WHAT IS THE CARIBBEAN
ESCAPE? The
Caribbean Escape - Summit at The Westin St.
John, takes place on the island of St. John - United States Virgin
Islands, and includes activities in nearby
St. Thomas. It is the new land
based sister venue to the 8th Annual Black
Boaters Summit (BBS). The Caribbean Escape
was developed after feedback from the BBS
indicated that time spent at The Westin was
worth planning an entire trip
around.
WHERE IS ST. JOHN AND THE
USVI, AND HOW DO I GET THERE?
St. John is one of
three islands comprising the US Virgin Islands,
the other two being St. Thomas and St. Croix. It
lies in the Caribbean Sea, and is fairly close
to Puerto Rico (see map). Participants will
fly to St. Thomas from their home
airports. There they will be greeted by a
Westin concierge and transported by private water shuttle (no fee)
to the Westin St. John Resort &
Villas.
WHO PUT THIS TRIP PACKAGE TOGETHER? Tour operator Paul Mixon of Honey
Let's Travel first teamed up with VIPLineup (San
Francisco/Oakland). Paul is the engine
behind the very successful Black Boater's
Summit, which is now in its 8th year, attracting
over 500 participants. VIPLineup thought
it would be interesting to invite other African
American professional lifestyle and
entertainment organizations around the country,
and contacted: Atlanta - Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles - Los Angeles, San Francisco/Oakland and Washington DC.
WHAT'S
THE SECRET SAUCE?
WHAT MAKES THIS TRIP SO SPECIAL? Since
8 professional organizations from 7
cities (Atlanta - Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles - Los Angeles, San Francisco/Oakland and Washington DC) are sponsoring
The Caribbean Escape, you'll be in the
company of your peers and friends, both
local and national. Collectively we're
extending our reach, and inviting the
same level of professionals that you've
grown accustomed to at your local events.
We encourage you to extend an invitation
to your friends around the country,
even across the pond. In addition, we
chose a destination and resort that's
suitable for singles, couples, and families,
so you can bring your party with you,
or not. The Caribbean Escape
is designed for singles and couples,
but if you're daring enough to bring
your kids, you won't feel like you've
taken them to a singles club. But if
you're single, you definitely won't
feel like you're in Disneyland. If you're
a couple, c'mon down. You probably need
to feel like you're single again. That's
why we call it the Caribbean Escape.
St. John and nearby St.
Thomas have something for everyone. The
opportunity to enjoy sports, socialize,
relax, and party with other like minded
souls, both familiar
and new acquaintances, is an
added bonus, perhaps a primary motivator!
You can participate in the group activities, or
go off on your own. And to top it off,
we secured a great price on our trip package,
realizing up to a 42% discount.
I'M INTERESTED.
HOW DO I STAY IN
THE LOOP? Add yourself
to a special Caribbean Escape email
list.
|
To
get updates on The Caribbean Escape:
Click
Here
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WHAT ABOUT HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS? TELL ME ABOUT
THE RESORT. WHAT TYPES OF ROOMS ARE AVAILABLE?
CAN I UPGRADE MY ROOM? WHERE WILL MY ROOM
BE LOCATED?
- The
resort -
The Westin St. John Resort &
Villas>>
- Room Type - All rooms are double occupancy with
either a king or two queen beds. Our
Caribbean Escape package includes
the standard guest rooms. See Resort Map>>
- Room Availability
- Based on best available at time
of check-in.
- Room Upgrades
- Email info@blacknla.com
- Room Locations - Beachfront,
poolside, oceanview and garden views.
Although we all want the beachfront
rooms, our experience is that on this
type of vacation, the amount of time
spent in the room is pretty minimal.
But for those of us that must have
that villa experience, email us and
we'll see what we can arrange.
- Roommates - Need
a roommate? Try our bulletin
board. Click
here>
- I'm ready to go>
WHO IS GOING?
I’M NOT NECESSARILY LOOKING TO HOOK
UP, BUT HOW MANY SINGLE MEN/WOMEN WILL
BE THERE, AND HOW OLD ARE THE PARTICIPANTS?
Funny you should
ask, Mr/Ms "Not Looking." No worries
though, everyone asks. Typically the
women are the first to sign up for these
types of trips, and the men need a push
(take a hint fellas). We'll work hard
to keep the numbers balanced. Collectively
(Atlanta - Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles - Los Angeles, San Francisco/Oakland and Washington DC) we're extending
our reach, and inviting the same level
of professionals that you've grown accustomed
to at your local events. We encourage
you to extend an invitation to your
friends around the country, even across
the pond. In addition, we chose a destination
and resort that's suitable for singles,
couples, and families, so you can bring
your party with you, or not. As
for age, well that's hard to say, but if you invite your friends from
around the country, and they tell a
friend, and so on, and so on...
WHAT DO YOU OFFER
FAMILIES?
We designed The Caribbean
Escape with singles and couples in mind,
however The Westin St. John is kid friendly.
It has a pretty good kids program (3yrs
- 12yrs). See the Westin Kid’s Club>. Our
Family rate of $765 per person double
occupancy includes one child per adult
(shared bed, up to 12 yrs old) but does
not include the Jost Van Dyke and Norman
Island visits which can be purchased
separately on site. The resort
property is pretty well balanced.
