Westin St John [Master Thread] - Part 2 (June 2014 and forward)

[ktmorgan]

Thanks so much everyone! I can't say I'm feeling 100% comfortable of everything right now but this all makes sense. Thanks!

 

[GrayFal]

Thanks so much everyone! I can't say I'm feeling 100% comfortable of everything right now but this all makes sense. Thanks!

Your Welcome. Enjoy your ownership.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Thanks so much everyone! I can't say I'm feeling 100% comfortable of everything right now but this all makes sense. Thanks!

Good luck. There is a Coral Vista thread, but might need to search via google as TUG search on top of page does not work well (for me).

Sounds like you bought HomeResort Options in the Resort Season. Generally, Sales will sell enough HOs to get either a studio, 1Bd, 2Bd, or 3Bd. HO are for reserving during your season (Resort) for any checkin day in any villa type (during your season) up to 12 months in advance - limited by the number HOs you have. Only Owners of CV HOs can be used to reserve the CV phase at 8-12 months out.

At 8 months out - your HOs act as SOs for exchanging via SVN which includes other WSJ phases/seasons, or other SVO resorts.
These reservations are ALWAYS based on availability unless a fixed vacation period is owned. This is critical if you vacation during high-demand times - keeping in mind that SVO also owns % of the TS weeks, and can easily reserve first for what they own.

 

[SandyPGravel]

Gina -

Check out NPS dock in Cruz Bay today. This is a unique StJ experience - try and catch it.
Hokulea (Tahitian/Polynesian Sailing vessel) is there today (now...) - wish I were.

http://www.hokulea.com/
http://www.hokulea.com/track-the-voyage/

Added - we had the opportunity to see 2 of the sailing ships in Hanalei, Kauai in September 2013 during our WPORV incarceration . Interesting history - if you have ever seen the phrase "Eddie would go" {Hawaiian Hero and Legend} it is tied to creation and building of these ancient Polynesian sailing vessels, and unfortunate capsize in horrific seas in a HI channel with Eddie paddling towards land to save the souls aboard - never to be seen again. Quite a story.

ESPN 30:30 did a segment on Eddie, and a large wave surfing competition in his name (Eddie Aikau) just happened a few days ago - supposed 60ft waves. Crazy photos/videos.
https://www.facebook.com/WSL/videos/10153468496877058/

Hey David-

We missed it. We were heading out to go diving when your message came in. Too bad, that would have been cool to see. We did see a unique sail boat while we were out, but it didn't look like the one on the website you linked. We were diving not too far from Cruz bay.

Thanx, Gina

 

[DavidnRobin]

Looks like they could still be there - how is your StJ/WSJ vacation going?

 

[SandyPGravel]

Looks like they could still be there - how is your StJ/WSJ vacation going?

It's going good, thanks for asking. We made it to the NPS dock on Tuesday evening and the Hokulea is still here. The sails were put away so we couldn't see them, but the rudder paddle le was out and pretty impressive. Monday we did the Hurricane Hole kayak/snorkel trip. We saw lots of juvenile versions of the fish we normally see diving. Also saw a younger green moray eel, which surprised the guide. After that we stopped at Skinny's(again) for a snack and headed out to Ram's head for sunset. Didn't make it though, didn't leave enough time, only made it to the rocky beach. Still beautiful though. Tuesday we drove out to mile marker 12.8, stopped at Skinny's again. Tonight we are doing the sunset SUP tour in Cruz bay. Tomorrow is the guided Reef Bay Trail. We did the Reef Bay trail on our own last time, but I think I will enjoy the boat ride back much better. Friday we head home. Seems so short this time, only 7 days, 12 days last time.

Gas is $2.95 for unleaded if anyone is interested,

Gina

 

[GrayFal]

Good luck. There is a Coral Vista thread, but might need to search via google as TUG search on top of page does not work well (for me).

Sounds like you bought HomeResort Options in the Resort Season. Generally, Sales will sell enough HOs to get either a studio, 1Bd, 2Bd, or 3Bd. HO are for reserving during your season (Resort) for any checkin day in any villa type (during your season) up to 12 months in advance - limited by the number HOs you have. Only Owners of CV HOs can be used to reserve the CV phase at 8-12 months out.

At 8 months out - your HOs act as SOs for exchanging via SVN which includes other WSJ phases/seasons, or other SVO resorts.
These reservations are ALWAYS based on availability unless a fixed vacation period is owned. This is critical if you vacation during high-demand times - keeping in mind that SVO also owns % of the TS weeks, and can easily reserve first for what they own.

