4422), at the Elysian Hotel in Red Hook, on the east end of the island. Plenty of parking for both of those. The last is America's Paradise Gym (340-714-3488), at the Nisky Center, which is on the main drag close to the airport. Traffic is heavier and parking is tighter there.