If you bring your kids, you won't feel
like you've taken them to a singles
club. If you're single, you definitely
won't feel like you're in Disneyland.
If you're a couple, c'mon down. You
probably need to feel like you're single
again. That's why we call it the Caribbean
Escape. If you're interested
in the Family rate, email us at Travel@blacknla.com.
WHAT
ARE MY ACTIVITY
OPTIONS? THE ITINERARY IS NICE, BUT
I'M NOT A "FOLLOW THE LEADER" TYPE OF
PERSON. The
Westin is a full service resort and
offers a variety of amenities and activities>.
Golf can be found nearby in
St. Thomas, and the spa is on site. For those of
you that want to relax the day away,
The Westin offers a selection of bars, beach cafes and restaurants>
The resort's beach is the obvious choice,
and the island has over 31 more beaches if you want
some "me" time. St. John has a few nightspots,
but for a big dose of the singles scene
or more "action," St. Thomas is only a short ferry
ride away, and offers great shopping during the day, beaches,
and a busy nightlife with a number of
restaurants, bars and clubs.
The ferry runs back and forth regularly,
and if you miss it, there's always the
private water taxis.
IF I'M FLYING
SOLO, AM I GOING TO FEEL LIKE
THE THIRD WHEEL? Hardly. We're
expecting lots of third wheels rolling
around, and it's safe to say that the
resort and surrounding area offers enough
activities and people to suit all "agendas."
We purposely chose
a destination and resort that's suitable
for singles, couples, and families,
so you can bring your party with you,
or not. St. John and nearby St.
Thomas are very appealing destinations
even if you are traveling on your own.
The opportunity to
enjoy sports, socialize, relax, and
party with other like minded souls,
both familiar and new acquaintances,
is a great added bonus. You can
take advantage of the Activity Options
(see above), and or join us for the
group activities, and
come away with a few new buddies. Suffice
to say you won't be alone unless you
choose to be. Need
a roommate? Try our bulletin
board. Click
here.
WHAT DOES THE CARIBBEAN ESCAPE COST
AND WHAT IS INCLUDED?
Normally priced up
to $1900, The Caribbean Escape is only
$1099 per person (
Double occupancy. Single occupancy rate
- $1499 Need
a roommate? Try our bulletin
board. Click
here):
- Socializing and networking
with African American professionals
from around the country
- Five nights at the
Westin St. John Resort & Villas
- Visits to 4 islands
(included, but optional participation)
- Two hosted dinners
and four hosted parties
- Yacht
Happy Hour
- Round trip transfers
between St. Thomas and St. John
- Event T-shirt and
hat
- THE COST DOES NOT
INCLUDE AIRFARE. Airfare booked separately.
EXTENDED STAY - CAN I COME
EARLY AND STAY LATE?
Yes. We will have
a place on our upcoming bulletin board
to post a notice if you need a roommate
for that early arrival or late stay.
IS THERE A SPECIAL
PRICE FOR MEMBERS
OF THE SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS?
We haven't determined what the member
privilege/benefits will be, but as soon
as we figure it out, we'll let you know.
WHAT ABOUT FOOD AND DRINK? The Caribbean Escape
includes two hosted dinners and four
parties. The resort offers a selection
of restaurants and bars, or for a $3
taxi ride you can sample the tasty but
inexpensive food at a number of establishments
in the village of Cruz Bay on St. John.
DO I NEED A PASSPORT TO ENTER THE US
VIRGIN ISLANDS? You will not need
a passport to enter St. Thomas or St.
John. However, you will need
a passport or original birth certificate
and photo ID when we visit Jost Van
Dyke and Norman Island.
WHAT ABOUT GROUND TRANSPORTATION?
HOW WILL I GET AROUND? For
the hosted activities, transportation
is provided. Taxis are readily
available in St. John and St. Thomas.
A ferry runs regularly between the 2
islands. The adventurous can rent
a car on either island, although you'll
have to quickly adjust to the opposite
road and steering wheel orientation.
We recommend that you spare yourself
the drama and leave the driving to the
locals.
HOW MUCH SPENDING MONEY WILL I NEED?
DO THEY ACCEPT
U.S. CURRENCY? Bring
some money along for food, shopping,
"lounging," and did I say shopping?
Your dollars are good here. After all,
it is the U.S. Virgin Islands.
WHAT WILL THE
WEATHER BE
LIKE? We're lucky to
be landing in St. John during its hottest
month of the year, with an average high
of 88° and an average low of 76°.
When it does rain, which is not often,
it is usually over before you can grab
your umbrella.
HOW SHOULD I DRESS? AND HOW MUCH LUGGAGE
SHOULD I BRING? You can bring as
much clothing as you like, but you'll
spend 95% of your time in shorts, swimsuits,
T-shirts, tennis shoes and sandals.
For the evenings, a summer dress or
two here or there, linen slacks, short
sleeve shirts, and you're good to go.
WILL MY CELL PHONE WORK? Yes.
Check with your cell phone provider
for rates and roaming charges. But,
the last thing you'll want to do is
phone home.