Just wanted to add, that as a resale owner whose HomeOptions do not convert to StarOptions at 8 months, I can book Coral Vista outside my season at 8 months as well.
So a resale Diamond Season owner can book Resort Season at 8 months using HomeOptions and vice versa.

Yes, you are competing against all other StarOptions owners but it is possible to do this.

 

[okwiater]

Just wanted to add, that as a resale owner whose HomeOptions do not convert to StarOptions at 8 months, I can book Coral Vista outside my season at 8 months as well.
So a resale Diamond Season owner can book Resort Season at 8 months using HomeOptions and vice versa.

Yes, you are competing against all other StarOptions owners but it is possible to do this.

That's great to know. Thanks for sharing.

 

[GrayFal]

That's great to know. Thanks for sharing.

Your welcome. And I must say I was very pleased to find this out as well.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Just wanted to add, that as a resale owner whose HomeOptions do not convert to StarOptions at 8 months, I can book Coral Vista outside my season at 8 months as well.
So a resale Diamond Season owner can book Resort Season at 8 months using HomeOptions and vice versa.

Yes, you are competing against all other StarOptions owners but it is possible to do this.

Of course this would be true - otherwise at 8 months the resale CV HOs would be extremely restricted if only can be used in season purchased (and then also compete with SVN).

However, is a resale buyer at CV really going to take a chance to switch seasons and then attempt to compete with SVN exchanges? Especially if no reservation was 1st made within season purchased - resale CV owner could totally get locked out of usage. Also, would have to cancel original in-season CV reservation to have the SOs to make a SVN exchange into CV.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Whales!

https://www.facebook.com/LowKeyWate...01564727223/10153839396572224/?type=3&theater

 

[RichW]

Explorer Package

In March 2015 my wife and I did the STJ presentation we didn't buy, but we did purchase the explorer package which the sales rep said was good for 2 years. if we decide to purchase we had 12 months from the presentation date and 90% of the price of the explorer package can be used for the timeshare purchase. March 2016 is here (12 month), does anyone know if we do not buy this month and decide to use the explorer package in July (16 months) when we go to the presentation will there be any incentives? Is it worth waiting? :whoopie:

 

[SandyPGravel]

Whales!

https://www.facebook.com/LowKeyWate...01564727223/10153839396572224/?type=3&theater

Nice, thanx for sharing. Wish we would have seen somethng like that.

 

[DavidnRobin]

In March 2015 my wife and I did the STJ presentation we didn't buy, but we did purchase the explorer package which the sales rep said was good for 2 years. if we decide to purchase we had 12 months from the presentation date and 90% of the price of the explorer package can be used for the timeshare purchase. March 2016 is here (12 month), does anyone know if we do not buy this month and decide to use the explorer package in July (16 months) when we go to the presentation will there be any incentives? Is it worth waiting?

Not clear - wait for what incentives? You should read terms and conditions of your ExpPkg and not depend on what Sales tells you (cardinal rule).

If you are not going to buy and you are using the vacation the EP gives you - there are no extra incentives that I know about (read terms...) you paid in advance for that EP stay - right? If you buy this month - then 90% of EP goes to purchase and there are SP incentives included. Otherwise - no SPs.

The only other incentive on your stay at 16 months is the standard (~$100 in incentives)

 

[GrayFal]

Of course this would be true - otherwise at 8 months the resale CV HOs would be extremely restricted if only can be used in season purchased (and then also compete with SVN).

However, is a resale buyer at CV really going to take a chance to switch seasons and then attempt to compete with SVN exchanges? Especially if no reservation was 1st made within season purchased - resale CV owner could totally get locked out of usage. Also, would have to cancel original in-season CV reservation to have the SOs to make a SVN exchange into CV.

Coral Vista is voluntary .... If I purchased at at LagunaMar Gold Plus or Steamboat Resort Platinum or Desert Willow Platinum Plus or WSJ Bay Vista Platinim or Gold Plus as a resale owner at a voluntary resort I can ONLY reserve a week during my season. (Correct me if my understanding is wrong, this is how it works with Marriott retail and resale weeks)

With Coral Vista HomeOptions I can reserve 3 days in Diamond Season and 7 days in Resort if I want making it more flexible then traditional voluntary week based resales.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Hi Pat - this is a benefit for CV over weekly ownerships of WSJ-BV or WLR when attempting to reserve outside season. Not sure how much of a real benefit considering there is no priority for CV Owners at 8 months (if they did - that would be a huge benefit). So... you would hold back usage to compete with SVN exchangers at 8 months? After CV is sold out - that is a huge risk. IMO

Question - resale WSJ-BV or WLR (etc) can use II. How does resale CV work with II?

 

[GrayFal]

Hi Pat - this is a benefit for CV over weekly ownerships of WSJ-BV or WLR when attempting to reserve outside season. Not sure how much of a real benefit considering there is no priority for CV Owners at 8 months (if they did - that would be a huge benefit). So... you would hold back usage to compete with SVN exchangers at 8 months? After CV is sold out - that is a huge risk. IMO

Question - resale WSJ-BV or WLR (etc) can use II. How does resale CV work with II?

In my case, I purchased resort season with current plans to travel late fall as I own a Hillside winter week. Sooooooo, Diamond season occurs 8 months out January-April) before I have to reserve my November time. Not saying I will do it because as you said, I would have no priority, would be lumped with the other no status SVN members. But it is a possibility.

Edit. Regarding II, yes I can join (add to my current personal account) but have not done this as I have no intention of exchanging and II charges a fee to add an ownership.
I will send an email to SVN regarding this and see what they say. Not sure if it would be a week for week trade or if an II Points account is needed. At the time of my purchase, I know I had the information as I had asked but do not recall what they told me ....hmmmmm
Will post when I find out.

 

[sachia007]

Ferry - St. Thomas to STJ

When we were waiting for the ferry to leave the dock and take us back to Red Hook, less than a week ago , I overheard the man who collects the money on board tell a customer that the car ferry companies are working together now.

You can buy a round trip ticket and both companies will accept the return slip. Not sure if this is true or if he was teasing the customer, but I think he was telling the truth. He kept on saying, "we are now doing this, and you should have asked..you have to ask questions". Not that it's a lot of money saved on the trip buying round trip vs. one-way, but it's a savings.

 

[melissy123]

Saw the Hokulea while snorkeling at Trunk Bay today. She was under sail and on the way to Cuba, according to the lifeguard.

 

[sachia007]

How to find out owner's name the week before or after we own

I believe it was David who posted a while ago how to find out the person's name and/or mailing address that owns the same unit the week before and after our week.

Anyone know how to do this?

Thanks

 

[DavidnRobin]

Go into USVI property tax records, and search.
https://propertytax.vi.gov/Lookup/TaxBillLookup.aspx
https://propertytax.vi.gov/Lookup/ParcelLookup.aspx

Look at your parcel code (PropTax Bill? or search you name) - then change last letter to a letter before/after
e.g CM becomes CL or CN

they run in sequences

 

[DavidnRobin]

If anyone is on St John. Beach Bar tonight. Fri. Mar4

 

[SandyPGravel]

When we were waiting for the ferry to leave the dock and take us back to Red Hook, less than a week ago , I overheard the man who collects the money on board tell a customer that the car ferry companies are working together now.

You can buy a round trip ticket and both companies will accept the return slip. Not sure if this is true or if he was teasing the customer, but I think he was telling the truth. He kept on saying, "we are now doing this, and you should have asked..you have to ask questions". Not that it's a lot of money saved on the trip buying round trip vs. one-way, but it's a savings.

One way is now $35 & I think round trip is still $50. $20 bucks would be worth asking! BTW, we left this morning got to the car barge a little before 9 am still didn't fit on 9:30 ferry took 10 am ferry got to red hook 1030. Westin suggested getting to car barge 1/2 hour early, we might have made the barge if we were 45 minutes early & this was on a Friday morning.

Saw my first and only turtle from the car barge!!

 

[melissy123]

When we were waiting for the ferry to leave the dock and take us back to Red Hook, less than a week ago , I overheard the man who collects the money on board tell a customer that the car ferry companies are working together now.

You can buy a round trip ticket and both companies will accept the return slip. Not sure if this is true or if he was teasing the customer, but I think he was telling the truth. He kept on saying, "we are now doing this, and you should have asked..you have to ask questions". Not that it's a lot of money saved on the trip buying round trip vs. one-way, but it's a savings.

I was up topside when hubby bought the round trip tickets even though I had told him to buy only one-way. He said he was told about the same story, that the tickets are good on both companies. We'll find out for sure on the return but it sounds like that it's really true. And boy, do I owe him an apology.

 

[melissy123]

At WSJ this week, in BV, on the first floor in a two bedroom, using a friend's staroptions. No deck, just a very small unusable patio. Very noisy to sit at beach or the pool during construction hours. But hey, it's St. John and we're having a great week. And we've been snorkeling every morning. Finally got to Waterlemon Cay after swimming out from shore. I swear I saw a shark on the ocean floor in the channel.

Looking at resale weeks now, and one for sale by a BV owner promises a fixed unit and a fixed week, and it's pointed out that the advantage for this unit is that it's unlike all the other BV weeks that were sold as floating weeks. Is this true or were all weeks at BV sold as floating weeks. (And yes, I know no staroptions on resale)